Inside the government reshuffle and the fate of Poland’s secret services
Public discussions about changes in the security landscape began with statements from Tomasz Siemoniak, who held the role of Minister Coordinator of Special Services. In a TVN24 interview, he outlined that the new ruling coalition planned to dissolve the Central Anticorruption Bureau and to enact the change through legislation, mirroring how the service itself had been created. He added, however, that the government under Donald Tusk would vigorously pursue anti corruption efforts.
Will rapid changes come to pass in the services?
Siemoniak described existing procedures as moving forward and expressed belief that reforms would unfold soon. Regarding potential candidates for leadership, he avoided naming individuals during the selection process but signaled that there were suggestions for who could lead the services. He noted that the President of Poland would have a say in the process, exercising influence without binding power, as permitted by the law, and that mutual clarity between the government and the presidency was expected to shape the state security agenda.
He stressed that the president’s opinion is respected but not binding, and that the matter would be resolved through negotiations between the prime minister and the president, a process he believed was ongoing.
During the discussion, attention shifted to Andrzej Stróżny, the current head of the CBA, whose term was due to end in May 2024. Siemoniak asserted that every head in such a system is a serious professional and warned against any attempt by subordinates to question the prime minister’s decisions.
Positive advice on dismissals
On a recent Wednesday, the Government Information Center reported that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had asked the College of Secret Services, the Parliamentary Committee on Secret Services, and the President to weigh in on the dismissal of the heads of the Homeland Security Service, the Foreign Intelligence Agency, the Central Anticorruption Bureau, the Military Counterintelligence Service, and the Military Intelligence Service. Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz separately called for dismissals of the leaders of the Military Counterintelligence Service and the Military Intelligence Service.
The official announcement noted that the council had issued a positive opinion regarding the dismissal of the service chiefs, and earlier the parliamentary committee had similarly supported the move to dismiss the leaders of multiple security agencies.
The future of the CBA
The question of whether the plan signals a full liquidation of the CBA remained on the table. Siemoniak recalled the coalition’s campaign pledge and acknowledged that a successor to Andrzej Stróżny would need to be appointed. He indicated that proposals could be offered, but the final decision rested with the prime minister. Observers noted that since the CBA was created by statute, any closure would require a matching legal path; a new leadership would then have room to steer the service through the coming weeks and months until any new law could be enacted.
Siemoniak also touched on the possibility that the law governing the CBA could be repealed, while recognizing that the new administration would have discretion on how the service operates in the interim period. When asked whether President Andrzej Duda would sign a future bill ending the CBA, he offered a cautious reply, highlighting that extraordinary circumstances can produce unexpected political outcomes and that there are many moving parts in play.
He reflected on the CBA’s role, noting the ongoing debate around illegal surveillance and other controversial aspects that have shaped public perception of the service. The conversation suggested that the future of the CBA would provoke substantial discussion about whether the service served the public interest or became closely aligned with a particular political faction.
Throughout the interview, Siemoniak reaffirmed the commitment to fighting corruption and stressed that any large-scale transformation of Poland’s security apparatus would be handled with care, regard for legality, and the legitimate prerogatives of the prime minister, president, and Parliament.
Macierzewicz and the shifting security landscape
The minister also commented on the dissolution of the Smolensk Subcommittee and the reactions from Antoni Macierewicz, a long-standing figure within the political landscape. He described Macierewicz as being outside the current pace of events and outside typical procedural norms, suggesting that future moves could place him in a different setting or role entirely. In the days that followed, the coalition moved to formalize the dissolution, with the government indicating that subsequent actions would be resolved as private matters under the new leadership.
Siemoniak emphasized that the integrity of state decisions should be respected and noted how different responses from workers and opponents during past years had tested that principle. He recalled earlier times when opposition voices challenged similar decisions, underscoring the need for a stable and orderly transition that honors the new government’s agenda.
In addressing the broader political climate, the minister linked recent debates to a larger question about state integrity and governance. He argued that the security services must operate with transparency and accountability, especially when episodes of controversy threaten public trust. The overarching message was clear: the new government intended to pursue a disciplined, results-focused approach to restructuring the security apparatus while defending the rule of law.
As the political process unfolds, observers in Poland and beyond are watching how the coalition will balance statutory procedures, executive prerogatives, and the lasting impact on Poland’s security institutions. The conversation continues to unfold under the watchful eye of lawmakers, security professionals, and the public alike, all seeking clarity on how these changes will shape governance in the near term.
Source: wPolityce