Marek Belka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
His Excellency
Marek Belka
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| Prime Minister of Poland | |
| In office 2 May 2004 – 31 October 2005 |
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| President | Aleksander Kwaśniewski |
| Deputy | Jerzy Hausner Izabela Jaruga-Nowacka |
| Preceded by | Leszek Miller |
| Succeeded by | Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz |
| President of the National Bank of Poland | |
| In office 11 June 2010 – 20 June 2016 |
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| Appointed by | Bronisław Komorowski |
| Preceded by | Piotr Wiesiołek (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Adam Glapiński |
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 1 July 2019 – 15 July 2024 |
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| Constituency | Łódź |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Poland | |
| In office 19 October 2001 – 6 July 2002 |
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| Prime Minister | Leszek Miller |
| In office 4 February 1997 – 17 October 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 19 October 2001 – 6 July 2002 |
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| Prime Minister | Leszek Miller |
| Preceded by | Halina Wasilewska-Trenker |
| Succeeded by | Grzegorz Kołodko |
| In office 4 February 1997 – 17 October 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz |
| Preceded by | Grzegorz Kołodko |
| Succeeded by | Leszek Balcerowicz |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Marek Marian Belka
9 January 1952 Łódź, Poland |
| Political party | Polish United Workers' Party (1973–1990) Democratic Left Alliance (1999–2005) Independent (1990–1999, 2005–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (Since 2019) The Left (Since 2019) |
| Spouse | Krystyna Belka |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Łódź |
| Awards |   |
Marek Marian Belka (born 9 January 1952 in Łódź) is a Polish professor and politician. He has held many important roles in Poland and abroad. These include being the Prime Minister of Poland and the Finance Minister. He also led the National Bank of Poland. Since 2019, he has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Marek Belka studied economics and has written many scientific papers. He specializes in how money works and how to control rising prices. He has worked as an advisor for different ministries in Poland. He also advised the President of Poland. He has worked for international groups like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Marek Belka was born in Łódź, Poland, in 1952. He studied at the University of Łódź. He earned a master's degree and a PhD in economics there. His PhD focused on how the US government tried to control inflation. He also studied in the United States at Columbia University and the University of Chicago. Later, he studied in the UK at the London School of Economics. He became a professor in 1994.
Early Career and International Work
From 1990 to 1996, Marek Belka worked as an advisor. He helped the Ministry of Finance and the World Bank. He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance twice. First in 1997, and then from 2001 to 2002. Between these roles, he advised the President of the Republic of Poland on economic matters. He also advised the Prime Ministers of Albania from 1997 to 2001.
Later, he worked as an advisor for JP Morgan. In 2003, he helped manage the economy in Iraq. He was in charge of things like currency reform and creating a new banking system. From 2006 to 2008, he was a leader at the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). In 2008, he became a director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). There, he helped Europe deal with the global economic crisis.
Political Career
National Politics
Marek Belka was involved in student groups when he was younger. He was a member of the Polish United Workers' Party from 1973 to 1990.
In 2004, President Aleksander Kwaśniewski chose Marek Belka to be the Prime Minister of Poland. He officially took office on 8 August 2004. He needed support from the Polish Parliament, called the Sejm. On 24 October, he finally received enough votes to lead the government.
After his time as Prime Minister, he joined a new political party. He ran for a seat in Parliament in 2005 but did not win. He also tried to become the head of the OECD, an international economic organization, but was not chosen.
President of the National Bank of Poland (2010–2016)
On 27 May 2010, Marek Belka was chosen to be the next President of the National Bank of Poland. The Parliament approved his appointment on 10 June 2010. He held this important position until 21 June 2016. As president, he was also part of the European Systemic Risk Board. This group helps keep the financial system stable in Europe.
After his term, he was considered for the role of head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). He also joined a group that advised the G20 on global financial matters.
Member of the European Parliament (2019–2024)
In the 2019 European Parliament election, Marek Belka was elected as an MEP. He represents the Łódź area. In the European Parliament, he works on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. He also joined a special committee on tax issues in 2020.
He is part of the group that works on relations with the United States. He is also a member of a group focused on urban development. He ran for re-election in 2024 but was not re-elected.
Other Activities
Marek Belka has been involved in many other important organizations:
International Organizations
- European Investment Bank (EIB): He is on the committee that advises on appointments.
- European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB): He was a member of the steering committee.
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): He was a member of the Board of Governors.
- Joint World Bank-IMF Development Committee: He served as chairman.
Company Boards
- Echo Polska Properties: He is an independent member of the Board of Directors.
- Bank Millennium: He was a member of the Supervisory Board.
- LOT Polish Airlines: He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Non-profit Organizations
- Berggruen Institute: He is a member of the Council for the Future of Europe.
- Museum Berggruen: He is a member of the International Council.
- Trilateral Commission: He is a member of the European Group.
Recognition
Marek Belka received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 2006. He is also an Honorary Member of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. In 2013, he was added to the Polish Economy Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Marek Belka is married to Krystyna Belka. They have two children. The family lives in Łódź.
See also
In Spanish: Marek Belka para niños
