Live Feed

04/15/2019

06:05

Monday's Political Agenda: Continued Teachers' Strike, Zalewska and Civic Platform Press Conferences, PM Morawiecki in Brussels, Brudziński in Zielona Góra
  • "The Presidium of the Main Board has decided to continue the strike, conducted within the framework of a collective dispute, and to request the Prime Minister to immediately initiate talks with the Polish Teachers' Union with the participation of an external mediator," said Sławomir Broniarz in a conversation with journalists. Thus, the protest will continue this week, although it will likely be suspended for the holiday period. The eighth-grade exams also begin today.
  • At 9:30 AM, an "Evacuation Action" press conference will be held in front of the PiS headquarters in Warsaw with the participation of Civic Platform MPs Marcin Kierwiński, Cezary Tomczyk, and Mariusz Witczak. At 10:30 AM, a press briefing will take place with the participation of the head of the Ministry of National Education, Anna Zalewska, Deputy Minister Maciej Kopeć, and the Director of the Central Examination Commission, Marcin Smolik.
  • Prime Minister Morawiecki will continue his visit to Brussels, which began yesterday. Today's schedule includes meetings with the Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič – at 9:30 AM, the Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, Günther Oettinger – at 10:30 AM, as well as participation in the ceremony for signing the financing agreement for the Baltic Pipe project from the CEF fund – at 11:20 AM.
  • At 1:00 PM in Zielona Góra, the Minister of the Interior and Administration, Joachim Brudziński, will meet with officers who will be on duty during the Easter holidays. Representatives from the Police, the State Fire Service, the Border Guard, and the State Protection Service will participate in the meeting with the minister.

07:30

Sasin on the Eighth-Grade Exam: It Appears This Exam Should Take Place in All Schools

- This is indeed the good news we can share with our listeners. I even have information from the Ministry of National Education from today, indicating that it appears this exam should take place in all schools - Jacek Sasin said in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on Jedynka radio's "Sygnały Dnia".


07:36

Sasin:

A 15% Raise. That's All We Can Afford Right Now. We Cannot Put Another Zloty on the Table in These Negotiations, as It Would Be Irresponsible
- This is [the government's proposal of] a 15% raise. The ZNP [Polish Teachers' Union] insists on 30%. We proposed meeting somewhere in the middle. This 15% is a very realistic offer. It's a realistic raise of over 500 PLN gross for the average teacher. This is all we can afford right now. We simply cannot put another zloty on the table in these negotiations, because it would be irresponsible. It would simply mean entering into certain virtual commitments that we would be unable to fulfill - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały Dnia" on Jedynka radio.

07:53

Gowin:

School Strike is Government's Main Concern Right Now

- The school strike is the government's main concern right now. I'm talking about the official state structures. From the government's perspective, this is the most serious problem. We are aware of the huge difficulty this poses for millions of families. We have negotiated - in my opinion - a very favorable agreement with a part of the teaching community. We hope that those who are currently on strike will join this group - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Talk".


07:57

Gowin:

I Asked the Prime Minister to Include Me in the Government Delegation for Roundtable Talks on Education

- Prime Minister Morawiecki invited the teaching community to a roundtable. This weekend, I asked the Prime Minister to include me in the government delegation as well. I [don't want to be a mediator]. I am a party to this, I am a representative of the government. I would like to transfer certain experiences from the dialogue between the government and the academic community to the dialogue with the teaching community. And I would also like to check to what extent the elites of the teaching community are ready for pro-quality solutions. We both know perfectly well that even if we raise teachers' salaries higher than the government proposes, it will not solve other equally pressing problems. - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".


08:01

Gowin on Teacher Salary Increases: 'We Have Reached the Limit of the Polish Budget's Capabilities Regarding Pay Solutions. We Will Not Retreat Further.'

- 'We have reached, regarding pay solutions, the limit of the Polish budget's capabilities. We will not retreat further. In pay matters, I do not see such possibilities. This is the unambiguous position of the government. However, teachers complain about excessive bureaucracy in schools. The first example that comes to mind – teachers complain that the core curriculum is overloaded. A second example – a reliable dialogue is needed around these issues' – stated Jarosław Gowin in a conversation with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's 'Rozmowa Piaseckiego'.


