At noon, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will participate in the #LukaVAT conference.

Sylwia Spurek, head of Spring's social policy advisors, is commencing her programmatic tour of Poland. As we hear, on Friday in Wrocław, she will present a package of laws concerning women's rights, the so-called Women's Constitution. The Women's Constitution includes 10 postulates.

Also, on the occasion of Women's Day, Minister Mariusz Błaszczak will, at noon, meet with female soldiers and participants of foreign missions, as well as with mothers of soldiers from the Territorial Defence Force.

„The European Coalition will largely flee Manfred Weber’s future club. This is a ragtag group of people who will immediately disperse to other clubs in the European Parliament. Investing by the EPP in a group from post-communists to rainbow liberals makes no sense. It’s a waste of one party’s resources for the benefit of another party’s candidates” – said Krzysztof Szczerski, the President’s minister, on Jedynka radio.

- I'm not going to Brussels. I'm not planning to run for Brussels. From my electoral district, because in Poland we have 13 districts, I am from West Pomerania. From this West Pomeranian-Lublin district, the list leader will be Minister Joachim Brudziński - said Paweł Szefernaker in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News's "Graffiti" program.

"Funds are being sought. These increases have already taken place in the last three years, and we will continue to seek these funds. [Minister Szczerski] apologized, and I specialize in international affairs. I am not a politician who has the audacity to comment on every topic," said Witold Waszczykowski in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM.

- I understand that by asking such a question, you appreciate my work. I am very pleased that it is being recognized. Young people in politics, especially in ministries like the Ministry of Interior and Administration, should also approach politics with humility, approach management with humility. These will be decisions of Law and Justice, of the political base, decisions of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki - said Paweł Szefernaker in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on the program "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

https://twitter.com/beatamk/status/1103914548732424194

„Tomorrow, near Rzeszów, another PiS electoral convention will take place. The so-called 'top candidates' will be presented” - said Witold Waszczykowski in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM.

„Our first convention, which took place a few weeks ago, was held under the slogan 'Poland at the heart of Europe'. Kaczyński's Five aims to raise the standard of living in Poland and for Poles in Europe. We joined the EU in 2004, and we cannot be there solely to engage in international high politics, but also to raise the standard of living for Poles” - he added.

- We are discussing this because it depends on our coalition partners, of course, and all of us, because it won't just be Civic Platform deciding. I think several [women will be on the EP election lists]. We are fighting for four [top spots for women]. Definitely, and I want to say this today, because we will also hold a special conference about this today, I would like to fight for parity on the lists. So that finally, for the first time in the history of Polish democracy, out of 130 seats, 65 are taken by women, that would be something great. If we manage to ensure that 50% [on the lists] are women, then it's a new quality - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- She is not being moved around aimlessly [Ewa Kopacz]. She is a former Prime Minister and the leader of Civic Platform. We are discussing how to maximize our result and how Ewa Kopacz's campaign will also help the European Coalition. She will help everywhere, but the point is that we need to distribute the assets of the European Coalition appropriately. We have been talking about this for a long time. It will be her decision, today I am scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and we will finalize this matter today. I am optimistic, she is needed in the European Parliament and she is needed for a good result. We will see, we will inform about this today - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- I know Prime Minister Cimoszewicz, Marshal, head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration. There's a good chance he will lead the list in Warsaw. Between 90 and 99%. Such a duel, Cimoszewicz-Saryusz-Wolski, you must admit, Madam Editor, will showcase the emotions of this campaign - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- The Law and Justice party (PiS) pursues a selective, traditionally patriarchal policy. It supports only and exclusively women who raise many children. Why shouldn't a dignified pension be for all women who are leaving the labor market because they are engaged in additional childcare responsibilities – said Robert Biedroń in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on the "Political Salon" program on Polskie Radio Trójka.

