Live Feed

04/06/2019

00:00

Saturday's Political Schedule: European Coalition, PiS, and Confederation Conventions, PiS MEPs' Conference, Razem Candidates in Warsaw, and PAD in Zabrze

At 9:00 AM in Warsaw, a press conference will be held with PiS MEPs Tomasz Poręba, Ryszard Legutka, and Jacek Saryusz-Wolski.

At 10:30 AM in Warsaw, the European Coalition convention will take place. "On April 6th, we have scheduled a major electoral convention, marking the actual campaign launch for the European Coalition. We will all be there. Afterwards, we will reveal further details and milestones of this campaign to you," stated Grzegorz Schetyna in a conversation with journalists.

At 11:00 AM in Warsaw, a press conference of Lewica Razem will be held, during which candidates for the European Parliament in the Warsaw district will be presented. The list leader will remind attendees of the main postulates with which they are running in the European elections.

At 12:00 PM in Kadzidło, Mazowieckie Voivodeship, a regional PiS convention will take place with the participation of PiS chairman Jarosław Kaczyński and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. This is another event for the ruling party in recent weeks, as similar conventions are being held in various locations across Poland.

Also at 12:00 PM, but in Warsaw, the Confederation's electoral convention will take place, officially commencing their European Parliament election campaign. "At the convention, you can expect speeches from our leaders and the presentation of our electoral lists. The event is planned for 700 people," announced the organizers.

At 6:00 PM in Zabrze, Śląskie Voivodeship, President Andrzej Duda will participate in the XXVI Grand Gala of the Chamber of Crafts and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.


08:35

WKK:

Government Bears 100% Responsibility for the Teachers' Strike Since April 8th

- A mistake was made here, and the very essence of the changes proposed by Prime Minister Szydło at the end of the talks, opening a completely new front, is itself a provocation. An ill-considered, bad decision. The government bears 100% responsibility for the [teachers'] strike since April 8th - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a conversation with Krzysztof Ziemiec on RMF FM.


08:37

WKK:

I would like to appeal to Szydło to immediately resume talks with trade unions

- I would like to appeal to Prime Minister Szydło to immediately resume talks with trade unions, to return to normal dialogue, not to throw out proposals when she is already well settled in the EP – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Krzysztof Ziemiec on RMF FM.


08:41

WKK on KRUS: We've Convinced Our Coalition Partners. We Showed It's a Pro-European Solution

We convinced them [KE coalition partners]. Katarzyna Lubnauer was skeptical. We showed that this is precisely a pro-European solution. KRUS is not a PRL invention. KRUS was established in 1990 – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a conversation with Krzysztof Ziemiec on RMF FM.


08:42

WKK on the Future of the European Coalition: EP Elections Will Be a Test
We shall see. It's a decision ahead of us. These [EP] elections will be a test. We shall see what the result will be - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a conversation with Krzysztof Ziemiec on RMF FM, when asked about the future of the European Coalition in the context of parliamentary elections.

08:51

WKK on United European Coalition Senate Bid: "It Seems So." A Joint List or Support for Joint Candidates
It seems so [there will be a joint bid for the Senate]. Of course, there are no names we could give yet, but the intention of all the leaders forming the European Coalition and beyond, many local government officials who - I think - will get involved in the parliamentary elections, especially for the Senate and will run, is clear. There is great determination. Regardless of how we go into the Sejm, we will certainly create either a joint list or support joint candidates - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Krzysztof Ziemiec on RMF FM.

