NEWSLETTER
From Poland with Love. April
Topic of the Month
Cryptoscandal
The cryptocurrency platform Zondacrypto has become the centre of one of Poland’s biggest financial and political scandals in years, combining allegations of fraud, foreign influence and political links. Once one of the largest crypto exchanges in Central and Eastern Europe, the company is now under investigation by prosecutors over suspected fraud and money laundering, with estimated losses of at least PLN 350 million (ca. EUR 83 million) and hundreds - possibly tens of thousands - of affected users.
At the core of the controversy are both financial irregularities and a murky history. Users across Poland report being unable to withdraw funds, while investigators say complaints are still growing. The crisis deepened after revelations that a key crypto wallet - worth hundreds of millions of euros - was accessible only to the platform’s founder, Sylwester Suszek, who disappeared under unexplained circumstances and is widely believed to be dead. Authorities have also pointed to a dramatic drop in the exchange’s reserves and internal turmoil, including board resignations and mass layoffs.
The scandal has quickly spilled into politics. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused the company of being built partly on “Russian money” linked to organized crime and intelligence services, and of financing right wing political circles in Poland. According to the government, politicians associated with PiS and the Confederation, as well as president Karol Nawrocki, benefited indirectly from the company’s support. The platform also funded political and ideological events, including a major conservative conference in Poland, reinforcing concerns about its role in shaping public life. This is not some innocent cryptocurrency business - this is a mechanism through which Russian influence entered Polish public life,” commented Tusk.
The dispute intensified after Nawrocki vetoed (two times) legislation aimed at regulating the crypto market - moves the government says helped protect Zondacrypto from oversight. The president’s camp denies any improper links, arguing the proposed regulations were flawed and harmful to the industry.
Further controversy surrounds the company’s high-profile sponsorships. Zondacrypto was a major sponsor of the Polish Olympic Committee, promising bonuses to athletes in crypto tokens. However, some Olympians are still waiting for payouts worth over a million złoty (ca. a quarter of a million euro), raising questions about the firm’s liquidity and credibility.
For ordinary users, the impact has been immediate and severe. Many report frozen accounts and lost savings, sometimes amounting to life-changing sums, with authorities warning the number of victims could reach 30,000. Prosecutors have now received around 1,500 reports of possible crimes. The case has exposed gaps in Poland’s regulation of crypto markets and triggered a broader debate about financial oversight, political influence and the risks of loosely supervised digital assets.
The government will make a new attempt to regulate the cryptocurrency market, pushing for tougher penalties for those who “endanger the Polish state,” after two earlier bills were vetoed by the president. “The only change I will propose is even stricter penalties for those who exploit people’s dreams, sometimes their naivety or lack of knowledge, to defraud them and also endanger the Polish state and our security,” Tusk commented. Also Nawrocki announced his own bill on cryptocurrencies.
Society
Death of a Very Atypical MP
The sudden death of Łukasz Litewka has left a deep mark on Polish public life, cutting short the career of one of the most unconventional and widely recognized young politicians in the country. He died on 23 April 2026 in Dąbrowa Górnicza after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He was 36 years old. According to investigators, the driver responsible for the crash gave conflicting explanations, at various points claiming fatigue, loss of consciousness, and distraction. Prosecutors moved quickly to secure pre-trial detention, reflecting the seriousness of the case and the public attention surrounding it.
Litewka’s story was never a typical political one. A trained sociologist from Sosnowiec, he built his public profile not through party structures but through years of grassroots activism. Before entering the Sejm, he served as a city councillor and became widely known for organizing charity campaigns, supporting children in need of expensive medical treatment, and advocating for animal welfare. His activity online translated into real-world impact, as he mobilized large communities to raise funds and provide direct help to those in need.
This community eventually took on a life of its own under the banner of #TeamLitewka, a movement that combined elements of civic activism, charity work, and political engagement. Through this initiative, Litewka helped raise millions of złoty for medical causes and coordinated aid efforts on a national scale. Even after his death, the hashtag continues to circulate, accompanied by new charitable actions organized in his memory.
