Poland

Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro has publicly addressed his alleged involvement in the Zondacrypto scandal, explaining his position to 'Wyborcza' and making demands of Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an overnight post. His brother has also called for an apology from the Prime Minister. These developments come as Przemysław Kral, CEO of Zondacrypto, has begun cooperating with prosecutors, with new details emerging about his motivations and the scandal's scope. [cite: Wyborcza, Fakt, Onet, Wirtualna Polska]

In other political news, a new CBOS poll indicates a shift in public approval for the government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Sejm also elected Maciej Berek, a former minister, as a Constitutional Tribunal judge, a move that has already drawn opposition from President Karol Nawrocki, signaling continued institutional tension. Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's special letter to 'Rozwój Plus' members has also been revealed. [cite: Interia, Wirtualna Polska, UA.NEWS]

The country has also seen a series of tragic incidents, including fatal accidents in Bojszów and Oleśnica, a tourist drowning in the Baltic Sea, and a missing woman after a techno festival. On the economic front, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) announced a special pension benefit for specific birth years, while Uber is reportedly conducting mass layoffs in Krakow, and changes to electricity bills are set to take effect. [cite: Fakt, Onet, Wirtualna Polska]