Poland’s government is poised for a significant reshuffle, with plans to streamline the Council of Ministers by reducing the number of ministers without portfolio and consolidating competencies into fewer, more powerful ministries. The overhaul, expected to be announced on Wednesday, will reportedly include the creation of two major departments – one overseeing economic affairs and the other focused on energy.
Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka confirmed the timing of the announcement via X, stating that Prime Minister Donald Tusk will unveil the new cabinet line-up at 10:00 AM on Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, offered further insight during an interview with Radio Zet, saying that several ministers without portfolio would be stepping down or reassigned to junior roles within existing ministries. He also backed media speculation that two large ministries – one for the economy and another for energy – would be formed as part of the restructuring.
According to unofficial reports from the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the leading candidate to head the newly formed economic super-ministry – likely to absorb both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Development and Technology – is the current Finance Minister, Andrzej Domański. The energy ministry, meanwhile, could merge responsibilities currently scattered across up to five departments, including the soon-to-be-dissolved Ministry of Industry. Politicians from the Polish People’s Party (PSL) are said to be vying for leadership of this area.
Włodzimierz Czarzasty, co-leader of the New Left, told journalists earlier this month that the changes aim not to create “super ministries” per se, but to consolidate fragmented competencies into clearer, more manageable structures.
“It’s about bringing together issues currently spread across four or five ministries, which will make everything more transparent,” he explained.
The broader goal of the reshuffle, the government insists, is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the executive branch. The total number of ministers and deputy ministers is expected to fall below 100.
“We’re aiming to move from one of Europe’s largest governments to one of its leanest, at least in terms of structure,” Prime Minister Tusk said back in February.
The fate of many ministers without portfolio hangs in the balance. Among those likely to lose their positions, according to media sources, are: Katarzyna Kotula (Equality), Adriana Porowska (Civil Society), and Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz (Senior Policy).
The shake-up may also see the departure of Minister for Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk and Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski – both members of the PSL. Although Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska (Polska 2050) was long tipped for dismissal, she now appears likely to retain her position. Meanwhile, the roles of Sports Minister Sławomir Nitras and Education Minister Barbara Nowacka, both members of the Civic Coalition (KO) and involved in Rafał Trzaskowski’s presidential campaign, are reportedly under scrutiny due to their weakened political standing.
There are also whispers of a structural shift in the oversight of state-owned companies. Currently, these entities are primarily managed by the Ministry of State Assets, with certain firms supervised by the Ministry of Defence, and others, including the Polish Security Printing Works, overseen by the Ministry of the Interior. After the reshuffle, it is expected that the Prime Minister’s Office will assume responsibility for strategic state enterprises.
Tusk has also ruled out offering a deputy prime ministerial role to Polska 2050 as part of this reshuffle. However, according to TVN24’s „Fakty,” Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski is expected to be promoted to deputy prime minister.
At present, the deputy prime ministers are Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (PSL) and Krzysztof Gawkowski (New Left). Meanwhile, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, deputy leader of Polska 2050 and current Minister for Funds and Regional Policy, said that her party is still expecting to secure a deputy premiership in November, once party leader Szymon Hołownia steps down as Speaker of the Sejm, in line with coalition agreements.
Source: PAP
Photo: X Krystian Maj/KPRM
Tomasz Modrzejewski
