NEWSLETTER
From Poland with Love. July 2026
Topic of the Month
End of PiS as We Know It
One of the most significant developments in Polish politics in years has unfolded on the right. Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has formally broken with PiS, announcing the creation of a new parliamentary group, Rozwój Plus (Development Plus). Around 40 MPs, one senator and several MEPs have joined the new formation, making it the third-largest parliamentary club in the Sejm. The split also means that Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition has overtaken PiS as the largest parliamentary force.
Although tensions had been building for months, many observers trace the beginning of the crisis to PiS's Christmas gathering, where divisions between the party's moderate and increasingly conservative wings became impossible to ignore. The conflict deepened after Jarosław Kaczyński and his allies pushed the party further to the right and elevating politicians associated with a more confrontational political style. Morawiecki argued that PiS had abandoned its broad electoral appeal in favour of ideological purity, making it increasingly difficult to win back centrist voters. The immediate trigger came when MPs associated with Morawiecki refused to sign the party's "loyalty pledge," prompting an effective split.
Among those joining Morawiecki are several prominent former ministers, deputy ministers and younger MPs associated with the party's more technocratic and economically liberal wing. They present Rozwój Plus as a conservative but pro-development, pro-business force that seeks to regain voters who have drifted away from PiS without embracing the current governing coalition.
The reaction from PiS has been uncompromising. Kaczyński accused Morawiecki of undermining party unity and insisted that the breakaway group had effectively removed itself from PiS. Party leaders argue that the split benefits only Donald Tusk and fragments the conservative vote ahead of the 2027 parliamentary election.
The first parliamentary test may come sooner than expected. PiS has indicated that it wants Mariusz Ociepa to become Deputy Speaker of the Sejm, but Rozwój Plus is expected to challenge PiS's claim to represent the entire opposition. The dispute will demonstrate whether the new parliamentary arithmetic translates into political influence.
Early polling suggests Rozwój Plus could count on around 6–8% of the vote—enough to comfortably clear the electoral threshold and become a significant player in coalition negotiations, though not enough to challenge PiS for leadership of the Polish right. Even so, under Poland's d'Hondt electoral system, the emergence of another centre-right party could have profound consequences. If both PiS and Rozwój Plus enter parliament separately, the conservative vote would be divided, potentially making it much harder for the right to secure a parliamentary majority. Conversely, if Morawiecki was to fall below the threshold, the electoral losses could be substantial.
The new grouping's long-term strategy remains uncertain. Some commentators see Rozwój Plus as a potential future partner for the Polish People's Party (PSL) or parts of the centrist camp formerly associated with Poland 2050. Others speculate that, under exceptional circumstances, Morawiecki could one day cooperate with Tusk on selected reforms or even participate in a broad pro-European coalition. For now, however, such a scenario appears politically remote given the deep personal and ideological divisions between the two camps.
The split also forces PiS to confront difficult strategic choices. One option is further radicalisation, doubling down on its conservative base and competing more directly with parties on its right. The alternative would be to broaden its appeal by promoting a new generation of more moderate leaders. Names frequently mentioned include Tobiasz Bocheński MEP and Karol Nawrocki’s Chief of Staff Zbigniew Bogucki, both viewed by some within the party as politicians capable of attracting centrist conservative voters while preserving PiS's core identity.
Whatever course PiS chooses, Morawiecki's departure marks the end of an era. For the first time since coming to power in 2015, the Polish right is no longer organised around a single dominant party. Kaczyński is not enjoy anymore the hegemonic position on the rights, and the role of President Karol Nawrocki as a patron of the conservative opposition has increased significantly. As PiS faces competition from both Rozwój Plus and the far-right Confederation—which openly hopes to replace PiS as the largest force on the right—the conservative camp is entering a period of unprecedented fragmentation. Whether Rozwój Plus becomes a durable political force or merely a transitional project will shape not only the future of PiS but also the balance of power ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections.
Security
A Russian Missile Lands in Poland. Again
The war in Ukraine once again spilled onto NATO territory on 30 July, when a Russian cruise missile crashed in eastern Poland during one of Moscow's largest overnight attacks on Ukraine. The missile struck an uninhabited field near Tarnawa-Kolonia in the Lublin region, leaving a crater but causing no casualties. Polish authorities believe the object was a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, although the investigation is continuing.
