Stories from Poland

The Polish government has adopted resolutions regarding voluntary departures and social protections for over 4,000 employees at Jastrzębska Bogatnia and related coal entities. The first one-time severance payments are expected to be paid in May. Subsequent mining holidays may begin in June following verification by the Industrial Development Agency and the Social Insurance Institution. The resolution allows for one-time severance payments or transitions to fully paid mining leave. According to the Deputy Minister of Energy, over 4,000 employees have applied for the measures.

A court will decide whether to accept expert opinions regarding the mental competency of 22-year-old Mieszko R. The individual is accused of killing a University of Warsaw doorman and seriously injuring a security guard nearly one year ago.

The Polish NGO Cancer Fighters has received funding to support cancer diagnostics and research. This comes as the government plans to cut funds for adult patient examinations, causing concern among oncologists regarding diagnostic capabilities.

Patients in Poland face an average wait of approximately eight years to be diagnosed with a dangerous disease. Experts and patients noted the difficulty in accessing timely medical care. The issue is compounded by a lack of consistent primary care physicians in the private healthcare sector.

A state funeral will be held for Lukasz Litewka, a Polish Member of Parliament. The deceased was also a former vice-dean at Meritobyt-Goszcz University. Reporter Ania Ożel noted the presence of crowds at the location. President Donald Tusk entered the Church of St. Funeral ceremonies for 36-year-old Polish MP Lukasz Litewka have commenced in Sosnowiec. Litewka died last Thursday after being struck by a car. Attendees described Litewka as a good and fantastic person who was reliable. Participants expressed difficulty adjusting to the new reality following his passing. Funeral ceremonies have commenced at the Church of Saint Joachim in Sosnowiec. Lukasz Litewka, who has served in the Tweede Kamer since 2024, is undergoing treatment and recovery following the accident. Donations are being led by students, schools, kindergartens, companies, and community groups.

Signatures collected for the STOP PACT civic legislative initiative will be submitted to the Sejm today. The project aims to compel the government to halt the implementation of the EU Migration Pact in Poland. It may utilize Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The initiative also proposes penalties for public officials acting against these measures. Piotr Cieplucha, a PiS councilor from Łódź and co-author of the initiative, stated that Poland has grounds to request a suspension of the pact's implementation. The initiative argues that states facing threats to public order security may request to suspend certain EU regulations, including migration-related ones. Proponents argue the initiative is necessary because Poland serves as a frontline state on the eastern border where war and acts of sabotage involving drones and railways have occurred.

A Sejm Extraordinary Committee reviewed a draft bill regarding the status of next-of-kin and joint agreements. The Sejm is scheduled to begin considering these projects on May 12, with the goal of bringing both bills to the floor before the end of May. The proposal allows two individuals over the age of 18 to enter into a civil law agreement before a notary. The Polish Ministry of Family has begun a review of the 'Program za życiem' (Pro-Life Program). This system, established by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, provides support primarily for families raising children with disabilities. Under the current framework, parents of such children can apply for a one-time payment of 4,000 PLN this year. The scope and continuation of the program will be determined following the review.

The Poland 2050 political party has changed its position regarding the Minister of Climate. The minister attended a meeting and held a substantive discussion. While most support the minister, MP Bartosz Romowicz still declares he will vote for the minister's dismissal.

A Polish-Belarusian oppositionist was released yesterday after spending five years in captivity in Belarus. A Polish-Belarusian oppositionist has been released following a five-year period of detention.

A new species of dwarf mongooses has arrived at the Gdansk Zoo.