Stories from Warsaw · Poland

The Council of Ministers issued a regulation creating a protection zone for the Lower Odra Valley. Poland is attempting to create a protection zone using the Odra River to serve as a window to the world for the Czech Republic.

Repairs have been completed on the Swedpol link, an undersea power cable connecting Poland and Sweden. The Sweden-Poland subsea power cable connection has been repaired.

Miners plan to begin a strike starting on May Day due to unpaid bonuses from the previous year and company losses. Union leader Jarosław Niemiec stated that workers will refrain from voluntary work over the weekend. Only essential personnel will be present to ensure technical safety and monitor shaft water levels to prevent mine collapses. The strike aims to address financial grievances within the industry. The goal is to ensure mines remain stable for a return to work on Monday. Workers intend to refrain from voluntary weekend shifts, providing only essential technical safety personnel to monitor shaft electrification and prevent mine collapses. The Forum Oświata union and Solidarity Education union announced plans to launch joint protest actions that could lead to a general strike. The unions are demanding salary increases for teachers from the Ministry of Education.

Climate Minister Pauline Henning-Kloska has left the Polska 2050 party to form a new political group called Centrum. The move follows allegations against her from the PiS, Konfederacja, and her former party.

KO party lawmaker Szeneszy Szewinski has renewed calls for the resignation of the Pekaolo president. Lawmakers are also demanding the removal of cryptocurrency exchange advertisements from the Pekaolo building. The demand follows allegations involving a cryptocurrency scandal.

Investigators are looking into a PiS lawmaker for allegedly insulting public officials. PiS lawmaker Michał Woś claimed the prosecution has become a tool for political warfare. He noted that six individuals, including the head of the presidential chancery and Minister Zbigniew Bogucki, participated in a simulated swearing-in at the Sejm without the head of state. Woś stated that the current situation lacks the precedent seen during Minister Ziobro's tenure when the opposition criticized the politicization of the prosecution. Woś contrasted this with the previous eight years under Minister Ziobra, when the opposition frequently alleged the politicization of the prosecution. The swearing-in was conducted by Judge Magdalena Będkowska.

The Polish Minister of Justice suggested considering the option of overriding a presidential veto through the constitution. The minister claims the changes were intended to relieve pressure on Polish courts. The government is criticizing the president's decision, which is described as a concerning signal for the state's role in protecting families. Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Marzeczek maintains that the president's refusal to accept the oaths of four elected Constitutional Tribunal judges constitutes a violation of the law. Calls for questioning have been issued to associates of the head of state, including Chancellery Chief Zbigniew Bogucki. The new regulations regarding these oaths are set to take temporary effect on May 1. The minister noted that crimes in Poland can be committed directly or through complicity.

A recent poll shows Grzegorz Braun's Konfederacja Korony Polskiej party has 6.8% support, representing a 1.6 percentage point decrease. The Civic Coalition placed first, followed by PiS, Konfederacja, and Lewica.

US State Department political affairs Under Secretary Alisson Hucker met with Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Kupiecki in Warsaw for the 16th strategic dialogue. The US State Department published a summary document of the talks on its website following the meeting. The discussions focused on strategic cooperation between the two nations. The United States expressed strong support for Poland's participation during the American presidency. Discussions for the 16th round of the US-Poland strategic dialogue took place in Warsaw. The talks were led by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Kupiecki. The resulting document includes provisions to strengthen cooperation in defense, energy, economy, and the security of rare earth minerals.

Nighttime liquor bans are currently in effect in nearly 180 municipalities across Poland. Councilors Marcin Jakupczyk, Tomasz Gątasz, Bartłomir Bałaban, and Bartosz Margul noted that experiences with these bans have been positive.