Agnieszka Kwiatkowska-Gurdak has stepped down from her post as head of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA), with her resignation accepted on Thursday by Premier Donald Tusk amid rising controversies concerning her recent testimony before the parliamentary committee investigating the Pegasus surveillance scandal.
According to reports from PAP, her resignation marks the conclusion of 14 months of her leadership at the CBA, where her tenure has been overshadowed by significant challenges, particularly her involvement with the controversial surveillance software, Pegasus. This development is being seen as one of the more direct consequences of the investigations linked to the CBA and its operations.
Premier Tusk had previously expressed his concerns over Kwiatkowska-Gurdak's performance during her appearance before the parliamentary Pegasus committee, where she frequently cited operational secrecy and the legal obligations related to investigations as reasons for her inability to provide substantive answers. This raised questions about her accountability and effectiveness as head of the bureau.
Her resignation was described by some observers as not merely the result of her appearance before the committee but as indicative of broader disconnects with the government's anti-corruption agenda. According to anonymous reports from individuals close to the situation, "To była buta i arogancja, i tak – to przypieczętowało jej dymisję," reflecting the sentiment of those who viewed her approach as overly arrogant, as highlighted by Rzeczpospolita.
Prior to her role at the CBA, Kwiatkowska-Gurdak had amassed substantial experience, having served for over eleven years within the police's Central Bureau of Investigation. She completed her law studies at the University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń, which provided her with a strong foundation for her professional endeavors.
Contextually, her appointment followed the Prime Minister's careful evaluations involving recommendations from the Special Services Committee and the President of Poland. This background framed her initial reception as head of the CBA, but as issues surrounding the bureau surfaced, it became clear her leadership faced growing scrutiny.
The demands for accountability intensified when Kwiatkowska-Gurdak testified before the committee about Pegasus — software allegedly used to conduct pervasive surveillance of individuals without their knowledge. Some criticisms stemmed from her insistence on withholding information, raising alarms about transparency and the operational integrity of the CBA. Indeed, she claimed ignorance of the invasive nature of the Pegasus system during its usage, stating, "Kwiatkowska-Gurdak does not want to answer questions appropriately," according to Rzeczpospolita. Her actions were perceived as increasingly disconnected from the expectations set forth by Tusk and his administration.
Key figures within the government expressed disappointment, with sentiments indicating she did not align with Tusk’s vision for the future of the CBA — which included potential downsizing or restructuring of the agency. Reports reveal there was friction; some officials suggested Kwiatkowska-Gurdak aimed to maintain the bureau’s operations without advocating for necessary reforms or adaptations.
Significantly, her departure also raises questions about the future direction of the CBA, particularly under the stewardship of Tomasz Strzelczyk, who is now fulfilling her duties. How this transition will influence the public perception of the bureau remains to be seen, especially as unresolved issues tied to the Pegasus investigations linger.
The ramifications of her resignation extend beyond mere administrative changes, as it signals shifting dynamics within Polish governance concerning anti-corruption policies and oversight mechanisms. Moving forward, the public and the political establishment will closely monitor how the new leadership addresses the existing challenges and any reforms to the CBA's operational framework.