Wednesday marks the third day of the teachers' protest – following a lack of agreement during further talks at the Social Dialogue Council (RDS) yesterday. Today, gymnasium exams begin, which is why prominent politicians from the ruling camp have appealed to teachers to suspend their protest for this period. Prime Minister Morawiecki further proposed on TVP to organize a round table on changes in the education system.

At **10:00 AM**, the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court, in its full composition, will consider a legal issue concerning the regularity of appointing new Supreme Court judges. At **11:00 AM**, Minister Beata Kempa will meet with the Minister of Health of Papua New Guinea, Sir Puka Temu. A media briefing is scheduled for **12:30 PM** at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM).

At **12:00 PM**, the Senate's Committee on Family, Senior Policy, and Social Affairs will consider the act on a one-time monetary benefit for pensioners and annuitants in 2019 – this is the so-called 'Emerytura plus' (Retirement Plus) from Kaczyński's 'Five'. The upper house will address the act itself during a two-day session, which begins tomorrow. All indications suggest that the government's proposal will be adopted without amendments and will be sent to the President's desk.

At **1:00 PM**, the Sejm's Committee on Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation will consider and provide an opinion on the opposition's motion for a vote of no confidence in the Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Marek Gróbarczyk. The date for the Sejm's consideration is not yet known.

Also today, the leaders of the 27 EU countries will gather to discuss the latest developments related to Brexit. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will participate in a coordination meeting of the Visegrád Group at **5:00 PM**, an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, is planned for **6:00 PM**, and a working dinner of the European Council members at **6:30 PM**.

- *And tomorrow, the traditional (already seventh) interrogation of Gerald Birgfellner. But for the first time, it will be led by a prosecutor from the District Prosecutor's Office. The newly promoted Renata Śpiewak. It will be interesting to see if there will be a qualitative change,* – wrote Roman Giertych, representing the Austrian businessman, on Twitter yesterday.

Furthermore, negotiations are scheduled to begin today at **12:00 PM** between representatives of taxi drivers and representatives of ministries, including the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior and Administration, and the Ministry of Finance, as well as the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, as informed yesterday by Rafał Piotr Jurek, chairman of the Mazovian branch of NSZZ "Solidarność".

Today marks the 9th anniversary of the Smoleńsk catastrophe.

Between 7:30 AM and 7:35 AM, the Marshals of the Sejm and Senate, along with members of the presidia of both chambers, will lay flowers at the plaques in the Parliament dedicated to President Lech Kaczyński, the victims of the Smoleńsk catastrophe, and Marshal Maciej Płażyński.

At 8:00 AM, a Holy Mass will be held in the seminary church on Krakowskie Przedmieście in memory of the victims. At 8:41 AM, a Roll Call of Remembrance is scheduled in front of the Presidential Palace, and at 9:00 AM, flowers will be laid at the monument to Lech Kaczyński and the Victims of the Smoleńsk Tragedy on Piłsudski Square. At the same time, city commemorations will be underway at Warsaw's Powązki Cemetery, in front of the monument to the victims of the April 10, 2010 catastrophe.

Evening ceremonies will commence at 7:00 PM with a solemn Holy Mass at St. John the Baptist Archcathedral in Warsaw's Old Town, from where a procession, including state authorities, will depart. Politicians will proceed to the Presidential Palace, where around 8:45 PM, speeches by President Andrzej Duda and Law and Justice (PiS) party leader Jarosław Kaczyński are planned.

We are certainly ready to sit down. The information is from the media, admittedly. To sit down and talk. Decisions [regarding the strike suspension] belong to statutory bodies. I cannot say for sure today. I want to remind you that we have wanted to talk with the Prime Minister since December 27, 2017 – stated ZNP deputy head Krzysztof Baszczyński in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I am convinced that this is already a success, that our profession, our dignity, and the Polish school are being discussed. This is truly added value. I didn't say we feel fulfilled. I said this is already a success because this strike has encompassed such a vast number of institutions and employees. I think, I am even convinced, that Ms. Zalewska and the government underestimated the determination of the education community - stated Krzysztof Baszczyński, deputy head of the ZNP (Polish Teachers' Union), in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- Believe me, today parents and students are keeping us going. They are the ones who simply support us, who are with us. This is an extraordinary value - he added.

