Update 27 October 2026, 14:40: Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting that he will propose Agnieszka Bartol as minister of funds and regional policy, following the departure of Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. According to the prime minister, Bartol was Poland’s permanent representative to the EU and held senior posts at the European Council for many years. Tusk said the ministry has backlogs that need to be resolved quickly so that Poland can make full use of EU funds. Before the decision, he spoke with Szymon Hołownia, among others. The appointment must formally be signed by President Karol Nawrocki. Sources: Rzeczpospolita, PAP (27 October 2026).
A post that matters for the economy has become vacant in Donald Tusk’s government. Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz is stepping down as minister of funds and regional policy. She announced the decision on Thursday evening, 22 October, on X. She also resigned as leader of the Polska 2050 party.
As her reason she cited values that matter more to her than positions. She also wrote that the party is in the hands of its founder, Szymon Hołownia. On Saturday the board of Polska 2050 decided to expel her from the party.
Prime Minister Tusk spoke about the matter during a trip to Asia, including at a press conference in Hanoi. He admitted that the cooperation had not been easy for a long time. He said he has two candidates to replace her. Both are non-party and, in his words, very well prepared. He will announce the name after returning to Poland. The post is to go to someone he fully trusts on the management of funds.
Polska 2050 wants to keep the ministry. On Monday the party’s deputy leader, Wioleta Tomczak, pointed out that the 2023 coalition agreement gives this ministry to her party. The party has 15 MPs, runs the culture ministry and has eight deputy ministers. Szymon Hołownia said earlier that even without this ministry the party would stay in the coalition, but would then not take part in the government’s work.
What it means for Poles in the UK
The Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy is responsible for European Union money, including from the National Recovery Plan (Krajowy Plan Odbudowy). It finances roads, railways, hospitals and grants for businesses in Poland’s regions. If you run a business in the UK and also have a company or investment in Poland and are counting on an EU grant, the change of minister may slow decisions down for a while.
Our assessment
The most likely outcome is the swift appointment of a non-party person chosen by the prime minister. The dispute over which party ‘owns’ the ministry is, however, a sign of tensions within the coalition ahead of the 2027 election. For recipients of funds, what matters most is that calls for applications and payments continue without interruption – and that is determined by officials and EU deadlines, not by the minister’s name.
What to do
- If your company in Poland is waiting for a grant, check the schedule of calls for applications on the European Funds Portal (Portal Funduszy Europejskich).
- You can find the ministry’s announcements at gov.pl/web/fundusze-regiony.
- Do not change your investment plans hastily – agreements already signed remain valid regardless of the change of minister.
Sources: rp.pl / PAP (26 October 2026), Polsat News (23 October 2026), Interia (26 October 2026).
We assess factual corrections and substantive responses. Verified changes are reflected in our reporting.
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