Polish government and presidency clash over public funding for horses at Promnik residence

Horses at the Promnik residence

Reports emerged in October 2026 revealing that the presidential estate in Promnik, located in Ruda Tarnowska roughly 100 kilometres east of Warsaw, houses several horses for the use of President Karol Nawrocki and his family. The presidential press office confirmed that the Service Centre of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland oversees three horses: a pony named Edzio, a Friesian horse named Ramzes, and a Hucul horse named Aramis. According to reporting by Gazeta Wyborcza, the animals serve the president, his wife Marta, and their daughter Kasia, alongside a fourth horse designated for a presidential protection officer. Presidential spokesman Rafał Leśkiewicz stated that one horse dates to the presidency of Andrzej Duda, while two others entered service recently. Records indicate that Edzio arrived as a donation from a Kraków association in 2024, Ramzes was purchased in December 2025, and Aramis joined in March 2026.

Budget allocations and maintenance expenses

Financial disclosures published by the Chancellery indicate that animal upkeep at the presidential residence totalled 54,000 PLN between July and October 2026. This figure translates to an average monthly outlay of 18,000 PLN for the estate's equestrian and animal care. Specific costs logged by the Service Centre include 44,200 PLN allocated to direct animal care and approximately 10,000 PLN spent on fodder and feed. The public funding covers stable maintenance, dedicated stable staff, a professional riding instructor, and horse transport trailers. In addition to the three resident horses, three retired horses from the Polish Army Cavalry Squadron, named Wigo, Kamerun, and Faworyt, have stayed at Promnik on temporary loan.

Political dispute between government and presidency

The revelation triggered immediate criticism from members of the governing coalition regarding the use of taxpayer funds for presidential leisure. Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted an archival photograph of himself on horseback on social media platform X on 3 October 2026, accompanied by a pointed comment.

I rode poorly, but with my own money.

Spokesman Rafał Leśkiewicz rejected the criticism during an appearance on Radio ZET, arguing that the government was manufacturing a political diversion from national economic difficulties, including a state budget deficit exceeding 150 billion PLN.

I propose to the Prime Minister that he gallop back from Służewiec to Ujazdowskie and simply get down to serious work.

Parliamentary reactions and historical background

The dispute drew contrasting reactions across the Polish political spectrum. Civic Coalition MEP Dariusz Joński expressed concern over potential future hobbies funded by the state, while Sejm Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty described the use of state assets as an entitlement mindset. Conversely, Law and Justice MP Zbigniew Kuźmiuk defended the arrangement, stating that animals have resided at presidential properties since 1990 under Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski, who oversaw the construction of stables at Promnik. Former president Bronisław Komorowski commented that while he rode horses in his youth at the Legia club, the transport of horses between properties represents a substantial operating expense.