Stories from Poland

General Andrzej Kowalski has been appointed to temporarily fulfill the duties of the SZOFA BBN. The appointment follows discussions regarding political figures and previous committee members like Antoni Macierewicz and Censkiewicz. A presidential spokesperson stated the move is not necessarily a positive development. The transition involves leadership changes within the National Security Bureau context. General Andrzej Kowalski will temporarily serve as the acting chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces (BBN).

Katarzyna Dziebło and Macher Benchlima won gold medals at the Polish Race Walking Championships in Warsaw. The event took place on a 500-meter section of Świętokrzyskie Street. Both athletes established new national records despite facing strong wind gusts during the half-marathon distance. The competition was noted for its difficult weather conditions. The event featured elite male and female walkers alongside younger competitors on a one-kilometer loop. Four-time Olympic champion Robert Korzeniowski directed the competition. The race served as a central sporting event for the city.

The Polish government is preparing a formal complaint regarding import limits to be submitted by May 26. Milk producer Grzegorz Kościelnik expressed concerns that local farmers face unfair competition from Mercosur countries. He stated that high-quality Polish food produced under strict standards must compete with products from regions lacking similar regulations. The complaint aims to address these competitive imbalances in the agricultural sector. The District Court in Warsaw announced the filing on April 22, 2026, leading to the closure of its retail stores.

Zakopane Mayor Młukasz Filipowicz announced openness to discussions regarding the recreational future of Gubałówka. Local councilors aim to restore the hill's recreational character by targeting both skiers and cyclists. The proposed changes rely on a new city general plan to designate specific areas for sports investments. The municipal office supports development directions that align with these recreational goals.

Konrad Niedźwiecki has been selected as the new president of the Polish Speed Skating Association. The election took place in Warsaw during a recent voting session. Niedźwiecki defeated an opposing candidate to secure the leadership role.

Pogoń Szczecin held a lead from the 18th minute against Cracovia in a match held in Krakow. Cracovia managed to equalize during stoppage time via a goal from Bartosz Grzelak. The match concluded with a late scoring sequence involving both players and fans. The result reflects a strong mental performance from the players in the final minutes. Pogoń Szczecin and Cracovia played to a 1-1 draw in a key Ekstraklasa relegation battle. Cracovia attempted several attacks in the second half but failed to create clear scoring opportunities. The match included a attempt by Valentin Korzokaru in the first half.

A prosecutor is expected to decide next week whether to appeal a court ruling regarding a suspect in a fatal accident. The accident resulted in the death of MP Łukasz Litewka. A district court ordered three months of isolation for the suspect, but investigator Bartosz Kilian stated the ruling does not fully meet the prosecution's request. The court included a condition regarding a payment in its decision. A prosecutor has filed an appeal seeking a harsher sentence for a tram driver involved in a fatal accident in Warsaw that killed a four-year-old boy. The prosecutor argues the current penalty is insufficient and is requesting a more severe sentence.

New minimum wage regulations for medical specialists in Poland will take effect on July 1. Specialist doctors will receive a gross increase of 1,000 PLN. The move follows ongoing friction between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance regarding rising healthcare expenditures. Current health insurance contributions have struggled to keep pace with increasing medical costs.

Seven miners died following a disaster at the Pniówek mine in Poland. The rescue operation is described as one of the most dangerous in the history of Polish mining. Emergency responders participated in an extremely hazardous extraction effort at the site.

Early mayoral elections have been announced in Pińczów, located in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. Eight candidates are running for the office. Over 15,000 eligible voters are expected to participate in the vote. The election follows the resignation of former mayor Włodzimierz Badurak in late January.