08:13

Broniarz on Potential Matura Blockade: "I Won't Be Convinced That the Union and Teachers Are to Blame; The Main Responsibility Lies With Those Who Downplayed This Issue"

- This is not solely the responsibility of us teachers. I am aware of the situation and the decisions made by the union. However, I would like to point out that this is not just the responsibility of us teachers. It is also the responsibility of the government - Sławomir Broniarz said in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

- I have remorse for many reasons, but I will not be convinced that the union and teachers are to blame for this state of affairs, because the absolute main blame lies with those who downplayed this issue - Broniarz added.


08:14

Gowin:

A Serious Discussion Awaits – Likely After Elections – on the Gap Between Low Public Sector Salaries and High Social Benefits

- A serious discussion awaits us – I think it will happen after the elections – regarding the relationship between the level of remuneration in the public sector, which is too low, and the level of social benefits, which has become very high. These two lines have dangerously converged, perhaps flattened too much. This is certainly a topic for the next term - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I believe we have also hit a wall [regarding social transfers]. Just as we have hit a wall when it comes to raising teachers' salaries - he added.

- If we were to meet teachers' salary expectations, we would naturally have to allocate billions of zlotys to academic staff as well, who are also earning far too little. Every government must ensure wage order, otherwise the state and social bonds begin to fall apart - the Deputy Prime Minister continued.


08:18

Broniarz:

The School Year Calendar is Very Flexible. We've Changed Laws in Four Hours in This Country. It Seems We Can Also Change the Regulation on School Year Organization

- It seems that this protest is not escalating to such an extent, not stretching the strings so much, that we could say we are reaching some limit. The school year calendar is a very flexible calendar. We have changed laws in this country within four hours. Therefore, it seems that we are also capable of changing the regulation regarding the organization of the school year - Sławomir Broniarz said in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News's "Graffiti".


08:24

Broniarz on Schetyna's Promises: No One Will Give You As Much As A Politician Promises. Especially When They Are Running. Today I Appeal To Those Who Govern

- I have a perhaps trite, but in my opinion very true saying. No one will give you as much as a politician promises. Especially when they are running. If Grzegorz Schetyna is not governing today, then today I appeal to those who are governing - said Sławomir Broniarz in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News' "Graffiti".


08:24

Gowin:

If it were up to me, the 500+ program would also cover the first child, but with different proportions

- I've said before, if I recall correctly in a conversation with you, if it were up to me, yes, the 500+ program would also cover the first child, but with different proportions. Perhaps PLN 250 for the first child, PLN 500 for the second, PLN 750 for the third, or perhaps PLN 1000 for the third, because then this program would have a stronger pro-demographic effect - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".


08:27

Gowin:

Reconstruction Makes Little Sense Not Only Before Holidays, But Also Before EP Elections

- That question is for the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has a completely free hand here. In my assessment, a reconstruction not only before the holidays but before the EP elections makes little sense. It's the Prime Minister's decision, and I will accept any decision. We agreed that the Prime Minister has a free hand in this matter - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Conversation".


08:34

Dworczyk:

Of Course, the Prime Minister Wants to Talk to Teachers, Just Like Other Professional Groups

- Of course, the Prime Minister wants to talk to teachers, just like other professional groups. So far, at a certain stage, he has joined the talks with teachers, appointing Prime Minister Szydło to the discussions, to indicate how important it is from the government's perspective to find consensus and reach an agreement with the teaching community, and it has been partially successful. The government signed an agreement with "Solidarity" - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.


08:40

Dworczyk:

Teachers' Strike is Becoming Radicalized in Places. If We See Slogans Like 'Only Pigs Supervise Exams', and Teachers Who Stayed with Children are Being Hated, This is Heading in the Wrong Direction

Indeed, we are observing some surprising trends concerning teachers, because striking, like any professional group, teachers have the right to strike, but the strike is becoming radicalized in places. If we see slogans like 'Only pigs supervise exams', if teachers, and these are not isolated cases, who have stayed with the children, who are conducting exams, are somehow – to put it colloquially – being hated or put under pressure, then this is heading in the wrong direction. I know this is a margin, fortunately, because the majority of teachers prioritize children, the good of children. Nevertheless, such cases do occur, and we must appeal to ZNP [Polish Teachers' Union] so that the union's activists do not radicalize sentiments and so that we can work together towards an agreement – stated Michał Dworczyk in a conversation with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet. 


