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03/20/2019

06:08

Wednesday's Political Agenda: First Day of Senate Session, VAT Fraud Inquiry Hearings

Wednesday marks the first day of the Senate session. The debates will commence at 11:00 AM. Senators will consider 11 bills and will be briefed on significant issues arising from the activities and jurisprudence of the Constitutional Tribunal in 2017, a presentation by the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Julia Przyłębska.

The Senate will also decide on the non-progression of candidacies for Supreme Court assessors. By February 25th, the Chancellery of the Senate had received 28 applications. Applications submitted after the deadline or failing to meet formal requirements will be left without further action. A press conference with Marshal Karczewski is scheduled for 10:30 AM.

At 9:00 AM, the parliamentary inquiry committee for VAT fraud will begin its session, with two hearings planned: the former director of the Tax Control Office in Bydgoszcz, Zbigniew Stawicki, and the former deputy director of a department at the Ministry of Finance, Beata Rogowska-Rajda.

The President will participate in the opening of an exhibition dedicated to Zbigniew Religa at noon, and at 2:00 PM, he will receive letters of credence from new ambassadors.

Also today, a press conference is scheduled for PiS candidates for the European Parliament from the Małopolska-Świętokrzyskie constituency. - Tomorrow in Krakow, I will announce the Małopolska-Świętokrzyskie list for the EP at a press conference. I can reveal that Patryk Jaki is in third place on this list - Beata Szydło stated yesterday on RMF FM.

Furthermore, today there will be a meeting between Jarosław Kaczyński and the leader of the VOX party, which is growing in the polls in Spain, as reported by Tomasz Poręba. The main topic of discussion will be a future alliance and cooperation in the European Parliament.


07:54

Bielan:

"In all recent polls, we are going up"

- In all recent polls, we are going up. The European Coalition has dropped. I approach these polls calmly, with a distance. I always accept good and bad polls the same way. There are just over two months until the elections. Poles will decide who wins - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- In 2014, all the parties that formed the European Coalition received 52%. All the parties that formed the United Right received less than 39%. So we are catching up. The 13 percentage point deficit from 2014, and the fact that today we are leading in practically all polls, also shows the scale of our success - emphasized the Deputy Marshal of the Senate.


07:59

Bielan:

We are directing a massive flow towards teacher pay raises

- We are directing a massive flow towards teacher pay raises. Over PLN 6 billion. Many professional groups are still underpaid, and we will be relatively quickly increasing these wages in the coming years. Over the last 3 years, we have seen record wage growth across the entire economy. So, Poles today are indeed earning significantly more than in 2015. Except for parliamentarians, because we reduced their salaries by 20% - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- Almost all professions in Poland have felt the positive effects of economic growth over the last 3 years, perhaps not all of them sufficiently - he emphasized.


08:02

Bielan:

PLN 1.2 Billion Had to Be Found Due to Significant Issues with Subscription Fee Collection, Which Began After the Then-Prime Minister's Remarks

- This PLN 1.2 billion had to be found because we have a significant problem with subscription fee collection, and it started after the remarks of the then-Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who appealed not to pay - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- We could, for example, introduce a fee together with energy prices, but then we would be attacked, perhaps by you, for introducing a quasi-tax - he continued.


08:09

Bielan:

I Believe the Teachers' Strike Won't Help Us, But That's Precisely Why It's Being Organized Before the Elections. The ZNP Leaders Are Opposition Politicians.
- I think [the teachers' strike] won't help us, but that's precisely why this strike is being organized before the elections. I'm not talking about the teachers, but about the person who sat in my place for 24 hours, meaning Sławomir Broniarz, who is a politician, has been a politician for over 20 years. Let's remind our viewers that ZNP was once a member of the SLD and had its own parliamentarians. Today, the most influential person in ZNP is the deputy head, Mr. Baszczyński, who was probably a Member of Parliament for three terms. He is a politician – stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego." - I think this strike is being organized precisely before the elections in order to harm us in the elections. Teachers, who are rightly outraged by the level of their salaries, should ask themselves: do they want the return to power of a group that gave them 0 zł in raises for 3 years – he added. As the Deputy Speaker of the Senate emphasized, "the leaders of ZNP are politicians, opposition politicians."

08:16

Bielan:

EP Candidate Lists to be Registered in Early April

- [European Parliament] candidate lists will be registered in early April, and at this moment there are no reasons to believe that Minister [Anna Zalewska] will not [be] running - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".


08:20

Bielan on the LGBT+ Declaration: We're not scaring anyone. All [PiS conventions] took place in a situation where the Civic Platform imposed this topic.

- We're not scaring anyone. All [PiS conventions] took place in a situation where the Civic Platform imposed this topic [the LGBT+ declaration] during the election campaign. Grzegorz Schetyna and his very close party associate Rafał Trzaskowski consciously decided they would compete with Robert Biedroń for left-wing voters' votes - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I believe that such documents should be introduced after many months of consultations. The fact that today parents are demonstrating on the streets of Warsaw against this charter shows that Rafał Trzaskowski does not understand what social dialogue is - he added. According to the Deputy Marshal of the Senate, this move is so controversial that it has been completely criticized by Roman Giertych.


