Dismissal announced

On 19 June 2026, Prime Minister Donald Tusk dismissed Maciej Lasek as government plenipotentiary for the Central Communication Port, the country's flagship transport megaproject. The Ministry of Infrastructure named Undersecretary of State Piotr Malepszak, hitherto responsible for railway transport, as his successor. Minister Dariusz Klimczak stated on RMF FM that the departure was at Lasek's own request and without any stated justification.

“I talked to Mr. Maciej Lasek, he did not present any justification. He only told me it was at his request.”

Lasek received the signed dismissal document from the prime minister on 18 June.

Lasek's tenure and legacy

Lasek, a 58-year-old mechanical engineer and Civic Coalition MP, had held the position since late 2023, replacing Marcin Horała after the parliamentary elections. In a lengthy farewell statement on platform X, he framed the past three years as a period of consolidation.

“When I took up the function, we were faced with a divided environment and projects that existed only in the sphere of political promises. Today, with real emotion and pride, I can say that the Polish aviation industry is finally playing in one, national team. Divisions gave way to substantive cooperation. CPK, PPL, PAŹP, PLL LOT, regional airports joined forces.”

Lasek argued that under his watch the project moved from renderings to concrete steps: investments were unblocked, financing secured, and foundations poured. He also highlighted the creation of the Integrated Railway Network, a national railway investment plan drafted in cooperation with PKP PLK.

“Building strategic infrastructure of the state is not a sprint. It's a real relay race. My lap on this track is ending. I pass the baton with a clear conscience and a sense of duty well done, knowing that I leave the aviation industry and Port Polska in good shape.”

Forced out?

Dziennik Rzeczpospolita contradicted the official narrative. Citing anonymous sources, the newspaper reported that Lasek was forced to step down. The decision was described as an outcome of an internal power struggle within the Civic Coalition, specifically between Jan Grabiec and Marcin Kierwiński. Although Lasek is considered one of Tusk's most trusted allies, the prime minister personally asked him to resign on 18 June. Sources added that a media campaign had been preparing the ground for the dismissal for some time.

Malepszak's railway credentials

Piotr Malepszak returns to a project he knows intimately. Between 2018 and 2020 he served as vice-president for the railway component of the CPK special-purpose company and later as its acting president. His career includes stints at PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe and on the management board of Koleje Dolnośląskie. As infrastructure undersecretary, he oversaw railway modernization and integration with European corridors.

Contract signature ahead

Klimczak noted that Lasek had closed a critical phase of the airport and high-speed rail preparation, and that the most important contract to date is set to be signed on Monday, 23 June. That milestone will mark the next tangible step for the CPK ecosystem.