NEWSLETTER
From Poland with Love. November
Topic of the Month
Russian State Terrorism on Polish Railways
Poland has sounded the alarm over a suspected act of sabotage on a railway line critical for transporting aid to Ukraine, accusing Russian intelligence of orchestrating the attack through two Ukrainian nationals. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the incident “an unprecedented act of sabotage,” saying it bears the “hallmarks” of a coordinated hybrid operation by the Kremlin.
According to Polish authorities, the most serious incident occurred near the village of Mika, along the Warsaw–Lublin railway, where a military-grade explosive (C-4) was detonated via a 300-metre long electric cable. A second act of sabotage involved a steel clamp fastened to the track — apparently designed to derail a train — with a mobile phone placed nearby, suggesting the attackers intended to film the outcome. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.
Tusk publicly accused two Ukrainian citizens of carrying out the sabotage for Russian intelligence services. He said their identities are known. One of the suspects was previously convicted of sabotage in Lviv, while the other comes from the Donbas region. Both men are believed to have entered Poland via Belarus before the attacks, and after they were carried out, fled back to Belarus — with Polish authorities now demanding their extradition. Poland’s criticism toward Ukraine stems from the fact that it did not apparently receive intelligence or warnings from Ukrainian services about these individuals.
The Polish government has responded forcefully. Tusk raised the terrorist threat alert to the third level on selected rail lines. He also called for a cautious public response, warning against disinformation and urging people to trust official information rather than online speculation. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski condemned the sabotage as an act of “state terrorism,” saying its aim was not just infrastructure damage but to cause human harm. In a clear diplomatic rebuke, Poland has decided to close Russia’s last remaining consulate in Gdańsk, leaving only the embassy in Warsaw.
Polish leaders have warned that Moscow’s objective goes beyond the physical attack: it seeks to stoke anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland. Tusk argued that Russia benefits politically if it can deepen divisions between Poles and Ukrainians, especially given the large Ukrainian population in the country. His government pointed to a wave of disinformation proliferating online. A surprisingly large share of social-media commentary blamed Ukrainians for the attack, despite the government’s clear attribution to Russia.
The rail sabotage underscores how vulnerable critical infrastructure remains, especially in countries heavily involved in supporting Ukraine. Poland’s deployment of its military to guard railway lines is a sign that the threat is being taken very seriously.
Politics
A New Era in the Sejm
On 18 November 2025, Poland’s Sejm witnessed a landmark moment: Włodzimierz Czarzasty (The New Left), co-leader of the New Left, was elected its new Speaker, securing 236 votes in favor, with 209 against and 2 abstentions. This move completes a mid-term power-sharing arrangement among the ruling coalition and signals both institutional and symbolic shifts in Warsaw.
Czarzasty’s elevation was not a mere formality. Although his candidacy was part of a previously (already in 2023) agreed coalition deal, the margin of his victory revealed underlying tensions. The vote required an absolute majority, and Czarzasty only secured it by slim margin.
Many PiS MPs staged a walk-out during the session, chanting “down with communism” to protest his past membership in the communist PZPR (Polish United Workers’ Party). Even within the coalition, there was speculation about whether every MP would toe the line — reflecting delicate coalition arithmetic. And indeed, a few lawmakers from Poland 2050 and Civic Coalition abstained and even voted against.
Previous Speaker, Szymon Hołownia, leader of Poland 2050, formally resigned as on 13 November 2025. During his time as Speaker, Hołownia emphasized political stability and worked to narrow partisan divides. Observers note that he strengthened parliamentary transparency: he promoted more open consultations on draft laws, extended rights to individual MPs, and made the institution slightly more accessible. However, some challenges remained. Hołownia himself acknowledged unresolved issues — for example, around MPs’ car journey allowances (often abused), and alcohol regulation in the Sejm (read more in the September issue). He hoped he could keep the job until the end of the term, but other coalition partners were not keen to amend the coalition agreement in this regard. Disappointed, he announced he was quitting politics and expressed ambitions beyond the Sejm. Media reports suggest he is among the frontrunners for a top United Nations post (High Commissioner for Refugees), but for now he accepted to be one of Deputy Speakers of the Sejm.