08:32

Karczewski on the CJEU: I don't want to predict at this moment. We'll see what happens on May 23rd, just before the elections

- I don't want to predict at this moment. We'll see what happens on May 23rd, just before the elections. I don't believe in coincidences, but on May 23rd, there will be an opinion from the CJEU's Advocate General, which is usually consistent with the later ruling. The CJEU ruling itself is expected around the turn of the month, perhaps again before the next elections. Maybe it will be another coincidence. We'll see. We are preparing for this very carefully – stated Stanisław Karczewski in PR1's “Sygnały dnia” (Signals of the Day), when asked about a potential amendment to the law in connection with a CJEU ruling. He added:

"Undoubtedly, if, very theoretically, the judgment were unfavorable to us, it would also be so for many other countries. In many other justice systems, there is also such a method of selecting judges or the National Judicial Council, which our case concerns, by politicians, parliaments. This is completely natural and obvious. It absolutely does not diminish objectivity and does not disrupt the objectivity of these bodies, but there are such accusations that we must deal with. I hope we will deal with them. I have said and will continue to say that the reform of the justice system is necessary. Poles are waiting for this."


08:35

Karczewski on PiS Senators' Meeting with Kaczyński: "We Talked About Almost Everything"

- It was a political meeting. Politicians talked with their leader, Jarosław Kaczyński. I won't say what we talked about. It's political kitchen, and you usually don't talk about the kitchen. But we talked about almost everything. Many interesting topics, and also interesting proposals – stated Stanisław Karczewski in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1, when asked about yesterday's meeting of PiS senators with Jarosław Kaczyński.

- There's no need to mobilize us. We are very well and strongly mobilized, all the senators – added the Marshal of the Senate.


08:41

Karczewski:

It seems we will not convene an additional Senate session

After the additional Sejm session was scheduled [regarding Kaczyński's 'fifth'], we checked our calendars and it seems we will not convene an additional Senate session, but if it were necessary to do so, we would – stated Stanisław Karczewski on "Sygnały dnia" PR1.


08:47

Sasin:

Starting This Weekend, Our Politicians and Candidates Will Begin Meetings with Voters
Starting this weekend, our politicians and candidates will begin meetings, direct meetings as well, with voters, but not only MPs. It's a campaign that we want to achieve the effect of having a direct meeting with an MP or another representative of PiS in every municipality, where we will present our program for these European elections, but also what lies ahead for us in the perspective of the next few months. We are betting, as always, on direct contact, direct conversation with Poles – stated Jacek Sasin in an interview with Marek Pyza on TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour".

08:51

Sasin:

"Emerytura Plus" Bill to be Adopted at Next Council of Ministers Meeting, Parliament to Review in Two Weeks
This program [from the so-called Kaczyński's Five] is already being implemented, as successive draft laws are being presented. In the coming week, at the next Council of Ministers meeting, the bill concerning the 13th pension, or "Emerytura Plus," will be adopted. In two weeks, the Sejm will be reviewing this bill – stated Jacek Sasin in an interview with Marek Pyza on TVP1's "Polityczny Kwadrans" program.

08:58

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Easier to Find Common Ground in Coalition for EP Elections; Worldview Issues Won't Be Decided in the EP

These elections are a kind of test of what cooperation is possible. It's easier to find common ground in the European elections because we are in the same parliamentary group as Civic Platform. All parties that form the coalition had their part in bringing Poland into the European Union, as we negotiated the terms together. This common ground, which is a strong Poland in a strong Europe, Poland that is a player, not played, is very important. Here, worldview issues, despite PiS trying to play on them, will not be decided in any way within the EU, but in the Polish parliament” - said the leader of PSL, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News.


08:59

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

In the European Coalition, We Adopted the Principle that Everyone Decides on Worldview Matters by Their Own Conscience

We adopted a principle that on matters of worldview, everyone decides by their own conscience. Of course, we wouldn't want anyone to come out with projects that evoke excessively far-reaching emotions” - said the leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL), Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News.


09:17

Miller on Kaczyński's 'Five Plus': I Distinguish Between Giveaway Policy and Social Policy

- I do not support [Kaczyński's Five Plus] because left-wing principles mean we primarily help the poorest. I distinguish between giveaway policy and social policy. Giveaway policy involves transferring budget funds equally to everyone, regardless of whether someone is a millionaire or poor. Left-wing social policy means transferring funds to the poorest or those who need them most – stated Leszek Miller in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM.

- I am [a supporter of 500+ for every child], although I believe this system should be modified to direct these funds to families most in need. I'll tell you something else. If there's money in the budget, it's better to use it to raise minimum wages, because employees in Poland simply earn too little – emphasized the former Prime Minister.


09:25

Miller:

I'm Closest to Schetyna, Who Recently Stated the Issue of Same-Sex Marriages and Adoption Won't Be Raised in the Campaign

- I'm closest to Grzegorz Schetyna, who recently stated on this matter that the topic of same-sex marriages, which can adopt children, will not be addressed in the election campaign. He pointed out to Mr. Rabiej that he is the Vice-Mayor of Warsaw and should focus on matters related to fulfilling that role, and that statement is closest to me. As for registered partnerships, of course, I accept them. Especially since in the previous Sejm term, I myself submitted a bill on behalf of SLD - stated Leszek Miller in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM, when asked to whom he felt closer regarding gay marriages and the LGBT card.

- Yes, of course [I accept same-sex marriages] - he continued. Asked why some should have the right to adopt and others not, the former Prime Minister replied: - Sir, please allow me not to continue this topic, because Grzegorz Schetyna is right. This is a topic that will not be in the European Coalition's program.


09:33

Kempa on English Proficiency: "A Very Good Basic Level." She Also Stated, "In the European Parliament, One Should Speak in Their Native Languages, as There is Simultaneous Interpretation."

