At 8:30 PM, a debate will take place between candidates vying for the position of Mayor of Warsaw. The discussion will last 90 minutes and will be held at TVP headquarters, but it will be jointly produced by TVN, TVP, and Polsat. It will be hosted by Edyta Lewandowska, Igor Sokołowski, and Piotr Witwicki.

At 10:00 AM, the Civic Coalition plans a press conference in front of the Law and Justice party headquarters. At 12:00 PM, the campaign staff of Patryk Jaki will hold a press conference. Meanwhile, at 10:30 AM in the Sejm, a press conference will be held by Andrzej Rozenek and Anna-Maria Żukowska.

The Civic Coalition also plans activities outside of Warsaw, with the participation of Grzegorz Schetyna, Katarzyna Lubnauer, and Barbara Nowacka. At 10:45 AM, a press conference will be held in Chełm, at 2:00 PM in Przemyśl, at 3:45 PM in Rzeszów, and at 5:00 PM, an election convention will take place in Rzeszów.

At 11:00 AM, the Prime Minister will meet with the European Commission's Chief Negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier. In the afternoon, Mateusz Morawiecki will visit the Poznań Game Arena fair (at 1:00 PM) and a company in Częstochowa (at 3:50 PM).

Today is the second and final day of the President's visit to Slovakia, where the meeting of the heads of state of the Visegrád Group is taking place. At 10:00 AM, Andrzej Duda will participate in the second plenary session, and at 11:30 AM, a press conference of the V4 presidents is scheduled.

Also scheduled for today are the final Polish rating reviews of the year by agencies Fitch and S&P.

- I think Mateusz Morawiecki has a lot to explain here. This would, for instance, resonate during a commission hearing, if one were to take place today. For example, in 2017, when Morawiecki was the Minister of Finance, the actual amount of money seized by tax authorities from fraudsters wasn't some theoretical estimation of what could have been, but real, concrete money secured, taken, and transferred to the state budget from the hands or accounts of fraudsters. 570 million, not billions, złoty. More interestingly, in 2015 and 2014, meaning during our government's tenure, this amount was over a billion. Almost twice as much. So, we are simply dealing with a catastrophic drop in the effectiveness of countermeasures against VAT fraudsters – stated Jacek Rostowski in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

„Żuk is the mayor of Lublin, who has repeatedly shown that he values diversity, that he is open to diversity, and has no reservations when it comes to promoting cultural, social, religious, or any other diversity. One cannot compare Żuk to Lech Kaczyński. He made his decision out of concern for his city and is responsible for it. In these elections, we are fighting for an independent, civic local government, so that no one from Warsaw calls anyone about what decisions to make in their own city” – said Sławomir Neumann, the head of the Civic Platform club, on the TOK FM Radio Morning show in conversation with Jacek Żakowski.

„For two days now, I've been hearing that as Civic Platform, we are supposed to force Żuk to change his decision. There are politicians and analysts who say that such a Żuk makes his own decisions, and he is in Civic Platform, and Civic Platform doesn't react. He is the mayor of Lublin, responsible for Lublin to the residents of Lublin. He made a decision. I disagree with it. If I were the mayor of Lublin today and the situation were like this, I would firmly ask Joachim Brudziński and the police commander to ensure the safety of demonstrators from both demonstrations” – he added. 

- I try not to engage in such language, and when I happen to use a word that is too strong, I am able to apologize, and it seems to me that this is a rarity in Polish politics. I avoid language of hate, contempt, and division, because there is too much of it in Polish politics today - said Robert Biedroń in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały Dnia" on Polish Radio Channel One.

- No, I did not say he has successes [Mateusz Morawiecki]. He is now benefiting from our hard work. He has no successes of his own. What he is personally responsible for, what constitutes how much we have truly taken from the swindlers, that's where we simply have a catastrophe, because it's a halving - stated Jacek Rostowski in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- It's getting worse. Over three years, the Sejm has become a restricted area, a fortress. I remember a time, when I wasn't a Member of Parliament yet, anyone could walk through, tourists and families with children strolled around, showing them the parliament. Now everything is surrounded by a fence. We had a situation at the last Sejm session where we had a parliamentary team on state security threats. There was an expert, a former Deputy Head of the ABW, and he wasn't allowed in. Even though he had been registered the day before. This is some kind of paranoia. There was no [justification]. MP Kluzik-Rostkowska waited at the passes office for 40 minutes - stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News' "Polityczne Graffiti".

- Simply put, the Sejm is being closed off. The PiS government, and especially Marshal Kuchciński, has some obsession that, I don't know, someone will come and do something to him. They are simply afraid of people, they live in golden cages - added the PO MP.

- The word 'to train' has a specific connotation in Polish. It's usually used for animals, not people. If Ms. Nowacka felt offended, which is likely, then Robert Biedroń should apologize and end this unpleasant incident - said Leszek Miller in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on "Sedno Sprawy" on Radio Plus.

- I find it difficult to accept a situation where Andrzej Rozenek, who fought to eliminate the Democratic Left Alliance from political life, is now the Alliance's candidate for such an important position as the Mayor of Warsaw. Perhaps my colleagues don't mind this, but I do - Leszek Miller said in a conversation with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's "Sedno Sprawy" (The Core of the Matter).

