In 2017, the Law and Justice government made the decision to shut down the Internal Security Agency branches in 10 Polish cities, which resulted in a significant negative impact on the effectiveness of the Agency's operations and counterintelligence capabilities. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the previous government made no moves to reinstate any of the branches, including the ones previously operating along the country’s eastern border.

“For some reasons, which I cannot understand nor even pretend to comprehend, ten branches of the Internal Security Agency were shut down, including the one operating in Rzeszów,

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

It should not come as a surprise that centralised operations carried out from Warsaw are hardly effective, as officers and agents are more effective when they understand and know their surroundings. 

“Unfortunately, these seven years have resulted in irreparable damage. The Prime Minister knows how many officers resigned and how many local branches had to shut down. We cannot comprehend what drove Beata Szydło and her colleagues to make this decision,”

Minister of the Interior and Coordinator for Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak stated. 

Poland, like other Western countries supporting Ukraine, faces hostile actions by other countries - mainly the Russian Federation and Belarus. 

“Our opponents will stop at nothing. They will use everything they have at their disposal to sow chaos in Europe and in Poland, to destabilise countries and to sway public opinion with disinformation. The only way to counter that threat is to build strong intelligence agencies,”

said Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. 

As of 1 July 2024, by decision of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the ISA branches in Bydgoszcz, Krakow, Łódź, Olsztyn, Opole, Radom, Rzeszów, Szczecin, Wrocław and Zielona Góra are reinstated. The government needs to rectify the mistakes of its predecessors by rebuilding agencies that are able to prevent sabotage and diversion.  

The Internal Security Agency and the Intelligence Agency received an additional funding amounting to 100 million PLN. As the Prime Minister announced in May, the funding is earmarked for bolstering their capabilities.  

“This funding is one of the ways in which we want to rebuild the Internal Security Agency and its effectiveness. At the request of Minister Siemioniak, I made the decision to transfer 100 million PLN from the Prime Minister’s reserve, with the support of the Ministry of Finance. Each of the agencies will receive 50 million PLN,”

Donald Tusk has acknowledged. 

The Prime Minister also attended the briefing, during which he was informed of the agency’s readiness.

“The Internal Security Agency brings together people who work around the clock - not for their glory, not for money, but for the security of their country and its citizens. I am very impressed by this readiness,”

the Prime Minister stated.  

He also expressed his gratitude to those who sacrifice their time and risk their lives and health to ensure the safety of Poles. 

During the press conference in Rzeszów, Prime Minister Donald Tusk also commented on the changes following the elections in a number of European states, focusing in particular on the French elections on Sunday.  

“You have to look at the broader context of the political changes occurring in Europe at the moment. We see the rise of radical and extremist political parties and organisations, both left- and right-wing in a number of European countries,”

Donald Tusk pointed out. 

He also noted that these days, Poland is seen as a role model and an example of common sense, a rational approach to politics to follow.  

“My mission, as well as the mission of the governing coalition, is to protect Poland from the scenarios that are increasingly happening in some European countries. I am talking about political confrontation between radical and ideologically-driven parties,"

the Polish Prime Minister stated.

The security and future of Europe, including Poland, hinges upon our ability to protect the European and Polish public life from radical movements.   

“The Polish way - my offer extended together with my colleagues on 15 October, is supposed to be all about moderation, common sense, and a practical approach to political matters. All without the viciousness and without being blinded by ideology,”

said Donald Tusk. 

Moderation and common sense - the key to security of Poland and Europe.