One should also say that in the European Parliament, one should speak and express oneself in native languages, as there is simultaneous interpretation” – stated Minister Beata Kempa in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet. When asked about her knowledge of English, she replied: “I think it is at a very good basic level.”


09:34

Kempa:

Introducing an LGBT Charter, educators, and 'lamp lighters' into schools is against the constitution and all principles

"Anyone who has children knows perfectly well, and a little light goes on in the back of their head, that introducing some LGBT Charter, some educators, some 'lamp lighters' into schools... We can smile, but this is something that is primarily against the constitution, against all principles. It is I who should today put on a 'Constitution' t-shirt and defend Article 48, 18, and 53 of the constitution" - Minister Beata Kempa said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.


09:58

PMM:

There is no better investment than investing in the family. It is the foundation of development, it leads us into the future.

- There is no better investment than investing in the family. It is the foundation of development, it leads us into the future. We are expanding our investment in Poles. We want Poles to feel that the state belongs to them, that it supports them where they need it. 500+ was a response to decades of neglect, it was an initiation of dialogue with Poles. As we promised before the elections, after just a few months, the groundbreaking Rodzina 500+ program for the second and subsequent child was launched. Now we have decided to make another breakthrough. Thanks to efficient governance, we have found the means to include all children in Poland in the program. We have extended the Rodzina 500+ program to the first child. The development strategy - our strategy for 21st-century Poland assumes that Poland will be great on the condition that it is solidary. Thanks to 500+, every family will have a chance to develop, because the family and its needs are at the center of state policy. We all belong to one community - says Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in an online clip published by the Prime Minister's Chancellery.

https://twitter.com/premierrp/status/1108268156819308544?s=12


10:07

Spychalski:

President Andrzej Duda Wants to Hear from the Prime Minister if Faster and Higher Teacher Salary Increases are Possible

- First and foremost, it should be clearly defined at what time and to what extent these increases will be implemented. This is why the President is meeting with the Prime Minister. The President wants to hear from the head of government whether faster and higher salary increases are possible - stated Błażej Spychalski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. The meeting between PAD (President Andrzej Duda) and PMM (Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki) is scheduled for this evening.


10:14

Spychalski:

There's One Very Interesting Proposal PAD Supports. It's the Introduction of Justices of the Peace. We Await a Draft Law, We Want to See Detailed Solutions

- There's one very interesting proposal that the president supports, he's spoken about it publicly many times. Namely, the introduction of the institution of justices of the peace. This is indeed a very interesting proposal. We are very much awaiting a draft law in this regard. We would like to see the detailed solutions. So far, a white paper has been published by the Kukiz'15 club - stated Błażej Spychalski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.


10:27

Szydło Presents PiS Candidates for the European Parliament in the Małopolska-Świętokrzyskie Constituency:

A Team Always Achieves Success When It Is United and Works Together.

- This is the PiS team, which will work very hard in this campaign. We will conduct a campaign that, first and foremost, we hope, will gain your support. We want to reach each of you, we want to meet, talk, present our program, speak about what is important for our region, what we can achieve together, because that is how we understand our participation in these elections. We are one team. A team always achieves success when it is united and works together, and this is precisely how we want to connect with you over the coming weeks, until the European Parliament elections. We want to talk with you about the important issues that concern our region and which we want to realize in the European Parliament, in Brussels. But we will also talk about important matters that are significant for our entire country, for our homeland, Poland, for all Poles. We will ask for your votes – stated Beata Szydło at a press conference in Krakow, during the presentation of the Małopolska-Świętokrzyskie list for the European Parliament.

- The most important thing is the conversations we will have with you throughout the constituency, discussing these important matters. A wonderful team, strong, as you can see. Unique individuals, each of us is determined to work hard. We are aware that many important things are happening for Poland in Brussels right now, that this is an important challenge for our country, for all Poles. But we also know very well that this is a moment, a time when the good change that is happening in Poland, when we are currently in the process of implementing social projects, important social, infrastructural, and developmental projects, we also want the cooperation between the Polish government and our representation in the European Parliament to go very well. A lot depends on this. That is why we are stepping into the arena for these elections today. We believe that we will gain your support and trust, and we are certainly asking for that trust right now – she continued.

The list is opened by Deputy Prime Minister Szydło, Ryszard Legutko is in second place, and Patryk Jaki is in third. Dominik Tarczyński is running from fourth place, Włodzimierz Bernacki from fifth, and Barbara Bartuś from sixth. Among others, Arkadiusz Mularczyk and Anna Krupka are also candidates for the European Parliament from this constituency.


10:40

Jaki:

If Elected to the European Parliament, I Will Focus on Three Key Issues
I am deeply honored to be able to contribute a small piece to what I am convinced will be the best result on the EP list, which will cover the Małopolskie-Świętokrzyskie constituency. Indeed, the team is balanced, with a wonderful leader, the outstanding figure of Prime Minister Szydło, whose achievements I could talk about for a very long time, though perhaps it's not appropriate for me to do so. Let us remember: the introduction of the 500+ program, keeping the most important promises, including those concerning the retirement age, meaning this element of credibility. It was precisely when Prime Minister Szydło led the government that these most important changes from the perspective of our program's credibility were effectively implemented. If voters entrust me with a mandate as a Member of the European Parliament, I will want to focus on three key issues, from my point of view. The first issue is security, the fight against corruption and organized crime. Here, the European Parliament is speaking out more and more strongly. This is an area that directly interests me. The second element is broadly understood migration policy. I remain very strongly interested in Poland being a secure country, and strong voices are needed, a character that will be able to defend Poland's position. And the third issue, also extremely important, is that Christian values in European institutions are currently in decline. I will want to dedicate my strength and determination to show on what foundations Europe stands and I will want to fight against all those tendencies that try to marginalize values so close to us – stated Patryk Jaki at a press conference in Krakow, during the presentation of the Małopolskie-Świętokrzyskie list for the EP.