08:41

Miller on 'Nie': When Controversial Articles Appeared, Journalists and the Editorial Staff Paid Attention to Source Credibility, Because From the Very Beginning This Was an Editorial Office Under Scrutiny

I have a rather critical opinion of Mr. Jerzy Urban, but one thing characterized that editorial office almost from its inception. When various controversial articles appeared there, the journalists and editorial staff paid attention to the credibility of the sources, because from the very beginning this was an editorial office under scrutiny. Every lost lawsuit taught them something. Please do not expect me to say what it is really like. For many weeks, there has been talk in Warsaw about some mysterious tape, recordings, but no one has seen this tape. I know that among journalists there is a lot of reserve regarding the credibility of these materials. Until this mythical tape sees the light of day, we will be immersed in various kinds of speculation” – said former Prime Minister and European Parliament candidate Leszek Miller in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on TOK FM Radio’s Morning Show. 


08:42

Dworczyk on the Round Table: An invitation from the Prime Minister's Chancellery to all interested parties will be sent tomorrow, or the day after at the latest

- Tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, an invitation will be sent from the Prime Minister's Chancellery to all those interested in participating in this round table. We want representatives of local governments and parents to also take part in this round table. We want parents to have a greater influence on schools - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- We want this to be a serious debate about radical changes in the education system. Because we don't want to talk only about salary increases. That is extremely important, but it is not the only topic. Because simply adding more money to the system, or increasing salaries, does not change the quality of teaching - added the head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery.


08:46

Miller:

The ruling camp wants to make Broniarz Public Enemy Number One. After all, this isn't Broniarz's strike, but that of thousands of teachers

I see that the ruling camp wants to make Mr. Broniarz Public Enemy Number One. But this is not Broniarz's strike. This is the strike of thousands of teachers who, rightly, observing how the government is throwing money around left and right, are asking why that money is not going to them” - said former Prime Minister and European Parliament candidate Leszek Miller in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on Radio TOK FM's Poranek. 


08:49

Dworczyk:

Postponing the Matura Exams is Impossible

- No, postponing the date of the matura exams is impossible, and I believe that teachers, feeling responsible for their students, whom they have prepared for several years for these final exams, will conduct them - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.


08:51

Dworczyk on potential amnesty for students not graded: No such possibility under current regulations. Extraordinary solutions are possible, requiring legislative changes

- Under current regulations, there is no such possibility [amnesty for students who are not graded]. Of course, extraordinary solutions are possible. They would require legislative changes - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.


08:54

Dworczyk:

Poles are Hours Away from Learning the Government's OFE Proposal

- We are hours away from the moment Poles will learn about the proposal the government will present regarding OFE, and I repeat: it will be the fulfillment of our promise, which is to transfer these funds to Poles in individual retirement accounts - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- The Prime Minister will present it, among others. I will not jump the gun. I said: we are hours away from the moment we learn the proposals - emphasized the Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.


09:01

Miller:

European Coalition Won't Take a Stance on the Euro. Nobody Wants to Commit Suicide

The European Coalition will not take a stance on this [regarding the euro] because it is an extremely unpopular topic today. Nobody wants to commit suicide. I deeply regret that since 2004, the political groups that have been in power have done nothing to explain the idea of a common currency zone to Poles” – said Leszek Miller, former Prime Minister and European Coalition candidate in the EP elections, in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on Radio TOK FM's Poranek.


09:29

PiS's First Billboard of This Campaign:

You Have the Right to a European Standard of Living.

300POLITYKA is the first to publish a billboard that will be officially presented around noon today by the head of PiS's election campaign staff, Tomasz Poręba. The billboard features the slogan that is the essence of the ruling party's campaign in these elections, namely the right of Poles to a European standard of living.

- What the vast majority of Poles expect is a policy that leads to a European standard of living. We are credible in this, because under PiS's rule, the standard of living in Poland has increased - one of the campaign staff tells 300POLITYCE. As our interlocutor emphasizes, the ruling party's conventions also refer to this issue - recently, the topic was the euro, which was discussed by President Kaczyński and Prime Minister Morawiecki.