At 6:00 PM in Katowice, a PiS election rally will take place with the participation of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and PiS Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński. The leaders of the ruling party are thus continuing their meetings with residents – further events are planned for the entire weekend.

- Firstly, Tusk is an active politician, and secondly, he holds a very high office within the European Union structures. Poles are quite sensitive to all Poles who are well-known on the international stage and who feel at home on that international stage - Leszek Miller said in a conversation with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's "Sedno Sprawy" (The Essence of the Matter).

- We are on the peripheries of the European Union, so when we see Donald Tusk meeting with all the most important politicians in the world, not just European ones, I think it's a reason for pride. For many Poles, for me certainly. If Donald Tusk decided to participate in the presidential elections, he would be a very tough competitor for the current president, Andrzej Duda – Miller added.

- (...) However, after the elected candidate takes office (this cannot be blocked until that moment), the voivode could issue a decision preventing a person legally convicted (even with a fine) from performing their duties. Such a voivode's decision can be appealed to the administrative court - says the head of the National Electoral Commission, Wojciech Hermeliński, in an interview with DGP.

"It is emphasized that the Electoral Code is a special act in relation to the Act on Local Government Employees. The latter act covers all matters related to the activities of a local government employee, while the Electoral Code covers only a narrow area, namely passive electoral rights, a fraction of that person's entitlements. For this reason, it could be assumed that the Electoral Code is a special act that repeals a general act. For years, it has been stressed that there is inequality between the provisions of both acts, that lower-level local government employees are treated differently from mayors, and that the statutory requirements for them are different. This has also been pointed out to the legislator, but it seems to be deaf to this information" - says Hermeliński in DGP.

The court has overturned the decision of the mayor of Lublin, Krzysztof Żuk, regarding the Equality March. The decision was met with strong reactions, particularly from Adrian Zandberg of the Together party, who declared that democracy had triumphed and that the Civic Platform (PO) had compromised itself.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Zandberg wrote: "Democracy has won. The court rightly ruled that the mayor of Lublin could not ban the Equality March. The right to freedom of assembly is a fundamental right, not a commodity that can be traded or negotiated. It is not for politicians like Mr. Schetyna to decide whether this right is respected."

The ruling by the court is seen as a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of assembly in Poland. It highlights the ongoing tension between local authorities' attempts to restrict public gatherings and the constitutional right to freedom of association.

Adrian Zandberg's strong words suggest a critique of the Civic Platform's perceived stance on the issue, implying that the party, under Grzegorz Schetyna's leadership, may have been complicit in or supportive of decisions that undermine fundamental rights. Zandberg emphasizes that the freedom to assemble is an inalienable right and cannot be subject to political bargaining.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by, among others, Konrad Szymański.

https://twitter.com/premierrp/status/1050676773887737858?s=12

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will be a guest of Krzysztof Ziemiec on RMF FM on Saturday at 8:30 AM.

https://twitter.com/TomaszPoreba/status/1050682559120719872

- I have familiarized myself with the appellate court's ruling and will implement it, just as I implement all legally binding court decisions. Today's ruling is not subject to further evaluation or verification, and therefore, no comments from me - stated Krzysztof Żuk at a press conference. He added:

"Throughout all the years I have served as mayor, I have strived to ensure that Lublin is an open and welcoming city for everyone, regardless of political views or identity. From my lips and those of my associates, you have never heard words that could indicate a lack of respect for any group. I stand for the values enshrined in the Constitution, including freedom of assembly. The decision to ban the assemblies planned for October 13th was one of the most difficult I have made in my 8 years as mayor. Although many people try to convince you that it was dictated by ideological reasons, I want to emphatically state that I made it solely out of concern for the lives and health of Lublin's residents, which I am obligated to protect, especially in the face of a real threat. The existence of such a threat was confirmed by both the police,  and the units under my command responsible for security."

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution urging Russia to return the wreckage of the Polish Air Force Tu-154M aircraft, which crashed near Smolensk in 2010, to Poland. The resolution, passed by a significant majority, emphasizes the need for full transparency and cooperation from Russia in the investigation into the causes of the tragedy.

The Polish delegation at PACE had been actively lobbying for the adoption of this resolution, highlighting the ongoing pain and unresolved questions surrounding the crash that claimed the lives of President Lech Kaczyński and 82 other Polish dignitaries. The return of the wreckage is seen by many in Poland as a crucial step towards achieving a complete and impartial understanding of the events of April 10, 2010.

Critics of Russia's handling of the situation have pointed to the prolonged retention of the wreckage as an obstacle to a definitive investigation and a symbol of what they perceive as a lack of accountability. The resolution is expected to put further international pressure on Moscow to comply with Poland's request.

- Many critical words have been said about the European Union and its functioning. These words were not spoken to criticize the European Union, but were expressed as a sign of concern for the future, because we are all in the European Union. We are very happy to be in the European Union. We want the European Union to develop as best as possible and for the European project to exist for decades, ensuring our citizens freedom of movement, something they did not have for 50 years when we were behind the Iron Curtain - said Andrzej Duda during a press conference concluding the Visegrad Group summit.

