News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Polish President Andrzej Duda (L) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (R) shake hands this week at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw

Political power clash between Poland's govt, president

More than one month after Poland's new pro-EU coalition came to power, a number of disputes have erupted between the government and the country's conservative president, Andrzej Duda. The control of public media and the direction of rule-of-law legislation lie at the heart of the clash.

World • 21 Jan 24

Mariusz Kaminski has started a hunger strike after being detained at Poland's presidential palace

Polish politician starts hunger strike after arrest

A Polish politician who was detained at Poland's presidential palace and sent to prison is starting a hunger strike, he has said.

World • 10 Jan 24

The collective shelter in Konstancin-Jeziorna, which has accommodated Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war

Poland's collective shelters for Ukrainian refugees

Almost two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 59% of Ukrainian refugees living in Poland pay for their own private accommodation. But an estimated 70,000 refugees continue to live in collective shelters, many of whom are finding it difficult to make the leap to independent living

Ukraine • 09 Jan 24

Russia accused Ukraine of targeting the city of Belgorod with missiles and rockets, killing at least 18 people

Russia vows 'punishment' after Belgorod strike kills 18

Russia has accused Ukraine of targeting civilian areas in one of its cities and using cluster munitions, during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council requested by Moscow.

Ukraine • 30 Dec 23

A group of police officers are seen entering the headquarters of Polish public media in the capital Warsaw

Polish public media bosses fired, news channel off air

The management of Poland's public television, radio and news agency PAP has been dismissed, according to the culture ministry, as one public news channel came off air.

Europe • 20 Dec 23

Poland's President Andrzej Duda (L) hands the assignment document to Donald Tusk to designate him as Poland's Prime Minister

Donald Tusk sworn in as Polish prime minister

Donald Tusk has been sworn in as Poland's new prime minister by Polish president Andrzej Duda, and will now lead a centrist, pro-EU government.

Europe • 13 Dec 23

Grzegorz Braun seen after using the fire extinguisher in the Polish parliament lobby

Polish MP extinguishes Hanukkah candles in parliament

A far-right Polish MP has used a fire extinguisher to douse a Hanukkah menorah at an today for the Polish Jewish community at the Polish parliament. The incident happened on a day when Poland's newly elected Prime Minister Donald Tusk had announced his new cabinet.

World • 12 Dec 23

Donald Tusk (centre) is congratulated by party members after receiving a majority of votes to become prime minister

Polish parliament votes in favour of Donald Tusk as PM

Poland's parliament has voted in favour of an opposition motion to elect Donald Tusk as the country's new prime minister.

Europe • 11 Dec 23

Polish hauliers launched blockades at the Ukrainian border last month

Ukraine moves trucks over Polish border by train

Ukraine has tested transporting trucks across the Polish border using trains, in an attempt to bypass a month-long blockade by Polish hauliers.

Ukraine • 07 Dec 23

Ukrainian trucks blocked by Polish protesters on the road near the Polish Ukrainian border crossing Hrebenne on Friday

Polish PM urges EU to end Ukraine transport waiver

Poland's prime minister has urged the European Union to reinstate entry permits for Ukrainian trucks, weeks into a protest by Polish hauliers over what they call unfair competition from the war-torn country.

World • 06 Dec 23

Huge queues have formed on both sides of the border, with many hauliers stuck in their vehicles for days in cold temperatures and with little food

Ukraine and Poland open crossing to ease blockade

Ukraine and Poland will open a border crossing for empty trucks tomorrow in a bid to ease a blockade by Polish hauliers, whose protests have paralysed traffic for weeks.

World • 03 Dec 23

Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Polish parliament this week

Why Poland's opposition is still waiting to form a govt

Seven weeks on from Poland's general election, the country's centre-left opposition bloc is still waiting for its chance to form a government.