10:51

Szydło:

Government Open to Dialogue with Teachers

- The government is open to dialogue with teachers. I want to remind everyone that we are the first government in many years to implement salary increases for teachers. We are aware that the salaries of teachers, this very important professional group, require increases, and that is why we have initiated this process of implementing raises. However, the expectations currently voiced primarily by the ZNP, through its chairman Broniarz, who also became known for a very candid statement about the purpose of this strike, saying that he now holds a very strong tool in his hand, which is student promotions and student exams, I want to assure all parents and students that the exams will take place and all students will safely go on vacation after the exams. At the same time, I also deeply believe that teachers will stand by their students and support them during this time, and that these exams will proceed without problems. The political dimension of the strike should simply be set aside for now, and as I said, the government is open to talks, we want to talk - stated Beata Szydło at a press conference in Krakow, during the presentation of the Lesser Poland-Świętokrzyskie list for the European Parliament. She added:

"I think that the calls currently made by opposition politicians, especially politicians from Platforma, and even more so by former Prime Minister Kopacz, for talks and for her and Platforma politicians to present us with some prescriptions for healing the situation in education, are pure falsehood. The former Prime Minister should know that if an opposition politician interferes in a strike, it means they primarily have political goals to achieve. I can believe in various miracles, in various things, even in people killing dinosaurs with stones, but I don't really believe that Mrs. Kopacz or PO politicians have any proposals for teachers, because they had none for 8 years. I will remind you that these politicians and that former Prime Minister, who is now calling for talks and saying she knows where the money for raises is, did not do so when she was Prime Minister and truly had the opportunity to implement these raises for teachers."

As the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, the salary increase program is being implemented, and another installment of raises will come in September.


10:57

Jaki:

"There Are No Real Conflicts. Everyone Knows Their Place in Line. It's Obvious to Me that Szydło is the Most Important Foundation of the List."

- It is such that it is particularly in the interest of our enemies to seek conflicts. There are no real conflicts. Everyone knows their place in line. It is obvious to me that the Prime Minister [Szydło] is the most important foundation of this list. I am just a small brick, and I hope that this brick will lead to us being able to achieve a record result here – stated Patryk Jaki at a press conference in Krakow, during the presentation of the Lesser Poland-Świętokrzyskie list for the European Parliament.

- Why here specifically? I have a strong conviction that I will be able to represent the residents of Lesser Poland and the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship well, when it comes to values close to them. This is because the residents in the vast majority of these two voivodeships are known for such a very conservative, patriotic approach. I am convinced that these values, which are indeed close to the residents of these voivodeships, I will be able to represent strongly in the European Parliament with character and determination – added the Deputy Minister of Justice.


11:08

Szydło on ECJ Opinion 3 Days Before Elections: It's a Political Move

- It is clearly a political action, because for the umpteenth time the Polish government is being placed in such a situation where there will be an attempt at blackmail, issuing an opinion [of the ECJ on the KRS] 3 days before the elections, but we will wait for that opinion, of course - stated Beata Szydło at a press conference in Krakow, during the presentation of the Lesser Poland-Świętokrzyskie list for the European Parliament.


11:11

Karczewski on Teachers' Strike: I Believe an Agreement Will Be Reached

"I believe an agreement will be reached. Dialogue is needed, conversation is needed. Concern for children is needed. I am not a spokesperson for the government, but I can say that the government, my political environment, all of us, care about the child's well-being, about children not losing anything due to the teachers' protest. This concern is paramount" - said Marshal Stanisław Karczewski at a press conference. 


11:11

Szydło on Bochenek: I have no problem with his position. Ostachowicz was on the company board, Bochenek is merely a director in a company.

- Regarding Rafał Bochenek, he is – and I will remind you – a director in one of the [State Treasury] companies, indeed. I have no problem with his position – stated Beata Szydło at a press conference in Krakow, during the presentation of the Lesser Poland-Świętokrzyskie list for the European Parliament.

- Rafał Bochenek is not a candidate, but respecting your presence here, I will answer this question as well. Mr. Ostachowicz, I will remind you, was on the company board. Rafał Bochenek is merely a director in a company – the Deputy Prime Minister responded to the journalist's statement that she once had a problem with Igor Ostachowicz's employment.


11:14

Karczewski on ECJ Advocate General's Opinion on KRS: 'It's No Coincidence for Me'

May 23rd [the date for the ECJ Advocate General's opinion] is, in reality, already the election silence period” – Marshal Stanisław Karczewski said at a press conference. „It's no coincidence for me. It's clearly connected with the elections. We will see what the ruling will be. We are waiting calmly and will make appropriate decisions”.