The incident triggered an immediate military response. Polish and allied aircraft were scrambled as Russian missiles and drones targeted western Ukraine, with Polish air defence systems monitoring the situation throughout the night. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the missile penetrated deep into Polish territory before crashing, but there was no indication that Poland itself had been the intended target. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned the violation of Allied airspace.
Although no one was injured, the incident has reignited debate over the security of NATO's eastern flank. It is the latest in a series of Russian missiles, drones and other military objects entering Polish airspace since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Each episode raises difficult questions about deterrence, air defence and the risks faced by countries bordering the conflict.
The political response in Warsaw has been measured but firm. Tusk condemned Russia's actions and announced that Poland would continue discussions on strengthening Ukraine's air defences, including the possible transfer of additional Patriot missiles. Polish prosecutors have launched an investigation, and Ukrainian experts are expected to participate in the forensic examination of the recovered missile fragments. Initial findings indicate that the missile had been manufactured only months before it was launched, underlining Russia's continued ability to replenish its arsenal despite international sanctions.
While the strike appears to have been accidental rather than deliberate, it is a stark reminder that the war's consequences are no longer confined to Ukraine. As Russia continues its campaign of long-range missile attacks, neighbouring NATO states face an increasing risk of becoming unwilling participants in Europe's most serious security crisis in decades.
Poland to Produce US Barracuda Missiles
Poland is set to become the first European country to produce Barracuda-500M cruise missiles developed by the American defence technology company Anduril Industries. The agreement between Anduril, Poland's state-owned defence group PGZ, and its Bydgoszcz-based subsidiary WZL-2 marks another major step in strengthening Poland's defence industry and its strategic partnership with the United States.
Under the deal, the Bydgoszcz facility will initially assemble Barracuda missiles and later move towards full-scale production. The project is expected to bring new technological capabilities, jobs, and greater independence for Poland in producing advanced weapons systems. For Warsaw, the agreement is part of a broader effort to expand domestic defence production following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The deal also represents an important milestone for Anduril, one of the fastest-growing US defence technology companies. The company, known for combining artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing, is expanding its presence in Europe as countries look for faster and more flexible ways to strengthen their armed forces.
The Barracuda-500M is a long-range, autonomous cruise missile designed for precision strikes. It can travel around 900 kilometres and carries a warhead weighing more than 45 kilograms, providing the Polish Armed Forces with a new stand-off capability.
Politics
Constitutional Tribunal Challenges Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages
Poland's Constitutional Tribunal has ruled that a government regulation allowing the transcription of same-sex marriage certificates issued abroad is unconstitutional, reopening one of the most contentious legal and political debates over LGBTQ+ rights. The judgment, delivered by a three-judge panel, found that Polish civil registry forms cannot be adapted to register marriages other than those between a woman and a man, citing Article 18 of the Constitution.
The case stems from a regulation introduced earlier this year by the Ministry of Digital Affairs following landmark rulings by the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The regulation replaced the traditional "husband" and "wife" fields in civil registry forms with gender-neutral entries, allowing Polish authorities to transcribe foreign same-sex marriage certificates into the national civil registry. While the change did not legalise same-sex marriage in Poland, it enabled couples legally married abroad to have their marriage certificates entered into Polish records, making it easier to exercise certain administrative rights.
The Tribunal, however, concluded that such a change could not be introduced through secondary legislation. According to the judges, recognising foreign same-sex marriages through transcription would conflict with the constitutional understanding of marriage as a union between a woman and a man and would require legislative—or even constitutional—change rather than a ministerial regulation.
The ruling immediately triggered a political dispute. Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski dismissed the decision, arguing that the current Tribunal lacks legitimacy because of long-standing controversies surrounding the appointment of several of its judges. He pledged to continue work on measures facilitating the recognition of same-sex marriage certificates despite the judgment. The Tusk government has consistently maintained that the Tribunal, reshaped during the PiS era, does not meet the standards of an independent constitutional court and therefore does not regard many of its rulings as legally binding.
For the hundreds of same-sex couples who have already applied to register their foreign marriage certificates, the immediate legal consequences remain uncertain. Much will depend on whether the government continues implementing the earlier administrative practice or adjusts it in response to the Tribunal's ruling. More broadly, the case underlines that, despite recent judicial advances, legal recognition of same-sex couples remains one of the most contested issues in Polish constitutional politics.