Around 1:00 PM, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will participate in the Poznań Game Arena fair, where he will announce the establishment of the so-called Games Square. This will be a space in Warsaw where all broadly defined production and gaming companies will be able to collaborate, also with the help of appropriate equipment. As 300POLITYKA's interlocutors emphasize, this is the first time the Prime Minister is acknowledging this innovative and rapidly developing industry. Therefore, concrete proposals, including tax support, are expected to follow.

- Time has shown the absolute correctness of the Visegrad Group countries. Our consistently unified and firm stance that refugees must be helped as close as possible to the countries they had to flee from due to threats to their lives related to war. We must support those countries where refugee camps are located. We must allocate funds so that these refugee camps can function as best as possible, meaning the standard of living there should be as high as possible. We must defend the external border of the European Union, and this must be done in a decisive and firm manner. We must decisively and firmly combat the smuggling mafia, which makes horrendous profits from the misfortune of these people. Unfortunately, this is still happening today, because, and this really needs to be looked at very closely, Europe, for some strange reason, is not fighting it - said Andrzej Duda during a press conference concluding the Visegrad Group summit.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated after a conversation with Michel Barnier that Poland stands firm in defending the rights of Poles residing in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Polish government's priority is to ensure that Polish citizens living and working in the UK are treated fairly and their rights are protected, particularly in the context of Brexit.

The tweet from the official account of Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM/status/1050702375055441920) indicates that the discussion with the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, was crucial in addressing these concerns. Morawiecki reiterated Poland's commitment to safeguarding the interests of its diaspora.

- In light of various statements that have emerged following appointments to the Supreme Court and also in connection with comments that have appeared and untrue information, we wanted to clarify and explain a few things - stated Paweł Mucha at a briefing at the Presidential Palace. He added:

"It is not the subject of a complaint [EC to CJEU], and therefore not the subject of any possible statement, hypothetical or otherwise, by the CJEU, either within the framework of applying potential interim measures or in general to this proceeding, the issue of these powers and prerogatives that the president applies on the grounds of the Polish Constitution. In other words: the president appointed judges [to the Supreme Court] to the Chamber of Extraordinary Review and Public Affairs. This is not the subject of any proceeding, nor of any statement by the EC."

- For me, there is no doubt that the arguments put forward by the Polish side, the Polish government, primarily the argument that the organization of the judiciary is the competence of EU member states, are valid. In other words, the Polish side, by arguing appropriately in response to the EC's complaint, will convince that there are no grounds for applying interim measures and no grounds for indicating alleged violations of the EU Treaty or the Charter of Fundamental Rights. So I wouldn't engage in this kind of speculation. I am convinced that Poland's arguments will be taken seriously. I would not want this dispute to be reduced to politics - stated Paweł Mucha at a briefing at the Presidential Palace, when asked about the reinstatement of Supreme Court judges who have retired.

- The last straw has been drawn. Enough of this habitual lawbreaking by the Law and Justice candidate for Mayor of Warsaw. Yesterday, I posted a video on social media that clearly shows Patryk Jaki and Piotr Guział distributing free alcohol at an election rally. This is contrary to the Electoral Code – said Andrzej Rozenek at a press conference in the Sejm.

- What will happen if Patryk Jaki is fined? This case seems more obvious than Ms. Zdanowska's, with a penalty of up to PLN 50,000. In Minister Sasin's opinion, analogously to the situation in Łódź, is a vote for the PiS candidate in Warsaw a wasted vote? – Rozenek questioned.

- Today my lawyers will file a report on Mr. Patryk Jaki's commission of a misdemeanor in connection with the illegal distribution of alcohol during the election campaign – Rozenek informed.

- We want to help our Polish gaming industry, which is already a winning industry today. It is an industry that achieves enormous success and inspires others. We want to further support these successes. That is why we have offered support programs for prototypes and for export, for various types of pilot projects – said Mateusz Morawiecki at the Poznań Game Arena fair.

- We have prepared a special fund with the Ministry of Culture, for now 25 million PLN, but it can grow, especially for computer games that contain elements of Polish history, Polish tradition, and Polish culture – added the Prime Minister.

- We will build such a center, such a training arena – Games Square, where these smaller companies from all over Central Europe, because I was here at the stands, that Poland is the leader of the Three Seas Initiative also in gaming. We try to inspire others, but also to draw inspiration from others. This training arena, which we are preparing and in the spring we will show how it will be a wonderful place for creating new gaming solutions – Morawiecki announced.

- It is very important to believe, to believe in this great plan, that there will be successes here. Also in places where it seems impossible. We have done impossible things more than once. We must also strive for this here, fight. Is it permissible for the president of the spiritual capital of Poland to be a staunch communist? I remember that young man from the Sejm back then. One of the worst. We really have to fight for victory, but the same applies elsewhere - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a convention in Katowice.

