The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) has selected the law firm Rö Radwan-Röhrenschef Petruchenko for legal service for the next 3 years. The decision is controversial due to the fact that Marcin Radwan-Röhrenschef – the husband of Deputy Minister of abroad Affairs Anna Radwan-Röhrenschef from Poland 2050, and a associate of the Court of State designated by the 3rd Road.
Experience more crucial than price?
The invitation to tender was announced on 4 November 2024. Its intent was to choice a law firm to advise NFOŚiGW on issues related to the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO). The fund was mainly guided by the experience of lawyers (66% of scoring), the price (30%) and the principles of cooperation (4%).
Five entities participated in the competition, 1 of which was rejected for formal reasons. The cheapest proposal (PLN 207 thousand) came from 2 legal counsellors, but their experience was considered insufficient. Prof. Mirosław Pawełczyk's law firm (PLN 350 thousand) besides failed to meet all requirements. The most costly offer (522 1000 zł) was made by the law firm Bójko and Partners, specialising in environmental law.
In the end, Rö Radwan-Röhrenschef Petruchenko was elected, which offered a rate of PLN 425 1000 – over PLN 200 1000 more than the cheapest offer. However, the Fund considered that her experience was the best.
Links to Poland 2050 – is that a coincidence?
Marcin Radwan-Röhrenschef, managing partner of the firm, is besides an expert of the Institute of strategy 2050, a think tank associated with Poland 2050. On social media, he regularly promotes the activities of this party, including climate minister Paulina Hennig-Kloski. His wife, Anna Radwan-Röhrenschef, is Deputy Minister of abroad Affairs for Poland 2050.
We asked the NFOŚiGW and the law firm itself if specified connections were any doubt.
- ‘The selected tender obtained the highest number of points in the evaluation of tenders carried out in accordance with the criteria previously adopted’ – said Magdalena Skłodowska, NFOŚiGW's press secretary.
The firm stresses that it acts in accordance with law and professional ethics:
- "Any proposition regarding alleged social or political connections is unfounded and has nothing to do with our business" – says Zuzanna Celejewska, Marketing Specialist.
Was the choice full transparent?
Although the procedure has been formally retained, the choice of a law firm associated with Polish 2050 policies may rise questions about possible conflicts of interest. uncertainty is exacerbated by the fact that the NFOŚiGW is governed by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, headed by Paulina Hennig-Kloska of the same party.
Does experience truly justify a higher price? Should possible conflicts of interest be considered in the tendering process? These questions stay unanswered.
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An invitation to tender for the legal services of the NFOŚiGW is awarded to the Vice-Minister's Office. Coincidence?
