PhD in Sociology. University teacher, expert, politician, social activist. Mayor of Cieszyn 1990-1998 and President of Silesia Region 1998-2002. Active in many European local and regional government organisations. Regional policy and urban development expert. Member of the European Parliament 2004-2024 working mainly on EU budget, regional policy and urban related issues. Standing rapporteur on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. Speaker at international conferences on dialogue with churches.