“Minister Czerwińska participated in the preparation of programmatic proposals. Sometimes it takes on a humorous dimension when I hear the stories of political commentators or politicians suggesting that the Minister was surprised by some information, that the programmatic proposals were prepared without prior thorough calculations. Minister Czerwińska participated in the work of a narrow group of people who prepared these programmatic proposals, and from the very beginning, all these plans were analyzed in terms of budget possibilities,” – said Minister Michał Dworczyk on TVP1’s “Political Fifteen Minutes”.

- It's not simple, but I want to state this very clearly: if decisions are made about a coalition start, if all parties decide to invite specific names, including those who are a bit controversial, I'll put it generally, then internal democracy is decisive. Therefore, it's not obvious that we should invite Ms. Scheuring-Wielgus to the lists - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- We are discussing it. I think this decision will be delayed slightly. Magdalena Adamowicz is not in the country, so we need some time. I care a lot, given what happened in Gdańsk, the death of Paweł Adamowicz, and everything that stems from it, which convinces me to extend such an invitation to Ms. Adamowicz - he added.

- It depends [how much Wiosna can take] on the pace or campaign that will be conducted. Definitely yes [Robert Biedroń is a threat to us]. But I don't want to see this grouping as a threat, but rather in the perspective of parliamentary elections as a potential partner or ally. If he confirms in his policy and activity that he wants to effectively create an anti-PiS, pro-democratic, pro-European, pro-rule-of-law coalition, defending the Constitution and civil rights, freedoms, and minority rights, then we are on the same page. If we are on the same page, then we win together - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- By the end of the month, I believe on March 23rd, we want to hold a National Convention to present Platforma's foreign, European program, and then all our activities, after registering the electoral committee, we will undertake together as a coalition - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- The new commander of the Marshal's Guard is herding journalists around the area of the former Round Table so they can't film the board that Civic Platform (PO) placed at the entrance to their club - wrote DGP journalist Grzegorz Osiecki on Twitter.

- The circus around the board is taking more laps. The Marshal's Guard is prohibiting journalists from staying in the corridor near the PO club and sending them to the tables. A cabaret - assessed Marcin Fijołek from wPolityce.pl.

- First, they removed a board that no one was interested in anymore, then they dismissed the head of the Marshal's Guard, and now they are forbidding journalists from filming near the PO club in the Sejm. A great anti-manual from PiS for other parties on how to create a crisis out of nothing. And to top it off - emphasized Marcin Makowski from Do Rzeczy/WP.

UPDATE: After several minutes, the Marshal's Guard changed its decision – journalists are allowed to stay, but communication routes must remain clear.

https://twitter.com/marcinfijolek/status/1103953128276324352

https://twitter.com/grzegorzosiecki/status/1103953740812484609

https://twitter.com/JanGrabiec/status/1103945648209051648

https://twitter.com/makowski_m/status/1103948048193990656

„I will ask for [Aleksander Kwaśniewski's] support. We have already had discussions. I asked, and this support will be provided. Mr. Cimoszewicz, Mr. Miller, as well as Mr. Belka and Mr. Kwaśniewski, also helped in the local elections. They traveled, met, and promoted our candidates. The left-wing, social-democratic team has endured much, sometimes even mutual dislike, but now we stand united, and I am truly proud of that” – said Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the leader of SLD, in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski in “Sedno Sprawy” on Radio Plus.

- The European Coalition's lists for the European Parliament will be announced at the turn of March and April. Then you will find out everything, there will certainly be women too. As we said, they will even constitute 50% - said Katarzyna Lubnauer during a press conference in the Sejm.

"All national, independence-oriented, and Catholic circles should unite to win the European Parliament elections, so that Mr. Macron's ideas are rejected once and for all. A Europe of fatherlands is not just our slogan, but also our goal," Antoni Macierewicz says in a commentary for Trwam Television.