His political breakthrough came in the 2023 parliamentary elections, when he ran for the Left and secured over 40,000 votes despite being placed last on the electoral list in his constituency. His campaign itself reflected this approach, featuring messages encouraging the adoption of shelter animals instead of traditional political slogans.
The reaction to his death was immediate and unusually unified across Poland’s political divisions. Figures from both government and opposition expressed condolences and respect. Prime Minister Donald Tusk publicly acknowledged Litewka’s work and character, while Karol Nawrocki, who had recently met with him to discuss animal welfare issues, also offered words of sympathy. Members of the Left emphasized not only his political contribution but his tangible impact on people’s lives, often describing him as someone who “helped more than he promised.”
Beyond politics, the public response has been striking. The site of the accident quickly became a place of remembrance, with candles and flowers laid by residents. In Sosnowiec, a condolence book was opened, drawing long lines of people wishing to pay tribute. Across the country, spontaneous initiatives emerged, including charity drives and collections for animal shelters - causes closely associated with Litewka’s work.
Unfortunately, social media in Poland was flooded with conspiracy theories suggesting that the crash may not have been accidental. Much of the speculation focused on Litewka’s activism and his criticism of powerful interests, with some internet users claiming he had been “silenced.” Singer Doda became one of the most visible public figures amplifying doubts about the official version of events, saying she did not “believe in accidents” and demanding a “transparent investigation.” She also questioned early reports that the driver had fainted at the wheel and later offered a financial reward for information about the case. Her comments fueled intense online debate, while prosecutors and police appealed for restraint and warned against spreading unverified claims before the investigation was completed.
World’s Biggest Online Charity
What began as a modest online fundraiser quickly evolved into one of the largest charity campaigns in internet history. Organized by Polish streamer and influencer Piotr Garkowski a.k.a. Łatwogang, the nine-day livestream raised more than 280 million PLN (ca. EUR 66 million) for the Cancer Fighters Foundation, supporting children undergoing cancer treatment across Poland.
Łatwogang, known primarily for his online presence among younger Polish audiences, launched the initiative after the release of a song by Polish rapper Bedoes 2115 and 11-year-old cancer patient Maja Mecan. The track - created in cooperation with the Cancer Fighters Foundation - became a viral symbol of solidarity with children battling cancer and inspired the livestream challenge that followed.
The event rapidly expanded beyond social media culture and became a nationwide movement. Over the course of the stream, actors, musicians, athletes, journalists, creators, and major companies joined the campaign. Public figures including Robert Lewandowski, Iga Świątek, and Wojciech Szczęsny publicly supported the initiative, while millions of viewers followed the broadcast online. At its peak, the livestream attracted over 1.5 million concurrent viewers.
What initially started with a fundraising target of 500,000 PLN surpassed expectations within hours. By the end of the nine-day broadcast, the campaign had broken the previous global record for charity livestream fundraising, previously held by French streaming event Z Event, and was widely described as a Guinness World Record-level achievement.
Beyond the record itself, the initiative demonstrated the growing influence of online communities in mobilizing real-world social action. For many observers, the Łatwogang campaign represented a rare example of digital culture uniting millions of people around a shared humanitarian cause.
Politics
Presidential Security Advisor is Out
The departure of Sławomir Cenckiewicz from his post as the Head of the National Security Bureau marks a contentious moment at the intersection of politics, history, and state security in Poland. His role at the National Security Office (BBN) was closely tied to the presidency of Karol Nawrocki, and from the outset his appointment drew strong reactions, both supportive and critical, reflecting his long-standing reputation as a polarizing public figure.