- The strike was never and is not an end in itself. We wanted to reach an agreement, but unfortunately, this agreement only began on March 25th, and it was a kind of 'chocholi taniec' (a clumsy, drawn-out dance). Whether we suspend or break off the strike will be decided by statutory bodies, but it is certainly a good sign, only very, very late - stated ZNP deputy head Krzysztof Baszczyński in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I would accept what the government says [that there's no money] under one condition. That on February 24th, and we were assured earlier, even at the education committee on February 22nd, that there's no money, that the budget needs to be amended if necessary. And what? A Saturday of miracles? Handing out money. And excuse me, the fact that we're losing to pigs, to horned cattle... We were waiting for at least a moment to be dedicated to teachers at some convention, to what's happening. Yes [we felt hurt and disregarded] - stated ZNP deputy head Krzysztof Baszczyński in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- At this stage, we have not considered it. We are hearing about ideas for an occupation strike. The union leadership does not recommend this form of strike. At this moment, [these are not considered ideas], which does not mean that, for example, a rally or demonstration will not take place - stated the deputy head of ZNP, Krzysztof Baszczyński, in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Interview."

- This is no longer the ZNP strike. This is a strike by the working community. I am in favor of reaching an agreement, but only on normal terms - stated ZNP deputy head Krzysztof Baszczyński in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- Certainly, [we would like to have as partners] individuals who understand education and are objective. We do not want Anna Zalewska [at the round table]. Anna Zalewska has already abused our trust so much. We have been talking with our primary teacher for many, many months. She is not a credible person. I will not comment on or evaluate Mrs. Prime Minister [Szydło]. We have been seeking to engage with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki since at least December 2017. We will not be determining the participants of the round table. We know whom we will nominate, but what the government side will do is truly not our decision or competence - he added.

"The gentlemen [from the Miller commission] decided that it was impossible to accept [that there were two explosions]. They concluded that they would replace the word 'explosion' with the word 'fire.' That is precisely what they did. This is one example that shows these falsehoods were implemented absolutely cynically and were the result of a general directive that Mr. Jerzy Miller formulated at the very beginning, stating that the commission's findings must be the same as the Russian commission's findings." - Antoni Macierewicz from Law and Justice (PiS) stated on Radio Jedynka.

We are certain that the exam will take place in the vast majority of schools. This information is reaching us from both the superintendents' offices and local government officials. We are very, very grateful to them, and to the school principals, because they truly did everything they could to ensure the exam would be held. Whether it will take place in every school, I cannot promise, but I very strongly urge all gimnazjum students, as I did yesterday, to go to school and to take the exam, if it is at all possible - stated Marcin Smolik, Director of the Central Examination Board (CKE), in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Conversation".

"A breakthrough was certainly the technical report from last year, which the commission issued, in which, based on the dispersion of bodies and the destruction of the plane itself, the thesis was formulated that the plane was destroyed by an explosion in the air," Antoni Macierewicz of PiS said on Radio Jedynka. "We have all the evidence irrefutably stating that the plane was blown up."

- From yesterday's announcement by the President of Warsaw, it indicated that yesterday, at a specific time, there were about 170 people, but we also know that it was a very dynamically developing situation and these people were co-opted into the supervisory teams. Today we have information that exams in Warsaw will proceed without problems - stated Marcin Smolik, Director of the Central Examination Commission (CKE), in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Interview" program.

„It is as if one were to say that the key to solving the Katyn massacre lies in Moscow. In a sense, of course, but we would never have learned the truth about Katyn if it hadn't been for the American commission, if it hadn't been for the years-long efforts from the Polish side, the government-in-exile, and émigré circles, but also the opposition in Poland” - Antoni Macierewicz of PiS said on Radio Jedynka - „The same applies to the Smolensk tragedy. The thesis I have read, that the key lies in Moscow, is a thesis that condemns us to giving up on discovering the truth, because it lies in Moscow in the same way as the Katyn truth lies in Moscow. Through agency”.

- I think there may be such students, there may be cases of students who, heading to an exam, won't be entirely sure if they will actually take that exam. Yes [everyone should go to school] – stated CKE director Marcin Smolik in a conversation with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

On this occasion, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister published a short video online.

https://twitter.com/PremierRP/status/1115857525746872320

- I have no doubt that this is a political strike, that the organizers of this strike, I'm not talking about the participants, because there are many teachers there, who probably have completely different political views, but I am talking about the organizers, Mr. Broniarz, a long-time MP from SLD, who is now the vice-president of ZNP, and Mr. Baszczyński - these are politicians. For years, they have been politically friendly, first with SLD, then with Civic Platform. We have all seen them many times at anti-government demonstrations, also leaving the Civic Platform headquarters. I am convinced that the date of this strike was set by PO politicians many months ago. The election calendar has been known in Poland for years - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Marek Pyza on TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour".

