The Sejm will resume its session, which began on January 30th, at 10:00 AM. Around 11:00 AM, the Sejm's Committee on Energy and State Treasury will commence work on amending the law on excise tax and other acts. These regulations concern energy prices. The second reading of the bill will take place at 7:15 PM.

At 2:00 PM, the Sejm's Public Finance Committee will consider the report of the so-called "frankowicz committee" (a special committee investigating issues related to foreign currency loans). Its members recommend adopting the president's bill along with over 20 submitted amendments.

At 9:00 PM, a discussion will begin regarding the Civic Platform-Civic Coalition's motion to express no confidence in Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. A potential dismissal will be decided in a block of votes at 10:30 PM, although it is known that the Law and Justice party will not support the motion.

At 10:15 AM, the Nowoczesna party will organize a press conference in the Sejm regarding a law increasing health protection for LGBT individuals. At 11:00 AM, the Sejm's investigative team for state security threats will hold a session. Also at 11:00 AM, Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz has scheduled a press conference at the ministry's headquarters. At noon, the Chancellery of the Sejm will present its cooperation with Google Polska on the digitization of the Sejm's collection archives.

At 1:00 PM, President Andrzej Duda will participate in a meeting inaugurating the Agricultural Accord.

At noon in Gdańsk, mayoral candidate Grzegorz Braun will organize his press conference. Meanwhile, Robert Biedroń will visit Lublin. A press conference is scheduled for 1:00 PM, followed by a regional convention of the Wiosna party at 6:00 PM.

I am surprised that everyone, absolutely everyone from the front pages of newspapers who is a PiS politician, wants to flee to Brussels. Except for two or three, but everyone wants to flee to Brussels. It means they likely expect defeat in parliamentary elections - stated Rafał Trzaskowski in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- These are serious names [on PiS's EP lists], but it is unprecedented that half the government is heading to Brussels, because they should be preparing to continue governing. Will these elections be difficult? They will be difficult. That is why full consolidation is needed in the opposition, which is fortunately happening. And we will win these elections - stated Rafał Trzaskowski in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

"It was known that Jacek Saryusz-Wolski would be on these [PiS lists for the EP] lists. It was known that if someone changes party allegiance, they must be appreciated. Therefore, for me, this is no surprise," stated Rafał Trzaskowski in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- We are still creating these lists [for the EP]. I see above all lists that are still being formed, they don't exist yet, and they are incredibly broad. Not too broad. At this moment, absolute consolidation of all pro-European forces is needed, including with politicians from SLD. There will be plenty of other names, including young people. Therefore, these lists will be very balanced - stated Rafał Trzaskowski in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

„I don’t want to say that this scenario [of an EPP and ECR coalition in the European Parliament after the elections] is very probable, but there have been statements, for example, from President Weber. Such signals were sent. What will come of it is a completely different issue, because everything is in flux and will remain uncertain until the last moment. Such a scenario was considered, and signals were sent” – stated MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, who is seeking re-election on behalf of PiS, in an interview with Michał Rachoń on Polskie Radio 24.

- I spoke with him [Donald Tusk], but not about any June 4th Movement. It's interesting that we live in some media bubble that has nothing to do with reality. We clearly wrote down why we were there. We were there to fight for money for large cities that PiS wants to eliminate. There is no June 4th Movement. There is no building of a new political party. Every serious politician, every local government official in Poland focuses on serious political forces in the country. However, these kinds of mirages, in my opinion, are created solely for internal consumption, so that journalists have something to write about. But they have nothing to do with reality - stated Rafał Trzaskowski in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego." According to the Mayor of Warsaw, Donald Tusk has not made a decision about returning to Polish politics, but he doubts that he would want to return before the parliamentary elections.

- Next week I will speak on this subject. These [street] names were changed in violation of the law, which was confirmed by the court. I announce an initiative with councillors on this matter next week. We will talk about it in detail. It is not predetermined that all of them will disappear. More than that, the vast majority of the signs have not disappeared from the streets [of Warsaw]. Not all of these streets will disappear. I am currently discussing this with councillors - stated Rafał Trzaskowski in a conversation with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

“I am honored by my place on the list, but as for what made the decision, please ask the PiS headquarters, because they were the ones who set the lists. Poland should approach these elections with a program for reforming the European Union, fixing what is wrong, moving forward with what is important and concerns everyone, ceasing quarrels and stigmatizing countries, generally speaking, with a program of European ‘good change” – said Member of the European Parliament, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, who is seeking re-election on behalf of PiS, in an interview with Michał Rachoń on Polskie Radio 24.

– Yesterday, we presented the top two candidates from our lists [for the European Parliament]. This is also proof that PiS is not only implementing its program and consistently fulfilling its electoral promises, but is also systematically and calmly preparing for the elections. We have presented strong lists. These lists have two aspects. One aspect is substantive, the other is political. Firstly, these politicians who are running for the European Parliament are well-prepared to advocate for Poland's interests in the EP, and in terms of politics, they are strong figures, important figures in Polish political life, who are capable of garnering many votes and successfully competing with the opposition's lists in the upcoming elections. I am convinced that we will be able to convince voters of our program and our candidates, and we will achieve success in the upcoming elections – stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Paweł Lisiecki in "Salon polityczny Trójki".

