Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń

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Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń (PZU) is the oldest and the biggest insurance company in Poland.

PZU was founded in 1803 and in 1952 was granted monopoly on insurance by the Communist government. Due to its former monopolistic position it is still the biggest insurance company.

It has also been involved in a series of political controversies.

Chairmans of PZU:

...
... - 7 June 2006 - Cezary Stypułkowski
since 8 June 2006 - Jaromir Netzel

1 Privatization controversy
2 Netzel controversy
3 Billboards controversy
4 External links

[edit] Privatization controversy

In 1998 privatization of PZU started. It was one of the most controversial privatizations in Polish history, and full of corruption allegations.

In January 2005 Sejm established investigatory commission to explain the privatization controversies.

[edit] Netzel controversy

Since 8 June 2006 Jaromir Netzel is chairman of PZU. After the nomination Rzeczpospolita revealed some former connections between Netzel and two companies suspected of being involved in money laundering - Management Finance Company and Drob-Kartel. According to the press, Management Finance Company issued three cheques named for Netzel.

Some PiS politicians like Przemysław Gosiewski claimed that evidence against Netzel is weak, and this may be a case of black PR rather than honest investigatory journalism.

[edit] Billboards controversy

On June 13 2006 Jacek Kurski (PiS) alleged that PZU sold billboards bought for the cancelled "Stop wariatom drogowym" advertisement campaign for 3% of their worth to Donald Tusk's (PO) presidential campaign.

Politicians Platforma Obywatelska retorted that the companies which bought those billboards were actually taking part in PiS candidate Lech Kaczyński's campaign, not Donald Tusk.