- Everyone participating in this strike, even if they are not entirely satisfied with the government's proposals, should ask themselves: do they want to participate in the political plans of Mr. Schetyna and Mr. Broniarz, or do they really believe that Civic Platform will be a more teacher-friendly government. I think there has never been a more pro-social government in Poland's history than ours - added the Deputy Speaker of the Senate.

"

There is certainly no such decision [to suspend the strike] and there will be no such decision. A Round Table proposal from a person who was not a supporter of the Round Table is a bold thesis. Now is not the time for various tables, triangles, and other things, but for serious negotiations" - said Sławomir Wittkowicz from the Forum of Trade Unions in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

„Prime Minister Morawiecki had a chance to [sit down for talks] yesterday. I don't really know why the meeting even took place, since Prime Minister Szydło was only going to tell us about the fantastic agreement that was reached between the government and NSZZ Solidarność,” Sławomir Wittkowicz from the Forum of Trade Unions told Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

„These were not negotiations, it was a statement delivered by Prime Minister Szydło that her proposal was for us to sign onto the Sunday agreement and ZNP, which has already been rejected not only by FZZ and ZNP, but primarily by strike committees. This represents over 15,000 institutions and approximately 500 to 600 thousand striking people,” he added. 

“I said that in this matter [the Smolensk catastrophe] I don't have a clear opinion. I am a rational person. I like accuracy, precision. Official matters count for me. I have learned that. If I am not sure, I don't speak. I have immense respect and distance,” said Tadeusz Cymański from Law and Justice (PiS) in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski in "Sedno Sprawy" on Radio Plus. 

"Conviction is a strong word, but I have hope and conviction that this [Swiss Franc] act will come into effect, especially the first part, because it is intended to be helpful," said Tadeusz Cymański from PiS in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on 'Sedno Sprawy' (The Core of the Matter) on Radio Plus.

"I know there have been significant controversies, statements from banks, as well as announcements of challenging this act," he added.

Today, gimnazjum exams are taking place in all schools across Poland. In only two institutions were students unable to commence their exams today due to the directors' stance.

I have very good news for you. The first part of today's exams is behind us. The history and social studies exams have taken place. Only in three schools across Poland did unforeseen situations occur, while in the remaining schools nationwide, the exams proceeded without disruption – stated Anna Zalewska at a press conference. The history exam at 9:00 AM was conducted in all schools except for three. The Polish language exam is about to begin. Of the three schools, the exam will be held in two, meaning the Polish exam will not be conducted in only one school.

- Thank you very much for that question. I'm very pleased that the exams are proceeding without disruption - stated Anna Zalewska at a press conference, when asked if she was considering not running in the European Parliament elections, in connection with the situation in education.

- Regarding the round table, we have been emphasizing for a long time that it is necessary to discuss the salary structure, teacher salaries, so that further increases in funding or teacher salaries proceed as quickly as possible. It is a good idea. We hope that those invited will sit at this round table and that we will be able to make various decisions relatively efficiently and quickly - stated Anna Zalewska at a press conference.

- On April 10th, now on the 9th anniversary of the Smolensk tragedy, we are here at Wawel to pray, and at the same time to pay tribute and remembrance to those who perished. Primarily to President Lech Kaczyński and his wife, President Maria Kaczyńska, but also to all those who left us so unexpectedly then. And I am glad, I am thankful that we accept this, that it is so important to us. This remembrance of people who departed in the service of the homeland, fulfilling their duties to the Polish state, a duty of remembrance, because after all, they went to pay homage to the Polish officers murdered in Katyn in 1940. And I am glad that today we are here together, we can honor their memory, because we miss them very much. It's a pity they are not with us. Perhaps many things in Poland would look different, perhaps better, if they were. These people from all sides of the political scene who went to Katyn then and who departed from us forever, and faithfully served the Republic of Poland. I thank everyone who honors their memory and remembers and prays for their souls - stated President Andrzej Duda in an interview with journalists in Krakow.

- The government, with its PiS councilor, the head of the teachers' solidarity, is signing some separatist agreement, breaking the solidarity of the teachers. The flames are fanned by the fact that Minister Zalewska and Deputy Prime Minister Szydło and Ms. Rafalska – who are conducting negotiations – are in the election campaign, and will soon be in Brussels in the EP. Let's hope not, let's hope the voters will send them the bill – stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Marek Kacprzak on the program "Tłit" WP.

“Someone has been deceiving us. Not long ago, we heard there was no money in the budget, and then, with every PiS convention, it turns out there's money for more electoral promises. We have submitted a proposal to Mr. Marshal Kuchciński to expand the Sejm's agenda to include full information from Prime Minister Morawiecki regarding the sources of funding for Kaczyński's 'Five' and why there is no money for teacher pay raises,” said Ryszard Petru at a press conference in the Sejm.

