Tomasz Siemoniak, the Minister Coordinator of Special Services in the new government formed under Donald Tusk, spoke with Radio Plus about steps the parliamentary coalition is taking toward reorganizing the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau and refocusing the country’s anti-corruption effort.
The timeline envisions several stages: a few weeks for government procedures, inter-ministerial consultations, and the formal approvals in the Sejm and the Senate. The coalition clearly intends to strengthen the fight against corruption and to prepare other institutions for this mission, building a cohesive framework for accountability and oversight across state organs, as explained by the minister.
The minister emphasized that ongoing policy work would avoid rushed measures. His team aims to put thorough, consultative processes at the core of any new law or structural changes, ensuring robust debates and broad consensus before any legislative action.
Siemoniak proposed that the Central Police Bureau of Investigation, or a newly organized unit within the police, take charge of an institutionalized approach to combating corruption in Poland. He described ongoing consultations with police officers and subject-matter experts about whether the Central Bureau of Investigation should be entrusted with this remit and whether there should also be a central, cross-cutting structure dedicated to corruption investigations.
The minister noted that a body as large as the CBA should not be burdened with minor corruption cases, particularly those occurring outside major urban centers. He pointed out that ABW has already shouldered such responsibilities from the outset of anti-corruption leadership, and that this vertical line of authority needs reinforcement to sustain a systemic fight against corruption.
Should the National Audit Capacity Expand?
Siemoniak also suggested transferring oversight of asset declarations by politicians at all levels to the jurisdiction of the National Tax Administration, aligning supervision with the entities that already hold data and control mechanisms. In his view, those who monitor declarations should reside within the same system that processes tax information, reducing redundancy and enhancing efficiency. He remarked that it seems impractical to employ personnel to audit hundreds of asset declarations when tax authorities already possess the necessary capabilities and can provide central oversight.
Speaking about current regulatory options, the minister-coordinator highlighted that the National Audit Office already has substantial opportunities to verify every financial detail and asset item across public funds. He underscored the importance of rigorous checks as part of a broader accountability framework for public finances.
Additional coverage and analysis surrounding these ideas have appeared in recent discussions, including questions about the potential reorganization of anti-corruption bodies and the implications for leadership within state institutions. Reports have noted that the government coalition is examining how to move forward with reforms within the next weeks, while maintaining a careful, consultative approach to avoid destabilizing institutions or existing anti-corruption efforts. Commentary from various political figures has highlighted contrasting views on the risks and benefits of changing leadership or creating new investigative structures, with some arguing for rapid changes and others for a measured, legally sound path forward. Such debates reflect the broader political context in which these reforms are being considered, including concerns about legality, governance, and the proper division of responsibilities among law enforcement and oversight bodies. These discussions are part of a larger national discourse on strengthening integrity and transparency in public life, and they are framed by a desire to curb corruption without hindering administrative efficiency or public trust, as cited in near-term reports from media outlets following the proceedings and official briefings from wPolityce and related sources.
The overall aim remains clear: to enhance the effectiveness of Poland’s anti-corruption architecture while preserving the rule of law and ensuring that reforms are implementable, transparent, and well integrated with existing institutions. In conversations conducted with police leadership and independent experts, the sense is that any future structure should be designed to deliver concrete results, while safeguarding the rights of the accused and the due process guarantees that underpin Poland’s constitutional framework. The ongoing dialogue signals a commitment to a tougher stance on corruption, paired with practical steps to increase accountability across the public sector.
In summary, the government plans a staged reform process involving inter-ministerial collaboration, stricter oversight, and a redefined division of anti-corruption duties among authorities. This approach aims to create a resilient system for preventing and prosecuting corruption, supported by robust data, clearer jurisdiction, and a more centralized strategy for asset declarations and financial scrutiny. As debates unfold, observers will be watching how these reforms align with existing legal norms and how quickly they can be translated into effective, enforceable policy within the Polish governance landscape.
— For further context and ongoing coverage of related developments, reference notes indicate ongoing discussions about the future role of anti-corruption bodies and leadership changes within the service, reflecting a broader national effort to strengthen integrity across government and public institutions. These discussions are part of the evolving narrative on how Poland will confront corruption through structural reforms and enhanced oversight. Attribution: wPolityce discussions and coverage are cited for background context.