Stories from Poland

Orlen Thermica is implementing a waste heat recovery system at the Żerań pumping station. The project cost approximately 8 million PLN and aims to recover heat from sewage. CEO Andrzej Gajewski stated the recovered heat could meet the needs of approximately 20,000 apartments. Depending on weather conditions, the system is expected to recover between 2 and 12 degrees Celsius. The initiative is intended to reduce coal and gas purchase costs and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

While demand for traditional sheep products like oscypek remains high, local shepherds report a shortage of workers. Industry representatives noted that the lack of available hands is a growing problem for the sector.

A cryptocurrency exchange is reportedly allowing users to deposit funds but preventing them from withdrawing existing assets. Users have lost access to deposited money due to these restrictions. The situation has been described as a crisis where people cannot access their funds.

Waldemar Budak has been announced as the new head of the BN. The announcement follows a statement from the President's spokesperson regarding the appointment. The position will not be filled by acting head General Andrzej Kowalski, the former head of military intelligence service. Kowalski was previously noted for an incident involving General Norbert, a military attaché in the United States.

The Centrum parliamentary club in Poland intends to submit a candidacy for the position of Vice-Marshal of the Senate. The group was formed over two months ago by former members of the Polska 2050 party. The potential candidate is expected to be one of three senators who transitioned from Polska 2050 to Centrum. This development was reported unofficially to RMF FM journalists.

The funeral for New Left politician Łukasz Litewka is scheduled for Wednesday in Sosnowiec. The event follows the death of the young politician and activist four days ago. Local reporting indicates ongoing political tension surrounding the tragedy. Sosnowiec Mayor Arkadiusz Hecinski announced that the ceremonies will begin at 13:30 at the Church of St. Litewka died tragically last Thursday following a car accident in Dabrowa Gornicza while riding a bicycle. The event is designated to have a formal state character. The funeral for Polish Member of Parliament Lukasz Litewka will take place this coming Wednesday in Sosnowiec. Ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 13:30 at the Church of St. The ceremony is expected to include the participation of the President and the Prime Minister. Karol Nawrocki posthumously awarded Litewka the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

The Polish Presidential Palace is accelerating efforts to declassify an annex to the WSI report. Members of the ruling coalition have criticized the move as an attempt to improve the president's public image. Coalition MP Mariusz Wietczak alleged that President Karol Nawrocki is attempting to divert attention from a series of decisions, including recent legislative vetoes. Spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz confirmed the move following recent information regarding the document. While the report remains unpublished, the process aims to address the status of the annex. Observers suggest the move may not immediately alter public life as the content is still being processed. The Presidential Palace in Warsaw has requested detailed information from the government regarding recent statements made to the Financial Times.

Employees at two provincial hospitals in Bytom have expressed opposition to a planned merger of the facilities. The decision follows a referendum conducted by labor unions. The workers are seeking to maintain the independence of the current medical institutions.

Jarosław Kaczyński, president of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, stated that Poland requires a constitutional restructuring to foster economic development and national strength. Polish political figures are discussing the necessity of revising the national constitution, which has been in effect since February 17, 2009. Marek Savitsky of the PSL stated that the current constitution is broken and that both sides are effectively ignoring it. MEP Zbigniew Zaleśka of Law and Justice noted that while starting debates is a positive step, the reform process will be long and likely take several years. President Karol Nawrocki convened the Council of Elders today to discuss a new constitution. During a tour marking the 235th anniversary of the constitution's adoption on May 3, the President stated that power in Poland cannot remain divided between two institutions.

Approximately 860,000 Poles are currently working despite having reached retirement age. This figure represents more than twice the number of working retirees recorded nine years ago. Paweł Jaroszek, Vice President of the Social Insurance Institution, stated that each additional year of employment results in a higher pension. Jaroszek also advised individuals to maintain additional personal savings due to increasing life expectancy. The average working time for self-employed individuals in Poland exceeds 45 hours per week. This figure includes various professionals such as plumbers, electricians, and programmers on B2B contracts, as well as small business owners like tire repair shop operators. While the general Polish working average is approximately 41 hours, the self-employed segment works significantly longer than the national average and other European countries.