11:16

Magdalena Adamowicz Appeals to Public Life Leaders: We Cannot Pretend Hate Speech Doesn't Concern Us. For Real Change, 'No to Hate!' Must Be Loudly Declared by Global Authorities
My husband was brutally murdered during the finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the largest annual charity event in the country, serving those in need: sick children and seniors. It happened under the glare of television spotlights, while my husband was doing good and speaking of good, while he was thanking the people of Gdańsk for their kindness. This news, these images, went around the world. This unexpected, cruel, senseless death would not have happened if not for hate speech, heartlessly used as a weapon in political combat. I believe it is high time to systematically and uncompromisingly unite in the fight against hate speech. We all know it. It strikes the old and the young equally, poisons the souls of our children, robs people of sleep. Often directed blindly, it no longer only affects the most well-known public figures, but wreaks havoc in schools, sports stadiums, places of religious worship, and in the privacy of our homes when we are alone with social media - wrote Magdalena Adamowicz in an open letter received by 300POLITYKA. The widow of the murdered President of Gdańsk emphasizes that she has included an important and extremely relevant message in it, and next week she will present it during a visit to the United States Congress and at a meeting with a representative of Facebook's management board.
"Therefore, I appeal to you – leaders of political, scientific, and religious life, activists and social workers. You cannot, we cannot pretend that hate speech does not concern us, that it happens outside of us. You are, we are, all of us individually, responsible for stemming the tide of speech that carries contempt, pain, and death. Each of us must start with ourselves, each of us must, individually but with all the strength of our spirit, build a dam against evil. However, for real change to happen, 'NO TO HATE!' – must be loudly declared by global authorities. 'NO!' – must be shouted by politicians, journalists, and clergy. They must strike their breasts for every carelessly uttered hateful word. We would all agree that freedom, including freedom of speech, is the foundation of a democratic rule of law. Freedom is our common foundation! But only freedom of speech that does not harm another person. Freedom that brings harm is not freedom – it is hate. Therefore, solutions must be introduced that will stop hate and prevent it. I therefore ask that we remember the power of words and our responsibility for one another. That we do not cease in our efforts to create a world striving for good, a world in solidarity with every person. Let us respect one another! I will do everything to realize the ideas of my husband, who dedicated his life to building an open, solidary, democratic, and hate-free Gdańsk. He wanted this for Poland, he wanted this for Europe. Let's imagine a world without hate! We must start building it! Now, today, every day. All of us! Together!"

11:28

Karczewski on the Reconstruction of the Saxon Palace: We Are Determined. We Will Rebuild, With or Without Trzaskowski's Consent

I have the impression that President Trzaskowski wants to have his cake and eat it too. This is what his stance and activities suggest. We are determined to rebuild the Saxon Palace and we will rebuild it – either with the president's consent, or without it. Certain issues are being raised. We are talking, we are discussing” – said Marshal Stanisław Karczewski at a press conference. 

We want to organize the Museum of the Destruction of Warsaw there [in a part of the Saxon Palace] to show everyone how Warsaw was destroyed” – he added.


11:37

Finance Ministry Spokesperson: Czerwińska Did Not Resign. Such Speculation Harms the Ministry's Work

Finance Minister Teresa Czerwińska tendered her resignation to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the end of February. However, the head of government did not accept it. The event took place a few days after Jarosław Kaczyński announced the so-called "new PiS five" - reported wPolityce.pl this morning. Ministry spokesperson Paweł Jurek has now responded to this information.

https://twitter.com/Pawel_Jurek/status/1108308780482265089


13:36

Civic Platform on Kaczyński-Abascal Meeting: Building a New International in the European Parliament, Based on One Goal - Dismantling the European Union
"We are witnessing a very important, though unacknowledged, event today, crucial for further discussion on the future of Europe. Jarosław Kaczyński is meeting today with Mr. Santiago Abascal, the leader of VOX. The party operates on the Spanish scene, a force emerging under the banner of fighting the Brussels administration, a destructive force when it comes to the integral and united European community, strongly reminiscent of the actions taken by the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Salvini. He was also received by Jarosław Kaczyński at Nowogrodzka Street, and it had nothing to do with Polish-Italian intergovernmental talks. This is an element of building a new international in the European Parliament, based on one common goal: dismantling the European Union" - said Andrzej Halicki from Civic Platform at a press conference.

13:59

Petru:

We are establishing a civic legislative initiative committee 'Let's Free Trade'. We are starting a signature collection across the country
I wanted to inform you that we are establishing a civic legislative initiative committee 'Let's Free Trade'. More than two years ago, 'Solidarity', through PiS, introduced a ban on Sunday trading. First, it was two Sundays a month, now it's three Sundays a month. Next year, all Sundays of the month are supposed to be banned for trade. The ban on trade has proven to be not only a problem for shoppers and a nuisance, but it has also struck at the heart of the Polish economy, at small Polish businesses. Gas stations have benefited more from the trade ban – a 13% increase in sales. Large supermarket chains have seen an 8% increase in sales, while small Polish shops have lost – a 2% decrease in sales. Since the introduction of the trade ban, 16,000 small Polish shops have closed, half of which did so because of the ban on Sunday trading. As many as 70% of Poles are against politicians deciding for them how they should spend their weekends. In the Sejm, all proposals and attempts to either amend the law or introduce laws that would restore Sunday trading are rejected. What's more, there is no possibility of conducting any discussion. The same happened with amendments that were submitted to the bill proposed by 'Solidarity'. That is why today we are establishing the 'Let's Free Sundays and Trade' committee and we are starting a signature collection across the country – stated Ryszard Petru at a briefing in the Sejm. The signature collection campaign will begin tomorrow in Krakow, and on Friday in Poznań.