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The Tribunal's internal divisions have also deepened. Newly appointed judge Sławomir Patyra, who took office in July, has announced that he will refrain from participating in the Tribunal's work until four judges elected by the Sejm earlier this year are also allowed to begin adjudicating. Those judges, despite having been validly elected by parliament, have not yet been admitted to hear cases, creating what critics describe as a two-tier Tribunal. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek welcomed Patyra's position, arguing that it could help restore the court's legitimacy. "The Constitutional Tribunal will finally stand on its feet," he said, expressing hope that the institution could once again function as an independent constitutional court rather than a source of political controversy. Patyra's decision highlights that the battle over the Tribunal is no longer simply between the government and the opposition, but has increasingly become an institutional dispute within the court itself over its composition and credibility.
President Blocks Windfall Tax on Fuel Companies
President Karol Nawrocki has refused to approve the government's proposed windfall tax on fuel companies, instead referring the legislation to the Constitutional Tribunal before it can enter into force. The move halts one of the government's flagship responses to soaring fuel prices following the disruption of global energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The bill would introduce a temporary 60% tax on extraordinary profits earned by fuel producers and importers between March and December 2026. Windfall gains were defined as revenues exceeding a company's average 2025 fuel margins by more than 20%, with the government estimating the measure would raise ca. PLN 4 billion (ca. EUR 0,95 billion). The proceeds were intended to finance the government's "Cheaper Fuel Prices" package, including tax reductions and other measures to cushion consumers from rising energy costs (read more in the March 2026 issue).
In explaining his decision, Nawrocki argued that the legislation violated the principle of legal certainty because it would apply retroactively to profits generated months before the law entered into force. He also warned that energy companies could simply pass the additional costs on to consumers through higher fuel prices, undermining the government's stated objective of lowering the cost of living. Rather than issuing a veto, however, the president chose to refer the bill to the Constitutional Tribunal, allowing this PiS-dominated body to take final decision.
The government has strongly criticised the decision, arguing that the tax targets exceptional profits generated by geopolitical shocks rather than normal business activity. Ministers note that several European countries introduced similar windfall taxes during the energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and contend that companies benefiting from extraordinary market conditions should contribute to protecting households and businesses from rising prices.
Poland's New Ombudswoman Takes Office
Poland has a new Commissioner for Human Rights. Lawyer and human rights advocate Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram has succeeded Marcin Wiącek after winning the support of the governing coalition in parliament and receiving the Senate's approval. She defeated Adam Borowski, a veteran anti-communist opposition activist nominated by PiS, by 233 votes to 177 in the Sejm.
Gregorczyk-Abram is one of Poland's best-known lawyers in the field of civil liberties. An attorney by profession, she gained national prominence as a co-founder of the Free Courts (Wolne Sądy) initiative, which campaigned against the judicial reforms introduced by the PiS government and became one of the leading voices defending judicial independence and the rule of law. More recently, she chaired a government commission examining alleged abuses against civil society during the previous administration. While these activities earned her widespread recognition among pro-democracy organisations, they also made her a deeply controversial figure for the opposition.
PiS strongly opposed her appointment, arguing that someone so closely associated with campaigns against its former government cannot credibly present herself as politically neutral. During the parliamentary debate, opposition MPs accused the governing coalition of turning the Ombudsman's office into another political appointment, while some questioned whether Gregorczyk-Abram would defend the rights of all citizens equally. The party's own candidate, Adam Borowski, was presented as a figure capable of rising above political divisions, though critics pointed to his limited legal experience compared with his rival.
Gregorczyk-Abram has sought to address those concerns directly. Upon her election, she pledged to "leave all my personal views behind" and serve every citizen regardless of political beliefs, lifestyle or voting preferences. She described the Ombudsman's office as "a place of dialogue" and stressed that the institution's constitutional role is to protect individual rights rather than participate in political disputes.
Among her first priorities are restoring public trust in the justice system, tackling excessive delays in court proceedings, reducing the overuse of pre-trial detention, strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities and their carers, improving protections for older people, and combating hate speech. She has also emphasised that the Ombudsman's extensive legal powers—including interventions before courts and the Constitutional Tribunal—should never be ignored by any government, regardless of its political colour.
European Affairs
Warsaw to Host New ESA Centre
Poland has taken another major step in its growing space ambitions. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Polish government have announced that Warsaw will host a new ESA Centre for Civil Security and Resilience—the first ESA centre to be established in a country that was not among the Agency's founding members in 1975 and the first located on the European Union's eastern flank. The new facility will strengthen Europe's capabilities in using space technologies for crisis management, protecting critical infrastructure, disaster response, and civil security.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk hailed the decision as a milestone for the country. "This is a very important day for Warsaw, for Poland, and for Polish ambitions," he said at the announcement ceremony, adding that the centre confirms Poland's growing role in cutting-edge technologies. He also stressed that "the sky is not the limit," revealing that Poland and ESA are already working together on plans for the country's first spacecraft.
