PolandOwnership & classification
Founded: 2014
Ownership
Notes from Poland is an English-language news outlet about Poland founded in 2014 in Krakow by academic Stanley Bill (University of Cambridge). It is published by the Notes from Poland Foundation (Fundacja Notes from Poland), a registered Polish non-profit established on 22 November 2018, with Bill as chair of the board, Daniel Tilles as editor-in-chief and Agnieszka Wadolowska as managing editor.
Funding
It operates as a non-profit financed mainly by reader donations, supplemented by grants; it explicitly stresses editorial independence from its funders and carries limited advertising/partnerships.
Affiliation & stance
It has no party, government or corporate-owner ties and produces straight news and explainers with a broadly centrist, pro-rule-of-law outlook. Because it is controlled by an independent journalist-run non-profit foundation with no state or party influence, it is INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 79
84/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
87
Articles
87
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Reports claim Trump tried to change Poland’s government. What do we know?
Media reports suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to influence Poland's government by encouraging Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to leave Prime Minister Donald Tusk's ruling coalition and form a new government with the right-wing opposition. Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the meeting occurred but did not comment on the discussion. Tusk indicated he received information suggesting Trump wanted to discuss Poland's internal situation, while Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski accused the meeting of attempting to involve a foreign state in Poland's internal affairs. Poland's current government is a broad coalition spanning from left to center-right, with the centrist Civic Platform (KO) leading but needing support from smaller parties like the Polish People's Party (PSL). PSL, led by Kosiniak-Kamysz, has faced tensions within the coalition over issues like abortion and LGBT+ rights. While PSL insists on remaining loyal to Tusk's government, its position is precarious and could affect the coalition's stability ahead of upcoming elections. Additionally, President Karol Nawrocki, aligned with the opposition and a close ally of Trump, has been in conflict with Tusk's政府
Thousands of protesters trap Polish bishop in church amid anger over dismissal of local priest
Thousands of residents in the Polish village of Grojec protested outside a church after the dismissal of long-serving priest Józef Zborek, who had served the parish for nearly 30 years. Protesters blocked the entrance to the church and physically confronted Bishop Roman Pindel of the Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec, who had come to visit the parish. The diocese stated that Zborek was found guilty of 'serious and proven irregularities' in his duties, though the specific nature of these violations remains undisclosed under canon law. Zborek had previously appealed the decision to the Vatican, which upheld the removal. Local media reported approximately 3,000 people gathered at the church, with some entering the building to disrupt services. Community members praised Zborek for accepting marginalized children for religious rites, suggesting potential financial motivations behind his dismissal.
Poland updates nuclear strategy with delays to launch of first two plants
Poland has updated its nuclear strategy, confirming that its first nuclear power plant will start operations in 2036, three years later than initially planned, and the second plant is now expected to begin operations in 2040, one year behind schedule. These delays follow the previous nuclear program established under the Law and Justice (PiS) government in 2020. The current administration maintains that nuclear energy will play a significant role in diversifying Poland's energy mix, contributing approximately 15-16% of electricity generation by 2040. Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka emphasized the development of a strong domestic nuclear industry, aiming for up to 9 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity and increasing the involvement of Polish companies to 70%. The project involves a U.S.-based consortium and has received approval for state aid from the European Commission.
Remains of 115 Polish WWII soldiers exhumed in Ukraine
Polish and Ukrainian researchers have exhumed the remains of 115 Polish soldiers and 18 German soldiers who died during the Battle of Lwów in September 1939. The exhumation took place at the Holoskivske Cemetery in Lviv, which is now part of Ukraine but was previously part of Poland. The operation, which began in August 2026, uncovered 133 burials, with the remains being identified as belonging to Polish and German military personnel. The soldiers perished during the invasion by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, marking the beginning of World War II. The project aims to identify the remains through DNA testing and compare them with potential relatives. Researchers have also recovered approximately 2,900 artifacts, including personal items and weapons. The effort highlights ongoing cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian authorities in historical reconciliation efforts.
Polish coal mining giant JSW to shed 4,200 jobs – 21% of its workforce – this year
Polish state-owned coal mining company JSW has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 4,248 employees, representing 21% of its total workforce, by the end of 2026. This significant job cuts are part of a broader strategy to improve the company's financial stability after years of losses and align with Poland's gradual move away from coal dependence. The decision comes amid new legislation allowing coal companies to streamline operations and offer generous severance packages to affected workers. JSW's CEO, Bogusław Oleksy, stated that the majority of the layoffs will target administrative roles rather than production staff, and the company aims to optimize operational efficiency. The workforce reductions are part of a multi-year recovery plan that includes cost-cutting measures without reducing overall production levels.
Polish president backs down and approves government’s windfall tax on fuel companies
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has approved a windfall tax on fuel companies' excess profits after initially blocking it. The tax, which applies to profits made during a period of high fuel prices, was introduced by the government to address rising consumer costs. Nawrocki, who aligns with the opposition, had previously raised constitutional concerns about the retroactive nature of the tax but ultimately signed it into law. In response, the government announced plans to cut VAT and excise duties on fuels to lower prices for consumers. The tax is expected to generate approximately €914 million and is designed to offset previous subsidies aimed at reducing fuel prices during the Middle East crisis.
