A scandal centred on Warsaw’s Południowy Hospital has developed into the biggest political crisis facing Donald Tusk’s liberal government, with potential consequences for next year’s parliamentary elections.
What initially appeared to be a dispute over the earnings of a young doctor has escalated into a sprawling investigation involving prosecutors, government ministries, medical regulators, and Warsaw city authorities.
The case first gained public attention after reports that Dawid Kacprzyk, a doctor and Warsaw city councillor associated with the ruling Civic Coalition (KO), earned around 1.6 million złoty (€370,000) in 2025 while working at the hospital.
The scandal escalated further after Emil Jędrzejewski, the hospital’s former head of surgery, alleged that procedures in the emergency department had been improperly carried out and that medical errors may have contributed to patient deaths.
Further allegations intensified the scandal, including claims that Civic Coalition politicians and their relatives received priority for their treatment, and that a ‘VIP lounge’ was used for selected patients.
Kacprzyk has denied wrongdoing through his lawyer, describing the allegations as false and announcing legal action against those making them. He has since resigned from the Civic Coalition and stepped down from his council seat. Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski has dismissed the hospital’s management boards and ordered inspections. He has denied prior knowledge of the scandal.
Authorities have opened multiple inquiries, including into suspected fraud and possible abuse of office. Prosecutors are also reviewing dozens of reports linked to the deaths of patients. Donald Tusk has ordered the justice minister to personally oversee the investigation.
Separate inspections have also been launched by the Health Ministry, the National Health Fund, Warsaw city authorities, the labour inspectorate, the medical regulator, and Poland’s data protection authority, highlighting the scale of the affair.
TV Republika editor-in-chief Tomasz Sakiewicz called the case “the biggest scandal in history” that he has encountered during his career as a journalist.
Przemysław Czarnek, Law and Justice’s (PiS) candidate for prime minister, wrote on X: “A rotten and decayed government. Their end is near.”
The scandal has dominated Polish headlines for weeks, with new allegations and investigations continuing to emerge. It could prove a serious test of the government’s credibility ahead of next year’s election.
Although Civic Coalition remains the largest party in the latest Pollster survey at 32.6%, it lacks a clear governing majority. PiS stands at 27.5%, with Konfederacja at 13.4% and Korona at 8%, meaning the combined support for right-wing parties now exceeds that of the governing coalition.
