Polish minister announces plans to depoliticize anticorruption bureau

Poland's minister for special services, Tomasz Siemoniak, has announced significant reforms aimed at depoliticizing the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA). Siemoniak, who also serves as coordinator of the services, pointed out a structural inconsistency where four national security services operate alongside a fifth that he described as having a "de facto police character."

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We have four services for national security and one service for something else.

"We have four services for national security and one service for something else," Siemoniak stated in an interview. He noted that weekly coordination meetings with service chiefs focus on Ukraine, Iran, and border threats, highlighting the "very clear dissonance" of the CBA's distinct role.

Despite the critique, Siemoniak acknowledged the CBA's active role in major investigations, including the Szpital Południowy case and probes by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. He emphasized efforts to distance the CBA from political interference, citing a reduction in media leaks and early morning arrests. "We have freed the CBA from this political nature, from cameras standing outside the homes of those arrested at six in the morning, from media leaks," he said.

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We have freed the CBA from this political nature, from cameras standing outside the homes of those arrested at six in the morning, from media leaks.

To strengthen the bureau's police-like functions, General Luba, head of the Central Investigation Bureau of Police, has been appointed deputy head of the CBA. Siemoniak believes corruption is evolving and intertwining with other crimes like money laundering and human trafficking. He also referenced the Pegasus spyware scandal as a reason for implementing safeguards, announcing a "depoliticization package" in September designed to prevent politicians from leading the CBA. This initiative follows previous government attempts to reform or dissolve the CBA, which faced presidential vetoes.

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We want to show a depoliticization package for the CBA in September so that politicians can never head it.