- Generals often say they want to fight wars with the previous type of weaponry. We have truly deployed new cannons. This is something that surprised the market and is the main reason for this great success. Within 3 years, one could say, we have closed that entire gap, because perhaps the best measure is to look at what we were like in 2006 and 2007, when we were satisfied with VAT revenue. It was 8.1% of GDP. That's the best metric. And today it's 8.2% or 8.3% of GDP. So, as if measuring, comparing apples to apples, we have closed this gap today in that sense, although of course there is always more to be done - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the #LukaVAT conference.

- The European Coalition has also praised us highly, very highly for these successes [related to tightening the tax system]. In fact, a few days ago, after announcing our new 'package five', the European Commission stated that with such tax tightening, they indeed understand where this funding comes from – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated at the #LukaVAT conference.

- Our predecessors, unfortunately, had to patch this hole somehow, and their three major moves also testify to their helplessness. That is, taking money from OFE, raising the retirement age, and increasing the VAT tax all took place precisely to compensate for the leaking fuel from the ship. This is, unfortunately, the completion of the circle. They knew this, but how did they react? They looked for money in our pockets, instead of looking in the pockets of VAT evaders - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the #VATGap conference.

- A year and a half ago, a disgraceful act was committed, a symbolic execution of six Civic Platform MPs in Katowice. We filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office, and since then, nothing has happened. The prosecution has questioned both us and the individuals who carried out this disgraceful act, but no charges have been filed, even though the individuals are known. And today we are speaking with you because we have learned why this is happening. It seems to us that the prosecution is not acting in this matter because one of these individuals, identified as Jakub Kalus, was working here in this building at the time, was an employee of the Ministry of Justice. Moreover, she worked in the support of the verification committee, selected for this team by Minister Jaki – said Róża Thun at a briefing in the Sejm.

- It is highly disturbing that an individual who committed such a disgraceful act in Katowice was employed for a considerable time in the Ministry of Justice, in the department of administrative law, and according to information obtained, is currently an employee of one of the courts, allegedly as a judge's assistant. It is truly unprecedented for people who carry out a symbolic execution of a Member of the European Parliament, who openly hold nationalist views, to hold such prestigious positions. But this shows a series of connections between the PiS environment, Zbigniew Ziobro, and the National Movement and nationalists – said Robert Kropiwnicki.

- We appeal to Zbigniew Ziobro to distance himself from these circles and to fully disclose how many members of the National Movement are employed in the Ministry of Justice, as well as in Polish courts – added the Civic Platform MP.

Sebastian Kaleta has already responded to the opposition's accusations on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/sjkaleta/status/1104007540290011138

- It is some kind of solution [purchasing aircraft with additional funds] because the F-16s were bought under a special program at the beginning of the previous decade. The question we need to ask is why, with such a substantial budget that the Minister of National Defence currently has at his disposal, this purchase couldn't have been made earlier - Bogdan Klich said in an interview with  TOK FM's "Political Interview."

- Frankly, I would buy more aircraft that could quickly strengthen our air force. I would buy additional F-16 aircraft for several reasons. First, because they are already proven. Second, because we have pilots who know this equipment. Third, we have a maintenance service, which is essential for daily flights. Thus, maintenance, pilots, and machines known in Poland, which seems reasonable and logical - Klich added when asked which type of aircraft should be chosen.

– I have to say that when I listened to the Prime Minister, I wondered if he was consciously deviating from the truth, or if his advisors were giving him such bad information. In Warsaw, 4.5 billion, including investments, is spent annually on education. Last year, we didn't receive enough for salaries, so we had to subsidize them by 200 million. In total, we add our own contribution to every single zloty. Well, this isn't Africa, where children learn under palm trees. We invest heavily in schools. One school costs 60 million today. Furthermore, we incurred costs related to the education reform. We had to completely reconfigure classrooms and adapt other workshops. The government still owes us 50 million – said Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz in an interview with Piotr Marciniak on TVN24's „Fakty po faktach”.

– In essence, the government carried out the entire reform at our expense, the local governments'. Especially in large cities. We maintain, renovate, and build. On top of that, we also subsidize salaries. Soon, we'll be maintaining everything if things continue like this. Mr. Prime Minister, this is untrue. You have been misled. Please ask local governments about the true costs – added the former Mayor of Warsaw.

