Notes from Poland
@notesfrompoland.bsky.social
Independent and informed news and insight on Polish politics, culture, business and history.
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Poland has charged five people for smuggling cigarettes from Belarus using weather balloons.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Poland charges five men for smuggling cigarettes from Belarus with balloons
notesfrompoland.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Poland has charged five people for smuggling cigarettes from Belarus using weather balloons.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Poland has won the 2026 Rail Champion Award in recognition of its efforts to "drive rail forward as a pillar of European competitiveness and resilience".
Poland wins European Rail Champion Award
notesfrompoland.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Poland has won the 2026 Rail Champion Award in recognition of its efforts to "drive rail forward as a pillar of European competitiveness and resilience".
A court has ordered that former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is wanted in Poland on suspicion of 26 crimes, be placed in pretrial detention.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
Court orders pretrial detention for former Polish justice minister Ziobro
notesfrompoland.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:04 AM
A court has ordered that former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is wanted in Poland on suspicion of 26 crimes, be placed in pretrial detention.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
The US has cut all contact with the speaker of Poland's parliament because of his "outrageous insults" against President Trump.
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
US cuts all contact with Polish parliamentary speaker for "insulting Trump"
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:55 PM
The US has cut all contact with the speaker of Poland's parliament because of his "outrageous insults" against President Trump.
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Kyiv today for talks with Volodymyr Zelensky on the international Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Poland is hosting this year.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
Tusk and Zelensky meet in Kyiv for talks on Poland hosting Ukraine Recovery Conference
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Kyiv today for talks with Volodymyr Zelensky on the international Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Poland is hosting this year.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
Poland has recorded its highest-ever daily level of gas exports amid rising demand from Ukraine.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
Poland's gas exports hit new high on strong demand from Ukraine
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Poland has recorded its highest-ever daily level of gas exports amid rising demand from Ukraine.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
The defence ministry official arrested this week on suspicion of spying has now been charged with espionage and placed in pretrial detention.
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
Pracownik MON podejrzany o szpiegostwo.
Wiceminister obrony narodowej Stanisław Wziątek przekazał nowe informacje na temat pracownika resortu podejrzanego o szpiegostwo. — Pracownik MON podejrzany o szpiegostwo wykonywał proste czynności ad...
wiadomosci.onet.pl
February 5, 2026 at 1:37 PM
The defence ministry official arrested this week on suspicion of spying has now been charged with espionage and placed in pretrial detention.
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
The Auschwitz Museum will stop selling entry tickets on site from next month, with visits instead having to be booked online in advance.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
Auschwitz Museum to stop selling entry tickets on-site over "unethical practices" of travel firms
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:37 PM
The Auschwitz Museum will stop selling entry tickets on site from next month, with visits instead having to be booked online in advance.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
From this month, shops in Poland will have to label loose fruit and vegetables with the flag of their country of origin.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
Poland to require retailers to add flags of origin to loose fruit and vegetables
notesfrompoland.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:53 PM
From this month, shops in Poland will have to label loose fruit and vegetables with the flag of their country of origin.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
President Nawrocki has called a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss Poland's proposed EU defence loans, its invitation to join Donald Trump's Board of Peace, and the alleged "eastern contacts" (meaning Russian) of the speaker of parliament.
Polish president calls security meeting to discuss EU defence loans and Trump's Board of Peace
notesfrompoland.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:55 PM
President Nawrocki has called a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss Poland's proposed EU defence loans, its invitation to join Donald Trump's Board of Peace, and the alleged "eastern contacts" (meaning Russian) of the speaker of parliament.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced the creation of a special group tasked with looking into the Epstein Files.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
Poland to set up body to look into Epstein files
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced the creation of a special group tasked with looking into the Epstein Files.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
Poland’s defence ministry has confirmed that a “long-serving employee” was today detained on suspicion of working with foreign intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Poland detains defence ministry official accused of working with foreign intelligence
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Poland’s defence ministry has confirmed that a “long-serving employee” was today detained on suspicion of working with foreign intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Far-right leader Grzegorz Braun has risen rapidly in the polls on the back of a campaign of anti-Ukrainian and anti-Jewish rhetoric.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
What are the prospects for Poland’s far-right politician Grzegorz Braun?