14:45

PiS Leader Meets Head of Spanish VOX Party

- Many common goals and challenges in the EU, and above all, agreement that the future of the EU lies in close cooperation of sovereign states, not a federation - wrote PiS MEP and head of the party's election staff, Tomasz Poręba, on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/TomaszPoreba/status/1108359128156647425


18:33

PMM:

Fitch's Raised Forecast for Polish GDP Growth Shows Our Actions are Effective, and Poland is Appreciated by Experts Who See Us as One of Europe's Economic Growth Leaders

Premier Mateusz Morawiecki stated that the recent upward revision of Poland's GDP growth forecast by Fitch Ratings demonstrates the effectiveness of the government's actions and highlights Poland's position as a recognized leader in economic growth within Europe.

The Prime Minister shared this sentiment via Twitter, emphasizing that international experts acknowledge Poland's strong economic performance. The upgraded forecast from Fitch, a prominent credit rating agency, suggests increased confidence in the Polish economy's trajectory.

This positive assessment from an independent body like Fitch is seen by the government as validation of its economic policies and a testament to Poland's growing influence and stability on the European economic stage.


19:29

Ochojska on Running for the European Parliament with the European Coalition: If Any Party Had Proposed Me Individually, I Definitely Wouldn't Have Agreed

If any party had proposed me to run individually, I definitely wouldn't have agreed to run. I am running with the European Coalition so as not to be attributed to any single party. I also do not intend to join any political party, because I am still a person from NGOs, and I want to enter the European Parliament as a person from NGOs” - said Janina Ochojska, a candidate for the EP for the European Coalition, in an interview with Justyna Dobrosz-Oracla for wyborcza.pl.


19:37

Miller:

I urged Kopacz to run from Greater Poland. Not being first is a matter of prestige, but I've convinced myself that if the coalition's interest requires Kopacz to be first, then so be it.

I was the one who urged Prime Minister Kopacz to run from Greater Poland. I said that if the Prime Minister has various options, including the option to run from Greater Poland, then if I can offer any advice, I would lean towards that choice. This is the only electoral district where two former prime ministers are running. There is only one 'number one' spot. Not being in the 'number one' position is a matter of prestige, but I have convinced myself that if the coalition's interest requires Prime Minister Kopacz to be first, then so be it” - said former Prime Minister Leszek Miller in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News.


20:07

Scheuring-Wielgus on CJEU: All of PiS's actions in this are absurd. We warned from the beginning, and this will be a summary of these bad actions, what will happen on May 23rd.
- All of PiS's actions in this are absurd. We warned from the beginning, and this will be a summary of these bad actions, what will happen on May 23rd. Those who will govern from the autumn will have to fix what Ziobro did - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in 'Kropka nad I'.

20:17

Rzymkowski:

A Very Weak Conference from the Episcopate's Perspective
- This conference was very weak from the perspective of the Episcopate. The determination is lacking more than a little. The Church must deal with this matter. I'm rooting for the Polish primate, who is speaking strongly on this issue - said Tomasz Rzymkowski on Monika Olejnik's program.

20:23

Scheuring-Wielgus:

Why Do 70% of Degenerates in Cassocks Still Hear Confessions and Conduct Catechesis?
- This conference was a disgrace for the Church. Those words were terrifying. Comparing the 'zero tolerance' slogan for pedophiles to Nazism and Communism is shocking. Why do as many as 70% of degenerates in cassocks still hear confessions and conduct catechesis? I lacked mercy and compassion. The Episcopate spat in the face of people fighting for their dignity - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus.

20:27

Rzymkowski:

We Need to Consider Legal Changes to Prosecute Those Who Cover Up Crimes Like Pedophilia
- We need to consider legal changes so that individuals who cover up such crimes, qualifying them as an offense other than pedophilia, should be prosecuted by law - said Tomasz Rzymkowski on Kropka nad I.

20:27

Scheuring-Wielgus:

Together with Robert Biedroń, we demand state authorities enter Church archives
- Together with Robert Biedroń, we demand that state authorities enter Church archives, as has happened in other countries - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus on Kropka nad I.

20:29

Scheuring-Wielgus:

Priests Use Sexualization by Asking Children Intimate Details During Confession
- Priests use sexualization by asking children intimate details about their lives during confession. This is child sexualization – said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in Kropka nad I.

20:30

Ziobro on the deadline for the Advocate General's opinion at the CJEU: Raises suspicion that this is not a coincidence

"By a strange coincidence [the CJEU], contrary to previous practice, set at the hearing a date by which the Advocate General is to prepare their opinion, on the eve of the election silence in Poland. This in itself raises suspicion that this is not a coincidence, that the dates that have been set before the elections are not a matter of chance" – said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro in an interview with Danuta Holecka on TVP Info.


20:31

Scheuring-Wielgus:

I pity Rafał Trzaskowski that PO refuses to stand united behind those they ostracize
- I pity Rafał Trzaskowski that PO refuses to stand united behind those they ostracize. Paweł Rabiej didn't say anything terrible. I also believe his words were cleverly exploited by Kaczyński. If PO had stood firmly behind Trzaskowski, perhaps things would look different - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus. - Schetyna got scared - Rzymkowski added. - I didn't see the Platform get scared - Monika Olejnik commented.

20:37

Scheuring-Wielgus:

It's Terrible How PiS Tries to Dehumanize Gay People. Rzymkowski: Every Person Must Be Respected
- It's terrible how PiS tries to dehumanize gay people - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus.

- Every person must be respected - Rzymkowski added.

- And on this matter, we agree - JSW summarized.

