Polish Sejm Votes to Liquidate Central Anticorruption Bureau Amid Presidential Opposition

The Sejm voted to liquidate the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) on March 13, 2026, marking a significant shift in Poland's security infrastructure. The legislation, supported by the governing coalition, outlines the dissolution of the specialized agency and the redistribution of its current responsibilities. Under the proposed plan, the tasks performed by the CBA will be transferred to the Police and the Internal Security Agency (ABW). Specifically, a new specialized unit within the Police structure is expected to take over the majority of the bureau's investigative functions. Supporters of the bill argue that the move is necessary to streamline law enforcement and remove what they describe as a politically influenced institution. The vote follows months of debate regarding the effectiveness and independence of the bureau since its inception.

President Karol Nawrocki has signaled his firm opposition to the liquidation, indicating that the bill is unlikely to receive his signature. Zbigniew Bogucki, the Chief of the Chancellery of the President, stated on March 13 that there is currently no presidential consent for the dissolution of the agency. Nawrocki, who assumed the presidency in August 2025, maintains that the CBA remains a vital component of the state's security apparatus. Without the president's approval, the bill faces a significant legislative hurdle, as a presidential veto would require a three-fifths majority in the Sejm to be overturned. The presidential administration has characterized the liquidation attempt as a political maneuver by the government of Donald Tusk. „Nic z tego nie będzie, nie ma zgody prezydenta” (Nothing will come of this, there is no consent from the president) — Zbigniew Bogucki via NCZAS.INFO

Critics of the plan, including several prosecutors and opposition figures, have voiced concerns regarding the potential loss of institutional knowledge and operational capabilities. They argue that the CBA has spent nearly two decades developing specialized intelligence networks that cannot be easily replicated or transferred to other services. According to these critics, the liquidation could create a security vacuum during the transition period, potentially benefiting corrupt actors in the public and economic spheres. Prosecutors highlighted that building effective intelligence networks is a process that takes many years of consistent effort. The opposition has labeled the move as an attempt to weaken oversight of public institutions and government spending. The Central Anticorruption Bureau was established in 2006 as a special service to combat corruption in public and economic life. It was designed to focus on high-level corruption within state and local government institutions. Since its founding, the bureau has been at the center of various political disputes regarding its methods and its role in the Polish legal system. The 2026 vote represents the most direct legislative attempt to fully dismantle the organization and integrate its functions into broader law enforcement agencies.

The legislative process will now move to the Senate before reaching the president's desk for a final decision. If the Senate proposes amendments, the bill will return to the Sejm for further consideration before being submitted to President Karol Nawrocki. The government has not yet provided a specific date for when the transfer of assets and personnel to the Police and ABW would be completed if the bill becomes law. However, the political standoff between the parliamentary majority and the president suggests a prolonged period of uncertainty for the bureau's employees and ongoing investigations. Observers note that this conflict reflects the ongoing institutional tension between the executive branch and the current government. CBA Liquidation Process 2026: — ; — Proposed Institutional Changes: Investigative Authority (before: Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA), after: Police (New Unit) and ABW); Agency Status (before: Independent Special Service, after: Dissolved / Integrated into existing services)