“Instead of 500+ for the first child, give 250 for the first child. The savings generated from this would be enough for teachers to receive an additional thousand zlotys every month. The budget is not made of rubber. This has been known for a long time. One can ask what good it is for a family to receive 500 zlotys per child when the father dies in the emergency room after waiting 9 hours in line. In Poland, there is a whole host of other, more pressing needs than 500 zlotys per child and a thirteenth pension,” he added.

- Hope and Responsibility: On the Constitution, Europe, and Free Elections.
Liberté! and the Tadeusz Mazowiecki Chair at the University of Warsaw invite you to a speech by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, on the occasion of the anniversary of the adoption of the May 3rd Constitution. We invite everyone for whom the Constitution, European values, and the future of Polish democracy are important – write the organizers in the invitation to the event, which was published on Facebook.

The President of the European Council will deliver his speech on May 3rd at 2:00 PM at the University of Warsaw.

„We are on the third day of the strike. Today is an important day, as it is the day of the gimnazjum exams. We are glad that these exams have largely proceeded without disruption. Let's be honest: once again, it is the local government that is saving the government and the representatives of PiS. It is thanks to local government officials and school principals that these exams have taken place without problems” - said the leader of Nowoczesna, Katarzyna Lubnauer, at a press conference in the Sejm.

„We realize that gimnazjum and eighth-grade exams can be conducted in this manner, but the matura exams cannot be conducted this way. We are asking Minister Zalewska for information on both the course of the exams, preparations for further exams, and the course of the wage negotiations” - she added.

„The exams that are being conducted in schools do not disrupt our strike action in any way. The strike, in addition to middle schools, is also ongoing in kindergartens, primary schools, and high schools. The mere fact that teachers participated in these exams does not disrupt, does not break our strike actions in any way” - stated the head of ZNP, Sławomir Broniarz, at a press conference.

„Never, since childhood, has a teacher turned away from a student. The fact that this exam took place in such an emotional and nervous atmosphere is solely the fault of Minister Zalewska. We have been informing about these events we are currently dealing with since January 10th. The government has once again proven that the interests of this community are pushed to the margins. Unfortunately, I say this with regret, yesterday's speech by Prime Minister Morawiecki poured oil on the fire. If the prime minister thought he was calming the community in any way, he achieved the opposite of his intended effect” - he added.

"We are not considering suspending the strike action. Meetings of the statutory bodies of both organizations are being held. For now, there is no such discussion. We have an action plan. It is no secret that we are prepared for various scenarios" - said the head of ZNP, Sławomir Broniarz, at a press conference.

"I believe that [the way the middle school exam was conducted] is a failure of the Ministry of National Education and the Central Examination Commission. Unfortunately, as teachers, we must take into account that, looking at the content of the regulation adopted by the Minister of Education, appeals against the conduct of the exam may arise, based on the assumption that the legal construction of this regulation is flawed," said Sławomir Broniarz, head of ZNP, at a press conference.

"The Ministry did everything to turn the exams upside down. This is unacceptable. According to the law, only teachers can participate in exams. The Commissioner for Human Rights pointed this out. We have spoken about this many times, most recently warning MPs. It turns out that external individuals, who are not teachers, are working at the exams. These include catechists, priests, nuns, firefighters, and the Prison Service. But something extraordinary has also happened. I think my fellow teachers will draw a far-reaching conclusion from this. There are local governments that pay external individuals even 450 zlotys a day. I'm talking about Zgierz. Until now, we were told that the work of a teacher who comes to an exam, who is on the supervisory committee, is treated as volunteer work. It turns out that money can be found" - said the Vice-President of ZNP, Krzysztof Baszczyński, at a press conference.

„Today, impudence and arrogance have the face of Anna Zalewska, who completely disregards the tremendous work done by local government officials, mayors, town leaders, village heads, school principals, and teachers who did not abandon their students and administered the exams. For this, thanks are due to them, not Minister Zalewska. Minister Zalewska deserves to be dismissed. We are greatly surprised that at the upcoming Sejm session, which begins tomorrow, our motion for a vote of no confidence in Minister Zalewska is not being considered. If she has such successes and PiS wants to defend her like their own independence, then we are surprised that the debate about Minister Zalewska's dismissal is not on the agenda for tomorrow's session” – stated Sławomir Neumann, head of the Civic Platform (PO-KO) parliamentary club, at a press conference in the Sejm.