09:53

A Great Choice or a Great Deception? PiS Accuses PO MEPs of Being 'Extras' in the EPP Ahead of the European Coalition Convention
Our political competitors, Civic Platform (PO), boast that they have been governing in the European Parliament for three terms, have their representatives in the European Commission, have the President of the European Council, and hold important positions from the perspective of European institutions. The question is: What are the results of this for Poland? What benefits does Poland derive from this? What important matters for Poland are being resolved thanks to their presence in these institutions? In our opinion, there are very few such matters, and in reality, there are no significant outcomes whatsoever from the perspective of Poland's strategic interests. The best example of how PO functions in Brussels is the political group it sits in” - said PiS MEP Tomasz Poręba at a press conference - “The EPP votes against Poland's elementary, strategic, most important interests”. “Civic Platform says this is a great choice, that this election campaign is a 'great choice'. We ask whether this is not, in fact, a great deception, whether it is not a great deception that by sitting in the largest faction in the European Parliament, they are effectively European extras. They are MEPs who have no influence on how this faction functions, what topics it addresses, and what matters it resolves from Poland's perspective. In our opinion, this is a great deception” - he added.

10:24

Jaki on Falenta's arrest: Once again, we showed that the state is not theoretical

- What is most important is that we have once again shown that the state is not theoretical, that it can find such a person even if they have fled abroad - said Patryk Jaki in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program „Polska Wybiera” on Polsat News.


10:28

Grzyb on the Teachers' Strike: "I Think the Behavior Will Be Solidary from All Teachers"

- I think the behavior will be solidary from all teachers. If I were a teacher, I would probably behave in a solidary way, just like all my colleagues who participated in these preparations - said Andrzej Grzyb in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Polska Wybiera" on Polsat News.


10:40

Schetyna at the European Coalition Convention: A Great Choice Lies Ahead

- A great choice lies before us. Either a strong, prosperous, democratic Poland in Europe, or what we have today: a party state on the road to exiting the EU. Either Poland as one of the leaders of the West, or Poland drifting to the East. Either we, Poles, will catch up with Western Europeans in terms of living standards and quality of life, or we will drift further away from them. This is precisely the great choice - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at the European Coalition convention.


10:43

Schetyna to Teachers: "Today We Must All Show Them Solidarity. Hold On, We Are With You"
"Today we must all show them solidarity. They deserve to work in better conditions. They deserve respect, to be heard, and higher salaries. Let them hear words of encouragement and solidarity from us today. Hold on, we are with you" - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at the European Coalition convention.

10:45

Schetyna:

Poland Must Return to the EU Mainstream

- We believe that Poland must be a country guided by principles, not dictated to by a party leader. Poland must return to the EU mainstream. Only then will the realization of the eternal Polish dream be possible: a lasting anchor in the West - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at the European Coalition convention.


10:47

Schetyna on PiS: They Have No Strategy for Poland. They Have Instincts Full of Complexes. They Are Playing to Weaken the EU

- They have no strategy for Poland. They have instincts full of complexes. They are playing to weaken the European Union. They are supporting the European race of nationalisms. They are chaotically arguing with everyone. As a result, they are alone and losing Poland's interests. They are losing even 1:27 - stated Grzegorz Schetyna during the European Coalition convention.


10:47

Schetyna:

I Ask Poles to Consider What is More in Poland's Interest. An Alliance of PiS with Le Pen and Salvini, or Serious Engagement with Macron and Merkel?

- I ask Poles today to reflect. What is more in Poland's interest. An alliance of PiS with Le Pen and Salvini, or what we propose. Serious engagement with Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, with whom we sometimes disagree, but with whom we talk as partners and know how to negotiate - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at the European Coalition convention.


10:52

Schetyna:

We have a realistic plan to stop using coal for heating homes by 2030

- Let's consider who will ensure that our children's future is free from smog. Is it those who cut down forests and still want to base their energy sector on coal, which, incidentally, is imported in record quantities from Russia. Or is it us, who have a realistic plan to stop using coal for heating apartments and houses by 2030 – stated Grzegorz Schetyna during the European Coalition convention.


10:55

Schetyna:

No Poison Will Be Dripping 24 Hours a Day from State Television

- No poison will be dripping 24 hours a day from state television – stated Grzegorz Schetyna at the European Coalition convention.


