Political Access Through Economic Power

“In these respects, Jan Kulczyk stood out. He was perfectly suited for the final undoing of the arrangements created by SLD politicians. Even Kaczmarek’s revelations were not needed. His extensive influence within the ruling camp was commonly known. The press described how his inspiration supposedly led to subsequent dismissals of treasury ministers. Privatization decisions were allegedly carried out under his instruction. Phone calls between the prime minister and the billionaire were not uncommon. Quite the opposite, they were basically the rule. Leszek Miller had no reservations. Doctor Jan did not resist. After all, who would resist when the prime minister is on the other end of the line saying: “Hello, let’s meet up. I’d like to discuss something with you.” - Anyone would have become full of themselves. Kulczyk, too, was then floating a few centimeters above the ground. The inquiry commission concerning Orlen was a hard landing - says a person familiar with the behind-the-scenes of those years and the relations between Kulczyk, Miller, and Kwaśniewski.”

“At today’s council headquarters, in the Sobański Palace at Aleje Ujazdowskie, two steps away from the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, Jan Kulczyk felt right at home.”

“Desmarais has never become a public politician, though he has been encouraged to do so; yet he understands politics because it’s a part of the power game, and interacts well with politicians, keeping in touch with all who matter. Since the Duplessis days he has made a point of ensuring some personal contact with every Quebec premier, whatever his political stripe, and every Canadian prime minister.”

“He has also invited several retired politicians and senior civil ser¬ vants to occupy senior executive posts or seats on the board of Power Corporation or its subsidiaries. A snapshot of the Power board in 1986 would have captured William Davis, retired Premier of Ontario, in a director’s chair (his predecessor in office, the late John Robarts, also sat on the Power board) and Senator Michael Pitfield, former Clerk of the Privy Council under Pierre Trudeau, who occupied a Power vice-presidency. The financing arrangements of the Quebec Autobus deal comprised a typically creative Desmarais package of personal cash and loans granted him because of his track record as a person who always meets his obligations and keeps his word. Industrial Acceptance Corpora¬ tion, one of his old creditors in Sudbury Bus Lines, which knew and trusted Desmarais, lent him $700,000; British American Oil Company (later Gulf) lent him $800,000 on his promise to buy all his gas from the company, and the Royal Bank lent him $500,000 against proceeds from the sale of Gatineau Bus.”