Poland’s political landscape and global links are highlighted in a month‑by‑month retelling of 2025’s defining events, from a new U.S. president to domestic crises.
January
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on 20 January after defeating Kamila Harris. He immediately restored freedom of speech, reversed over 70 Biden‑era policies, and withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, while the Biden administration limited Poland’s purchase of AI chips to 50,000 processors over two years, a cap lifted on 14 May. A passenger jet struck a Blackhawk helicopter near Washington, killing 67, and Grzegorz Brauna was expelled from the European Parliament. A 66‑year‑old faced criminal charges over threats to Jerzy Owsiak, and a large fire broke out in Eaton Canyon, California.
February
On 28 February, Zelensky met Trump in Washington, sparking a turbulent exchange that led Americans to demand a quicker Ukrainian exit from the White House. Trump also revealed a prior phone call with President Putin and announced the first mass deportations of migrants from the United States. German voters selected the CDU/CSU with 28.6 % in the Bundestag election on 23 February, while the AfD won 20.8 %.
March
The death of Barbara Skrzypek, a close aide to Jarosław Kaczyński, on 15 March sent shockwaves through Poland, with PiS claiming her death was linked to a prosecutor visit. Marine Le Pen was convicted in France on corruption charges and barred from running in the 2027 presidential election. A heated exchange between Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Elon Musk over Starlink donations drew US Secretary of State comments, while four American soldiers were reported missing during a Lithuanian‑Białorussian border drill.
April
Pope Francis died on 21 April at age 88 after a year‑long reign, while Poland’s president announced upcoming debates amid intensified political rivalry. An abortion in the 9th month of pregnancy was performed in Olesnica, and a knife attack killed a Kraków doctor. Extensive blackouts struck Spain, Portugal, and southern France, and American military drawdowns in Europe drew public attention.
May
The Polish presidential second round on 13 May narrowed the field to Kraków billionaire Karol Nawrocki (31.36 %) and Kraków entrepreneur Rafał Trzaskowski (29.54 %). A reported property transfer involving Nawrocki’s 80‑year‑old benefactor raised media scrutiny. The Vatican elected a new pope, Robert Prevost, who took the name Leon XIV, and a 22‑year‑old student murdered a Warsaw university employee. In Inowrocław, a 17‑year‑old man was charged with killing a 16‑year‑old girl.
June
Karol Nawrocki won the Polish presidency on 1 June with 50.89 % of the vote, narrowly defeating Trzaskowski’s 49.11 %. The government secured a confidence vote on 11 June with 243 deputies in favour. The U.S. launched a strike against Iran’s nuclear‑related targets, and an Air India aircraft crash in India claimed 279 lives.
July
A reshuffle in Poland’s Ministry of Justice replaced Adam Bodnar with Waldemar Żurek on 24 July. A covert night meeting between Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia and PiS executive Adam Bielan drew headlines. A Polish professor in the U.S. was murdered in Greece, and former minister Joanna Kołaczkowska died in Poland at 59. In August, General Waldemar Skrzypczak, 69, was also reported dead.
August
Karol Nawrocki was inaugurated as president on 6 August, issuing a pledge of “Poland first.” He vetoed the first “Windmill Act” the same month, and the Warsaw Regional Prosecutor General warned of misallocated National Reconstruction Plan funds. An F‑16 crash during air‑show practice in Radom killed pilot Maj. Maciej Krakowian. Polish singer Stanisław Soyka died at 66 before a slated concert.
September
Russian bombers intruded on Polish airspace on 10 September, breaching the nation at least 19 times. A car belonging to former prime minister Donald Tusk’s family was stolen; a 41‑year‑old suspect was later arrested. Prison psychologist Katarzyna Stoparczyk, 55, died in a tragic accident. Polish public opinion was further rattled by Rachel‑Trzaskowski’s 160‑hectare CPK land sale controversy.
October
The 160‑hectare CPK land sale to a private company during the PiS government sparked controversy, with a $22 million price cited. The first stage of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip signed. A 46‑year‑old man was fatally bitten by three dogs while foraging mushrooms. The world learned of a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado, and a Louvre gallery was robbed. Czech parliamentary elections saw ANO‑Babiš win the vote.
November
Sabotage infiltrated the Warsaw‑Lublin railway near Mika station, with damaged tracks and metal barricades left on the line. Polish politician Zbigniew Ziobro was detained in Budapest following prosecutorial action over alleged mismanagement of the Justice Fund. A 28‑point peace plan for Ukraine, allegedly orchestrated by Russia, was leaked. A fire in Podlaskie killed one of Poland’s wealthiest women, Irena Rupińska, and her 2‑year‑old grandson.
December
The United States released a new National Security Strategy emphasizing an “America First” philosophy, challenging existing NATO alliances. Trump gave a controversial interview to Politico, critiquing European leaders and praising Poland on immigration. A secret Sejm session in Warsaw and a mass blockage of internal security nominations marked domestic political tensions. President Zelensky visited Poland, meeting with Nawrocki, the Sejm, and the prime minister, discussing war end, economic aid, and historical issues.