Cenckiewicz is best known as a historian specializing in the communist-era security apparatus and its legacy in post-1989 Poland. Over the years, he has built a controversial profile not only in academia but also in public debate, often taking sharply defined positions on issues of lustration, historical accountability, and national identity. Supporters have seen him as uncompromising in his pursuit of historical truth, while critics have described his approach as ideologically driven and, at times, radical in tone and conclusions. This dual perception followed him into his role at the BBN, where the expectation of political neutrality and discretion is particularly high.
His time in the Bureau was overshadowed by an unusual and increasingly public issue: the lack of access to classified information. Despite holding a senior advisory role on matters of national security, Cenckiewicz reportedly did not receive the necessary security clearance that would allow him to fully participate in the most sensitive aspects of the institution’s work. This limitation raised questions about both the internal functioning of the Bureau and the rationale behind appointing an adviser who could not engage with key confidential materials.
Cenckiewicz lost his security clearance after Poland’s Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW) revoked it in 2024. While the authorities did not publicly disclose the full classified justification, media reports said the decision was linked to allegations that Cenckiewicz failed to disclose medical treatment during the vetting process. Government officials also suggested concerns related to his handling of classified information, as he later faced proceedings over allegedly revealing state secrets connected to military archives.
His exit from the BBN has therefore been interpreted through multiple lenses. For some, it represents the end of a controversial experiment in bringing a strongly opinionated historian into the heart of national security policymaking. For others, it highlights unresolved issues about trust, vetting procedures, and the politicization of state institutions.
Cenckiewicz’s departure leaves open questions about the future direction of the BBN and the criteria by which its advisers are selected. He was replaced by Andrzej Kowalski, as interim BBN Head, who had previously served as Cenckiewicz’s deputy. Cenckiewicz, on the other, officially joined team of Przemysław Czarnek, hard right PM candidate of PiS.
MAGA TV
The conservative U.S. media brand Newsmax has officially launched its Polish operation, marking its first expansion into the European Union. Operating as a licensed franchise rather than a direct subsidiary, Newsmax Polska is based in Warsaw and led editorially by Wojciech Surmacz, a former head of the Polish Press Agency during PiS administration. While the channel carries the American brand, its operational backbone is tied to the Balkan arm of the network, including links to Telekom Srbija, a state-controlled telecom group that has supported the broader regional expansion.
The launch has drawn attention and concern among media analysts and policymakers. Critics point to the complex ownership structure and foreign backing, raising questions about transparency and potential political influence in Poland’s media market.
At the same time, the new channel is expected to intensify competition within Poland’s already divided media landscape, particularly among right-leaning broadcasters. Regulators and industry watchers are likely to monitor closely how Newsmax Polska operates in practice, especially in areas such as licensing, content standards, and its role in shaping public debate.
Referendum to Recall Mayor of Kraków
A recall referendum targeting Kraków mayor Aleksander Miszalski and the Kraków city council is set to take place on 24 May, following a large grassroots campaign that gathered around 134,000 signatures from residents. The initiative - formally launched by a citizens’ committee led by local activists frames the vote as a response to dissatisfaction with the city’s management, citing issues such as rising debt, governance transparency and controversial urban policies.
The referendum is officially a grassroots civic initiative, but it has quickly taken on a broader political dimension. Critics of Miszalski, who is associated with the ruling Civic Coalition, have mobilized around local grievances - from transport costs to environmental regulations - while his allies argue the campaign is politically motivated and warn against destabilizing city governance mid-term.
If Miszalski were successfully recalled, Kraków would hold new mayoral elections within a few months, with the city temporarily managed by a government-appointed commissioner. Current anti-Miszalski coalition will be dissolved and its members will start competing. The strongest potential candidate would likely be Łukasz Gibała, Miszalski’s main rival in the 2024 election, who has supported the referendum campaign and remains popular among anti-establishment voters. PiS and Confederation politicians would probably back their own candidates. It is commented that antisemitic MEP Grzegorz Braun could also run. Such fragmentation of the right wing could lead to Miszalski or another KO candidate winning the elections.