10:58

Schetyna:

May 26th is a Major Choice: A Strong Poland in a United EU or Poland Outside the Union? Either the Team of Great Polish Pride or the Team of Great Insecurities Will Prevail
“Over 15 years ago, Poles made a great choice. Over 3/4 of citizens said ‘yes’ in a referendum. Poland became a member of the EU. In the upcoming elections, Polish women and men face a choice of equal significance. A strong Poland in a united EU, or Poland on the margins or outside the union? Poland catching up in living standards to most Western countries within a decade, or Poland losing this chance perhaps forever?” said the Civic Platform (PO) leader, Grzegorz Schetyna, at the European Coalition convention. “We, the European Coalition, are sending competent, energetic individuals to the European Parliament, ready to fight for Polish interests there, not those who have been slinging mud at the EU for years and want to destroy it. This is the major choice. Either the team of great Polish pride or the team of great insecurities will prevail. Poland’s future depends on this. On May 26th, a major choice awaits us,” he added.

11:00

WKK:

We United the Opposition, We Will Unite Poland, Poles, and Win the European Elections

For 3 years they were afraid of uniting the opposition. We have achieved today what many said was impossible. We have united the opposition, we will unite Poland, Poles, and we will win the European elections – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the European Coalition convention.


11:02

Schetyna:

The architects of Brexit are ideological and political brothers to PiS
The architects of Brexit also claimed at the beginning that they did not want to leave the Union, and they brought unimaginable chaos, humiliation, and threats to their country's careers, jobs, and wallets. And the architects of Brexit are the ideological and political brothers of PiS - stated Grzegorz Schetyna during the European Coalition convention. All those who doubt whether Polexit can happen, let the answer to one question suffice: can a state with a politicized judiciary be a full member of the EU? It cannot - Schetyna added.

11:02

WKK:

We Have Three Great Goals Ahead of Us

- We have three great goals ahead of us. Firstly, to win the European elections. Secondly, to win the parliamentary elections. And thirdly, to create a democratic, patriotic, European government of the most luminous Republic - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the European Coalition convention.


11:04

WKK:

My Dream, and I Think All of Ours, is for a Pole to Once Again Head the EP

- My dream, I think a very realistic one and probably all of ours, within KE, is for a Pole to once again be the head of the EP. Just like Jerzy Buzek 7 years ago - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the European Coalition convention.


11:08

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

There Was Supposed to Be Work and Humility. But What Do We Have? Arrogance and Hubris. Arrogance and Hubris Lead to Ruin

"There is no future without unity. Without the unity of Poles, men and women, and Europeans. Without unity that brings prosperity, that brings security, that strives for the good fortune of each of our compatriots. This is all possible when we are together. Together we are capable of performing miracles. Separately, we are capable of nothing. This is a great choice that lies before us, a choice between those who mock and scornfully speak of intellectual emptiness when negotiating with protesting farmers. There was supposed to be work and humility. But what do we have? Arrogance and hubris. Arrogance and hubris lead to ruin" – said the leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL), Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, during the European Coalition convention.


11:09

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

PiS Raised the White Flag. They're Forfeiting Polish Affairs in Europe. They Have No Allies

"Either we choose those who scoff at European funds, like Prime Minister Morawiecki, who mocks them and says they are for patching up sidewalks. Yes, these funds go towards sidewalks, hospitals, nurseries, kindergartens. They go towards all those needs you have forgotten. I know they want to cover up their incompetence, their inability, their failure to build alliances. For them, at the negotiation table, the proposal is €20 billion less for cohesion policy. They have raised the white flag. They are forfeiting Polish affairs in Europe. They have no allies" - said the leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL), Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, during the European Coalition convention.


11:14

Czarzasty:

This is Our Great Choice. A Great, United, Strong Europe. Our Common Home. Jarek with his cat doesn't live alone in this house.
- This is our great choice. A great, united, strong Europe. Our common home. Everyone has different dreams on how to furnish this home. But there is only one home. Jarek with his cat doesn't live alone in this house. Grześ, Władek, Kasia, Gosia, the intelligent Sławek, Włodek, you. Many people live in this house, but all from different parties, there are non-partisan people, but there is only one home - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty during the European Coalition convention.