- It is worth believing that we are now facing entirely new circumstances, a great opportunity for change, change for Poland, a great opportunity for change for Silesia, Zagłębie, Podbeskidzie, the Częstochowa region, for the entire voivodeship. When we look at these opportunities, we like to seek external confirmation. I would like to recall a few such confirmations today, because we have moved away from this polarizing-diffusive policy, which spoke of the development of certain centers at the expense of others, smaller ones. We also dealt with such a phenomenon within the entire Silesian Voivodeship. Meanwhile, in the last few rankings, which is worth emphasizing, we are at the forefront of many policies – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Katowice.

- We want to fight for this unity, fight for what is so important for Poland, and we promise this. Right here, that our councillors, PiS councillors in the regional assembly, will cooperate very well, excellently, with the central authorities, in order to even better implement a very attractive program for Silesia and our Five for the Silesian Voivodeship - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Katowice.

- Let's remember what happened 3-4 years ago. The shooting of miners with rubber bullets, that approach to mining, and we today are in a very difficult position, caught between the EU's climate policy and our social aspirations. We have made mining profitable again, and again, hard coal mining is the foundation of Poland's energy sovereignty. We will not deviate from this path. Mining will be crucial for Poland's energy sovereignty in the future - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Katowice.

„Here [in Silesia] the first initiatives concerning free trade unions began. The late Kazimierz Świtoń was the initiator. A very important rebellion erupted here, one could say a decisive blow in August 1980. One of the three major agreements was signed here, and the agreement at Katowice Steelworks, which paved the way for the creation of a large nationwide trade union, for the creation of "Solidarity"” - said the PiS leader, Jarosław Kaczyński, in Katowice.

- Wojciech Korfanty, who is a great man, a son of this land, a great Pole, said that I do not support this government, but send me a voivode here who is decent and understands our problems, and we will cooperate with him. And we will do it and did it in the spirit of unity, of faith that Poland is one. In the extremely difficult situation that the Second Polish Republic was in, but also in the difficult situation we are in, this care for unity is deeply needed. Despite certain disputes, polarizations, and deep conflicts, we, PiS, strive for unity in the deep strata of Polish society, in matters of Polish raison d'état, for unity among Poles, of the entire Republic of Poland. We are such a unity. This unity of unity. We were like this for 3 years, we are like this in the campaign, and we will be like this. This unity will also prevail in the coming years. We will certainly strive for this. This is one of our values - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Katowice.

- I've done a lot. 80% of what was written there has been essentially fulfilled. I can only reciprocate to Patryk - 10 lies of Patryk Jaki, I've prepared this information. Investment amounts - he says we aren't spending a billion, we're spending 2.7; kindergartens - I've built 39, I'll set aside another 40 this month. Then the number of apartments, I helped tenants whom he now wants to help, but in reality, 3600 received apartments and I built 17 thousand. I will resign from the [verification] commission if I run, he did not resign. Next, he voted against the anti-smog act, now he's interested in it. He said he would rebuild Skra, but he voted against the money. He said he now supports in vitro, but he voted against it. I will promote vaccinations, support anti-vaccination movements. He wanted to restore the importance of the Vistula for Warsaw residents, and the Vistula received architectural awards - stated Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz in an interview with Piotr Marciniak on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I don't know his [Rafał Trzaskowski's] program exactly, because we didn't cooperate in that area. I didn't consult him, nor did he consult me, and that's the honest truth. I think what's original, I think he wants to introduce free tickets for high school students, she stated. I didn't introduce that. I think he wants to build a few more [metro] lines. I thought three would be enough and the rest would be branches - stated Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz in an interview with Piotr Marciniak on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI:
HGW: I don't know Trzaskowski's program in detail because we didn't cooperate in that regard.
HGW in TVN studio with a sign "10 Lies of Jaki".
HGW: We managed to transform Warsaw into a European metropolis and make life easier for its residents.
HGW: I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Trzaskowski.
PMM: We are striving for unity.
Kaczyński: The first initiatives related to free trade unions have begun in Silesia. The agreement at Huta Katowice opened the way for the creation of "Solidarity".
PMM: Let's recall what it was like 3-4 years ago. The shooting of miners with rubber bullets.
https://300polityka.pl/live/2018/10/12/

*****

FAKTY TVN

-- THE EQUALITY MARCH IN LUBLIN WILL STILL TAKE PLACE - announcement.

-- EACH SUBSEQUENT PARAGRAPH OF THE JUSTIFICATION READ BY THE COURT HAD ITS WEIGHT - Arleta Zalewska: The judge not only fully agreed with the organizers of the march but even crushed the decision and arguments of the Mayor of Lublin.

-- FOR MAYOR ŻUK, SUCH A RULING IS A DEFEAT - Zalewska continues.

-- IN THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, THE FACT THAT KRZYSZTOF ŻUK IS A CIVIC PLATFORM POLITICIAN, A CANDIDATE SUPPORTED BY PARTIES THAT SPEAK LOUDLY ABOUT THE RIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE, IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT - Zalewska.

-- SOME POLITICIANS FROM THE CIVIC COALITION WILL BE IN LUBLIN ON SATURDAY - Zalewska continues.

-- A SERIES OF MEETINGS BY PRIME MINISTER MORAWIECKI WITH VOTERS AND A SERIES OF QUESTIONS - announcement.