For Poland’s governing coalition, the vote is seen as an early political test. A successful recall of a major-city mayor linked to the coalition would signal vulnerability at the local level and could embolden opposition forces ahead of future elections. Conversely, if turnout fails to meet the high threshold required for the result to be binding, it would strengthen the government’s narrative that the opposition cannot translate mobilization into decisive electoral wins.
Kaczyński Apologized after Spreading Disinformation about Magyar
PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński has sparked controversy after claiming that Hungarian back then opposition figure Péter Magyar had killed a dog “in a microwave,” a statement that quickly drew attention across Polish and regional media. Kaczyński made the remark during a public appearance, presenting it as an example of alleged misconduct by Magyar, who was contesting Viktor Orban, one of the closest allies of PiS.
The allegation firstly appeared in Hungarian portal Magyar Hírek 24, which claimed that it comes from Magyar’s ex-wife’s book. Obviously, there is no evidence supporting the claim. Magyar has denied the accusation, while commentators and journalists have criticized the statement as an instance of disinformation in political discourse.
Opposition politicians in Poland and media analysts have condemned Kaczyński’s remarks, warning that spreading unverified and sensational claims risks further degrading the quality of public debate. The incident has also prompted broader discussion about the use of personal attacks in political communication and the role of high-profile leaders in setting standards for public discourse.
After much pressure Kaczyński apologized. ” This information was very intensely circulated in the public sphere. Indeed, to Poles - if you wish to speak on their behalf - I can say I apologize, because it turned out to be untrue," he said.
After the victory of Tisza party led by Peter Magyar, political reactions in Poland reflected the country’s deep polarization. Donald Tusk enthusiastically welcomed the result, describing it as a “glorious victory” for pro-European and democratic forces in Central Europe. Tusk argued that the defeat of Viktor Orbán showed that the region was “not doomed to authoritarian rule” and stressed that Warsaw and Budapest could once again cooperate closely within the European Union framework. In contrast, politicians from the opposition PiS reacted with criticism and unease. Kaczyński refused to congratulate Magyar and accused him of lacking credibility, while other PiS figures warned that Hungary could now follow a more liberal and Brussels-oriented political path.
Magyar said after the election that restoring relations with Poland would be one of his priorities and announced that he planned to visit Warsaw in May as his first foreign trip as Hungary’s new prime minister. At the same time, Magyar sharply criticized former PiS ministers Zbigniew Ziobro and Marcin Romanowski, declaring that they “would not stay long” in Hungary and suggesting that his future government would cooperate on extradition requests (read more in the January issue). Ziobro reacted angrily, accusing Magyar of serving Brussels and Tusk, and warned against what he called a “pro-EU mirage” for Hungary. He insisted he would continue fighting Tusk politically “wherever he is,” even if detained, while PiS politicians portrayed Tisza’s victory as a threat to conservative sovereignty in Central Europe.
Economy
RegioJet Pulls Out of Poland: A Short Experiment in Rail Competition
Czech private operator RegioJet has withdrawn from Poland’s domestic rail market less than six months after fully launching services, marking one of the shortest-lived attempts at real competition on the Polish long-distance routes.
The company entered Poland in late 2025 with ambitious plans to challenge PKP Intercity, the dominant arm of Polish State Railways. RegioJet promised cheaper tickets and higher service quality on key routes like Warsaw–Kraków and Warsaw–Poznań.
But the rollout quickly ran into trouble. Internally, the operator struggled with staff shortages, especially train drivers, and a limited fleet, which made it difficult to maintain a promised timetable. RegioJet however accused PKP of aggressive price cuts, restricted access to stations and maintenance facilities, and broader anti-competitive behavior.
Faced with mounting losses and operational barriers, RegioJet announced it would end all domestic services by May 2026, while continuing its international connections through Poland.
