Poland’s Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) will be replaced by the Central Bureau for Combating Corruption (CBZK), Tomasz Siemoniak, Coordinator of the Security Services, has said on Monday.
Poland is set to replace its Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) with a new body known as the Central Bureau for Combating Corruption (CBZK), as stated by Tomasz Siemoniak, the Coordinator of the Security Services.
Established in 2006, the CBA has focused on “combating corruption in public and economic life, particularly in public and local government institutions,” according to its official website.
On November 10, 2023, leaders of the ruling coalition parties initiated an agreement to dissolve the CBA and redistribute its resources and competencies to other agencies.
In remarks made in January, Siemoniak expressed concerns about the CBA’s reputation, noting, “I know that there are honest people in this service, but it cannot be that one of the services in Poland is associated only with problems, scandals, quarrels, and odd activities.”
He unveiled plans for the creation of a new unit during a press conference on Monday, revealing that the CBZK would operate within the police structure.
He highlighted the police as the most successful organization in combating corruption at the local level and mentioned that the new unit would be patterned after the successful Central Investigation Bureau of Police (CBSP).
“This structure, which has been functioning for more than 20 years, demonstrates that by operating in isolation from certain local circumstances, it is effective in addressing this major crime,” Siemoniak remarked.
He further commented on Poland’s recent decline in rankings assessing the effectiveness of combating corruption, stating, “Conclusions must be drawn from this situation.”
Established in 2006, the CBA has focused on “combating corruption in public and economic life, particularly in public and local government institutions,” according to its official website.
On November 10, 2023, leaders of the ruling coalition parties initiated an agreement to dissolve the CBA and redistribute its resources and competencies to other agencies.
In remarks made in January, Siemoniak expressed concerns about the CBA’s reputation, noting, “I know that there are honest people in this service, but it cannot be that one of the services in Poland is associated only with problems, scandals, quarrels, and odd activities.”
He unveiled plans for the creation of a new unit during a press conference on Monday, revealing that the CBZK would operate within the police structure.
He highlighted the police as the most successful organization in combating corruption at the local level and mentioned that the new unit would be patterned after the successful Central Investigation Bureau of Police (CBSP).
“This structure, which has been functioning for more than 20 years, demonstrates that by operating in isolation from certain local circumstances, it is effective in addressing this major crime,” Siemoniak remarked.
He further commented on Poland’s recent decline in rankings assessing the effectiveness of combating corruption, stating, “Conclusions must be drawn from this situation.”
The legislation is expected to reach the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament, before the summer holidays.
Tusk on new anti-corruption police
The Polish PM was a harsh critic of CBA.
“It was practically inactive. For eight years, if it pursued anyone, it was opposition politicians. This service, like no other, is permeated with this kind of political content, including people,” he assessed on Monday, commenting on the planned changes.
“I don’t want that. I want a reliable, apolitical police force that will prosecute corruption and, above all, will keep an eye on the authorities, not the opposition. And I guarantee you that. We will rebuild these services, equip the police with such capabilities so that no one doubts that the police are not afraid of the authorities,” Tusk declared.
The head of government said that the institution replacing the CBA must effectively combat corruption and also oversee Tusk himself and the people he works with.
“It’s in my interest, not just Poland’s interest. A Prime Minister with a bit of common sense must want to have such a police force that fights corruption so that the people he works with really know there are no jokes. No one needs to persuade me that power should be monitored by the police in terms of corruption,” he said.
He added that he would not be pleased with declarations from CBA employees on readiness to serve the current authorities.
Tusk on new anti-corruption police
The Polish PM was a harsh critic of CBA.
“It was practically inactive. For eight years, if it pursued anyone, it was opposition politicians. This service, like no other, is permeated with this kind of political content, including people,” he assessed on Monday, commenting on the planned changes.
“I don’t want that. I want a reliable, apolitical police force that will prosecute corruption and, above all, will keep an eye on the authorities, not the opposition. And I guarantee you that. We will rebuild these services, equip the police with such capabilities so that no one doubts that the police are not afraid of the authorities,” Tusk declared.
The head of government said that the institution replacing the CBA must effectively combat corruption and also oversee Tusk himself and the people he works with.
“It’s in my interest, not just Poland’s interest. A Prime Minister with a bit of common sense must want to have such a police force that fights corruption so that the people he works with really know there are no jokes. No one needs to persuade me that power should be monitored by the police in terms of corruption,” he said.
He added that he would not be pleased with declarations from CBA employees on readiness to serve the current authorities.
Source: TVP World, PAP
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