"Polish psychiatry is collapsing, and that's why perhaps such an effect," said Sławomir Neumann, head of the Civic Platform-Civic Coalition (PO-KO) parliamentary club, in the Sejm during a press conference, referring to Antoni Macierewicz's morning statement on Polish Radio, in which the former Minister of National Defence stated that there is "evidence undeniably stating that the plane was blown up." "I will not comment on Macierewicz's theories, which we've been hearing for 9 years. For 3 years, a subcommittee has been operating within the Ministry of National Defence. It has been ridiculed. Mr. Macierewicz's friend, Wacek Berczyński, managed to escape to the United States and doesn't appear. Experts have gone silent, and he tells his stories with every new election," he added.

I want to very sincerely thank all the teachers, educators, school principals, voivodes, superintendents, all people of goodwill who today contributed to the fact that young people could start their exams all over Poland. For many of them, this is the first exam, the one that is always remembered the longest. I thank you very sincerely, because above all, you have passed a great exam today, an exam of goodwill, of this sense of duty and responsibility. I thank the teachers and educators for being with their students, the school principals for assembling the examination committees, the superintendents, the voivodes, everyone who supervised, helped, and supported this process. The gimnazjum exams have begun. Tomorrow is another day ahead of us, and this examination process, which will last until May, I deeply believe, will proceed calmly, just as it did today, because this is precisely the most important task that currently stands before the school principals, teachers, and educators. Once again, on behalf of all of us, I want to very sincerely thank the teachers, educators, school principals, voivodes, superintendents, all of you who volunteered to work in the examination committees. This is truly a sign of great responsibility, and for that, you deserve these thanks - stated Beata Szydło at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM). The exams after the first day proceeded calmly. In those two or three cases where there were problems, in two of them, the youth have already taken the exams, while the one case Minister Zalewska is explaining in detail - added the Deputy Prime Minister.

- Regarding the statement by the Deputy Chairman of ZNP, I am not a teacher. I assume the Deputy Chairman of ZNP is probably no longer in that role and doesn't work as a teacher, as he is an official in the union. However, he was a teacher, and I think it is unbecoming of a teacher to use such phrasing [that they are losing to pigs and cattle], especially since we are currently dealing with administering exams to young people. We should maintain seriousness, calm, and keep our emotions in check. The talks are still open; we are still ready to talk. An agreement has been prepared. We are ready to sign it at any time, if ZNP decides it wants to talk or sign the agreement, we are [ready] to sit down at the table and do it at any time - stated Beata Szydło at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

"We have spring news, joyful, enthusiastic, positive. Our electoral committee, the electoral committee of Wiosna (Spring) by Robert Biedroń, is the first committee in Poland to register its lists, lists with signatures. We were the first to gather these lists and we are the first to report to the election commission to do something that opens a new chapter in Polish politics. To introduce change, to change the face of Polish politics. Thanks to all these signatures, we can proudly say that we are not only the fastest, but also the best when it comes to collecting signatures" - stated Robert Biedroń at a briefing in Warsaw.

„I wanted to ask where the Prime Minister is. With such a massive protest, the largest strike since 1993, the most widespread, in a situation where over 2 million children are not attending school, this is a crisis situation, and the Prime Minister is nowhere to be found. The one who makes decisions and distributes money for cows, for pigs, but doesn't find it for teachers, is also absent today” - said the leader of Wiosna, Robert Biedroń, at a press conference.

- The second part of the exam, which began at 11:00 AM, is now behind us. This was the Polish language exam. All these exams in all schools proceeded lawfully and according to procedures. Only one school remains, which also did not conduct the Civic Education and History exam. I want to thank the school principals and volunteers who supported the exams today once again. Great respect to them - stated Anna Zalewska at a press conference.

- There are no disruptions. The exams are proceeding calmly, in accordance with the law and procedures. Therefore, there are no reasons to change anything in the school calendar - stated Anna Zalewska at a press conference.

Information about the registration of candidate lists in a total of four constituencies for the European Parliament elections was shared on Twitter by the Chairman of the Executive Committee, Krzysztof Sobolewski, who is practically one of the most important figures at Nowogrodzka Street.

- And this is interesting, because during this spring conference, PiS registered its list - Sobolewski wrote, referring to Robert Biedroń's statement earlier today that Wiosna was the fastest.

https://twitter.com/ac_sobol/status/1115990932569174016?s=21

https://twitter.com/ac_sobol/status/1115973892470915073?s=21

https://twitter.com/ac_sobol/status/1115973558214246400?s=21

https://twitter.com/ac_sobol/status/1115629028139044864?s=21

„Poland has always advocated, first and foremost, for preventing a no-deal Brexit, because such a hard Brexit would be detrimental to our citizens. It would not only be difficult for the United Kingdom but would also be difficult for Poland and the entire European Union. A hard Brexit is a hard landing, and we want to develop our relations as best as possible, including with the United Kingdom. That is why we were keen to work out a situation where overcoming this ratification crisis in the UK would be possible. I advocated for this during the previous European Council, and our stance, which prevented this conditioning towards the United Kingdom, which was a kind of backing into a corner, has made this option possible today – the option of extending Brexit by a few more months” - Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said before the European Council meeting.