-- THIS IS WHAT FOUR ATTEMPTS TO ASK MATEUSZ MORAWIECKI ONE QUESTION LOOKED LIKE - Jakub Sobieniowski: There is no answer from the prime minister [about his true face], and there hasn't been since it turned out that the people illegally recorded in a restaurant were not only people associated with PO, but also the current prime minister from PiS.

-- THE PRIME MINISTER IS NOW LASHING OUT AT THE LIBERALS WHO, IN HIS OPINION, WERE SELLING OFF ASSETS, BUT IN THE 2000S, USING HIS LANGUAGE, HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOLD-OFF ASSET, I.E., A BANK BOUGHT BY A FOREIGN INVESTOR - Sobieniowski continues.

-- STATEMENT BY PMM ABOUT THE MEDIA.

-- WHEN MORAWIECKI WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BANK, HE DIDN'T MIND ITS FOREIGN OWNER - Sobieniowski: Moreover, he used media in which this bank advertised. To top it off, the face of these advertisements was the foreign star Chuck Norris.

-- COUNCIL OF EUROPE APPEALS: RUSSIA MUST RETURN THE WRECKAGE OF THE TUPOLEV TO POLAND.

-- PROTEST OF SOCIAL WORKERS.

-- THE ELECTIONS ARE STILL A FEW DAYS AWAY, AND A GNIECZNO COUNCILLOR HAS ALREADY ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST POSITION, THE HIGHEST IN THE CITY - announcement.

-- THIS, ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ELECTION SILENCE, IS THE MAIN TOPIC OF THE CAMPAIGN IN WARSAW - Krzysztof Skórzyński: PO councillors sent a letter to PiS MPs today, asking them to distance themselves from this [Piotr Guział's post].

-- JAKI'S CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS APPARENTLY ISN'T EVEN CONSIDERING RETRACTING THOSE WORDS - Skórzyński continues.

-- UNDECIDED VOTERS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO CONFRONT THE PROGRAMS OF ALL CANDIDATES - Skórzyński on the debate.

*****

WIADOMOŚCI TVP

-- SINCE THE END OF 2015, WHEN THE UNITED RIGHT GOVERNMENT TOOK POWER, THE TAX FRAUD GAP HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY REDUCED - Marcin Tulicki.

-- DURING THE PO-PSL COALITION GOVERNMENT, THE VAT GAP AMOUNTED TO OVER PLN 250 BILLION - Tulicki: With this money, according to experts' calculations, one million new apartments could be built for Polish families, or everyone's medication, including over-the-counter drugs, could be paid for for 6 years, or 6,000 km of highways could be built.

-- PIS CONVENTION IN KATOWICE.

-- PIS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE ADVANTAGE OVER PO - ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CBOS POLL. If elections were held today, four parties would enter the Sejm. United Right - 40%, PO - 19%, Kukiz'15 - 8%, PSL - 5%.

-- RUSSIA MUST RETURN THE WRECKAGE OF THE TUPOLEV TO POLAND - announcement: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution that is the first international document calling on Russia to take action regarding the Smolensk catastrophe. Members of Civic Platform did not participate in the vote.

-- THE UNITED RIGHT IN SILESIA, AND IN PODKARPACIE, CIVIC COALITION POLITICIANS SOLICITED VOTES OF SUPPORT - announcement: The meeting with the residents of Rzeszów was met with little interest.

-- KO IS FIGHTING FOR VOTES IN THE POLITICAL RIVAL'S STRONGHOLD - Marcin Szypszak.

-- THE LEADERS OF THE CIVIC COALITION WERE IN RZESZÓW, BUT THE CITY'S RESIDENTS WERE NOT - Szypszak: The opposition's supporters could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

-- LOW TURNOUT AT ELECTION MEETINGS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM FOR KO - Szypszak: The Mayor of Łódź, who is seeking re-election, is becoming a problem.

-- THE COURT HAS FOUND KATARZYNA KUCZYŃSKA-BUDKA GUILTY OF ELECTION FRAUD - Szypszak: This is the wife of Borys Budka, who appeared on the lists for the local government elections in Gliwice under rather unclear circumstances.

-- THE CIVIC COALITION IS ALSO DIVIDED BY THE EQUALITY MARCH IN LUBLIN - Szypszak: The Mayor of Legionowo, Roman Smogorzewski, is also a problem.

*****

WYDARZENIA POLSATU

-- THE EQUALITY MARCH IN LUBLIN WILL STILL TAKE PLACE - announcement: The Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the city mayor, who did not consent to it, citing security reasons.

-- THE COURT'S DECISION IS FINAL AND MEANS THAT THE FIRST EQUALITY MARCH WILL TAKE PLACE IN LUBLIN TOMORROW - Grzegorz Kępka: A counter-demonstration by nationalists will also take place.

-- THE COURT OF APPEAL DID NOT AGREE WITH THE MAYOR OF LUBLIN, WHO CONSIDERED SECURITY REASONS MORE IMPORTANT AND PROHIBITED THE MANIFESTATION - Kępka.

-- ŻUK ACCEPTS THE COURT'S DECISION AND DESCRIBED THE DECISION TO PROHIBIT THE MANIFESTATION AS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT HE HAS MADE - Kępka.

