Political Proximity Without Formal 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."

"“Kwaśniewski is my friend. His wife Jola was responsible at PATT for supplies. They made and sold polymer clay jewelry. And like everyone else, they needed imported raw materials. It was my signature that decided who received those raw materials and how much. I invited Jola out to dinner. They came together. That’s how I met Aleksander.”"