The billboard is also a combination of the new 'Fifth Plus' program with the European campaign.


09:57

Zandberg:

It seems bizarre to me that Dworczyk, who doesn't have children in state schools and sent his to private ones, was put in the role of government's bulldog.
It seems bizarre to me that Minister Dworczyk was put in the role of the government's bulldog. He is the person who cannot be absent when a statement confronting teachers needs to be made. Why do I say this is quite bizarre? Because it's worth listeners knowing that Minister Dworczyk himself does not have children in state schools. Minister Dworczyk sent his children to private school, so when Minister Dworczyk behaves as if the strike doesn't bother him, as if it could last for many weeks, it's partly because Minister Dworczyk, his children, are not affected by the strike. And in my opinion, there is something very unfair when such a confrontational stance towards teachers, prolonging the strike, is taken by those politicians who themselves have fled state schools and sent their children to private ones – stated Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

09:58

Zandberg:

Neglect of Public Sector Employees Didn't Start with PiS. It Began Under Tusk, But PiS Has Ruled for 3 Years and Done Nothing About It
Of course, I don't believe them. It's clear that when Leszek Balcerowicz tries to pretend to be a pro-social politician, it's rather unconvincing. But I want to say something else. Of course, that's the case. To be clear: the neglect didn't start under PiS rule. This neglect, concerning the public sector, began under Tusk. That's one of the reasons why we started building Razem, in opposition to the PO government, because we saw that this process was destroying the Polish state. But PiS has been in power for 3 years, and PiS has simply done nothing about it. The public sector is receiving shamefully low wages – stated Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

09:58

Zandberg:

There's No Point Rushing into the Euro as it is Now. Towards a Reformed Euro, Absolutely, but the Eurozone and EU Must Undergo Serious Changes First.
There's no point rushing into the euro as it is now. Towards a euro after reforms, one that will be safe for countries like Poland or Southern European countries - yes, then absolutely, but for that, both the euro zone and the EU must undergo serious changes. The ones that the European left is talking about - stated Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

09:58

The 'Evacuation Operation' Aims to Let Key PiS Ministers Dodge Political Responsibility. European Coalition Launches Information Campaign.
On the PiS lists, we are dealing with a grand evacuation. An evacuation operation that aims to let key PiS ministers dodge political responsibility. Today, as the European Coalition, we are launching a major information campaign about the kind of people who are slated to go to Brussels under the PiS banner. These are individuals who, in their previous political activities here in the country, have either focused on themselves or on destroying everything they touched. Minister Zalewska, Prime Minister Szydło, Minister Brudziński - stated Marcin Kierwiński during a press briefing.

10:23

Government to Discuss Expanding 500+ on Tuesday, Parliament to Consider Bill Next Week

The Council of Ministers will address a bill expanding the "Rodzina 500+" program to include the first child at its Tuesday meeting at 9:00 AM, according to the just-published agenda. As we wrote on 300POLITYCE, the Sejm will consider the government's proposal after the holidays, on April 25th, and it is almost certain that it will be voted through in approximately 9 hours. The Senate, if no additional session is convened, will consider the act on May 8-10.


10:32

Biedroń:

Today, Poland is not ready for a discussion about the Euro

Today, Poland is certainly not ready for this discussion [about the Euro]. We have not prepared Poles for it, even though we agreed to it in the treaties” – said the leader of Wiosna, Robert Biedroń, on Radio Jedynka.

This is primarily a decision for the Polish parliament, and we all know it is impossible to push through in the coming years. To change the constitution, you need a 2/3 majority in parliament. All polls show that this is impossible” – he added.


10:32

Baszczyński:

We Will Certainly Not Reject the Invitation to the Round Table

- We will certainly not reject this invitation [to the round table], however, we understand it in such a way that this round table will not concern, because it cannot concern, the demand related to salary increases. We will probably discuss the system there. As I understand it, the government may finally have reflected that the system it has imposed on Polish children is simply sick, bad. And there will be a discussion, but the problem that has been standing for a long time, and in reality since April 8th, will not be solved there - stated Krzysztof Baszczyński in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.