Notably, rival Leo Express is staying -- but only with a limited, cross-border strategy that avoids direct large-scale competition with PKP. This shows that Poland’s rail market is open in theory, in practice it remains firmly controlled by the incumbent. For PKP, it’s a quiet victory, and a chance to raise prices.
Poles Richer than Spaniards
A recent IMF-based estimate indicates that Poland’s income per capita in purchasing power terms has slightly overtaken Spain’s, a symbolic milestone reflecting years of rapid economic growth. The figure quickly entered public debate after Donald Tusk reacted with a brief “Vamos” post, framing the result as evidence of Poland’s rising position in Europe.
The comparison relies on PPP, which reflects real purchasing power rather than nominal wages. While the margin is small, it supports a broader narrative of economic convergence with Western Europe. At the same time, economists note that such data does not fully capture differences in wealth, public services, or overall living standards.
The moment highlights both Poland’s progress and the growing role of simplified economic indicators in political messaging.
Culture
Kanye West Cancelled
A planned concert by Kanye West in Poland has been cancelled following political pressure and public backlash over the artist’s past antisemitic remarks. The show, scheduled for June 2026 at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, was called off by the venue citing “formal and legal reasons,” after growing controversy surrounding West’s statements and actions in recent years.
The decision was strongly supported by Polish officials, including culture minister Marta Cienkowska, who argued that hosting the artist would be inappropriate given Poland’s historical experience of the Holocaust. She stated that such an event could not be treated as “just entertainment” in a country marked by Nazi atrocities. Reports indicate the government had even considered blocking the artist’s entry if the concert went ahead.
Only far right politicians opposed the decision. Antisemitic MEP Grzegorz Braun argued that cancelling West’s concert amounted to censorship and a violation of artistic freedom. Braun even sent a letter to the Culture Ministry protesting the decision and criticizing what he called “preventive censorship.”
The cancellation in Poland is part of a wider pattern across Europe, where multiple venues and governments have distanced themselves from West amid ongoing controversy. Shows in countries including Switzerland and the UK have also been cancelled or blocked, highlighting how political leaders and institutions are increasingly willing to intervene when cultural events intersect with issues of hate speech and historical sensitivity.
Poland & Germany
Meeting in Krzyżowa
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul met in the village of Krzyżowa as part of celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the Polish-German Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations. The visit focused on dialogue, reconciliation and the future of bilateral ties, with both ministers taking part in meetings with young people at the International Youth Meeting Centre.
During the talks, both sides stressed the importance of maintaining strong Polish-German relations at a time of geopolitical tension, including Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sikorski highlighted challenges such as disinformation and growing militarisation, while Wadephul said the visit was meant to send a “clear message” about continued cooperation and friendship between Warsaw and Berlin.
Krzyżowa, a symbolic site of post-war reconciliation, provided the backdrop for discussions on European unity and historical responsibility. The ministers also met with representatives of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe, underlining the role of civil society and youth exchanges in strengthening long-term ties between the two countries.
Fastest-Improving Democracy
Poland is among the fastest-improving democracies in the world, according to the latest report by the V-Dem Institute. The 2026 study ranks Poland second globally in terms of democratic recovery, pointing to significant progress in restoring institutional standards after years of backsliding.
The report places Poland within a small group of countries undergoing what researchers describe as “re-democratization,” a broader trend that stands out against a global backdrop of decline. Worldwide, democratic standards have fallen to levels last seen decades ago, with many countries still experiencing autocratization and pressure on media and civil liberties.
Analysts note that Poland’s improvement reflects changes in governance, institutions and media freedom, though they caution that the recovery remains fragile. While the country is now seen as a leading example of democratic rebound, the report underscores that sustaining these gains will depend on long-term institutional stability and continued political commitment.
Polls & Trends
Party Support
United Surveys for WP.pl
Civic Coalition 31,8%
PiS 24,5%
Confederation 12,6%
Left 8,5%
Crown 6,8%
PSL 4,6%
Together 3,8%
Poland 2050 1,1%