– We will focus on making this campaign programmatic, although the campaign has not yet begun. Currently, it is a time for summarizing, let's call it, the normal work of the government and the party. This Saturday, we have a convention. We will present further programmatic proposals there, which we will certainly discuss during the election campaign, and we hope that the opposition's actions will allow us to focus on dialogue and substantive discussion, rather than some emotional bickering that contributes little to the lives of Poles – added the Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery.

- Regarding Mr. Biedroń, whom I don't want to attack, if you draw such a comparison, I will say this: what Mr. Biedroń is proposing is clearly populism. From beginning to end. Progressive populism, a sham among the youth. A complete sham. Something that costs a trillion zlotys, the program they presented costs a trillion zlotys. An energy transformation in Poland, involving us moving away from coal and transitioning to other power sources, and doing everything right, costs almost half a billion. Do you know how much Robert Biedroń valued it at? At 35 billion annually. That's populism. Total populism - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty on RMF FM. Invited by Robert Mazurek to the internet segment, Czarzasty asked: - But will we take Mr. Biedroń with us - the modern Polish David Copperfield?

The appointment of ministers and the prime minister's closest aides demonstrates the importance Mateusz Morawiecki and PiS attach to European policy. This is a significant vector not only for the current government but for Poland's national interest in general - stated Joanna Kopcińska in an interview with journalists in the Sejm.

- It's a huge frustration [when you can't push anything through in the Sejm]. Of course, it's enormously stressful. Bang your head against a wall, and at some point, this whole situation will start to displease you too. Nevertheless, I am still counting on the next elections being arranged in such a way that without Kukiz'15, no one will be able to hold power. Then the option we enter into a coalition with, one or the other, will be forced, with which we sign an agreement to implement part of their demands, our demands, will be forced to implement our demands, because otherwise, they will have to hold snap elections - stated Paweł Kukiz in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

- I think we are witnessing a process of transferring the PiS political party to Prime Minister Morawiecki. Simply put. There must be a handover of power at some point. We live in such a system. This system is dramatic for me, but the facts are that the chairman is also not getting any younger, he is aging and the party is slowly beginning to be handed over, the old guard is withdrawing. Please note that Minister Brudziński was the head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, but above all, the head of PiS structures. So, for me, this is a very big signal that a change of guard is happening - stated Paweł Kukiz in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

“A statement has been issued by the U.S. Department of State, which also calls for reconciliation and for such harsh and unacceptable words not to be spoken. So, I think we need to do everything to return to normal relations, to normal conversations. I think the word ‘sorry’ should be said by the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs; it would be important and would cause the temperature of the dispute to significantly decrease. Our relations with Israel are good, but we see that sometimes a problem concerning the past emerges, and this past should be a matter that simply needs to be discussed, that needs to be shown, shown not only in our bilateral relations but also shown to the entire world, because our past is exceptionally difficult, exceptionally brutal, but also very instructive for others” – said the President’s spokesperson, Błażej Spychalski, on Radio Jedynka.

- PiS's lists for the European Parliament this year are the strongest in history. We believe it will be the best result ever. For me, this is not an easy constituency; it will be a great challenge – stated Ryszard Czarnecki in an interview with Marek Kacprzak on WP's "Tłit" program.

- Fear is a foreign word for us. We do not know this word in practice. Perhaps you can explain to me what fear is, because I also do not know this word – added the PiS MEP.

- I think Joachim Brudziński is running for the European Parliament to work there. Thanks to the fact that he was the Minister of Interior and Administration, he dealt with, among other things, migration policy issues. I think he is a strong specialist in this matter. His perspective will be important, also in the European Parliament - stated Ryszard Czarnecki in an interview with Marek Kacprzak on the WP program "Tłit".

„As Nowoczesna, in cooperation with the Campaign Against Homophobia, we are submitting a very important bill that aims to ban pseudotherapy and conversion practices. Every sexual orientation is a natural human trait. It cannot be silenced, changed, or cured in any way, because it is not an illness. Today, we want to state clearly that such a bill is a clear signal to everyone who uses such practices. It is not allowed. It can cause lifelong trauma” - said Monika Rosa from Nowoczesna at a press conference in the Sejm. 

This is not an escape. We are putting forward the best possible team, real leaders, who guarantee us that PiS, the United Right, will win the European Parliament elections. Please look at how many former deputy ministers are now MEPs on the Civic Platform's side and answer the question: what would have happened if we had put unknown politicians as lead candidates in the constituencies for the European Parliament? It is natural and realistic that we try to put forward the best politicians who guarantee us the greatest support. In addition to the support, in addition to the approval of the number ones and twos for the European Parliament, the head of the election staff was also approved. Tomasz Poręba has been appointed to this role. And our leading slogan will be that credibility is our brand. What we say, we always try to implement. I think this is where we significantly differ from other political groups – stated Elżbieta Rafalska in an interview with Łukasz Konarski on Radio Zet, commenting on PiS's lists for the European Parliament.

Chairman of the European Council Donald Tusk will be a guest on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach" today at 7:26 PM.

As 300POLITYKA has learned, a meeting between President Andrzej Duda and the PiS parliamentary club will take place today at 7:00 PM. Our sources emphasize that this is a traditional New Year's meeting, postponed this year due to the murder of President Paweł Adamowicz. Similar meetings have occurred in previous years.