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Far-right leader Grzegorz Braun has risen rapidly in the polls on the back of a campaign of anti-Ukrainian and anti-Jewish rhetoric.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
Over half (53%) of people aged 25-34 in Poland now live with their parents, which is the fourth-highest level in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
Over half of Poles aged 25-35 live with parents
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Over half (53%) of people aged 25-34 in Poland now live with their parents, which is the fourth-highest level in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
The finance ministers of Poland and Germany, who met today in Warsaw, say they will work together to "make Europe more competitive" by ensuring that the EU is "faster, smarter, and more capable of dealing with complexity".
Poland and Germany pledge to take lead on Europe's economic revival
Germany and Poland must take joint responsibility for an economic revival in Europe, the finance ministers of both countries said in Warsaw on Monday, as the continent's growth remains sluggish compar...
www.reuters.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:12 PM
The finance ministers of Poland and Germany, who met today in Warsaw, say they will work together to "make Europe more competitive" by ensuring that the EU is "faster, smarter, and more capable of dealing with complexity".
The speaker of Poland's parliament says he will not support a request from the US House speaker and speaker of Israel's Knesset to support Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
Donald Trump stara się o Nagrodę Nobla. Włodzimierz Czarzasty ogłosił decyzję
— Nie poprę wniosku o Nobla dla prezydenta Trumpa, bo na niego nie zasługuje — oświadczył marszałek Sejmu Włodzimierz Czarzasty. Jak stwierdził, prezydent USA prowadzi politykę transakcyjną przy użyci...
www.onet.pl
February 2, 2026 at 8:42 PM
The speaker of Poland's parliament says he will not support a request from the US House speaker and speaker of Israel's Knesset to support Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
The owner of a Polish hotel group that hosted an event organised by a far-right leader known for his anti-Ukrainian views has pledged to donate all proceeds to support Ukraine.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.
Owner of Polish hotel that hosted anti-Ukrainian far-right leader to donate proceeds to Ukraine
notesfrompoland.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The owner of a Polish hotel group that hosted an event organised by a far-right leader known for his anti-Ukrainian views has pledged to donate all proceeds to support Ukraine.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.
Poland’s justice minister has been fined by police for a traffic offence that was caught on camera while he was being interviewed behind the wheel.
The incident came to light just as the minister was launching a crackdown on dangerous drivers.
The incident came to light just as the minister was launching a crackdown on dangerous drivers.
Polish justice minister fined by police for road offence caught during YouTube interview
notesfrompoland.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Poland’s justice minister has been fined by police for a traffic offence that was caught on camera while he was being interviewed behind the wheel.
The incident came to light just as the minister was launching a crackdown on dangerous drivers.
The incident came to light just as the minister was launching a crackdown on dangerous drivers.
A majority in Poland believe that the US is no longer a reliable ally, according to a new poll.
It follows a number of other recent surveys indicating that Poles - normally among the most pro-American Europeans - have much more negative views of the US since Donald Trump's return to the White House
It follows a number of other recent surveys indicating that Poles - normally among the most pro-American Europeans - have much more negative views of the US since Donald Trump's return to the White House
Most Poles believe US is no longer a reliable ally, finds new poll
notesfrompoland.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:07 PM
A majority in Poland believe that the US is no longer a reliable ally, according to a new poll.
It follows a number of other recent surveys indicating that Poles - normally among the most pro-American Europeans - have much more negative views of the US since Donald Trump's return to the White House
It follows a number of other recent surveys indicating that Poles - normally among the most pro-American Europeans - have much more negative views of the US since Donald Trump's return to the White House
Many schools in northern Poland, as well as in the capital Warsaw, have closed due to cold temperatures, which fell well below -20°C in some places.