11:39

Zalewska:

377,000 Students Took the 8th Grade Exam in Nearly 13,000 Schools
The first 8th-grade exam, in Polish language, is behind us. 377,000 students in nearly 13,000 schools took the exam,” said the Minister of Education, Anna Zalewska, at a press conference.

“We want to thank the principals, teachers who are there for their students, volunteers, superintendents, and voivodes,” she added.

11:43

Zalewska:

I hope the matriculation exams will proceed without disruptions

In the media space, very disturbing declarations are being made by a trade union. A few weeks ago, the president of ZNP wanted to apologize for his words because there was no social acceptance for what he said. How does the situation look today? 50% of post-secondary schools are not on strike. There, no one is worried about classification or the course of the matriculation exams. In the remaining schools, grades have already been proposed, and parents have been informed about these grades. Ahead of us are classification councils and principals, who have an obligation to conduct these councils. I deeply trust and very much ask teachers for this. I think that this week parents will be talking with school principals”  - said the Minister of Education, Anna Zalewska, at a press conference.

Regarding the matriculation exams, all deadlines are being met. The matriculation exams will proceed - I hope - without disruptions” - she added.


12:13

Broniarz:

We're Entering Our Second Week of Strike, No Changes. An Appeal to the Prime Minister for an Immediate Meeting.
- We are continuing into the second week of our strike, and no changes are occurring in this regard. The presidium of the main board, as we informed you last week, has upheld the decision to continue the strike action. At the same time, we have approached the government with a proposal for urgent talks on salary issues. This proposal has not been accepted by the government in any way. Meanwhile, the government side, also today through the statement of Mr. Prime Minister Gowin, has rejected any possibility of negotiations. Simultaneously, the government side continues with a distorted or untrue rhetoric, concerning the manipulation of data related to our salary increases. Depending on the circumstances in which it is stated, the Prime Minister either sums up the increase from two years or operates only with averages resulting from the degree of professional advancement. However, it absolutely does not address our salary demands - said Sławomir Broniarz during a press conference. - We do not accept the argument that the state budget has already given what it was going to give. We are absolutely convinced that every employee, not just teachers, should first be paid a decent basic salary, and only then talk about various social buffers. We want to earn normally, earn decently, so that we don't have to rely on welfare and loan funds. Hence our appeal to the Prime Minister for an immediate meeting. We regret to inform you that the Prime Minister has not responded to this at all, sending us off into some unspecified future - added Broniarz.

12:26

Poręba Unveils New Billboard:

This Slogan Truly Embodies Our Government's Essence.

- The purpose [of this briefing] is to present our first billboard of this campaign, for the European elections, which is behind me, featuring our slogan: "You have the right to a European standard of living." We believe this slogan truly embodies the essence of our government's, PiS's, actions over the past few years. Our primary goal and task have been to ensure Poles can live at a European standard, that there is well-paid work in Poland, good earnings, and families supported by the state. As you will see and objectively assess PiS's policies, you will notice that programs like 500+, 300+, raising the minimum wage and hourly rate, lowering the retirement age, and tax reductions, such as the CIT rate from 15% to 9%, the lowest level in the EU – all of this is intended to ensure that Poles can live at a European standard in Poland. People living in Rzeszów, Gdańsk, Gdynia, or other smaller towns should have the same dreams and be able to fulfill them here, in our country, rather than emigrating. This billboard communicates that PiS, through what is our DNA, our true brand, our company trademark – reliability, responsibility, keeping our word – will do everything to ensure that in the coming years, a European standard of living exists here, in our country. Poles, as members of the EU, will feel they are living at this European standard thanks to PiS's governance – stated Tomasz Poręba in a conversation with journalists, officially presenting the billboard that we published this morning on 300POLITYCE.


12:41

Poręba on the European Coalition billboards: Nothing new. Zero proposals for Poles, only hate, aggression, and animosity

- I have seen [the European Coalition's billboards] and I will say this: nothing new. We talk about programs, we implement these programs, we keep our word. For everything we have agreed upon with Poles, we always try to honor that agreement and implement it. On the other hand, we have 'PiS, PiS, PiS' once again. But also an idea for a campaign from Civic Platform, which we have already witnessed in the local government elections. Politicians from Civic Platform also appeared on billboards, being slandered in a very vulgar way, brutally attacked. We are dealing with a similar situation with this current action by Civic Platform. In short: zero proposals for Poland, for Poles, no ideas for what to do, for example, to achieve a European standard of living in Poland, only hate, aggression, animosity, and that's a language we reject. We will not refer to this type of action by our political competitors in any way, because we believe that at this moment, Poles need something completely different. They need a vision, an idea, a plan for the development of our country, for building a strong, well-functioning Poland within the EU, which cooperates, also sets certain tones in discussions, and has its own ideas, whether social or economic - stated Tomasz Poręba in a conversation with journalists.