- The words I am about to say are dedicated to the residents of Lviv and Gdańsk, Ukrainians and Poles. I very much wish for my message to reach the ears and hearts of my compatriots as well. I am a Polish patriot and a declared European at the same time. I see no conflict here. On the contrary. I am a Polish patriot and I love Poland very much, and I love Ukraine very much. I see no paradox in this. For me personally, and I have experience in this, loving Poland and Ukraine is like loving your mother and falling in love with a girl. You surely know what I'm talking about - stated Donald Tusk during his speech at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

- Incidentally, Prof. Twardowski couldn't have known that in the 21st century it would be so hard to distinguish artists, and even comedians, from politicians, and that demagogues would appear all over the world who feel comfortable in both roles - stated Donald Tusk during a speech at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

- The recently murdered President of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz, was a big fan of Lechia Gdańsk. Mourning Gdańsk residents received signals of solidarity from many parts of the world. One of the most moving was a large portrait of the murdered president displayed on your city hall wall. We saw it online and we all cried seeing that gesture - stated Donald Tusk during a speech at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

In politics, solidarity is the best antidote to resentments and perhaps the only realistic alternative to politics understood solely as a ruthless game of interests. Many years ago, when I spoke with Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Prime Minister of the Polish government, I heard his definition of politics. It echoed a somewhat simplified version of Carl Schmitt's philosophy. In the broadest strokes, politics can only be understood through antagonism, and unity can only be achieved along the lines of 'us and our enemies.' It's a tempting proposition, intellectually very easy, relying solely on strength, and consequently, almost always on violence, rejecting compromise, negotiation, coexistence, or pluralism. And yet, politicians who worship strength have often had to yield before 'Solidarity,' even though the potentials seemed so unequal. Perhaps because one can also fall in love with 'Solidarity,' while strength can at best be feared. Love is always stronger than fear – stated Donald Tusk during his speech at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

Many years had to pass before the victory of Solidarity opened human hearts to the need for reconciliation. It was Paweł Adamowicz who first invited Germans to Westerplatte to commemorate the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II together. Today, Poles and Germans, just like the French, Spaniards, Croats, and Slovenians, are building a European community on the foundation of reconciliation – stated Donald Tusk during his speech at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

- Perhaps no country today appreciates the role of an independent Ukraine in Europe more than Poland and kindly supports its pro-European aspirations - stated Donald Tusk during a speech at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

„If I were the only one considering it, we wouldn't have anything to talk about, but the leaders of this European Coalition, which hasn't quite formed yet but is forming, are also considering it, and there is indeed a concept for me to run for Parliament from Łódź. If there is such a proposal [to run in the elections], then yes,” Marek Belka said in an interview with Piotr Maślak for gazeta.pl.

“Beata Szydło seems to have a problem with this fighting, because this battle doesn't take place in a plenary session, where one reads out some prepared speech. That's important, but compromises aren't born there; they are born in the corridors, maybe even in a restaurant, where you have to use a certain language, if I may say so, you have to communicate, and preferably without an interpreter. If someone is, so to speak, a dunce, then I'm sorry, but their usefulness there is minimal,” Marek Belka said in an interview with Piotr Maślak for gazeta.pl.

„As PiS, we are counting on victory. The campaign is ahead of us, so questions [about taking a mandate after an eventual victory] are premature. If we win a mandate, we will decide whether to take it” - said the Deputy Speaker of the Sejm and PiS spokesperson, Beata Mazurek, in an interview with journalists in the Sejm.

„I will not respond to the opposition's provocations, because they are incapable of anything else but to constantly criticize us. It is amusing and laughable when I read their comments today. Please remind them who was the first to flee to Brussels, who abandoned the government. If they don't remember, I will remind them. It was none other than their leader, Donald Tusk” - she added.

- Zbigniew Ziobro's record of errors and omissions is very long. In fact, any single one of these arguments would suffice to justify the motion to dismiss Zbigniew Ziobro, which will be considered by the Sejm today – stated Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz at a briefing in the Sejm. She added:

"The first of these is the lack of an investigation into the Kaczyński tapes and the twin towers of the Srebrna company. Strange, sudden meetings of Zbigniew Ziobro with Jarosław Kaczyński right after the main victim of the Srebrna company was interrogated. In addition, there are attempts reported by lawyers to persuade the victim to change their testimony. There are many such strange moves around the case that are happening with the involvement of the prosecution supervised by Zbigniew Ziobro. They all create one impression. They create the impression that in Poland, there are people who stand above the law. This group of people standing above the law are people connected with PiS.”

She continued:

"An almost week-long delay in actions concerning the KNF affair and corruption suspicions directed at the former head of KNF, Marek Chrzanowski. Suspicious actions in the SKOK affair, the detention of the person who exposed this affair and almost paid for it with his life, instead of prosecuting the culprits. Serial dismissals by Zbigniew Ziobro's prosecution of cases where individuals associated with the opposition were victims, creating an atmosphere of absolute impunity and tolerance for hate speech and acts. This includes, among others, the dismissal of the infamous case of death certificates issued against 11 city mayors, including the murdered Mayor of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz. Another issue is the personnel purges in the prosecution service. Over 1000 appointed prosecutors have been replaced, and the entire machinery has been subordinated to PiS politicians. The slowing down of the prosecution's work, coupled with an increase in its operating costs by over half a billion zlotys since 2015. Leading to a conflict with the EU as a result of PiS politicians' attack on the Constitutional Tribunal, Supreme Court, and National Council of the Judiciary. The Act on the Institute of National Remembrance, which damaged Poland's relations with the USA, Ukraine, and Israel. The politicization of the National Council of the Judiciary.”

