Presidential Decisions Spark Outrage in the Polish Armed Forces Over Promotions and Billions

President Karol Nawrocki faces a growing crisis of trust among military personnel due to his veto of the EU’s SAFE program, contested personnel policies, and unauthorized actions by the Presidential Palace.

Veto on the SAFE Program

Karol Nawrocki faces a rising trust crisis among military officers, who criticize his decisions regarding the EU’s SAFE program, personnel policy management, and actions taken by the Presidential Palace without consulting the Ministry of National Defense.

According to Onet, the greatest disappointment among the military was the president’s March veto of the bill enabling Poland to utilize the SAFE program. This involved 43.7 billion euros—approximately 185 billion zlotys—earmarked for military modernization, weapon purchases, anti-drone systems development, and domestic defense industry support.

Karol Nawrocki justified his decision by citing concerns over state sovereignty and debt levels, pointing out that SAFE represents a multi-year loan in foreign currency with potential additional conditions imposed by Brussels.

The Ministry of Defense and part of the command staff viewed the Palace’s argumentation as political. Military personnel regarded the program primarily as a source of funds needed to address urgent equipment shortages, assessing that the president’s veto weakened state security and hindered modernization plans.

The government announced it will seek ways to utilize SAFE funds despite the presidential veto. Consequently, the money may reach Poland, but without credit to the head of state, a factor significantly impacting the military’s assessment of the president.

Generals Summoned to the Presidential Palace

Another flashpoint emerged when top generals were summoned to the Presidential Palace shortly after the SAFE decision. Initiated by the president’s entourage, the generals were invited without prior coordination with Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Military officers found themselves in a difficult position, caught between Karol Nawrocki as the constitutional commander-in-chief and the Ministry of Defense exercising peacetime civilian control. Directing orders to commanders while bypassing the ministry was perceived as an attempt to build an independent political base within the armed forces.

Onet’s sources report that generals felt exploited in a political conflict, with one experienced commander describing their treatment as being “like mere pawns on a chessboard.” Concerns arose that general nominations and promotions might be used to strengthen the president’s position against the government.

Conflict Between the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Defense

Relations between the president and the defense minister have been significantly strained since the beginning of Karol Nawrocki’s term compared to Andrzej Duda’s tenure. The current administration has seen rivalry, mutual distrust, and initiatives taken concerning the military without the defense minister’s knowledge, including attempts to access sensitive Armed Forces personnel data.

The summoning of generals to the Palace culminated this conflict, resulting in the political departure of Sławomir Cenckiewicz from his role as head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), officially framed as structural modification but widely linked to his lack of security clearance certifications.

National Security Bureau Lacks Access to Key Information

Sławomir Cenckiewicz led the National Security Bureau from August 2025 to April 2026 without holding the required security clearances, which limited his participation in state security briefings and discussions with commanders.

Without access to classified documents, the BBN chief could not fully participate in government security structures or commander meetings. Although deputies attended some sessions, their ability to relay information was restricted, leaving the president without a complete picture during briefings.

A notable example involved plans to transfer MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. Karol Nawrocki publicly claimed he learned of government intentions from the media, whereas Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz countered that the topic had been discussed twice in government security committee meetings attended by BBN deputy chief Major General Mirosław Bryś.

New BBN Head Lacks Military Background

Following Sławomir Cenckiewicz’s departure, Bartosz Grodecki, a former deputy minister of internal affairs and administration under Law and Justice governments, took over the BBN. Some officers view this appointment as a sign that military affairs are not the president’s primary focus.

Key military advisors in the president’s circle include General Mirosław Bryś, formerly linked to Mariusz Błaszczak’s Ministry of Defense and the Central Military Recruitment Center, and General Adam Rzeczkowski, rooted in the Navy and Army, whose career accelerated under Antoni Macierewicz.

Dispute Over General Promotions

Military tensions are further fueled by reports of the Presidential Palace interfering in officer promotion lists. Onet established that individuals connected to Karol Nawrocki allegedly removed experienced line commanders—such as General Jan Wojno and Colonel Renard Skrzypczak—from promotion consideration.

Such decisions provoked outrage in the army, where officers believe promotions should reflect experience, service results, and competence rather than political calculations. These controversies also extend to a December 2025 BBN delegation visit to the United States, where Polish defense attaché Major General Krzysztof Nolbert was sidelined during talks at the Pentagon.

With upcoming general nominations scheduled for Polish Armed Forces Day, the military views the promotion list as a critical test for relations between the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Defense. While Karol Nawrocki seeks to rebuild influence among generals, the use of promotions and nominations to build an internal base continues to generate growing frustration within the ranks.