- I think that these WHO standards, I've read them, they are, I would say, that not everyone will agree with them. Regarding the rest, there weren't any reservations. Mainly the educational standards - Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz said in an interview with Piotr Marciniak on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- It's a matter of decisions being made for parents regarding these age ranges. 0-4 years old, one would have to, I would say, undertake specific educational actions. Then 6 years old, then 12. As a mother and as a grandmother, I would shift those ages - added the former Mayor of Warsaw.

-- 300POLITYKA LIVEBLOG:
HGW on WHO child-rearing standards in LGBT+ declaration: There's an issue of making decisions for parents about age ranges. As a mother and grandmother, I would shift that age.
HGW responds to the Prime Minister regarding local government funding of education: We maintain, renovate, build, and supplement salaries. You have been misled. Please ask local governments about the actual costs.
Klich on the purchase of 5th-generation fighter jets: This is a solution. The question is why, with such a substantial budget at the disposal of the Minister of National Defence, this purchase couldn't have been made earlier.
Civic Platform (PO): We appeal to Ziobro to disclose how many individuals from the National Movement work in the Ministry of Justice, as well as in Polish courts.
PMM on the opposition: They looked for money in our pockets instead of looking in the pockets of VAT fraudsters.
PMM: A few days ago, after the announcement of the new 'fifth', the European Commission stated that indeed, with such tax sealing, they understand where this funding comes from.
PMM on sealing the tax system: We have indeed deployed new artillery. This is something that surprised the market and is the main reason for this great success.
Macierewicz: All national, independence-minded, and Catholic circles should unite to win the European Parliament elections, so that Macron's ideas are rejected once and for all.
Brudziński: We are restoring dignity and a basic sense of decency.
https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/03/08/

*****

POLSAT EVENTS

-- EUROPEAN COALITION INTRODUCES PARITY ON EP LISTS ON WOMEN'S DAY.

-- EUROPEAN COALITION CELEBRATES WOMEN'S DAY IN THE SEJM TODAY IN FULL FORCE - Dariusz Ociepa.

-- IN EACH OF THE 13 DISTRICTS, THE COALITION'S LISTS ARE TO HAVE 5 MEN AND 5 WOMEN - Ociepa continues.

-- PIS POLITICIANS BOAST THAT ON THEIR LISTS, WOMEN HAVE FIVE FIRST-PLACE SPOTS - Ociepa: And on the lists in Lublin and Lower Silesia, women are in first and second place.

-- THE EUROPEAN COALITION WILL ANNOUNCE ITS LISTS AT THE END OF MARCH AND APRIL; IT REGISTERED ITS ELECTORAL COMMITTEE AT THE PKW TODAY - Ociepa continues.

-- JOANNA SCHEURING-WIELGUS IS UNLIKELY TO BE ON THE EUROPEAN COALITION LISTS - Ociepa: Civic Platform would gladly accept her, but the PSL vetoed her candidacy.

-- IN THIS SITUATION, SCHEURING-WIELGUS WILL PROBABLY END UP ON THE LISTS OF ROBERT BIEDROŃ'S SPRING - Ociepa continues.

-- THE REST OF THE PARTIES WILL LIKELY JOIN THE COALITION SOON - Ociepa.

-- BARBARA NOWACKA REMAINS SOMEWHAT ASIDE FROM THIS ARRANGEMENT - Ociepa continues.

-- PIS ALSO DOES NOT HAVE FULL LISTS DRAWN UP - Ociepa: They currently only have the first and second positions. Their official presentation is tomorrow, during the convention in Rzeszów.

-- MARSHAL GUARD COMMANDER DISMISSED.

-- IT IS UNOFFICIALLY KNOWN THAT HE DID NOT AGREE TO ACCEPT THE PLATE WITH KACZYŃSKI'S DIAGRAM, PREPARED BY CIVIC PLATFORM, INTO DEPOSIT.