- In this climate created by the ministry headed by Zbigniew Ziobro, a climate of complete impunity for the chosen few, in a climate of silent tolerance for breaking the law, the motion to dismiss Zbigniew Ziobro is absolutely justified – added the PO-KO MP.

The Sejm's Foreign Affairs Committee, by a vote of 7 to 6, issued a negative opinion on the candidacy of Deputy Minister of National Defence, Tomasz Szatkowski, for the position of Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to NATO.

- I thought dinosaurs had gone extinct! The European Parliament is not a retirement home! Forest grandads on paid holidays. I say no! Let's end the shoddiness in Polish politics – Robert Biedroń wrote on Twitter, provoking criticism on social media. Now the leader of Wiosna has responded to these accusations by posting another entry.

https://twitter.com/RobertBiedron/status/1098259511045996544

The Deputy Marshal of the Sejm and spokesperson for PiS commented on Twitter this morning on the words of Marek Belka, which we quoted today on 300POLITYCE.

https://twitter.com/beatamk/status/1098260584318095360

„The list had to be strengthened clearly enough so that it would gain political color, and Joachim Brudziński certainly provides such color to this list. The PiS lists, in the context of the lead candidates or second spots, consist of three, even four groups of candidates: diplomats, seasoned MEPs who have proven themselves over several years, two professors, and politicians who are transitioning from national politics to European politics” – said Prof. Waldemar Paruch in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on wPolsce.pl.

"It is always possible that when another government of Law and Justice is formed after winning the autumn elections, Members of the European Parliament may return to hold government positions. This was the case with Dawid Jackiewicz. The United Right is internally disciplined enough that such a maneuver is indeed possible," said Prof. Waldemar Paruch in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on wPolsce.pl.

“I will support with all my might all those in Poland, regardless of whether they are in political parties or operate outside of political parties, for whom the democratic and European minimum means something. By this minimum, I mean what has become obvious in recent years: constitutional order, the rule of law, honesty and transparency of those who govern, and Poland's strong position in Europe, not on the sidelines or outside of Europe. Political parties and people must be mobilized around this,” said the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24.

“I don't hide it, I won't pretend to be impartial or neutral, because this is truly about Poland's interest, and not just from the perspective of my generation, but also my children and grandchildren. Therefore, it concerns all of us, because these elections will decide what Poland will be like, how Poles will live, and what Europe will look like. This is so important, and I won't pretend this isn't my war,” he added.

You mentioned June, that there's talk about the need to mobilize people, also in connection with the anniversary of the first, not entirely free, but clearly groundbreaking and symbolic elections of 1989. I have this feeling, and I am convinced of it, and that's why I will wholeheartedly invite all Poles to Gdańsk on June 4th, that there is a need for this type of mobilization, not only political, but also moral, ethical, and new energy that was so characteristic back then, in 1989 - stated Donald Tusk in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I certainly think with the highest regard of all those who are trying to unite the opposition today. Of course, in this dispute over Poland, there is no room for 10, 15, or 20 options or different opinions today, and it is worth uniting forces where possible. I highly appreciate this effort that has brought together different parties, but my intuition also tells me that it may not be enough. We will see, of course, what the result for the European Parliament will be. These elections are very important for European reasons, but they will also be a certain real poll, showing the true proportions of power in Poland today - stated Donald Tusk in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

"There are many speculations regarding future party coalitions. Sometimes the question arises about what I have to say and do in this situation. Poland does not need another new political party today. A new political party is not needed in Poland today," said Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, in a conversation with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.

“I greatly appreciate what's happening on the left of the political scene. I'm talking about the Wiosna party and Mr. Biedroń's endeavor. I don't agree with everything, not every statement of his fills me with enthusiasm. This is a word of caution to all leaders of democratic opposition parties who want change in Poland. You shouldn't argue amongst yourselves. That's my advice. Don't quarrel too much during these elections” – said the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on „Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24.

Political parties currently active on the Polish political scene have no reason to fear actions from my side, nor should they fear civic movement. We can spell it with a lowercase or uppercase 'c'. It doesn't matter, but if anyone today desires immobility, it is the current authorities. It is the rulers, it is PiS, that prays for such immobility, apathy, stagnation today, because then the opposition will be de facto powerless. That is why this June 4th is not accidental, because it is truly the testament of Paweł Adamowicz, written before my very eyes - stated Donald Tusk in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I realize there's a thin line I shouldn't cross as President of the European Council. As I've already said, I won't be indifferent to what's happening in Poland, because basic decency doesn't allow one to watch with indifference. To be honest, what struck me today, even though the matter has been known for many months, was reading about the Polish Red Cross case. If what everyone is writing and talking about today is true – that PiS politicians stole food and clothes collected by the Polish Red Cross for the poor and homeless, and used these goods in their campaign – then frankly, it's unbelievable. Perhaps it's not a politically significant event, but for me, it's perhaps the most painful example of how depraved the ruling elites in Poland are today, how they have crossed all the boundaries I could have imagined – stated Donald Tusk in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

„I’ve known [Chairman Kaczyński] for a long time. Perhaps I’m not surprised [by the Srebrna affair]. It would be imprecise if I said I was surprised. But that he is so consumed by an obsession with money, I didn’t think it would reach this stage. Already in the early 90s, the topic of money, I had many interactions with Jarosław Kaczyński’s political circle, even then the obsession with money was visible, that one needs a lot of money to do politics. This has always been the approach to these matters by PC activists, today of PiS, that this money gives a chance to balance the influences of the SLD or the heirs of the PZPR” - said the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on „Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24.

