Sebastian Mikosz Courtesy of LOT

Sebastian Mikosz, who served as head of national airline LOT between 2009 and 2010, was chosen on Wednesday to again take the post of CEO at the troubled state-owned firm.

The decision will be crucial to the future of many. Not only will it effect how the airline looks to avoid bankruptcy, but it could also determine whether Treasury Minister Mikołaj Budzanowski keeps his job.

"So far, Minister Budza-nowski's actions in the matter of LOT have not been satisfactory," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in January, making it clear that if the ministry's plan to save LOT was not up to the PM's liking, Mr Budzanowski would lose his post.

Mr Mikosz was therefore hand-picked by Mr Budzanowski. His name was not on the shortlist of five potential candidates invited for an interview with LOT's supervisory board, though he was on the original list of over 20 candidates for the CEO position.

On Tuesday, the treasury minister demanded that Mr Mikosz be interviewed, local media reported. A day later he was invited to appear before the supervisory board to present his plan to reorganize the firm and save it from bankruptcy.

His nomination was announced immediately after the meeting.

Mr Mikosz was in near-constant conflict with unions during his previous tenure as LOT's CEO, due to his harsh restructuring plans for the company. He left as a result of his apparent inability to reach compromise with the workers' representatives.

This time however, his tough policies may be just what the government is looking for. LOT is in dire need of restructuring, which will certainly involve mass layoffs. According to various estimates, it could fire as many as 600 of its 2,300 employees.

Jacek Ciesnowski