Poland’s top security official Karol Nawrocki declined to sign an officer promotion last week, triggering accusations that the president’s close associate Sławomir Cenckiewicz made the decision.
President’s Refusal to Sign Officer Nominations
Last week, Karol Nawrocki refused to sign the promotion for a first‑year officer at the Internal Security Agency and the Military Counter‑Intelligence Service. According to those monitoring the “State of Emergency,” the decision was allegedly made by the president’s close aide, Sławomir Cenckiewicz, who “played matches” with the situation.
Kosiniak‑Kamysz Accuses Chancellery of Endangering the President
Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz said the Chancellery had “put the president on the cross,” arguing that it is unprecedented for a president to refuse a signature in such circumstances. He noted that a president’s oath, honor, and loyalty surpass any political term, and deemed it unwise to use young officers as hostages.
Palace Claims the President Was Severed from Information Access
Press secretary Rafał Leśkiewicz explained that the president’s request to meet with heads of the national security services had been ignored, marking the first time in the Third Republic such a meeting did not occur. He said the president was effectively cut off from essential information, a move that also involved officer nominations.
Siemoniak Urges Nawrocki to Sign and Defends the President’s Authority
Special‑services coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak called on Karol Nawrocki to sign the officer nominations, stressing that the president operates within the bounds of law and is not a tyrant. He highlighted that the president’s subordinates—officials, soldiers, and ministers—must have the prime minister’s approval for such meetings, implying that the request was blocked by the Chancellery.