- Let's put this topic [of presidential elections] to rest. We have European elections ahead of us. The time for presidential elections will come, and then the time for decisions will come. I am certainly not saying a definitive yes - stated Donald Tusk in a conversation with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

A meeting between President Andrzej Duda and the Law and Justice (PiS) parliamentary club began at 7:00 PM. As we reported today on 300POLITYCE, this is a traditional New Year's meeting, postponed this year due to the murder of President Paweł Adamowicz. Similar meetings have taken place in previous years.

https://twitter.com/ma_golinska/status/1098298204989386753

https://twitter.com/arturszalabawka/status/1098288018346205184

https://twitter.com/slusarzrafal/status/1098285526266847234

„Donald Tusk clearly stated that he doesn't want to work with any parties, that he wants to work with civic movements, centered around Trzaskowski, Frankiewicz, Majchrowski, with real citizens. What he said, that there's no need for any party to be formed in Poland, was touching, that now is the time for civic movements. He didn't say 'yes', he didn't say 'no'” – Paweł Kukiz said in an interview with Monika Olejnik on "Kropka nad i" (The i Dot).

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: Kukiz: Tusk's words that there's no need for any party to emerge in Poland, that it's time for civic movements, were touching.
Tusk: I have no doubt that a large civic coalition should go into the parliamentary elections.
Tusk on Kaczyński: I didn't think he was so obsessed with money.
Tusk: I greatly appreciate what is happening on the left side of the political scene – Wiosna and Biedroń's initiative.
Tusk: There is no need for another, new political party in Poland today.
Tusk: I will invite all Poles to Gdańsk on June 4th. We need mobilization, not just political, but also moral, ethical, and new energy.
Paruch: It is possible that after winning the autumn elections, when the next PiS government is formed, some MEPs will return to take up government positions.
Paruch: On PiS lists: diplomats, seasoned MEPs, two professors, and politicians moving to European politics. Brudziński is adding political color to his list.
Mazurek on Belka's words: If Mr. Belka has a mother, wife, and daughter, they can certainly be proud of his respect for women. Vulgarity and complexes. Such behavior is becoming the norm in the Civic Platform circles.
Biedroń responds to criticism of his post: Being a "forest grandfather," a "dinosaur" - has nothing to do with gender or age. It's a state of mind and level of competence (or rather, lack thereof).
Tomasz Szatkowski with a negative opinion from the Foreign Affairs Committee for the ambassador to NATO.
Mazurek: If we win a mandate, we will decide whether to take it up.
https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/02/20/ **** POLSAT NEWS -- PIS GOES INTO BATTLE FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WITH ITS MOST RECOGNIZABLE POLITICIANS - announcement. -- THE PRESENCE OF JOACHIM BRUDZIŃSKI ON THE ELECTION LISTS IS A TRUE SENSATION - Bogdan Rymanowski. -- INSTEAD OF CELEBRITIES AT THE SATURDAY CONVENTION, A SHORT STATEMENT IN FRONT OF THE PARTY HEADQUARTERS ON NOWOGRODZKA STREET - Wojciech Dąbrowski. -- THE WAY THE LEAD CANDIDATES, INTENDED TO LEAD PIS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, WERE PRESENTED, MAY HAVE BEEN SURPRISING - Dąbrowski continues. -- TO FIGHT FOR BRUSSELS, PIS IS SENDING FAMILIAR FACES, MINISTERS, DEPUTY MINISTERS, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, AND DEPUTY MARSHALS OF THE SEJM AND SENATE - Dąbrowski. -- ALONGSIDE PROVEN PARTY ACTIVISTS, NEW ACQUISITIONS, SUCH AS IN WARSAW - Dąbrowski continues. -- AS EVENTS HAVE UNOFFICIALLY LEARNED, PATRYK JAKI WILL BE THE LEAD CANDIDATE IN THE MAZOWIAN/ŚWIĘTOKRZYSKIE DISTRICT - Dąbrowski. -- BRUDZIŃSKI'S NAME IS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE ON THE LIST OF CANDIDATES - Dąbrowski continues. -- FAMILIAR FACES ARE PIS'S STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS - Dąbrowski. -- THE FACT THAT THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS STARTING IN EARNEST IS INDICATED NOT ONLY BY THE LIST OF CANDIDATES - Dąbrowski continues: Tweets from Grzegorz Schetyna and Beata Mazurek. -- THE OPPOSITION HAS NOT YET PRESENTED ITS CANDIDATES - Dąbrowski: This week, the European Coalition is to finalize its composition. -- THE EXPRESS CUTTING OF TREES FOR THE VISTULA SPIT CROSSING HAS ENDED. -- POPE FRANCIS KISSES THE HANDS OF A VICTIM OF A POLISH PRIEST PEDOPHILE. ***** FAKTY TVN -- HOW MINISTER ZIOBRO PRECISELY AND MANUALLY CONTROLLED EVERYTHING - IN THE PREVIEW: The prosecution service is there to defend the public interest, not the political one - one hears in the Sejm, but this time it's not opposition politicians speaking, but experienced lawyers. And they show how investigators acted towards Paweł Adamowicz when he was the mayor of Gdańsk. The opposition, on the other hand, has submitted a motion to dismiss Zbigniew Ziobro. -- CEZARY TOMCZYK: The president who defends Minister Ziobro, de facto, defends himself, because he himself is involved in one of the proceedings which, I hope, will be initiated shortly. -- KNAPIK ON CHARGES AGAINST THE PROSECUTION SERVICE: The prosecution service has not yet formally initiated an investigation into the Srebrna case because it concerns PiS politicians - claims the opposition. When it concerned Mayor Adamowicz, the prosecution service questioned court rulings it had previously requested, in order to re-open an already closed case before the elections. -- PAWEŁ SZEFERNAKER: There has never been such an effective prosecution service as there is now. -- SURPRISING LISTS - IN THE PREVIEW: PiS lists prepared for the European Parliament elections turned out to be a surprise for many, even for some candidates. But the government could look truly surprising if all candidates win a mandate in the European Parliament. -- IN THE CATEGORY OF SURPRISE, KRZYSZTOF JURGIEL'S START FOR KRZYSZTOF JURGIEL WAS A SURPRISE - Arleta Zalewska. -- A SURPRISE, THOUGH NOT FOR THE CANDIDATE HIMSELF, WAS JOACHIM BRUDZIŃSKI'S NAME - Zalewska. -- THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT ELECTIONS FOR US - Paweł Szefernaker. -- HE TAKES HIS VOTERS SERIOUSLY, WHICH HE HAS PROVEN MANY TIMES, IF HE IS RUNNING, IT IS NOT TO RESIGN HIS MANDATE - Szefernaker. -- PATRYK JAKI WILL DEFINITELY BE ON THE LISTS, HE IS WAITING FOR A DECISION ON WHICH DISTRICT HE WILL RUN FROM, FOR THE 3RD SPOT - Zalewska. -- THE OPPOSITION ASKS: SINCE WE ARE TO BE QUESTIONED, WHEN WILL THE PRESIDENT BE QUESTIONED? - in the preview. -- AM I TO BE QUESTIONED, JOURNALISTS ARE TO BE QUESTIONED, AND WHEN WILL PRESIDENT KACZYŃSKI BE QUESTIONED? - Brejza. -- THE QUESTION IS, WHAT PUBLIC INTEREST IS IT CONCERNED WITH WHEN ENTIRELY PRIVATE PLANS FOR BUILDING SKYSCRAPERS WERE INVOLVED? - Sobieniowski. -- THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS AS A METHOD OF INTIMIDATION - Sobieniowski. -- THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE PROSECUTION SERVICE AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE FACT - Sobieniowski. -- I ASKED THE PROSECUTOR THREE TIMES ABOUT THIS, AND THREE TIMES SHE REFUSED TO ANSWER WHETHER THE PROTOCOL WAS SHOWN TO PRESIDENT KACZYŃSKI - Giertych. -- THE EC INTERVENES REGARDING THE CROSSING: In five days, 10,000 trees disappeared from the Vistula Spit. Government representatives officially announced the end of the logging today. The European Commission is in contact with the Polish government regarding the crossing. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP -- PIS'S ELECTORAL LOCOMOTIVES - on the front page. -- BRUSSELS, MOSCOW, AND THE POLISH OPPOSITION WANT TO BLOCK A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT - in the front-page previews. -- STRONG PIS REPRESENTATION FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - intro music. -- Beata Szydło, Beata Mazurek, Jacek Saryusz Wolski, Zdzisław Krasnodębski, Joachim Brudziński, Adam Bielan, Tomasz Poręba. These are just a few of the so-called "ones" and "twos" who will be on the Law and Justice lists in this year's European Parliament elections. The rest of the names are to be revealed in the coming weeks. Strong names on the lists are electoral locomotives for the European Parliament. -- LOUD NAMES ON THE PIS LISTS ARE TO ENSURE VICTORY - Marcin Szypszak. -- THE OPPOSITION SEES IT DIFFERENTLY, TREATING THE LISTS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER ATTACK; THE PO HEAD SEEMS TO FORGET PO'S LISTS FROM THE LAST ELECTIONS WITH THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, THE MINISTER FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION, AND THE FORMER MINISTER OF FINANCE. -- Szypszak on Tusk's past assurances that being Prime Minister is more important to him than a position in Brussels. -- PIS WANTS TO SEND POLITICIANS EXPERIENCED IN UNION AFFAIRS - Szypszak on Kuźmiuk's candidacy from the 3rd spot. -- I THINK YOU WILL BE SURPRISED BY MANY MORE NAMES - Beata Mazurek. -- THE PRESIDENT AT THE FARMERS' AGREEMENT. -- CARE FOR NATURE OR A BRUTAL GAME OF INTERESTS? - intro music. -- THE END OF LOGGING ON THE SPIT IS NOT THE END OF ATTACKS ON THIS INVESTMENT; RUSSIANS DON'T WANT THE CROSSING, AND IN POLAND, PO POLITICIANS WHO WERE RECENTLY IN FAVOR DON'T WANT IT - in the preview: The end of logging on the Vistula Spit, but it's not the end of attacks on this investment – the construction of a canal connecting the Vistula Lagoon with the Baltic Sea. Years ago, experts for Vladimir Putin opposed its construction. In Poland, Civic Platform politicians oppose its construction, even though they were recently in favor. The European Commission has taken an interest in the matter. -- IT'S ABOUT 0.5% OF THE FORESTS ON THE SPIT - Damian Diaz. -- LOGGING ENDED BEFORE THE START OF THE BIRD BREEDING SEASON - Diaz. -- THE RUSSIAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE COMPLAINED TO BRUSSELS, SIMILAR ARGUMENTS ARE RAISED BY PO DEPUTIES, SUCH AS AGNIESZKA POMASKA, AND THE MARSHAL OF THE VOIVODESHIP SPEAKS OF THE INVESTMENT'S LACK OF PROFITABILITY - Diaz. -- IN A REPORT ON THE PLANS OF THE TUSK GOVERNMENT AND A REPORT STATING THAT THE CROSSING IS WORTH DOING. -- THE PO CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF ELBLĄG AND CURRENT PO DEPUTY ELŻBIETA GELERT FUNDED A PLAQUE WITH THE INSCRIPTION: THE SPIT CROSSING IS NECESSARY, POSSIBLE, NEEDED, AND THE SPECIAL ACT WAS SUPPORTED BY 400 DEPUTIES - Diaz. -- GAZPROM WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH EU REGULATIONS - in the preview about the gas directive: This could be a serious blow to Nord Stream 2. EU ambassadors have approved a compromise on the amendment of the gas directive. This means that Russian Gazprom will have to comply with EU regulations. -- CRITICISM DESPITE INCREASED EFFECTIVENESS - intro music. -- LAWS PREPARED CONTRADICT THIS - in the preview: "I thank the opposition for the opportunity to show our work" - this is how the Minister of Justice responds to the motion for his dismissal. According to the opposition, Zbigniew Ziobro mismanages the prosecution service and the Ministry of Justice. However, statistical data and laws prepared by the ministry indicate otherwise. -- I THANK THE OPPOSITION FOR CREATING SUCH A FORMULA WHERE WE COULD ADDRESS FALSE ACCUSATIONS - Zbigniew Ziobro. -- IN A REPORT BY B. GRACZYK about statistics, including detection rates. -- BUT THE OPPOSITION DOES NOT CEASE ITS CRITICISM - Graczak. -- LIMOUSINE, INTERPRETER, AND AUSTRIA'S LAWYERS: The District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw has decided to change the interpreter acting as an expert in the proceedings concerning the tapes and recordings of Austrian businessman Gerald Birgfellner. The reason for this change is serious doubts about the interpreter's impartiality. -- IN THEORY IMPARTIAL, IN PRACTICE, AS EVIDENT, NOT ALWAYS - Karol Jałtuszewski. -- Jałtuszewski on the recording of the interpreter getting into a limousine with lawyers and the Austrian. -- THESE ARE GROUNDS FOR EXCLUDING AN EXPERT - prof. Piotr Kruszyński.