The Warsaw centre will complement ESA's existing facilities across Europe rather than duplicate their work. It will focus on security, resilience and dual-use technologies with both civilian and strategic applications, including satellite communications, Earth observation, and emergency response. Its location reflects the increasing importance of Central and Eastern Europe in Europe's security architecture, particularly in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.
The announcement also crowns a decade of rapid growth for Poland's space sector. Since joining ESA in 2012, Poland has steadily increased its investment in the Agency, nurtured a growing domestic space industry, and recently celebrated the successful International Space Station mission of astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (read more in the June 2025 issue). Hosting an ESA centre is widely seen as recognition that Poland has become one of Europe's emerging leaders in space technology. The government has also announced a new fund worth up to PLN 500 million to support further development of the Polish space industry.
Economy
Poland Enters the Offshore Wind Era
Poland has produced electricity from its first offshore wind farm for the first time. The Baltic Power project, developed by Orlen and Canada's Northland Power, marks a historic step in the energy transition of the country.
Located in the Baltic Sea, ca. 23 kilometres off the coast near Łeba and Choczewo, Baltic Power will consist of 76 turbines with a total capacity of around 1.2 GW once fully operational. It is expected to generate approximately 4 TWh of electricity annually, covering around 3% of Poland's current electricity demand. Beyond increasing renewable energy production, offshore wind is seen as a key element of Poland's energy security strategy and efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. With further projects planned, Poland aims to become one of the leading offshore wind markets in the Baltic Sea.
Pfizer vs Poland: A Vaccine Dispute That Put Air Traffic at Risk
A dispute over COVID-19 vaccines has unexpectedly turned into a challenge for Poland's aviation system. A long-running legal battle between the Polish government and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has led to financial pressure on the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PAŻP), raising concerns about whether a corporate dispute could affect the country's air safety infrastructure.
The conflict dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when Poland, together with other EU countries, participated in a European Commission agreement to purchase millions of doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. As the pandemic situation changed and demand collapsed, Warsaw refused to accept further deliveries, arguing that the circumstances had fundamentally changed due to lower infection rates, the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, and the financial burden placed on Poland after accepting millions of Ukrainian refugees. Pfizer challenged this decision in court.
In 2026, a Belgian court ruled in favour of Pfizer, ordering Poland to honour its contractual obligations and take delivery of unused vaccine doses worth around €1.3 billion. The Polish government has rejected the ruling and announced further legal steps, arguing that the original agreement no longer reflected the reality of the pandemic.
The consequences of the dispute reached beyond the healthcare sector. Following the court proceedings, Pfizer sought enforcement measures against Polish assets, and funds connected with air navigation charges managed through European aviation structures became affected. PAŻP warned that it could lose access to airline fees representing more than 80% of its revenue, creating concerns about the financial stability of the agency responsible for managing Poland's airspace.
The situation has raised questions about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to international legal disputes. PAŻP is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic in Polish airspace, including training and employing civilian air traffic controllers. The government has assured that the agency will receive necessary support and that flight safety will not be compromised.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticised the original vaccine procurement decisions made by the previous government, arguing that Poland was now facing the financial consequences of contracts that were poorly managed. His government has maintained that the dispute is not about vaccines themselves but about responsibility for a costly agreement signed during the pandemic.
Poland & Germany
Polish Rail Champion Expands into Germany
Poland's largest rolling stock manufacturer, PESA Bydgoszcz, has completed the acquisition of the German tram producer HeiterBlick, marking one of the most significant Polish investments in Germany's rail industry in recent years. The takeover rescues the Leipzig-based company from insolvency while giving PESA a stronger foothold in Europe's largest tram market.
Founded in the early 2000s, HeiterBlick has become one of Germany's leading specialist tram manufacturers, supplying vehicles for cities including Leipzig, Würzburg and Dortmund. Financial difficulties, driven by rising costs and supply-chain disruptions, pushed the company into restructuring in 2025. PESA has pledged not only to preserve the Leipzig factory and its roughly 250 jobs but also to expand production over time.