Włodzimierz Czarzasty is a seasoned politician and long-time figure on the Polish left. He co-leads the New Left, having previously served as head of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD). Before his election as Speaker, he had already held a leadership role in the Sejm as a Deputy Speaker.
Czarzasty’s political career spans decades, including a controversial period in the 1980s when he was a member of the communist party. That past has drawn fire from the right wing, but his supporters argue that he has learned from it and now brings maturity, procedural rigor, and a conciliatory style to the role. In his first public remarks after election, he cast himself as a “speaker of peace, of reason … someone who thinks 56 times before acting,” suggesting his intention to lead deliberately and responsibly.
Czarzasty’s ascendancy is more than a symbolic reward for his party — it is a strategic gain for the Left in the governing coalition. By holding the Speakership, New Left gains institutional influence: the Speaker helps manage the parliamentary agenda, chairs proceedings, and represents the Sejm formally. Analysts see his election as part of a broader leftward tilt within the coalition, giving the Left more leverage not just in rhetoric but in procedural power. And Czarzasty stresses that he will use his new position to speed up bills important for the left, and block those coming from PiS and the President Nawrocki.
Commentators say that Prime Minister Donald Tusk is happy with this change, as he sees Czarzasty as a very loyal and predictable politician (more than Hołownia), and he needs a successful left-wing block in 2027 elections to have chances to prolong the mandate of the democratic government. It is worth stressing that Czarzasty’s former colleagues from the far-left Together party voted against the new Speaker. New Left and Together formed a common electoral list in 2023, and there is a big chance they will do it again in two years. Hostile gestures of Together will not help building an alliance…
One of Czarzasty’s first major initiatives as Speaker was ordering a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages within all buildings and grounds managed by the Sejm’s Chancellery. Czarzasty explained the decision as a matter of setting an example. He said that if Poland is going to legislate stricter rules around alcohol, the Sejm itself must not appear hypocritical — and it must not provide a permissive environment for MPs.
The move drew mixed reactions. Some praised it as a principled first step toward institutional reform. Others treated it more lightly: PSL MP Magdalena Sroka commented with a smile, saying some in the Sejm viewed the decision “with a twinkle in the eye” — though she added that there are members who “cannot behave at a proper level” and that “alcohol blurs boundaries.” Critics also argue that banning sales is a symbolic gesture rather than a systemic solution to deeper cultural or ethical issues within Parliament — but supporters counter that it's exactly this kind of symbolic reform that can start changing norms.
Nawrocki Refuses to Appoint Judges
Poland is witnessing a serious escalation in its institutional tension as President Karol Nawrocki has refused to appoint 46 judges to higher courts, a move the government argues undermines judicial independence and threatens its reform agenda. Nawrocki justified the decision by saying these judges “question the constitutional and legal order of the Republic of Poland” and have been influenced by Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek to sow division among the judiciary. He cited his constitutional right, based on Article 179, to refuse judicial nominations.
The government strongly disagrees. Spokesman Adam Szłapka called Nawrocki’s move an “attempt to usurp power” and argued that judges have the right to question the legitimacy of their peers — a key issue in the broader dispute over past reforms.
Legal experts say that although the president has the power to refuse nominations, such a broad block is extraordinary and raises constitutional questions. Critics warn the stalemate could deepen judicial fragmentation and erode the rule of law, especially as Poland tries to recalibrate its justice system after years of political turmoil.
