Born in 1951, Lublin, graduated in Economics from the University of Gdansk, PhD in Economics in 1984. Member of „Solidarity” movement.
Private consulting and Polish Ocean Lines (1984-1991), Minister of Privatization (1991-1993), Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Poland (1997-2004), Vice-Chairman of the Poland – EU Committee (2001-2004). Member of the European Parliament (2004-2010) – Chairman of the Committee on Budgets, Member of the European Commission responsible for budget and financial programming (2010-2014), Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Budgets.