On Thursday at 11:00 AM, the Sejm will hold the second reading of the amendment proposed by PiS, which reduces the copper tax by 15%. The decrease of this levy was one of the conditions set by the Non-Party Local Government Officials (Bezpartyjni Samorządowcy) and was included in the coalition agreement with PiS. Today, the parliamentary committee on public finance considered this project, and the entire matter could be adopted during Friday's voting block between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

- We know that three days after Mr. Birgfellner testified that he handed over 50,000 [zł] in an envelope to Jarosław Kaczyński for a priest, 40 billion [zł] appeared to cover up this information. Therefore, teachers have a right to believe that if 40 billion can be pulled out of thin air without the Finance Minister's agreement, then a few billion for them should also be found - stated Radosław Sikorski in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

- "[Antoni Macierewicz] says this as the vice-chairman of the ruling party, and Kaczyński and Macierewicz managed to convince 24% of our compatriots that even though there is no shadow of evidence. This is some kind of rebellion against fact, empiricism, the legacy of the Enlightenment, against a scientific approach to reality, that one can believe in something for which there is no shadow of evidence," Radosław Sikorski stated in an interview with Monika Olejnik on "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.

- "This dancing on coffins, on graves… I knew 80% of the people on board, I myself was invited and was the first member of the government to learn about the catastrophe, and this appropriation of this national tragedy by PiS and this lie, these slander, this accusation that we murdered our friends – all of this is so vile. I don't understand why people who now know that there was no assassination, but perhaps were initially deceived, don't feel anger at what was done, at the use of such a tragedy for politics," the former Minister of Foreign Affairs continued.

Today's extraordinary European Council meeting in Brussels, initiated at the request of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Smolensk air disaster. EU leaders convened to discuss Brexit.

"The government failed to make Poles hate the European Union, and they understand that if they lose these elections [to the EP], they might lose subsequent ones" - said former Minister of Foreign Affairs, now a candidate for the EP, Radosław Sikorski, in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i". "Today [in the EU] we are in a corner, we are losing votes, not only on Tusk, but on truck drivers. We are under scrutiny, instead of being in the group holding power".

“His [Donald Tusk’s] term is ending. Treaties prohibit him from holding national office, but they do not prohibit him from supporting pro-European forces across Europe” – stated Radosław Sikorski, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and currently a candidate for the European Parliament (EP) for the European Commission (EC), in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24’s program “Kropka nad i” (Dot on the i).

-- EUROPEAN COUNCIL BEGAN WITH A MINUTE OF SILENCE - WE WERE INFORMED BY THE PRIME MINISTER'S COLLABORATOR: Today's extraordinary European Council session began with a minute of silence at the Prime Minister's request, commemorating the anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe.

-- 300POLITYKA LIVEBLOG: Sikorski: Treaties prohibit Tusk from holding national office, but do not prohibit him from supporting pro-European forces.

The Sejm is concluding work on reducing the copper tax.

Prime Minister: A hard Brexit is like a hard landing, and we want to develop our relations, including with Great Britain, as best as possible.