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Karol Nawrocki also blocked the promotions to first-rank officer positions of 136 future officers of the Military Counterintelligence Service and the Internal Security Agency. Furthermore, the president refused to sign applications for decorations and orders for secret service officers. Minister of Secret Services Tomasz Siemoniak said the president was "punishing officer candidates" and expressed hope that "there will be reflection." The Presidential Chancellery responded that Nawrocki refused to sign because the minister did not allow heads of services to meet with the head of state. The government emphasizes that the services report to the prime minister, not the president. It is also rumored that Nawrocki is retaliating for the services' refusal to issue a security clearance certificate to his head of the National Security Bureau (BBN). Without this certificate, the head of the BBN cannot, in practice, perform his job.
Poland & Germany
We Forgive and Ask for Forgiveness
Sixty years after Polish bishops sent a landmark letter to their German counterparts saying, “We forgive and ask for forgiveness,” church leaders from both countries gathered in Wrocław to reaffirm that the gesture still matters today.
The original 1965 message, drafted by Archbishop Bolesław Kominek of Wrocław, acknowledged the horrors of war but dared to extend a hand of reconciliation. Its frankness — speaking of suffering, guilt, and responsibility — was revolutionary, especially amid Cold War tensions.
At the anniversary event on November 18, 2025, Archbishop Józef Kupny called the message “still-vibrant,” rooted in truth, dialogue, and respect. Bishop Georg Bätzing of Germany described Kominek as a prophetic bridge-builder who refused to accept perpetual hostility. During a Mass in Wrocław’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the bishops signed a new declaration, “Courage of Extended Hands,” reaffirming that “We forgive and ask for forgiveness” is not just history, but their program for the future.
In their joint statement, they warned against politicizing historical wounds. They stressed that some leaders still exploit painful memories for partisan gain, calling instead for empathy and understanding.
They also linked their reconciliation to the broader European context — especially in view of the war in Ukraine. They urged practical solidarity, compassion for victims, and a shared commitment to peace rooted in Christian values. They stressed that reconciliation isn’t a finished chapter, but a living responsibility, demanding ongoing effort in hearts, politics and communities.
The Highest Level of Antipathy in 21st Century
Recent polling reveals a sharp deterioration in how Poles view Germany. According to the 2025 Polish-German Barometer, only 32% of Poles express positive feelings toward Germans — one of the lowest rates in 25 years. Meanwhile, 25% say they actively dislike Germans, the highest level of antipathy recorded since 2000.
A separate CBOS survey further underscores this unease: 48% of Poles say relations with Germany are “neither good nor bad,” while 18% view them as bad and just 25% as good — the latter being the most optimistic reading in nine years.
Political identity strongly shapes these opinions. Supporters of the current democratic government are most positive, with 49% calling relations “good,” whereas among right-wing PiS and Confederation voters, neutral or negative views predominate.
History remains a major point of friction. In the Barometer survey, 58% of Poles believe Germany should pay more in war reparations, while only 23% of Germans agree. Despite the growing coldness in public opinion, a slim majority in both countries still regard bilateral relations as good.
"On the German side, the trend is different: Germans like Poles, these values are gradually increasing, and the level of reluctance is the lowest since our first survey. Similar trends can be seen in other responses, for example in the acceptance of a representative of the other nationality depending on social roles, e.g., neighbor, teacher: a decrease on the Polish side, an increase on the German side," comments Agnieszka Łada-Konefał, deputy director of the German Institute of Polish Affairs in Darmstadt.
Berlin–Warsaw Tensions Flare Over Reparations Debate
The German ambassador to Poland, Miguel Berger, has sparked a fierce backlash in Warsaw after accusing the Polish opposition—particularly PiS, which has long championed WWII reparations—from Germany of fomenting “divisions that only help Putin.”
Berger’s comments came during an interview with TVN, where he expressed concern that the reparations push is less about historical justice and more about undermining Polish-German cooperation. He argued that some demands for reparations stem from “people … [who] perhaps do not want Polish-German relations to develop positively.”
