Agnieszka Kwiatkowska-Gurdak has officially resigned from her position as the head of Poland's Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA), and her resignation has been accepted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This move follows significant scrutiny surrounding her recent testimony before the parliamentary committee investigating the Pegasus surveillance scandal.
On February 20, 2025, Kwiatkowska-Gurdak submitted her resignation through Tomasz Siemoniak, the Minister of Special Services. The following day, Tomasz Strzelczyk, who has been serving as her deputy, will take over her responsibilities as the acting head of the CBA. "From February 21, 2025, the duties of the head of the CBA will be performed by Tomasz Strzelczyk," stated Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the Minister of Special Services.
Kwiatkowska-Gurdak’s resignation has raised questions about her tenure, particularly concerning her performance during the high-profile hearings where she faced tough questioning from lawmakers about the Bureau's operational methods and the use of the controversial Pegasus surveillance software. During the hearings, she maintained her stance of confidentiality, asserting, "I have never been involved with any operational activity," emphasizing the limitations on what she could reveal publicly.
The criticism from the committee members suggested she could have shared more information than she did, which reportedly fueled tensions with the Prime Minister. Following her testimony, Prime Minister Tusk called for an urgent report assessing Kwiatkowska-Gurdak’s leadership and the overall operations of the CBA over her time as chief, which may have played a pivotal role in the timing of her resignation. "Resignation accepted," Tusk noted cryptically on social media before the specifics became public.
Strzelczyk is certainly no stranger to the agency; he has been involved with the CBA since its inception and has considerable experience within law enforcement. His background includes substantive roles during his service with the police from 1992 to 2015, focusing on the combat against economic crimes and narcotics. His ascent within the CBA saw him rise from the General Inspectorate to significant positions, including serving as the head of the Operational Investigation Department at the Warsaw branch.
The changeover at the CBA also aligns with broader goals for reform and restructuring within the Bureau, reflecting changes agreed upon by the coalition government. There have been discussions on potentially dissolving the CBA as part of this reform, issuing fate to its responsibilities under the new Central Bureau for Combattling Corruption, which is slated to take effect by July 2025, though initial plans had suggested earlier dates. Some 950 CBA employees are expected to transition to new roles under this scheme, with others moving to related organizations.
While Kwiatkowska-Gurdak’s sudden departure marks the end of her controversial era, Strzelczyk's leadership could usher the agency through these transformative times. His wealth of experience from his previous roles stands him well for the uncharted waters the CBA faces amid its fundamental changes.
Overall, the situation shines a light on the issues of accountability, transparency, and operational integrity within the CBA, and it remains to be seen how the next chapter for the agency will be defined under Strzelczyk’s guidance.