Meanwhile, the Motława River in Gdańsk has frozen for the first time since 2011, leading many people to walk on the ice despite warnings it is unsafe.
Meanwhile, the Motława River in Gdańsk has frozen for the first time since 2011, leading many people to walk on the ice despite warnings it is unsafe.
Schools close in Poland as temperatures drop below -20°C
notesfrompoland.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Many schools in northern Poland, as well as in the capital Warsaw, have closed due to cold temperatures, which fell well below -20°C in some places.
Meanwhile, the Motława River in Gdańsk has frozen for the first time since 2011, leading many people to walk on the ice despite warnings it is unsafe.
Meanwhile, the Motława River in Gdańsk has frozen for the first time since 2011, leading many people to walk on the ice despite warnings it is unsafe.
Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the minister for funds and regional policy, has been chosen as the new leader of the Poland 2050 party, a junior partner in the ruling coalition.
She replaces the party's outgoing leader and founder, Szymon Hołownia.
She replaces the party's outgoing leader and founder, Szymon Hołownia.
Wybrano nową przewodniczącą Polski 2050
W sobotę odbyło się głosowanie w powtórzonej drugiej turze wyborów na przewodniczącego Polski 2050. Na to stanowisko została wybrana Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. Jej rywalką była Paulina Hennig-Kloska...
tvn24.pl
February 1, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the minister for funds and regional policy, has been chosen as the new leader of the Poland 2050 party, a junior partner in the ruling coalition.
She replaces the party's outgoing leader and founder, Szymon Hołownia.
She replaces the party's outgoing leader and founder, Szymon Hołownia.
Poland’s demographic decline accelerated further in 2025, as the country recorded around 168,000 more deaths than births.
It was the 13th year in a row that more people have died than been born in the country.
For more, read our full report here: bit.ly/3ZbxbVu
It was the 13th year in a row that more people have died than been born in the country.
For more, read our full report here: bit.ly/3ZbxbVu
February 1, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Poland’s demographic decline accelerated further in 2025, as the country recorded around 168,000 more deaths than births.
It was the 13th year in a row that more people have died than been born in the country.
For more, read our full report here: bit.ly/3ZbxbVu
It was the 13th year in a row that more people have died than been born in the country.
For more, read our full report here: bit.ly/3ZbxbVu
Documents relating to the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes that were withdrawn from auction in Germany last year after international criticism and intervention by the Polish government have now been handed over to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation in Poland.
Nazi documents withdrawn from German auction passed to Poland's Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation
notesfrompoland.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Documents relating to the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes that were withdrawn from auction in Germany last year after international criticism and intervention by the Polish government have now been handed over to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation in Poland.
Lithuania has proposed to Poland that they create Europe’s first cross-border economic zone.
The project would be located in the strategically important Suwałki Gap, and would focus on attracting the defence and technology industries.
The project would be located in the strategically important Suwałki Gap, and would focus on attracting the defence and technology industries.
Lithuania proposes Europe's first cross-border economic zone to Poland
notesfrompoland.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Lithuania has proposed to Poland that they create Europe’s first cross-border economic zone.
The project would be located in the strategically important Suwałki Gap, and would focus on attracting the defence and technology industries.
The project would be located in the strategically important Suwałki Gap, and would focus on attracting the defence and technology industries.
Poland's economy grew by 3.6% last year, according to preliminary figures from state statistical agency Statistics Poland (GUS).
GUS notes that Poland was the "growth leader" among major EU economies in 2025, with Malta and Ireland the only member states to see stronger growth.
GUS notes that Poland was the "growth leader" among major EU economies in 2025, with Malta and Ireland the only member states to see stronger growth.
January 31, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Poland's economy grew by 3.6% last year, according to preliminary figures from state statistical agency Statistics Poland (GUS).
GUS notes that Poland was the "growth leader" among major EU economies in 2025, with Malta and Ireland the only member states to see stronger growth.
GUS notes that Poland was the "growth leader" among major EU economies in 2025, with Malta and Ireland the only member states to see stronger growth.