https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/04/10/

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POLSAT EVENTS -- FIRST THERE WAS STRESS, NOW UNIVERSAL RELIEF - THE TEACHERS' STRIKE DID NOT HINDER THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMS - announcement. -- IN THREE SCHOOLS, STRESS WAS UNAVOIDABLE - Piotr Michalak: The history exam, and in one case also the Polish language exam, had to be canceled. -- WE HAVE COMPLETED THE THIRD DAY OF THE STRIKE, BUT WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT'S NEXT - announcement. -- THE FIRST DAY OF EXAMS WAS A KIND OF "TEST" FOR THE STRIKE - Dariusz Ociepa: Even a superficial analysis of the situation must lead union leaders to a simple conclusion. Since the exams were successfully conducted today, they will likely be conducted tomorrow and the day after. This raises the question: what idea do the unionists have for further protest. -- SOME TEACHERS ARE SUGGESTING AN OCCUPATION STRIKE - Ociepa continues: Occupying schools would effectively enable the exams to be conducted. ZNP and the Federation of Unions are against it. However, not all striking teachers are members of one or the other union. -- IT'S A CLICHÉ FROM WHICH UNIONISTS CAN TRY TO ESCAPE BY USING ANOTHER TRICK - Ociepa: The condition for conducting the matriculation exams is to convene a pedagogical council and then issue grades on the matriculation certificates. Teachers, as can be quietly heard, might not do this as part of the strike. -- THE GOVERNMENT SIDE HOPES THAT IN THE COMING DAYS OF THE STRIKE, SYMPATHY WILL TURN AWAY FROM TEACHERS - Ociepa continues: Public sentiment can be crucial for the fate of this protest. The second element is the issue of remuneration for teachers during the strike. Some local government officials declare they will transfer money. However, the government and the Regional Audit Offices indicate that such gestures from local government officials will be questioned. -- A LONGER STRIKE MAY THEREFORE HIT TEACHERS' POCKETS HARD - Ociepa. -- TOMORROW THE UNIONISTS ARE TO PRESENT AN IDEA REGARDING THE STRIKE FUND. -- PRIME MINISTER MORAWIECKI PROPOSED A ROUND TABLE, WHICH WOULD TAKE PLACE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS - Ociepa. -- DARK CLOUDS ARE GATHERING OVER THE LEADER OF THE TEACHERS' "SOLIDARITY," RYSZARD PROKSY'S RESIGNATION - WHO WAS THE ONLY ONE TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT - SEVERAL REGIONS ARE ALREADY DEMANDING IT - announcement. -- REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNION MET TODAY IN WARSAW, IT'S THE SO-CALLED CRISIS STAFF - Grzegorz Kępka: Opposition from some unionists in "Solidarity" is caused by the agreement signed with the government by Ryszard Proksa. -- FOUR REGIONS ARE DEMANDING PROKSY'S RESIGNATION - Kępka continues. -- 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE. ***** TVN FACTS -- It was achieved thanks to the great commitment, diligence, and goodwill of teachers, school principals, local government officials, and education office employees. The middle school exams were conducted in almost all schools in Poland, with a few exceptions. This does not mean the end of the strike. -- THERE IS NO DISSONANCE BECAUSE WE ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR DIGNITY - a teacher. -- PRINCIPALS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION OFFICES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EFFECTIVELY PREPARED FOR THIS DAY - Arleta Zalewska. -- ZALEWSKA, UNLIKE IN RECENT DAYS, SPOKE TWICE AT A CONFERENCE - Zalewska. -- HE LIKES TO TAKE CREDIT FOR OTHERS' SUCCESSES - Broniarz. -- THE EXPECTATION THAT SHE WOULD PREVENT SUCH SITUATIONS SEEMS REASONABLE - Zalewska on the exam in a striking school. -- IN A REPORT ABOUT A commission in one of the schools lacking qualifications. -- Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki invites unionists to a round table on education issues. They accept the invitation with full awareness that this may be an escape forward and a game of time. They will check if the Prime Minister lays money on the table, or a document he calls an agreement. -- Bitter words concern recent announcements by the PiS chairman regarding subsidies for animal husbandry. But it's not just about money - Knapik. -- WKK: Do not promise after the end of the round table protest, but sit down at the table today. -- The Mayor of Ciechanów presents a legal opinion stating that it is sufficient for the school management to enter into an appropriate agreement with the Polish Teachers' Union, and the remuneration can be legally paid - Knapik. -- ZNP says the government is trying to intimidate the community. The lack of agreement is also evidenced by the situation repeated for weeks where teachers talk about their real earnings, and government politicians stubbornly cite amounts even twice as high - Knapik. -- These inflated amounts come from statistical calculations and include, for example, severance pay for retirement, paid at the end of a career, not monthly. PiS politicians point out to their predecessors that they did the same - Knapik. -- In Smolensk, Katyn, Warsaw, Krakow - in many other cities and cemeteries, ceremonies were held for the ninth anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe. They will last until late evening. Nine years ago, 96 people died in the plane crash near Smolensk, including President Lech Kaczyński. -- For nine years, it has been the cause of diplomatic disputes with Russia and an object of political maneuvering in Poland. The Tupolev wreckage still lies in a hangar at the Smolensk airport. Platforms' governments failed to retrieve it. PiS has promised this many times, but what has it done in this matter? -- THE HEAD OF THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE IS NOT RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RETURN OF THE WRECKAGE - Sobieniowski. -- BŁASZCZAK'S SILENCE IS ALL THE MORE SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THE SMOLENSK COMMISSION IS WITHIN THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE - Sobieniowski. -- THE QUESTION IS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DID APART FROM THE RE RESOLUTION - Sobieniowski. -- BEFORE TAKING OFFICE, MACIEREWICZ ASSURED THAT ALL THAT WAS NEEDED WAS THE WILL - Sobieniowski. -- WHAT CAN WE DO AGAINST A SUPERPOWER... - Jacek Świat. ***** TVP NEWS -- 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE. -- THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION INFORMED THAT DESPITE ZNP'S ATTEMPTS TO TORPEDO THE EXAMS, THE TESTS WERE CONDUCTED WITHOUT DISRUPTIONS - announcement: Only in 3 schools were there unforeseen situations. -- ZNP TRIED AT ALL COSTS TO BLOCK THE EXAM. THE UNIONISTS' ACTION PROVED UNSUCCESSFUL - Marcin Szypszak. -- REPLACING STRIKING TEACHERS WITH PEDAGOGUES DID NOT PLEASE ZNP AUTHORITIES - Marcin Tulicki. -- THE PRIME MINISTER PROPOSES A ROUND TABLE ON THE SITUATION IN EDUCATION - Tulicki. -- CHAOS WAS AVOIDED, AND IT IS HARD TO AVOID THE IMPRESSION THAT NOT EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM THIS - Tulicki.