For PESA, the acquisition is about much more than increasing production capacity. Germany is Europe's largest tram market, and owning an established German manufacturer provides access to local engineering expertise, certifications and customer relationships. "We believe that PESA and HeiterBlick complement each other perfectly," said PESA CEO Krzysztof Zdziarski, describing the deal as an opportunity to combine the strengths of both companies and reinforce their position across Europe.
The acquisition also reflects a broader shift in Central Europe's industrial landscape. While Polish companies have long been suppliers to Western European manufacturers, they are increasingly becoming investors and owners of well-known brands. PESA itself has grown from a former railway repair workshop in Bydgoszcz into one of Europe's leading producers of trains and trams, exporting vehicles to dozens of countries globally.
As European cities continue investing in sustainable public transport, the combined PESA–HeiterBlick group hopes to become a stronger competitor to established industry giants such as Siemens, Alstom and Škoda. For Poland, the deal is another sign that its industrial champions are increasingly shaping—not merely participating in—the future of European manufacturing.
Culture
Gdynia Turns 100. Snd Joins the UNESCO Heritage List
There could hardly be a better birthday present for Gdynia. As the port city celebrates the 100th anniversary of receiving city rights, it has also secured a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The inscription of Gdynia's Modernist City Centre recognises not only its remarkable architecture but also one of Europe's most extraordinary urban success stories.
Unlike many European cities shaped over centuries, Gdynia was built almost from scratch in 20th century. After Poland regained independence in 1918, the country needed a modern seaport under its own control (as Gdańsk was a free city). What had been a small fishing village on the Baltic coast quickly became a thriving port and one of the symbols of the young Polish state's ambition and determination.
This rapid development allowed Gdynia to be designed as a coherent modern city. Wide streets, functional public spaces, residential buildings, offices, and port infrastructure were all planned according to the latest ideas in architecture and urban planning. The result was one of Europe's finest examples of interwar modernism.
What makes Gdynia unique is its distinctive "maritime modernism." Many buildings feature rounded corners resembling the bows of ships, long horizontal windows, spacious balconies, flat roofs, and bright façades inspired by ocean liners. The architecture reflects both the city's close relationship with the sea and the optimism of an era that believed modern design could improve everyday life.
UNESCO recognised precisely this combination of architecture, urban planning, and historical significance. Rather than protecting a single landmark, the designation covers an entire city centre that has remained remarkably faithful to its original vision.
A century after its creation, Gdynia has become one of Poland's most modern, prosperous and livable cities. Home to around 240,000 residents, it consistently ranks among the country's leaders in quality of life, combining a dynamic economy with an exceptional natural setting on the Baltic coast. The city boasts one of Poland's lowest unemployment rates, a highly educated population, and a thriving maritime, logistics and technology sector. Gdynia also offers extensive green spaces, over 20 kilometres of coastline, and a well-developed public transport system. Long regarded as one of Poland's best-managed municipalities, Gdynia has transformed the bold vision of its founders into a vibrant European city that continues to attract businesses, tourists and new residents alike.
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Gdynia's celebration of UNESCO recognition stands in sharp contrast to another heritage debate unfolding in Poland. In the Lower Silesian village of Ostaszów, local authorities have opposed plans to grant legal protection to one of the country's best-preserved modernist settlements. Originally built during the Third Reich as a planned residential estate and later adapted after 1945, the village today represents a rare example of twentieth-century urban planning spanning two very different political eras. For some residents, however, this difficult history makes heritage protection uncomfortable, while others fear that protected status could limit future development.
Tourism
A New Baltic Adventure: Cycling from Gdańsk to Copenhagen
A new long-distance cycling route linking Gdańsk and Copenhagen is set to strengthen connections across the Baltic Sea, offering cyclists the opportunity to travel between two vibrant coastal cities while passing through some of the region's most scenic landscapes.
The 1270 km-long route combines existing cycling infrastructure in Poland and Denmark with ferry connections, making it part of a broader effort to promote sustainable tourism and low-carbon mobility. Along the way from Gdańsk, cyclists can explore sandy Baltic beaches, national parks, historic port towns, and picturesque islands before reaching the Danish capital.
Polls & Trends
Party Support
IBRiS for Polsat News, 29.07-2.08.2026
Civic Coalition 27,5%
PiS 16,9%
Confederation 14,4%
Crown 9,4%
Development+ 7,8% NEW (Morawiecki’s party)
Left 7,6%
PSL 4%
Together 2,3%
Poland 2050 1,4%