21:11

HEADLINE:

Facts: Government's Tactic to Divide Teachers, Sikorski: I'm Worried About Brudziński Because He Wants to Co-Rule Europe Yet Can't Find Falenta, Miller: Cimoszewicz's Signature is on the Accession Treaty, Czarnecki's is Nowhere

-- 300POLITYKA LIVEBLOG: SCHEURING-WIELGUS ON HOW THE CHURCH SEXUALIZES CHILDREN, MILLER ON CANDIDATING ON THE SAME LIST AS KOPACZ, ZIOBRO ON THE TIMING OF THE CJEU: https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/03/20/

*****

POLSAT NEWS -- MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE: DUDA-MORAWIECKI ON TEACHERS' STRIKE - announcement. -- NO BREAKTHROUGH EXPECTED. NO DECISION ON FULFILLING ZNP DEMANDS WILL BE MADE - Anna Łubian-Halicka. -- SOLIDARITY WARNS THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT MEET ITS DEMANDS, IT WILL ORGANIZE A DEMONSTRATION IN WARSAW ON APRIL 4 - Łubian-Halicka. -- AFTER 15 YEARS, ZBIGNIEW BUJAK, FORMER DISSIDENT, RETURNS TO POLITICS. HE IS TO BE THE "LEAD CANDIDATE" FOR WIOSNA IN LUBLIN - announcement. -- BUJAK HAD AN OFFER TO RUN ON THE EUROPEAN COALITION LIST BUT REFUSED BECAUSE HE DISLIKES THE COALITION CANDIDATES, INCLUDING LESZEK MILLER - Grzegorz Kępka. -- KPRM SPOT ON PIS'S "FIVE" PROGRAM - Kępka. -- JAKI IS NOT CONNECTED TO CRACOW, HALF A YEAR AGO HE WANTED TO BE THE MAYOR OF WARSAW - Kępka. -- POLITICIANS ARE CHALLENGING EACH OTHER TO DEBATES IN ENGLISH. ***** TVN FAKTY (FACTS) -- LAST CHANCE MEETING, AS IT'S THE LAST MOMENT TO AVOID A STRIKE - in the preview: Teachers went to the President out of desperation, but didn't hear: "I'll arrange the raises." They are ready to strike. The meeting between Andrzej Duda and Mateusz Morawiecki, scheduled for Wednesday evening, could be a last-chance meeting. Teachers are fighting for raises. Large, overdue raises. -- TEACHERS WENT TO THE PRESIDENT OUT OF DESPERATION, BUT DIDN'T HEAR THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD ARRANGE RAISES - Krzysztof Skórzyński. -- THE PRESIDENT GAVE HOPE THAT HE WOULD HELP IN THE TALKS, BUT THEN HE DIMMED THAT HOPE HIMSELF - Skórzyński. -- IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO RAISE SALARIES BY 1000 PLN QUICKLY - PRESIDENT D ("PAD"). -- IF THE CONSULTATIONS DON'T BRING A BREAKTHROUGH, DECLARATIONS LIKE THOSE OF SZYDŁO AND KARCZEWSKI ABOUT HOPE FOR AN AGREEMENT WILL BE WARLOCKING REALITY - Skórzyński. -- PIS FURTHER TRIED TO DIVIDE THE TEACHER COMMUNITY INTO "GOOD" SOLIDARITY AND "BAD" ZNP - Skórzyński. -- THE RESULT OF THE REFERENDUM WILL BE A TEST OF THE GOVERNMENT'S TACTIC OF PLAYING FOR A SPLIT - Skórzyński. -- WILL POLAND RESPECT THE DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE? Will the PiS government change the law on the National Council of the Judiciary if the CJEU deems the new operating procedure of this institution incompatible with EU norms? - "We'll see," replies Deputy Minister of Justice Patryk Jaki. The CJEU's Advocate General is to issue an opinion on the matter on May 23. According to Beata Szydło, choosing a date just before the European Parliament elections is "political blackmail." -- THE PROSECUTOR SURPRISED EVERYONE, EVEN THE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE - Jakub Sobieniowski. -- KACZYŃSKI APPEARS WITH POSTERS SAYING "POLAND IS THE HEART OF EUROPE" - Sobieniowski. -- FORMERLY, A PROSECUTOR REPRESENTING ZIOBRO WAS A JUDGE, AND GW OBTAINED 7 DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS FOR SLOWNESS IN WRITING JUSTIFICATIONS - Sobieniowski. -- WHERE IS FALENTA? Where is Marek Falenta? - ask those he once commissioned to be recorded. There is a legally binding verdict, a prison sentence, and even an arrest warrant, but Falenta is nowhere to be found. The illegal recordings of politicians he commissioned were made public. They blew up the previous government. The opposition therefore asks directly: has Marek Falenta served PiS so well that they are now looking for him so hard to not find him? -- IT APPEARS THE POLICE ARE NOT TRYING TO APPREHEND THIS CRIMINAL - Grabiec. -- THE SEARCH IS LARGELY INEFFECTIVE, OPPOSITION POLITICIANS ARE NOW MOCKING - Knapik. -- BRUDZIŃSKI WANTS TO CO-RULE EUROPE YET CAN'T FIND FALENTA - Sikorski. -- FALENTA HAS GREAT MERITS FOR PIS - Kropiwnicki. -- FALENTA COULD REMIND HIMSELF OF CERTAIN MEETINGS THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT TO THIS DAY - Grabiec. -- BRUDZIŃSKI'S WARNING IS INACCURATE BECAUSE MORAWIECKI WAS ALSO A VICTIM OF THE RECORDINGS - Knapik. -- CLASH OF GIANTS, BUT THE TEST OF STRENGTH MAY ALSO OCCUR WITHIN ONE POLITICAL FAMILY - in the preview: The electoral lists feature well-known, strong names, so on