The reaction in Poland was rapid and hostile. PiS MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk, who led his party’s reparations campaign in government, offered to deliver to Berger in person a detailed “war losses” report, arguing it clearly shows what Poland is owed. In response, Berger posted on X (formerly Twitter): “The constant divisions created by people like you only help Putin.”
That phrasing outraged many in Poland. Marcin Przydacz, head of foreign policy for President Karol Nawrocki (who has himself called for reparations), retaliated by pointing to Germany’s past energy dependency on Russia — notably via Nord Stream — and said it was Berlin, not Polish patriots, that had truly helped Moscow. Anna-Maria Żukowska, a prominent MP from the New Left, added that it is ironic for Berlin to accuse others of aiding Putin when Germany historically championed energy ties with Russia.
Germany, for its part, has long maintained that the reparations issue is legally closed. It points to a post-war agreement and decisions made in the 1950s, when the then-Communist Polish government renounced further claims. The row follows renewed public demands from Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki for reparations during a recent visit to Berlin. Steinmeier, the German president, reiterated that Berlin views the matter as settled.
AfD Leader Warns That Poland is Germany’s Real Threat
Tino Chrupalla, co‑leader of Germany’s far right AfD, sparked outrage after claiming in a televised interview that Poland could pose as much of a threat to Germany as Russia. He argued that Moscow’s current policies do not endanger Germany and singled out Poland, citing economic and political disagreements, as well as perceived double standards on the Nord Stream pipeline.
The remarks immediately triggered a wave of criticism in Poland. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described Chrupalla’s comments as “insulting and absurd,” saying that Germany’s far-right figures should not lecture Poland on security matters. Tusk also mocked a particularly provocative remark from Chrupalla that Poles are “the African Americans of Europe,” calling it “shocking, offensive, and historically ignorant.”
The German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, called Chrupalla’s statements “complete nonsense” and “scandalous and disgusting,” emphasizing that Russia — not Poland — is the real geopolitical threat in Europe.
Analysts see the incident as part of a larger trend within AfD: a faction increasingly sympathetic to pro-Russian narratives and revisionist views of European security, even as other party leaders attempt to maintain a more moderate image. In Poland, the controversy is being interpreted as yet another attempt by German far-right figures to delegitimize Polish sovereignty and historical narratives. Public and political reactions reflect anger and disbelief, highlighting that bilateral relations remain sensitive to rhetoric that frames Poland as a threat rather than a partner.
Environment
President Blocks New National Park
Poland’s plan to establish the Lower Oder Valley National Park has run into political turbulence after President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the bill that would have created it. The proposed park, covering more than 3,8 thousand hectares in the Lower Oder region in West Pomerania, was to become the first new national park in Poland in 24 years.
This land is widely regarded as ecologically precious. It lies within a mosaic of wetlands, oxbow lakes and floodplain forests, forming part of the broader Lower Oder Valley — a region recognized for its rich biodiversity. The area supports species like the European otter, beaver, and a variety of rare birds, and is already protected under EU Natura 2000 rules. On the German side, a national park has existed for years, and together with protected areas in Poland, they form the Lower Oder Valley International Park, symbolizing cross-border ecological cooperation.
Despite broad public backing — polls suggest around 70% of Poles supported the park — President Nawrocki argued that the law could hamper the region’s economic potential. He cited fears that restrictions might block infrastructure, river transport, and industrial development, particularly in the port areas of Szczecin and Świnoujście. His veto also pointed to a lack of detailed analyses on the economic impact and insufficient consultation with local communities.
Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska, strongly disagrees with the veto. She argues the park would boost the local economy through tourism and sustainable development rather than stifle it. Facing the president’s veto, the government is preparing a “Plan B.” The Lower Oder region could be protected as an exclave of the nearby Wolin National Park. Such extension would not require any presidential agreement.