11:20

Czarzasty:

I Would Like to Create a Package of Benefits for Seniors in Europe

- I would like, when it is possible, not in a populist way, to one day create a package of benefits for seniors in Europe, so that none of these people are excluded - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty during the European Coalition convention.


11:24

Czarzasty:

My Home is Also Europe of Values. The Union is Not a Mindless Money-Collecting Machine. Dignity, Freedom, Democracy

- My home is also Europe of values. The Union is not a mindless money-collecting machine. Dignity, freedom, democracy. Equality of states, rule of law, constitution. Independence of judges and prosecutors  - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty during the European Coalition convention.


11:29

Czarzasty:

The European Coalition is a grand choice between those who burn books and those who read them

- The European Coalition is a grand choice between those who burn books and those who read them. Does that ring a bell? Because for me, Schetyna, Kosiniak, Lubnauer, it does. We are against it. Because a country where they start burning books is heading in the wrong direction. Don't ask us if we have a better or worse program than PiS. We have tolerance, we have a smile, we have passion within us - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty during the European Coalition convention.


11:38

Lubnauer:

A New Political Doctrine is Being Born: 'Pisology,' Based on Three Pillars: Hypocrisy, Dividing Society, and Redefining Words Crucial for a Democratic Future

For the past 40 months, we have been witnessing the birth of a new political doctrine before our very eyes: pisology. A politically extremely dangerous phenomenon for Poland and Poles. Pisology is based on three pillars: hypocrisy, dividing society, and redefining words crucial for a democratic future” - said Katarzyna Lubnauer, leader of Nowoczesna, during the European Coalition convention.


11:43

Lubnauer:

Patriotism According to PiS's Dictionary Means Primitive Nationalism. Freedom Means Subservient Functioning Under Kaczyński's Dictate, and Sovereignty Means Spitting in Europe's Face

Patriotism according to the PiS dictionary equates to primitive nationalism, where anyone who thinks differently is not a patriot. According to PiS, dignity is arrogance and the conviction, full of contempt for those who think differently, that they are inferior. Freedom means subservient functioning under the dictate of Jarosław Kaczyński, and sovereignty means spitting in Europe's face” - said Katarzyna Lubnauer, the leader of Nowoczesna, during the European Coalition convention.


11:47

Lubnauer:

220 Years Ago, Poles Did This to Themselves. They Doomed Their Country to Another Great, Historical Defeat. The European Coalition Exists to Prevent This from Happening Again

Will we now allow this place [in Europe] to be taken from us? Will we allow, as happened over 220 years ago, that Poles did this to themselves, condemning their country to another great, historical defeat. The European Coalition exists to prevent this” - said the leader of Nowoczesna, Katarzyna Lubnauer, during the European Coalition convention.


12:43

PJK:

Poles are a community, and it is the government's duty to care for this community

- This is very important for a party that believes Poles are not divided by their place of residence. It makes no difference whether it's a city or a village, this region or another. Poles are a community, and it is the government's duty to care for this community. And to ensure that this community consists of equal, free Poles - said Jarosław Kaczyński during the PiS convention.


12:47

PJK:

Our Great Aspiration is for the Polish Village and Polish City to Thrive at the Same Level

- Our great aspiration, and at the same time our great hope, which I will speak about further, is for the Polish village and Polish city to thrive at the same level – said Jarosław Kaczyński during the PiS convention.


12:50

PJK:

European Elections Are Important as a Kind of First Round of the 2019 Elections

- These upcoming elections, on May 26th, the European elections, are important in themselves. They are important as a kind of first round of the 2019 elections, which will decide the future of our country, perhaps for many years to come - said Jarosław Kaczyński during the PiS convention.