-- ŻUK HAS BEEN HEAVILY CRITICIZED IN RECENT DAYS - Kępka.

-- THE CIVIC PLATFORM AUTHORITIES ALSO UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO PERSUADE ŻUK TO CHANGE HIS DECISION - Kępka.

-- THE VOIVODE WRITES ABOUT THE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY OF SEXUALITY, EXPRESSING HOPE THAT THE MARCH WILL NOT BE OSTENTATIOUS WITH OFFENSIVE SCENES, VULGAR QUASI-PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING GAY COMMUNITIES - Kępka.

-- A GRAND DEBATE OF CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF THE CAPITAL IN THE EVENING - announcement.

-- THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN IS INCREASINGLY TAKING PLACE IN COURTS - announcement: After the battle for the Mayor of Łódź, it turns out that other candidates are in a similar situation.

-- THE CASE OF PRESIDENT ZDANOWSKA, WHO WAS CONVICTED BY A FINAL RULING, HAS CONSEQUENCES - Dariusz Ociepa.

-- PLATFORM STANDS FIRMLY BEHIND PRESIDENT ZDANOWSKA - Ociepa: According to the PO spokesperson, there are two convicted PiS candidates.

-- CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS STAFF ARE HEATING UP THE ATMOSPHERE BEFORE THE DEBATE. PO RELEASED A SPOT WARNING AGAINST BLACKMAIL BY JAKI - Ociepa.

-- JAKI'S CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS RESPONDED WITH A SPOT TITLED "IT CAN BE DIFFERENT" - Ociepa.

-- ROŻENEK ACCUSES JAKI OF USING PROHIBITED TACTICS IN THE CAMPAIGN - Ociepa: This concerns a film in which Jaki and Guział allegedly distribute free alcohol at an election meeting.

-- CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS STAFF EXPLAIN THAT IT WAS AN INVITATION TO A PRIVATE EVENT WHERE THEY WANTED TO THANK VOLUNTEERS - Ociepa.

-- AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THE CAMPAIGN IS IN FULL SWING. THE PRIME MINISTER WAS AT THE COMPUTER GAME EXPO IN POZNAŃ. KO LEADERS VISITED RZESZÓW TODAY, AMONG OTHER PLACES - Ociepa.

-- THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE HAS CALLED ON RUSSIA TO RETURN THE PRESIDENTIAL TUPOLEV WRECKAGE TO POLAND.

- For the last 10 years, in fact three terms, I was the first deputy mayor of Warsaw. I believe that these three terms were excellently utilized. Never before in Warsaw has so much been invested, so many facilities built, as precisely during these three terms. We organized, which I was also responsible for, Euro 2012. We organized excellent public transport. Experts say it is one of the best, if not the best public transport in Europe. Reprivatization casts a shadow, I was not involved in that – said Jacek Wojciechowicz during an election debate.

- Warsaw is like that car in my garage. It moves forward, sometimes slower, sometimes faster, you just need an idea on how to improve its engine and all the systemic solutions that we have been presenting to you over the past few days are precisely for this purpose. We need to invest in infrastructure, but also think about encouraging residents to pay their taxes here. Residents need more of the proverbial carrot and less of the stick - said Jakub Stefaniak during the election debate.

- Warsaw is divided because the right has ruled Warsaw for many years, and over the last 12 years, a simple, ordinary social sensitivity has been lacking in Warsaw. My slogan is a social city – Warsaw. I want Warsaw to be for people, a happy city, un-congested, a city where life is fantastic and people feel good. We can only create such a Warsaw when the left is in power – said Andrzej Rozenek during the election debate.

"If Reymont were writing 'The Promised Land' today, he would set its action in Warsaw. Warsaw is a place that attracts people from all over the country, from all over the world, and has changed incredibly over the last 10 years, largely for the better, but there are things that have not been addressed, there are mistakes that have been made. We are talking about the reprivatization scandal, about the harm caused to residents by Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz. The time of great investments is over; now is the time to invest in the quality of life for residents, to deal with the issue of smog, and minor matters like benches or public toilets. We must build affordable rental housing," said Jan Śpiewak, a candidate for the Wygra Warszawa coalition, during a debate in Warsaw. 

- One cannot simply assess Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz's tenure. 40 seconds is a bit too short. Her rule reminds me of insouciance, arrogance, and the reprivatization scandal, a mafia built in her backyard, and that's because she wasn't around then, as she frequented the university more often than the City Hall - said Marek Jakubiak during the election debate.

<em>Warsaw is a city of huge potential, but also of huge, unresolved problems. Wawer lacks sewage systems, Białołęka lacks good transport, the entire city lacks nurseries, and many districts lack kindergartens. These are the fundamental problems we will address if we win these elections. Warsaw is developing, but this development is primarily due to it being the capital of Poland, attracting residents from all over the country. Warsaw's greatest potential lies in its residents, and we will focus on their basic needs and social infrastructure</em> - said Justyna Glusman, a candidate for Miasto Jest Nasze (The City Is Ours), during a debate in Warsaw.