There are tapes with recordings of Chairman Kaczyński, there are testimonies about an envelope with PLN 50,000, there is an invoice that Prime Minister Morawiecki was so keen to use to substantiate the commission of a crime in this matter, there is information from lawyers about pressure on the victim, Mr. Birgfellner, to change his testimony. And what? And there is no prosecutorial investigation into this matter. Mr. Minister Ziobro, you have full power over the prosecution. The prosecution you lead has not even questioned Jarosław Kaczyński, who was recorded on these tapes - stated Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz during the consideration of the Civic Platform-Civic Coalition's motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

"Today, it's hard to resist the impression that you've created a system where people from PiS are individuals who form a caste standing above the law. You have changed the entire justice system, from the prosecution to the courts, to control this system at every level" – stated Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz during the consideration of the PO-KO motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

I never thought that my beloved Poland would be mentioned in global media in the context of a brutal political murder committed in front of thousands of people. This didn't happen in Poland. But for a very long time, in every country, evil has not met with any reaction from state institutions. We all in Poland would like to live in a safe country, but this climate of safety has been replaced by a climate of impunity. The current atmosphere, these acts of hostility, would not exist if not for the climate of impunity created by the prosecutor's office's inaction. And it is Zbigniew Ziobro who currently has full control over the prosecutor's office. He can issue a binding order to any prosecutor, and it is Ziobro who bears full responsibility for every mistake and omission of the prosecutor's office - stated Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz during the consideration of the PO-KO (Civic Platform-Civic Coalition) motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

"The motion was full of slogans and demagoguery. I have not seen anything so pathetic, substantively, in this chamber" - said Deputy Minister Patryk Jaki during the Sejm debate on the dismissal of Minister Ziobro.

You can shout whatever you imagine from the Civic Platform. But in all the data that is comparable and recognized globally, the justice system has undergone an unbelievable reform - stated Patryk Jaki during the consideration of the PO-KO motion to dismiss Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro.

- You [Zbigniew Ziobro] cannot understand that we are all equal before the law, but we are all equal before death. And this is your greatest shame. I promise from this very spot that no one will ever be harmed by this man again. This will happen in October - stated Borys Budka during the consideration of the Civic Platform – Coalition (PO-KO) motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

„You are a ministry of lies and propaganda. Whatever you touch, you spoil. You spoiled the act on the Institute of National Remembrance, you spoiled our relations with the European Commission. Instead of reforming the judiciary, you applied the Leninist principle of „cadres are the most important”. The face of your reforms is precisely prosecutor Piotrowicz” - said Borys Budka from Civic Platform during a parliamentary debate on the motion of no confidence in Minister Ziobro.