13:02

Kaczyński Presents 'Five for Agriculture' Plan
We have a plan of our actions, our goals in the European Union. The first point of this plan is to increase our share in the pool that is divided every seven years, divided specifically for agriculture. In this seven-year period that is ending, it was 8%. I want to tell you that we will fight for it to be more - said Jarosław Kaczyński during the PiS convention. - We will steadfastly pursue this, and we are capable of doing it, so that Poland receives the most out of all countries when it comes to this program [PROF] - the PiS chairman continued. - Polish farmers, thanks to the decisions of the PO-PSL coalition, were and still are discriminated against in the European Union. They receive less per hectare than others. We must change this in the negotiations that have already begun - Kaczyński stated. - It must be the case that these smaller and medium-sized farms will have a much, much larger share of these funds. This is our duty - added the PiS leader. - There is a matter of special support for those farms that will, firstly, breed animals that are born here, meaning, one could say, of their own stock, bred using their own feed, and in return receive very significant support. At least, I emphasize at least, 100 PLN per piglet and 500 PLN per cow - announced Kaczyński.

13:07

PJK:

Go and Vote for the Party of the Polish Countryside, Not the Fake One, the Real One. For Law and Justice
Go to these elections. I know they are sometimes considered less important. They are always very important, and this year they are particularly important. Go and vote for the party of the Polish countryside, not the fake one, the real one. For Law and Justice - Jarosław Kaczyński said during the PiS convention.

13:12

PMM:

Architects of the Third Polish Republic Largely Forgot About Rural Poland. Development Skipped Over Polish Villages for 25-30 Years

"It is necessary to vote for representatives who will ensure that Polish law, which is adopted and further strengthened by European law, is the best possible. For you, for rural Poland, for Polish farmers, and therefore for Poland, it is worthwhile and necessary to vote in the May European Parliament elections. This is all the more important because the architects of the Third Polish Republic largely forgot about rural Poland. Development bypassed Polish villages for 25-30 years" – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in Kadzidło, during a PiS convention.


13:13

PMM:

There Must Be a Party for the Polish Countryside. Someone Must Care for the Polish Countryside. It Must Be PiS.

"There must be a party for the Polish countryside. There must be someone who cares for the Polish countryside. There must be a good manager for the Polish countryside. It must be Law and Justice" - said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Kadzidło during a PiS convention. 


13:14

PMM:

A Blow to Rural Poland is a Blow to Urban Poland. A Blow to Rural Poland is a Blow to Poland

We want equality between the member states of the European Union and equality between rural Poland, where 43% of Poles live according to GUS (Central Statistical Office), and urban Poland. This division is one of the greatest harms the Third Polish Republic has inflicted upon rural Poland and urban Poland. A blow to rural Poland is a blow to urban Poland. A blow to rural Poland is a blow to Poland” – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Kadzidło, during a PiS convention. 


13:22

PMM:

Opposition figures fueled hysteria against Polish beef. The European Coalition acted against rural Poland.

There was some confusion with beef recently. We can say that this problem concerned one slaughterhouse. The meat was healthy, only improperly prepared for sale. How did those opposition figures behave then? This needs to be said. They contributed to increasing hysteria against Polish beef. The European Coalition acted against rural Poland, wanting to weaken our ability to reverse this situation, but within a few weeks, we reversed this situation” - Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in Kadzidło, during a PiS convention. 


16:53

Tomorrow:

Talks on Teachers' Dispute. Szydło: Government Ready to Sign Agreement
Tomorrow at 7:00 PM – under immense time pressure – talks will take place. As Dorota Gardias informed us just now, the negotiations have been convened at the request of the government side, the ZNP announced on Twitter. The government is ready to sign an agreement. There is an offer for teachers involving pay raises. Chairman Broniarz states that tomorrow's meeting is too late to end the strike. I am ready to talk even early in the morning, wrote Beata Szydło. https://twitter.com/BeataSzydlo/status/1114540592288104449