- Warsaw has developed over the last 12 years through the strength of its residents. Unfortunately, local government has been politicized and unable to keep pace with the residents. That is why I want to propose a new quality. Namely, here is my resignation from membership in the party to which I belong, SP. I want to propose a truly non-partisan presidency for everyone. On the other hand, I have a resignation from membership for Rafał Trzaskowski. This is because many people say that if he becomes president, he will be just a sleeping prince, behind whom the Kierwiński and Gronkiewicz-Waltz arrangement will stand. Therefore, this is a real test of credibility in politics, whether Trzaskowski will be a president for everyone or a party president - said Patryk Jaki during the election debate.

„There is so much hatred in Poland today, politicians incite us against each other. I believe that Warsaw can be a city where, even if we disagree, we respect each other and respect our rights, and the Mayor of Warsaw must also respect the basic right, which is freedom of assembly. I will absolutely agree to the Equality March as well as the Independence March, but that does not mean I will tolerate lawbreaking. In recent years, there have been calls for hatred at the Independence March” – said Jan Śpiewak during a debate in Warsaw. 

„Warsaw for everyone. Today, the PiS government is pushing all minorities to the margins. The duty of an opposition member is to stand with all minorities. I was at the Equality Parade, and of course, I will provide it with my patronage. Regarding the marches of nationalists and the Independence March, I would very much like to be at that march with my children, but I am waiting for a clear declaration from the authorities that there will be no place for fascism, racism, or incitement to hatred on our streets. I understand that Patryk Jaki is so ashamed of his party that he wants to leave it, and I can understand that, because absolving such phenomena on our streets is worthy of condemnation. And there will be no place for that in Warsaw” - said Rafał Trzaskowski, candidate for the Civic Coalition, during a debate in Warsaw.

- The problem [with smog] is very serious. A lot has been done in Warsaw and Mazovia to combat smog. Primarily, furnace replacement; we will continue this and allocate more funds to it, as well as connecting to the heating network. Fortunately, this is happening in Warsaw, and to the heating network. Low-emission transport; we must focus on public transport, especially low-emission transport, and this is my declaration, that we will only purchase low-emission transport. As much greenery as possible - said Rafał Trzaskowski during the election debate. - We prepared an anti-smog law in parliament that would systematically combat this phenomenon. And what? Of course, the PiS government threw it in the bin - he added.

"Smog is a very serious problem, which is why, according to experts, there are three main issues generating smog in Warsaw: 'smog boilers' (kopciuchy). In my first year in office, I will replace all urban 'smog boilers'. Secondly, it's Warsaw's spatial planning policy, which is building over ventilation corridors dictated by developers. I will immediately proceed to create a new spatial planning policy for Warsaw. The third issue is traffic jams. The construction of modern public transportation is necessary, meaning new metro lines, for which I have government guarantees. How Rafał Trzaskowski dealt with smog – in 30 seconds on my Facebook, I will launch a video that will show it" – said ZP candidate Patryk Jaki during the debate.

- I think we have too much division of Poles into better, worse, those from Warsaw and not from Warsaw. I was born in Lublin, but if the editor asks, I think you too [journalists], because I am well-oriented, probably none of you [journalists] were born in Warsaw either. Let's all feel like Varsovians. For me personally, it's only important to act honestly towards the city. If we are here, live, use the infrastructure, then let's pay taxes here. As president, I will do everything to encourage those who do not do so to pay these taxes. Dividing Varsovians into better, worse, from here and not from here is not my cup of tea. We have too much of this division in national politics - said Jakub Stefaniak during an election debate.

„People come to Warsaw from all over the country. This is wonderful. Everyone wants to dream their Warsaw dream here, and I don't divide Warsaw residents into 'słoiki' [a derogatory term for newcomers] and native residents. That is mainly done by the media and politicians. I don't want to divide the residents of Warsaw. Every resident of Warsaw is someone who lives here and pays taxes. We want to encourage those who don't pay taxes here, but live here and use services, to start paying taxes here. We want to expand the Warsaw Card to include discounts on theaters, cinemas, energy, and electricity prices. We want to convince the residents of Warsaw” - said Jan Śpiewak during a debate.

„My program is directed towards all Warsaw residents, regardless of whether they are native inhabitants or have moved to Warsaw. I myself moved to Warsaw 23 years ago. For 20 years, I have worked in the Warsaw local government and have participated in building Warsaw. My sons were born in Warsaw. My program is directed towards those who are tired of the Polish-Polish war, and it's not about dividing Warsaw residents, but we are constantly dealing with this war, as can be seen in this room” – said Jacek Wojciechowicz during the debate.

“Thanks to Rafał Trzaskowski’s response, you can see the differences between us. My esteemed opponent says that for him, Varsovians are only those who have paid taxes from the beginning. From the beginning of life, as I understand it. I don’t think so. I believe that those who have lived in Warsaw for many years, who work for this city, we must encourage them to pay taxes in Warsaw. I want a Warsaw for everyone. Warsaw is exceptional precisely because almost every day someone can get off a train and say 'I will be a Varsovian' if they want to work hard for Warsaw. Warsaw must be open and modern” - said Patryk Jaki during the debate. 