It has been 9 years. This is a considerable period in a person's life, but it is already significant even in the annals of nations. Over these 9 years, many events have occurred in various parts of the world that have changed the course of history. They have reshaped societies and governments. One might ask why, today in Poland, which is certainly very different from what it was nine years ago, we still remember, organize various events, masses, meetings, and rallies to commemorate those who perished. Of course, the tragic deaths of 96 Poles are in themselves a very strong premise, seemingly sufficient. But we know how short societal memory can be. Here, in this case, it is about something more. The expedition to Smolensk, to Katyn, was not an ordinary trip. It was the fulfillment of a mission, a mission that encompassed matters far broader than just remembering those who were murdered 70 years prior – now almost 80 – back then. It was about Poland regaining something extremely important that had been taken from us, not only during the terrible years of World War II, but also later, after World War II, and also after 1989. That is, regaining the right to truth, and in the case of our nation, this right to truth is also a right to dignity, to the feeling that our nation has fulfilled its obligations at various very difficult times, often at enormous cost, without expecting payment and without receiving it from others. This truth has been and is still questioned by very many, but if we want to regain what is rightfully ours, that is, the status of a great European nation, we must fight for this truth. President Lech Kaczyński understood this well, and we understand it today, our current president Andrzej Duda understands it, and that is why we continue these meetings, these ceremonies, we continue this mission. We do not allow those who do not want it, who oppose it, to succeed. To silence us, to say, to close, to eliminate, to subject the nation's memory to amnesia, about how it really was, what Polish history looked like, how much heroism, sacrifice, and struggle for the highest values, with freedom at the forefront, it contained. And that is why we must continue on this path. The current president and government are on this path, and it is extremely important that all of us, as many Poles as possible, understand this and continue on this path – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the ceremonies related to the 9th anniversary of the Smolensk disaster.

- Today's meeting, today's march, the fact that after 9 years we are still here, that we attend Mass every month, is a testament that within us, at least within many Poles, there is this necessary strength, determination, and hope. And it is with this faith and hope that I speak these words. I appeal to you: remember this tragedy, those who died, because although they were different in many ways, at that moment they were united, in this one goal, so important for our nation. But also remember that we still have much to do to make our society, our nation united, to have a sense of strength, significance, and to have a sense of internal justice. Justice, which is so necessary for a nation to truly be a nation, to be a community. Yes, we must remember, but we must also think about the future. We must think about the decisions that lie before us. About decisions that will perhaps be decisive for the further fate of our nation. Poland must win. Poles must win - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the ceremonies related to the 9th anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe.

"The President [Lech Kaczyński] wanted a strong Poland, and that was the message and goal of his life. Something he dreamed of and pursued with immense determination. That flight to Smolensk was not a sentimental trip to the graves of Polish officers" - said President Andrzej Duda during the 9th anniversary commemoration of the Smolensk catastrophe. 

„When today, after 9 years, we look at ourselves and at the Republic, let's say it openly, we are like a man who has lost an arm. It won't grow back. Just as nothing will replace them. They are gone, and they are greatly missed. They were wonderful, and at the same time experienced people. Politicians with great political experience and very often with a very significant political legacy, soldiers with combat experience, people selflessly dedicating themselves to organizing patriotic life, historical memory, everything that is so important for the durability of the nation, the state, for building ethos. We have lost what is undoubtedly the best” - said President Andrzej Duda during the commemorations of the 9th anniversary of the Smoleńsk catastrophe.