12:59

Financing Agreement for Poland-Denmark Gas Interconnector Signed in the Presence of the Prime Minister

https://twitter.com/PremierRP/status/1117732681872285696

https://twitter.com/PremierRP/status/1117733538068037632


13:50

Szydło:

The Round Table Concept Will Be Presented Today or Tomorrow, Along with the Date and Location

- The Prime Minister has invited the social partners to a round table. He announced that the round table would take place after the holidays. Currently, exams are underway. Once again, I would like to sincerely thank all the teachers who are working during the exams today, and all the school principals who have prepared the examination committees. We are pleased that the youth can take their exams in peace. Until Wednesday, there are still more days when these exams will be held, and then of course the matriculation exams, which will also be conducted. For matriculants, this is a very important moment in life, and I deeply believe that, just as with students from middle and primary schools, they will also be present with their students, the matriculants, during the exams. Meanwhile, discussions at the round table will likely take place, which will begin, as the Prime Minister announced, in the immediate future. After the Prime Minister's return from Brussels, the concept of the round table will be presented today or tomorrow, and the date and location where we will meet and discuss the various demands that are emerging from the social partners, as well as from parents, will be presented. We will also invite experts to the round table – stated Beata Szydło at a briefing in Łącko.


14:00

Szydło:

We Ask You to Consider Signing the Agreement and Suspending the Strike

- I think it is also important at this moment to decide to suspend the protest for the time ahead of us, before the meeting at the round table, and I believe that teachers, parents, and especially students expect this. It would also be a good signal that this conversation will be prepared calmly. We all care about solving problems. We realize that this conversation is needed, that proposals for changes for teachers are needed, which is why, among other things, those already included in the agreement, which is still ready to be signed, these proposals are still current - stated Beata Szydło at a briefing in Łącko.

- There is an agreement, we ask you to consider signing it, to break the strike now or suspend the strike - added the Deputy Prime Minister.


14:17

Robert Krasowski's New Book Premieres Next Week

- This is a continuation of "Po południu” and "Czas Kaczyńskiego". The author presents a general portrait of Polish democracy. Nothing is as it was meant to be. Parties are greedy – not just one or two, but all of them. The demos are foolish – not just once or twice, but always. Elites too. But the most interesting thing is that it cannot be better. Because Polish democracy is no worse than others – announces the publisher Czerwone i czarne regarding Robert Krasowski's new book, "O demokracji w Polsce" (On Democracy in Poland), which will be released in bookstores on April 24.


16:22

Kukiz to Teachers: Don't Let Yourselves Be Played Politically. The Protest Must Clearly 'Transcend' Political Dispute

The leader of Kukiz'15 published his letter to teachers via Facebook.


18:20

Smolik on Matura Exams Without Pedagogical Council Decision: 'No Such Possibility. The Law is Merciless. A School Graduate Takes the Exam.'

- From our side, the [matura] exams are not threatened in any way. The papers are prepared for every student who has been registered by the school principal and who has submitted a declaration to take the matura exam. The papers are ready, printed, and in a secure location. They are waiting to be dispatched on May 6th - said Marcin Smolik in an interview with Marcin Zaborski on RMF FM's "Popołudniowa rozmowa" (Afternoon Talk).

The Director of the CKE was also asked whether students would be able to take the exams if the classification councils did not approve their grades.

- There is no such possibility. The law is merciless. A school graduate takes the exam. Someone becomes a school graduate when they receive the pedagogical council's approval to complete the school. The end of the academic year for secondary school graduates is scheduled for April 16th - stated Smolik.


19:51

Jaki:

Many Parents in Małopolska Ask 'Minister, Please Do Something.' They Want Radical Steps We Won't Take.