-- EXACTLY AT 10:00 AM, THE THIRD PLATE STOOD AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CIVIC PLATFORM CLUB - Mira Skórka: The plate is to be displayed daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and then put away.

-- AS SOON AS THE DEPUTIES FINISH, JOURNALISTS ARE CHASED FROM THE CORRIDOR BY SEJM GUARDS - Skórka continues.

-- JOURNALISTS CONGREGATED IN SUCH LARGE NUMBERS THAT THEY DISTURBED THE DEPUTIES - EXPLAINS THE HEAD OF CIS.

-- ORDER IN THE SEJM IS NOW MAINTAINED BY THE NEW MARSHAL GUARD COMMANDER - Skórka.

-- THE MONUMENT OF BISHOP JANKOWSKI HAS BEEN REMOVED.

-- ACCORDING TO UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION, THE MARSHAL GUARD COMMANDER RESIGNED IN PROTEST - Skórka: He reportedly disagreed with the suggestion from PiS politicians that the guard should take custody of the plate that Marek Suski removed from the Sejm corridor.

-- AROUND NOON, THE GUARDS DISAPPEARED FROM IN FRONT OF THE CIVIC PLATFORM CLUB, AND THE BAN ON PHOTOGRAPHY WAS LIFTED - Skórka continues.

*****

TVN FACTS

-- PRIME MINISTER MORAWIECKI DREAMS OF TEACHERS EARNING 6 THOUSAND ZŁOTY GROSS IN 2020. GRADUATES. HE BLAMES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR THE TEACHERS' FATE - preview: He appeals to them not to economize on teachers. The indignant Union of Polish Cities is writing to the Prime Minister, stating that his words require correction.

-- LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES ACCUSE THE PRIME MINISTER OF LYING - Maciej Knapik.

-- I CANNOT DESCRIBE THESE WORDS AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN MERE ARROGANCE - Rafał Trzaskowski: This is an attempt to shift responsibility onto local governments and it is simply untrue.

-- LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CANNOT BE OSTICHES HIDING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND - Ryszard Czarnecki.

-- WE CAUGHT HIM LYING TWICE, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY A COURT, AND HE IS LYING AGAIN - Sławomir Neumann.

-- POLISH WOMEN ARE GOING OUT TO THE STREETS AGAIN, THEY ARE STRONG, ONLY WHY MUST THEY STILL STRUGGLE WITH THE WORLD?

-- WE WOULD LIKE TO EARN AS MUCH AS MEN - Barbara Nowacka.

-- SPRING PRESENTS THE CONSTITUTION FOR WOMEN - Robert Jałocha.

-- EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN ARE EQUAL RIGHTS FOR MEN, THIS CONSTITUTION FOR WOMEN IS FOR ALL OF US - Sylwia Spurek.

-- DEMOCRACY WITHOUT WOMEN IS HALF A DEMOCRACY; THERE SHOULD BE AS MANY OF THEM IN REPRESENTATIVE BODIES TOO - Katarzyna Lubnauer.

-- I WISH WOMEN PARTNERSHIP AND SOLIDARITY, SO THAT THEY ARE TREATED AS PEOPLE, NOT JUST AS WOMEN - Magdalena Środa.

-- DEMOLITION OF THE MONUMENT TO FATHER JANKOWSKI.

-- THE HEAD OF THE MARSHAL GUARD IS LEAVING, THE SITUATION IN THE SEJM IS BECOMING DIFFICULT FOR THE GUARD, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THIS TERM - preview.

-- I DO NOT KNOW THE REASONS - Andrzej Grzegrzółka.

-- A RUMOR IS CIRCULATING AROUND THE SEJM, FUELLED BY THE FACT THAT THE GUARD TODAY WAS ENSURING THAT TOO MANY JOURNALISTS WERE NOT LOITERING OUTSIDE THE CIVIC PLATFORM CLUB - Paweł Płuska.

