Sławomir Cenckiewicz submitted his resignation as head of Poland’s National Security Bureau on April 22, 2026, citing a lack of access to classified information from the outset of his tenure.
The decision followed a ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court on April 15, 2026, which Cenckiewicz said did not resolve his legal struggle to obtain the security clearances he deemed essential for leading the bureau. In a public statement, he accused Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government of unlawful actions that paralyzed the bureau’s normal functioning, describing the interference as unprecedented state sabotage in Poland’s history.
Cenckiewicz emphasized he remains committed to supporting President Karol Nawrocki, but in a different capacity, framing his resignation as an act of responsibility toward the state and the challenging conditions under which the bureau must operate. His final monthly salary, disclosed in September 2025, was 9,856.75 złoty, equivalent to approximately $2,450 USD.
The vacancy was filled by General Krzysztof Kowalski, a figure whose background has drawn scrutiny from military veterans. Kowalski, a pedagogue by training, entered state security after the fall of communism through connections with Antoni Macierewicz, serving in verification and liquidation commissions tied to the former Military Internal Services, and later in the Smolensk subcommittee investigating the 2010 presidential plane crash.
He held leadership roles in the Military Counterintelligence and Military Intelligence Services before leaving official service in 2007 to pursue teaching. He returned in 2015 following the Law and Justice party’s electoral victory, becoming head of the Military Intelligence Service and attaining the rank of general in July 2016 — a promotion described by former special forces officers as unusually rapid for someone with only a few months of service after eight years in civilian education.
Critics within the military establishment have questioned his suitability for leading Poland’s most sensitive security apparatus. Former GROM commander Roman Polko stated that officers promoted through political patronage rather than operational merit are not respected in military circles, adding that Kowalski lacks the depth to engage meaningfully on professional matters. Former WSI chief Marek Dukaczewski echoed these concerns, noting Kowalski’s background in vocational education and teaching, and expressing doubt about his preparedness to manage high-stakes intelligence operations.
An anonymous intelligence officer told Onet that Kowalski is “completely incapable of independent judgment” and “does not grasp the subject matter” required for the role, suggesting his appointment is temporary and functionally inadequate. The TOK FM podcast “Dzieje się” explored the broader context, framing Cenckiewicz’s departure as part of escalating tensions within the presidential circle and the governing coalition, particularly regarding the future of Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloski.
The discussion highlighted interpersonal friction between Cenckiewicz and ministers Marcin Przydacz and Zbigniew Bogucki, competency disputes, and prosecutorial pressures that may have influenced his standing with President Nawrocki. Analysts questioned whether Kowalski’s appointment signals a shift in how national security is managed and how it interacts with government, especially as the coalition faces strain over leadership and policy direction.
Why did Cenckiewicz resign if he still supports the president?
Cenckiewicz stated he resigned due to being blocked from accessing classified information since the start of his role, which he said prevented the National Security Bureau from functioning properly, and that he wished to continue supporting President Nawrocki in a different role outside the bureau.
What qualifications does the new chief, General Kowalski, bring to the role?
Kowalski has a background in pedagogy and vocational education, entered state service through political connections with Antoni Macierewicz, served in verification and Smolensk-related commissions, led military intelligence services before leaving in 2007 to teach, and returned in 2015 to become head of the Military Intelligence Service and was promoted to general in 2016.
How have military veterans reacted to Kowalski’s appointment?
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Former special forces and intelligence leaders have criticized the appointment, saying Kowalski lacks operational credibility, is seen as a product of political patronage rather than merit, and does not possess the intellectual or professional depth to lead sensitive security operations, with one officer stating he “does not grasp the subject matter” required for the job.