- First and foremost, I think that Warsaw lacks professional thinking about Warsaw. Unfortunately, I have to say that this professional thinking is also missing among the candidates, because I hear a huge number of proposals: this is not enough, this wasn't built, this wasn't done, etc. The only thing I haven't heard from anyone is where the funds for all of this can be found. It's not like you can plan 50 km of metro and think that the money will appear from who knows where, because 50 km of metro costs tens of billions of zlotys, and this cannot be done. Therefore, it's a shame that there is a lack of professional thinking in terms of Warsaw's development and investment - said Jacek Wojciechowicz during an election debate.

"Warsaw has too few green spaces, which is why we will create Warsaw Central Park around the Palace of Culture and Science. There are too few affordable rental apartments, which is why we will build 50,000 over a decade. There are too few schools and kindergartens. We will build 25 schools. There are too few teachers, which is why we will increase their salaries. We will breathe new life into Warsaw's sports clubs. There is too little thought given to what will happen in 10-15 years; climate change is significant. There is too little help for the sick and disabled" - said Jan Śpiewak during the debate. 

“Mr. Patryk Jaki, I see a festival of false faces. When are you genuine? Are you genuine in 2015 when you advocate for people who want to ban vaccines, or today when you say you want to support vaccines? Are you genuine when you are Macierewicz’s man and Macierewicz says you should demolish the Palace of Culture and Science, or today when you deny it? This is a festival of false faces. Don't pretend to be non-partisan. You are a PiS member, not a non-partisan individual” – stated Andrzej Rozenek, a candidate for the SLD Lewica Razem coalition, during the rebuttal time used.

"Infrastructure investments must continue, but thanks to what has been done, we can focus on quality of life. 35 nurseries have been built, but more can be done. Nurseries, kindergartens, schools – I am announcing 18 schools. I want more children to benefit from city programs, more P&R parking lots, more green squares. We need more greenery and more care homes for seniors. Varsovians told me on the streets – more benches and a pilot program for building elevators," said Rafał Trzaskowski during the debate. 

- Not everything in Warsaw was perfect, and certainly there was too much haste in Warsaw. I can promise one thing. I can promise one thing. If people come to me, for example from urban movements, and point out some irregularity, I will definitely look into it - said Rafał Trzaskowski during the election debate. - We need to draw conclusions from the fact that there were too few consultations, too little listening to others - he added.

- I kept my promise, because I thought to myself that I wouldn't waste time responding to anyone here. I wanted to start by thanking you, first and foremost, for listening to my program, and I also want to thank the other candidates. Only one will win, but I think that no matter who it is, we will cooperate for the good of Warsaw. I wish that for everyone - said Jakub Stefaniak during the election debate.

„There is too much developer arbitrariness, too much tree felling, too much smog. In Warsaw, there are too many apartments without sewage systems, without sanitation, too many bollards, street narrowings. There is too little respect for people who use public transport. Too many increases in perpetual usufruct fees, too much corruption and arrogance. Finally, there is too much talk about unimportant matters. The key issues are paramount: building the 3rd and 4th metro lines, for which I have secured government funding, building new bridges, and the Warsaw bypass. A new program for seniors is also needed” – said ZP candidate Patryk Jaki during the debate. 

„Local government is not a battlefield for party wars. It is not a field for ideological disputes. Politicizing local government is a disregard for the interests of residents. Warsaw is a very serious undertaking. The most important matters are the issues and problems of daily life: schools, kindergartens, public transport, parks, clean air, cultural centers, senior citizen homes. All these matters are most important to us” - said the candidate of urban movements, Justyna Glusman.

- Dear Varsovians, while respecting everything that has been achieved in Warsaw in recent years, I want to propose just five new development impulses. Five things that I will definitely implement thanks to government guarantees. The first matter – the construction of the third and fourth metro lines, followed by the construction of new parking lots. Fifty new nurseries and kindergartens, the spatial ordering of Warsaw and the fight against smog, and the District of the Future – said Patryk Jaki during the election debate.

„Warsaw lacks a host. I am the only councilor in this company. I have been fighting for Warsaw residents' issues for many years. I want to become Mayor of Warsaw because I love this city and know how to care for it. Warsaw deserves a central park like New York's, an efficient public transport system like Berlin's, clean air like Stockholm's” - said Jan Śpiewak during the debate.

- Dear Varsovians, the current campaign is based mainly on fear-mongering and deceitful proposals, in which PO and PiS are, of course, the leaders. PO is scaring people with PiS and saying they will stop PiS in Warsaw. However, it so happens that PO governs in Warsaw and has in no way managed to stop PiS. Therefore, give PiS a red card and PO a yellow one - said Jacek Wojciechowicz during the election debate.

„Warsaw must be a place where everyone wants to live. Warsaw must be led by an efficient manager, a steward, who would automatically eliminate all the absurdities of today's Warsaw. I am such a person” - said Marek Jakubiak during a debate. 

„Warsaw deserves to be treated seriously, with credibility, stability, and predictability, not by politicians who change their minds every second and are constantly pretending. These elections are about whether Warsaw will be European, open, look proudly to the future, and continue to develop as it has been” – said Rafał Trzaskowski during the debate.

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