International Affairs
Poland has officially summoned Israel’s ambassador after a social media post by Yad Vashem sparked a diplomatic clash. On November 23, Yad Vashem posted on X that “Poland was the first country where Jews were forced to wear a distinctive badge… to isolate them from the surrounding population,” referencing a 1939 decree by Nazi governor Hans Frank. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski sharply criticized the post for failing to note that Poland was under Nazi occupation at the time, and he demanded a correction. When Yad Vashem did not sufficiently revise its statement, Sikorski announced he would summon the ambassador.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined the condemnation, calling the post “disgraceful” and suggesting it appeared less as a simple error than a deliberate distortion of history. The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum went as far as to accuse Yad Vashem of misrepresenting facts, pointing out that only the German occupiers introduced and enforced such antisemitic laws. Similarly, Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance criticized the lack of clarity, saying institutions like Yad Vashem should show “historical precision.”
Yad Vashem responded by clarifying that the linked article under its post does explicitly note the order came from German authorities. Its chairman, Dani Dayan, defended the institution’s work, stating that its historical material clearly reflects that Poland was under German occupation and that any interpretation otherwise misreads its commitment to accuracy.
This incident highlights how tense and politically sensitive the narration of Holocaust history remains in Polish-Israeli relations, especially when it comes to distinguishing between the actions of the Nazi regime and the suffering of occupied Poland.
Polish Ambassador Attacked in Russia
Poland’s ambassador to Russia, Krzysztof Krajewski, has reported that he was verbally attacked and narrowly escaped a physical assault in Saint Petersburg. According to Krajewski, a coordinated group shouted anti-Polish and anti-Ukrainian slogans as he walked along Nevsky Prospect. He described the incident as deliberate and well-organised, not a random street protest. He credited his security team for preventing a physical attack.
A formal note of protest was sent to Russian authorities in response. Poland’s Defence Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, condemned the event as a violation of diplomatic norms, while Foreign Ministry spokesman Maciej Wewiór confirmed that Warsaw raised the issue with the Russian chargé d’affaires.
Krajewski also said such provocations are not new: during his travels outside Moscow, he often encounters hostile crowds. He suggested that these “self-styled activists” may be acting under political direction, given their organisation and timing.
Culture
Polish Basketry Traditions Set to Join UNESCO Heritage List
Poland's centuries-old basketry craft is poised to receive international recognition as it will be added to UNESCO's list. This marks another milestone for protection and promotion of Polish cultural heritage. Basketry traditions are among Poland's ongoing nominations for 2025, representing one of the country's most enduring and culturally significant crafts. The tradition encompasses a wide range of techniques and materials, reflecting the diverse regional practices that have evolved across Poland over generations.
The craft involves weaving baskets, containers, and decorative items using natural materials abundantly available in the Polish landscape. Willow has been particularly accessible in cities such as Rudnik nad Sanem and Nowy Tomyśl, where basketry traditions have flourished for centuries. The craft has been passed down through generations of master weavers, with skills transmitted from one generation to the next. What began primarily as the creation of practical baskets and containers expanded significantly in the second half of the nineteenth century, when artisans began developing more sophisticated techniques and designs.
The most frequently used material in Polish basketry is wicker—young shoots of several species of willows. Depending on how the wicker is processed, craftspeople can achieve various shades and finishes. Beyond willow, Polish basket makers work with straw, cattail, rattan, and other natural fibers. Regional styles have developed based on what grows abundantly in each area, creating a tapestry of distinctive basketry traditions across the country.
For Poland, the inscription represents the seventh element of intangible cultural heritage to receive UNESCO recognition, following the Polonaise dance (2023), timber rafting (2022), flower carpets for Corpus Christi (2021), falconry (2021), tree beekeeping culture (2020), and Krakow's nativity scene tradition (2018).
Polls & Trends
Party Support
OGB, 22-25.11.2025
Civic Coalition 38,01%
PiS 27,97%
Confederation 13,97%
Crown 8,94%
Left 4,24%
Together 2,75%
PSL 2,68%
Poland 2050 1,44%