- I don't know where you get the idea that the majority [of students] support [the teachers' strike]. In my opinion, that's a very subjective assessment. Today I saw a meeting of students from Szczecinek, let's remember, high school seniors, who always have it easier because they are already adults. For example, many parents in the Małopolska region ask me: 'Minister, please do something.' They are asking for radical steps, which we will not take. They want us to talk radically with the teachers. There are such voices too. Radical voices are emerging - stated Patryk Jaki in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's 'Fakty po faktach'.


19:57

Gowin:

I must disappoint President Broniarz. Matriculation exams will also take place. We always have a Plan B
President Broniarz announced that the gimnazjum exams would not take place, then he struggled to hide his disappointment that they did. I must, once again, disappoint President Broniarz. Matriculation exams will also take place - Jarosław Gowin said in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News. - If an extreme situation arises, we will reveal how it will be handled. We always have a Plan B. That is what government responsibility entails. The state cannot be cardboard, it cannot be theoretical - Gowin added.

20:02

Gowin:

Pensions from ZUS are Taxed. It Would Be Unfair if Individual Retirement Account Pensions Were Untaxed
- Pensions that retirees receive from ZUS are taxed at 18% or 32%. It would be unfair if pensions from individual retirement accounts were untaxed. This is a matter of elementary fairness – said Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Wydarzenia i Opinie” on Polsat News.

20:04

Patryk Jaki to Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska: Watching TVN Creates the Impression That All Parents and Children Support Teachers. Reality is a Bit Different.

- I'll tell you this: when you watch TVN, you naturally get the impression that all parents and all children [support teachers]. However, the reality is a bit different. I try to be honest all the time, while you, the editor, try to present to me that all parents and all children... - stated Patryk Jaki in a conversation with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.

- I didn't say all. We agreed at the beginning of the conversation that not all. Please don't try to convince me I said something I didn't say - KKZ replied.


20:09

Stachowiak-Różecka:

It's unfortunate that teachers ask students to respect their protest. I, in turn, feel like asking if they respect their students, for whom they didn't stand during exams.

- It's unfortunate that teachers are essentially asking students to respect the fact that they are protesting. I, in turn, feel like asking if they respect their students, for whom they didn't stand during exams. This is truly a very bad form of protest - said Mirosława Stachowiak-Różecka in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" on Polsat News.


20:14

Zgorzelski:

A Round Table Without Local Government Officials, Who Are Essentially Responsible for How Schools Function in Their Communities, is Simply a Flawed Idea

- A round table without local government officials, who are essentially responsible for how schools function in their communities, is simply a flawed idea. Representatives of local governments must participate in this round table for this discussion to make sense - said Piotr Zgorzelski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.


20:15

Kownacki on Notre Dame Fire: France Was Once a Daughter of the Church, a Highly Catholic Nation. Today It's a Secular State. This is a Symbol, a Great Loss.

In a sense, this is a sign of the times. It is a great loss because just a few months ago, a Polish chapel was opened there by Janek Dziedziczak, a former deputy minister of foreign affairs. It is symbolic. It is a great tragedy, a great loss to Christian culture, to European heritage, just as France has today become a secular state. France was once a daughter of the Church, one of the most Catholic nations. Today it is a secular state. This is a symbol, a great loss” – said Bartosz Kownacki from PiS on “Kropka nad i”, in a conversation with Monika Olejnik on TVN24.


20:18

Zgorzelski on Government's OFE Proposal: It's Clear They Lack Funds for Electoral Promises and Need to Reach into the Pockets of Citizens, Future Retirees

- It's clear they lack funds for electoral promises and need to reach into the pockets of citizens, future retirees. This is obvious because it's evident that 15%, the conversion factor, will seemingly generate the 24 billion needed to fill the hole created by these various promises - said Piotr Zgorzelski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.


20:21

Jaki:

Family is the Foundation, and Investing in It Was Our Priority. But We Also Want to Invest in Other Groups, Including Teachers.