Leading Polish business owners invest in small nuclear reactor venture
A group of prominent Polish business leaders, including founders of major companies like InPost and ElevenLabs, have invested 500 million zloty (approximately €114 million) into Synthos Green Energy (SGE), a nuclear energy startup led by Polish billionaire Michał Sołowow. This investment, along with 1.35 billion zloty from foreign investors, will finance SGE's expansion of small modular reactors (SMRs), specifically the BWRX-300 model, in Poland, Central and Eastern Europe, and the UK. The move follows challenges in SGE's previous partnership with Polish state energy company Orlen, which had delayed reactor projects. The investment reflects confidence in SMRs as a scalable and efficient solution for increasing nuclear power generation, with plans to deploy up to 26 reactors across six locations in Poland.
Activists launch world’s first abortion pill delivery locker in Poland
Activists in Poland have installed the world's first 'abortomat', a locker system that provides women with abortion pills, in Warsaw. The initiative, led by organizations like Women Help Women (WHW) and Abortion Dream Team (ADT), aims to circumvent Poland's stringent abortion laws, which permit procedures only in limited medical emergencies. The locker, located opposite parliament, allows users to access pills via a PIN code after contacting WHW. Poland's restrictions mean only 851 legal abortions occurred in 2023, while activist groups claim to assist tens of thousands annually through alternative methods. Activists face legal penalties for aiding illegal abortions, as seen in the case of Justyna Wydrzyńska, whose conviction was overturned but will be retried.
Fugitive opposition politician granted safe passage to return to Poland against prosecutors’ wishes
A Warsaw court has authorized Marcin Romanowski, a former government minister turned fugitive, to return to Poland via safe passage despite objections from Polish prosecutors. Romanowski, who fled after being accused of 11 crimes during his tenure in the Law and Justice (PiS) government, has been in hiding since December 2024. Initially granted asylum by Hungary, he disappeared again after that country's leader changed. Recent intelligence suggests he is in Transnistria, a pro-Russian region within Moldova. Prosecutors argue Romanowski has consistently avoided legal accountability and should not be trusted to follow conditions for returning. The justice minister has vowed to challenge the court's decision, claiming it was made by an improperly appointed judge.
Speaker of Polish parliament signs off on service dog’s retirement after eight years of “exemplary” service
The Speaker of Poland's lower house, Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, officially retired Cobra, one of the first dogs to serve in the Speaker's Guard, after eight years of duty. The retirement was marked by a personal visit from Czarzasty, during which he praised Cobra's exemplary behavior and impeccable record, noting she had never barked inside the Sejm. The Sejm highlighted the important role of these service dogs in ensuring security within parliamentary buildings. Cobra will retire at the age of nine, and while her future care arrangements remain undisclosed, the Sejm covers veterinary expenses post-retirement. This follows legislation introduced in 2021 that provides retirement benefits for service animals in various sectors.
Inflation hits 4% in Poland as fuel prices surge
Poland's inflation reached 4.0% in September 2025, up from 3.4% in August, driven mainly by surging fuel prices. The increase follows the end of government subsidies that had previously capped fuel costs, with fuel prices rising 36.1% year-on-year and 9.2% from the previous month. Energy prices also increased, contributing to overall inflation. While food and non-alcoholic beverage prices fell slightly year-on-year, analysts warn of further price increases due to a 5% drop in grain harvests. The National Bank of Poland (NBP) faces pressure to raise interest rates as inflation exceeds its target range.
US ambassador inaugurates planned Polish-American Centre at Kraków’s Kościuszko Mound
The U.S. ambassador to Poland, Thomas Rose, officially launched a planned Polish-American Centre at Kraków’s Kościuszko Mound, a historic site honoring Tadeusz Kościuszko, a national hero of both Poland and the United States. During the inauguration ceremony, Rose symbolically laid a cornerstone for the center and announced a $150,000 grant from the Ambassadors’ Fund for Cultural Preservation to restore and preserve the site. The center aims to serve as a hub for Polish-American initiatives in Poland. Rose praised the U.S.-Polish relationship as one of the most important in Europe, while Polish Senator Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska emphasized the symbolic significance of the location, highlighting Kościuszko’s role in strengthening ties between the two nations. The project is supported by local committees and organizations dedicated to cultural preservation.
EU court rejects Poland’s request to suspend implementation of Mercosur trade deal
The European Court of Justice (CJEU) rejected Poland's request to suspend the implementation of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. Poland had argued that the agreement would harm European farmers, consumers, and the environment due to increased imports of agricultural products from South American nations like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Despite Poland's repeated protests and a failed attempt to block the agreement at the European Council, the deal entered provisional force on 1 May 2026. Poland then submitted a complaint to the CJEU, claiming procedural violations and risks to public health and environmental standards. The court ruled that Poland had not provided sufficient evidence of imminent serious harm, noting that such imports were already regulated under existing EU food safety laws.