the way to the European Parliament, Bielan will face Kalinowski, Waszczykowski will face Belka, and Anna Zalewska will face Janina Ochojska. A test of strength may also occur within one political family. Patryk Jaki is already facing former Prime Minister Beata Szydło. -- JANINA OCHOJSKA: I'm going there for service, not for a career, not for money. It's completely unnecessary for me now. -- OCHOJSKA CONTINUES: To change the policy towards people living in refugee camps. -- WITOLD WASZCZYKOWSKI: We don't underestimate anyone. We have presented candidates across Poland. We have also presented a program. The other side lacks this - believes Waszczykowski. -- RYSZARD CZARNECKI: A post-communist on the lists of a formation that originates from "Solidarity." I think many Platform voters may hesitate, whether not to stay home. -- LESZEK MILLER: Prime Minister Cimoszewicz has a fundamental advantage over MP Czarnecki: his signature is on the accession treaty, while Czarnecki's signature is nowhere. -- RADEK SIKORSKI: Two former members of the Polish United Workers' Party will clash. One, who did not hide it, Mr. former Prime Minister Cimoszewicz, and Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, about whom I didn't know he was in the PZPR. -- "MERITORIOUS FOR BANKING" BADGE WITH CONTROVERSIES: An honorary badge for "merits for Polish banking." The President of the National Bank of Poland decides who deserves it. The list of names, obtained by "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna" journalists, includes two famous directors with monthly salaries exceeding forty thousand zlotys, as well as the former head of the KNF, who faces prosecutorial charges. -- KUCHCIŃSKI ON A JET: Life at the top. Power obligates, so Marek Kuchciński must travel from Warsaw to Rzeszów by government jet. Such a journey with the Marshal must be a great adventure, so the Member of Parliament has souvenir photos, and the Chancellery of the Sejm has no problem with it. That's why we can admire smiling Marek Kuchciński and Krystyna Wróblewska in photos from the Gulfstream. Stanisław Piotrowicz also joined. Recently, another speaker of a parliamentary chamber has been in the spotlight - John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons. Only in the latter case, photos circulate in the media showing him walking to work with a cup of coffee and in a sweater. ***** TVP WIADOMOŚCI (NEWS) -- THIS IS ALREADY THE SECOND LEADER OF A DYNAMICALLY GROWING EUROPEAN FORCE VISITING POLAND - in the announcement. -- THINGS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, WE CAN COUNT ON AN ALLIANCE WITH PIS - leader of VOX in conversation with Diaz. -- MORE AND MORE FORCES WANT THE EU TO BE MODERN BUT TO RESPECT TRADITION - Diaz. -- DIAZ ON VOX'S CRITICISM FROM LIBERAL MEDIA. -- HE WANTS SPAIN TO BECOME PART OF THE MOVEMENT DEFENDING EUROPE'S IDENTITY - Diaz. -- CANDIDATES PRESENTED BY SZYDŁO BELIEVE THAT POLAND IS NOT A BURDEN BUT AN EQUAL PARTNER INFLUENCING THE EU - Diaz. -- I WANT TO DEBATE WITH COMPETITORS IN ENGLISH - Dominik Tarczyński. -- PARENTS INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE THREATS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF ZNP - Holecka in the announcement. -- BRONIARZ HAS RESORTED TO BLACKMAIL. -- IT WAS NOT SO EASY TO FIND FUNDS WHEN PO WAS IN POWER. -- ARCHIVAL STATEMENTS BY KLUZIK AS HEAD OF MEN. -- THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE, 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, BUT WE ARE WAITING CALMLY - Karczewski. -- DOUBTS HAVE ARISEN ABOUT THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE CJEU PRESIDENT - Maszenda. -- JUDGES THEMSELVES ARE APPOINTED BY GOVERNMENTS, WHICH MANY BELIEVE MAY AFFECT THEIR IMAGE OF INDEPENDENCE - Maszenda. -- THERE ARE MORE POLITICAL ACCENTS BECAUSE WAWRYKIEWICZ IS RUNNING FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - Maszenda. -- FORMALLY, I AM NOT A CANDIDATE, SUCH A PROPOSAL WAS MADE - Wawrykiewicz. -- MORE EUROPEAN COALITION POLITICIANS ARE RAISING THE ISSUE OF ADOPTION BY HOMOSEXUAL COUPLES - Holecka in the announcement. -- NOT ONLY PAWEŁ RABIEJ BUT ALSO MORE EUROPEAN COALITION POLITICIANS ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILD ADOPTION - Jałtuszewski. -- STATEMENT BY SŁAWOMIR POTAPOWICZ from Nowoczesna about adoption. -- LESZEK MILLER IS MORE CAUTIOUS - Jałtuszewski. -- STATEMENT BY TIMMERMANS THAT THEY CAN BE GOOD PARENTS. -- SCHETYNA DISCIPLINING COALITION PARTNERS - Jałtuszewski. -- THE MAYOR OF WARSAW ADMITTED THAT SCHETYNA KNEW ABOUT THE SIGNING OF THE CHARTER - Jałtuszewski. -- EXHIBITION ABOUT PROF. RELIDZE.