-- THEY CHANGED FROM EMPLOYMENT TO SERVICE, USING THE GUARD AS AN ARMED BRANCH - Mirosław Suchoń.

-- ACCORDING TO THE OPPOSITION, THE PREVIOUS HEAD OF THE GUARD HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO REMOVE DEPUTIES FROM THE CHAMBER - Płuska.

-- THE RESIGNATION HAD A PERSONAL CHARACTER, I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT IT - Jan Maria Jackowski.

-- NOW THE PLATE STANDS ON THE CIVIC PLATFORM CLUB TERRITORY WITH THE DOORS OPEN - Płuska.

-- AS LONG AS THERE IS NO DUPLICATE ON THE HEAD OF THE PKW, THE ELECTION RESULTS CAN BE CHALLENGED - preview.

-- IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE PKW TO FEEL SECURE, BEING CONVINCED THAT THE ENTIRE COMPOSITION IS PROPERLY ELECTED - Head of PKW W. Hermeliński.

-- THEY MAY BE OFFENDED BY THE WORD 'DUPLICATE', BUT WE CANNOT FIND A BETTER WORD - Jerzy Stępień.

-- THE VAST MAJORITY OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERTS AGREE THAT THE JUDGES AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL WERE APPOINTED ILLEGALLY - Jakub Sobieniowski.

-- I DO NOT THINK ANYONE AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL IS A DUPLICATE - Patryk Jaki.

-- THE CONCEPT OF 'DUPLICATE' WAS CREATED BY THE MEDIA - Julia Przyłębska.

-- PRZYŁĘBSKA IS NOW GAINING INFLUENCE OVER THE PKW - Sobieniowski.

-- JĘDREJEK, ELECTED BY PIS WITHIN 24 HOURS, IS ONE OF THE CANDIDATES FOR HEAD OF THE PKW, AS IS JUDGE WARCIŃSKI - NEITHER OF THEM IS A DUPLICATE - Sobieniowski.

-- IT'S GOOD THAT HE ONLY LEFT FOR A WHILE - preview about Owsiak and the WOŚP record.

*****

TVP NEWS

-- IN 3 YEARS OF PIS GOVERNANCE, THE VAT GAP HAS HALVED - CALCULATED BY PIE - preview.

-- DURING THE PO-PSL GOVERNANCE, A QUARTER OF DUE VAT DISAPPEARED - Damian Diaz.

-- KACZYŃSKI'S FIFTH IS BEING IMPLEMENTED. PAYMENTS FOR THIRTEENTH PENSIONS WILL START ON MAY 1ST, AND THE 500+ PROGRAM FOR EVERY CHILD WILL LAUNCH ON JULY 1ST - preview.

-- THE OPPOSITION COMMENTS ON THE UNITED RIGHT'S SOCIAL PROGRAMS WITH VULGARITY AND CONTEMPT - Maciej Sawicki.

-- SUCH STATEMENTS ARE A CLEAR SIGNAL FOR SOME THAT IF PO AND NOWOCZESNA WERE RULING POLAND, 500+ AND OTHER SOCIAL PROGRAMS COULD BE TAKEN AWAY - Sawicki.

-- AT THE END OF MARCH AND APRIL, THE NAMES OF THE EUROPEAN COALITION CANDIDATES FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS - preview: Leaders have problems not only with arranging electoral lists but also with preparing a cohesive program.

-- EUROPEAN COALITION IS FAR FROM ANNOUNCING ITS LISTS - Marcin Szypszak.

-- IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN TO POLES WHAT IDEA UNITES THE LIBERAL CIVIC PLATFORM, THE ANTI-CLERICAL NOWOCZESNA, AND THE RUSTIC PEOPLE'S PARTY DECLARING ATTACHMENT TO TRADITION SO FAR - Szypszak.

-- FIDESZ FACES EXCLUSION FROM THE EPP.

-- THE MONUMENT TO FATHER JANKOWSKI HAS BEEN DISMANTLED.