Poland • 02 Dec 23

An insignia of the Royal Irish Regiment, discovered in a field in Silesia, southern Poland

The Irishmen in British uniforms, forgotten in Poland

While Irish independence was being forged at home, Irish soldiers in the British army were deployed to a region in today's southern Poland to keep the peace between Poles and Germans. The bodies of 11 Irishmen have remained buried there in unmarked graves for most of the past century.

Poland • 25 Nov 23

A protest by Polish truck drivers at three border crossings with Ukraine is causing delays of at least four days

Slovak border crossing blocked as wider protest looms

A Slovak border crossing with Ukraine has been partially blocked, police and media reported, in support of a similar protest in Poland.

Europe • 21 Nov 23

Deputies gather as Poland's new parliament meets for the first time since October's general election

Poland's parliament meets for first time since election

Poland's parliament met yesterday for the first time since last month's crucial general election. The nationalist Law and Justice party now has 14 days to win a vote of confidence. A separate vote for the role of Speaker of parliament reflected the opposition's parliamentary majority.

Europe • 14 Nov 23

Polish President Andrzej Duda laying a wreath at Warsaw's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Polish Independence Day on November 11, 2017

Why is Polish Independence Day on 11 November?

Today marks Polish Independence Day, which is celebrated on 11 November each year. The fact that the occasion shares the same date as Armistice Day is no coincidence.

Poland • 11 Nov 23

Polish President Andrzej Duda meeting Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on 24 October during talks on forming the next government

Poland's president backs Morawiecki to form government

Poland's President Andrzej Duda nominated Mateusz Morawiecki, the current prime minister from the ruling Law and Justice party, to form a new government last night. The opposition bloc, which won a majority in last month's election, is set to defeat the nomination.

Poland • 07 Nov 23

People light candles at the Rakowicki Cemetery in Krakow on All Saints' Day (file pic)

Why graveyards glowed red in Poland last night

On All Saints' Day in Poland, millions of people travelled across the country to visit the graves of deceased relatives. A public holiday with pagan roots, the day remains an important part of Polish national identity.

Europe • 02 Nov 23

Ryanair is set to take on Wizz in the Polish market

Ryanair vs Wizz - the low-cost fight spreads to Poland

Ryanair is aiming to double its business in the fast-growing Polish market and expand across eastern Europe over the next decade, executives said.

Business • 18 Oct 23

Leader of the Civic Coalition Donald Tusk

Polish opposition wins parliamentary majority in vote

Polish pro-EU opposition parties have won a parliamentary majority in a tight general election, the poll commission has said, announcing complete results.

World • 17 Oct 23

Polish citizens casting their votes in Krakow over the weekend

Explainer: The next steps to form the Polish government

Poland's liberal opposition look set to win the election, but forming a new government to take power may be a difficult task. Here is how it will be chosen.

Analysis and Comment • 16 Oct 23

Jaroslaw Kaczynski (centre) reacts with supporters at the party's headquarters in Warsaw last night

Polish ruling party ahead in election - partial results

Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party was ahead in a national election, partial official results showed this afternoon.

Europe • 16 Oct 23

Donald Tusk said the vote was 'the end of this grim period. PiS's reign is over'

Polish opposition tipped to win election - exit poll

Polish opposition parties are tipped to win a parliamentary majority in Sunday's election that would end eight years of rule by the populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, according to exit polls.

Europe • 15 Oct 23

Election posters adorn a railway bridge in central Warsaw

Poland's election: What is at stake?

Poles are voting tomorrow in a closely contested election between the ruling nationalist-populist Law and Justice party and the main centrist opposition, Civic Coalition. In a polarised campaign, voter turn out will be key to deciding who forms the country's next government.

Poland • 14 Oct 23

Slawomir Mentzen speaks on stage at the Koneser Center in Warsaw last weekend.

Poland's far-right politician builds support on TikTok

Poland's far-right Confederation party is polling at 9% ahead of this Sunday's general election. Its co-leader Slawomir Mentzen has amassed almost 800,000 followers on TikTok and increased the party's support among young male voters.

Europe • 12 Oct 23