- I wanted to address Minister Ziobro directly. You once wanted to be a sheriff. But somehow it turned out that you became more of a gang leader leading Poland somewhere to the Wild East, because from the West, from the EU, we are moving far away from its standards. You have essentially turned the prosecution service into a private farm, and I must say that you can manually control blinds, or a car. But you should not manually control the prosecution service, on which the safety of Poles depends - stated Katarzyna Lubnauer during the consideration of the Civic Platform-Civic Coalition's motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

„Nothing will go unpunished. Deeds and conversations will be recorded. Today you stand before the Sejm, but in the future, you will stand before the State Tribunal. A mistake was made once, but it won't happen again. No one will hesitate next time. You will stand before it [TS]” - stated the leader of Nowoczesna, Katarzyna Lubnauer, during the Sejm debate on the dismissal of Minister Ziobro.

We have another Sejm session, and there's another motion to dismiss a minister. This is perhaps the only noticeable activity of the opposition's shadow cabinet – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during the consideration of PO-KO's motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

- I will start a bit unusually, by referencing "Gazeta Wyborcza" from 2004, when a very well-known figure, Professor Rzepliński, also spoke in that newspaper, and what didn't he say there? He said that the courts are not fulfilling their role and should be very deeply reformed, he talked about judicial privileges, which they love to benefit from, but when it comes to speeding up cases, they often forget. He spoke about there being too many administrative judges and too few presiding judges. And for example, a very interesting argument, I will cite it, the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) should cease to be a kind of state trade union, preserving interests that poorly serve the Polish judiciary. Nothing but applause. It's worth revisiting this material, because for unknown reasons, the professor later changed his mind 180 degrees, even though the situation in the Polish judiciary, at least until 2015, did not change much - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during the consideration of the Civic Platform-Civic Coalition's (PO-KO) motion to dismiss Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro.

- I would like to cite another document from Civic Platform from 2007, over a dozen years ago, speaking of a profound state restructuring. You advocated for as many as 22 out of 25 members of the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) to be elected by the Sejm. That was your postulate - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during the consideration of the PO-KO motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

https://twitter.com/PatrykJaki/status/1098329393959718912

- My reflection, largely stemming from Professor Rzepliński's reflection from 15 years ago, is that if Poland's judiciary elites devoted at least as much time to the real repair of the courts as they do to defending their privileges, then I am convinced that today we would have the best-functioning justice system in the world - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during the consideration of the PO-KO motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

- I appeal for a reasonable course of this debate, this vote, I appeal to vote in favor of Minister Ziobro. This is truly the deepest systemic reform of the judiciary in 30 years. It is very much needed. Citizens want a deep reform of the judiciary, and we are doing it – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during the consideration of the Civic Coalition's (PO-KO) motion to dismiss Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro.

- I have the impression that the Civic Coalition, which is forming, is actually looking for a leader, and I think it has found one. That leader is neither Grzegorz Schetyna nor Ryszard Petru, but it seems to be Roman Giertych. He is the man who today seems to unite you here, and certainly directs you. He appears to be the architect, the scriptwriter, the director of your actions. Think about whether it's worth it, whether it's worth being led by the nose in this way – stated Zbigniew Ziobro during the consideration of the PO-KO motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

On January 28, 2019, a criminal complaint was filed by attorneys on behalf of their client, and on February 1, the prosecutor assigned to the case attempted to contact the witness by phone, requesting their immediate appearance for an interview regarding the matters raised in the complaint. Did she hear that the victim would appear the next day, and that subsequent days would be available to the prosecution? No. That's not what she heard. She heard that the examination could only be conducted on February 11 - stated Zbigniew Ziobro during the consideration of the PO-KO motion to dismiss Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro, referring to the leaked recordings of Jarosław Kaczyński. He continued:

During this interrogation, which lasted several hours, the prosecutor learned at the end that it would not be possible to continue the interrogation the next day, despite her requests and proposals, and that it could only be done in two days. After two days, on February 13, at the very beginning, the witness emphasized that he could not stay at the prosecutor's office for long because personal reasons did not allow him to, and he had to limit his time to only a few hours of interrogation, which was consequently conducted in a very short period. The subsequent arrangement was that the prosecutor would promptly arrange a new hearing date by phone with the attorney, Mr. Giertych. The prosecutor called Mr. Giertych between February 16 and 19 and couldn't reach him.

- The prosecutor sent a summons to the notifying party's law firm for February 20, 21, and 22, and then learned that this was not possible because the witness could appear, but when? On February 28 or March 1 - stated the Minister of Justice. - A young person would probably say, using youthful language: he's messing with you. Don't let Giertych fool you - he continued.

- I would like to tell you that unlike you [the opposition], we do not have a leadership deficit, because we have a real leader. We have a leader of the political camp who does not spend his free time indulging in wine and other delicacies in various pubs in Warsaw, but dedicates his time to serving the state – stated Zbigniew Ziobro during the consideration of the PO-KO motion to dismiss the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro.

„The justice system should certainly unite, not divide. It should be above political divisions, especially in this chamber, where everyone responsible for lawmaking sits. Unfortunately, this is not happening. It is not happening because for 8 years of your rule, you did nothing to ensure that courts and prosecutor's offices serve all Poles, not just those with thick wallets who can afford the best lawyers. You did nothing to strike at the VAT mafia, to give Polish children a chance by seizing assets from criminals. You did nothing to save people being thrown onto the streets by landlords. And we are doing this, we will be consistent, and we will reform the justice system” – said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro in the Sejm.

During the evening voting session, MPs rejected the Civic Platform-Civic Coalition (PO-KO) club's motion to dismiss Zbigniew Ziobro from his position as Minister of Justice. 177 MPs voted in favor, 233 voted against, and 33 abstained.