- The government has set certain priorities. For us, the priority was to take care of the institution of the family, because all data comparing the social situation of Poland and other countries, including, for example, the Gini coefficient at the beginning of the Civic Platform's rule, showed that the difference between the poorest and the richest, and that in the first place, for the Polish state to be strong, to build bonds between people, this gap needed to be closed. And we succeeded, by about 3 points. - stated Patryk Jaki in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- The government recognized that the foundation, the basic social unit, is the family and that investment should be directed towards families. But this does not mean that we do not want to invest in other groups. PiS has been in power for over 3 years. Poland's economic situation while PiS is governing is actually quite good, thanks to our governance, and that's why we were able to finance the 500+ program, which the opposition did not have, and had a larger budget deficit. In the coming years, if citizens continue to trust us, if Poles continue to trust us, we will want to focus on other social groups, including teachers - added the Deputy Minister of Justice.


20:43

Political Arena: PiS Appears to Wait for Teacher Strike to Fizzle Out, While Pro-Opposition Media Urge Political Exploitation of the Teachers' Protest

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI:
Jaki: The government has recognized that the family is the foundation and that is where investment should be directed. But this does not mean we do not want to invest in other groups. If Poles continue to trust us, we will want to focus on other social groups, including teachers.
Zgorzelski on the government's proposal regarding OFE: It is evident that there is a lack of funds for election promises and it is necessary to reach into the pockets of citizens, future pensioners.
Kownacki on the Notre Dame Cathedral fire: France was once a daughter of the Church, one of the most Catholic countries. Today it is a secular state. This is a certain symbol, a great loss.
Zgorzelski: A roundtable without local government officials, who are essentially responsible for how schools function in their communities, is simply a misguided idea.
Stachowiak-Różecka: Unfortunately, it is the case that a teacher turns to students to respect the fact that they are protesting. In light of this, I am inclined to ask if they respect their pupils, for whom they did not stand up during the exams.
Jaki to KKZ: When one watches TVN, one naturally gets the impression that all parents and all children support the teachers. Reality is a bit different.
Gowin: Pensions received by retirees from ZUS are taxed. It would be unfair if pensions from individual retirement accounts were untaxed.
Gowin: I must disappoint President Broniarz. Maturitas (final high school exams) will also take place. We always have a plan B.
Jaki: Many parents in the Małopolska region are asking the question: Mr. Minister, please, do something. They are asking for radical steps, which we will not take. There are such voices as well.
Smolik: Directors, by bending over backwards, have ensured supervisory teams for the gimnazjum and eighth-grade exams. The same mechanism can work for the maturitas.
Smolik, when asked if it is possible to take the maturitas without a decision from the pedagogical council: There is no such possibility. The law is merciless. The graduate of the school takes the exam.
https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/04/15/

*****

WYDARZENIA POLSATU

-- THIS IS THE FINAL END OF THE OFE, BUT THIS TIME THE FINALE IS MEANT TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR FUTURE PENSIONERS - announcement.

-- POLES WILL NOT GET THIS MONEY INTO THEIR POCKETS, BUT THEY WILL GET A CHOICE - They will be able to transfer it to their accounts in ZUS, from which they will later receive a pension usually subject to an 18% tax, or they will be able to transfer it to an IKE (Individual Retirement Account) and access it after reaching retirement age. However, in this case, the state will initially collect a so-called 15% transformation fee.

-- THIS IS THE SECOND WEEK OF THE TEACHERS' STRIKE AND ANOTHER ONE DURING EXAMS - announcement.

-- FORTUNATELY, THE EIGHTH-GRADE EXAM IS PROCEEDING WITHOUT DISRUPTIONS - Dorota Gawryluk.

-- IT IS UNKNOWN HOW IT WILL BE WITH THE MATURITAS - Grzegorz Kępka.

-- BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK, GRADUATING STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE THEIR GRADES ISSUED AND BE ADMITTED TO THE EXAMS BY THE PEDAGOGICAL COUNCILS - Kępka continues: However, it is unknown if the striking teachers will show up for them.

-- IN SZCZECINEK, STUDENTS PROTESTED TODAY AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE ADMITTED TO THE MATURITAS - Kępka.

-- THE PRIME MINISTER INVITES THE PROTESTING TEACHERS TO TALKS ABOUT EDUCATION REFORM, BUT AFTER THE HOLIDAYS - Kępka continues.

-- ZNP WILL SIT DOWN AT THE ROUNDTABLE, ALTHOUGH IT REMINDS THAT A SIMILAR INITIATIVE WAS PROPOSED 11 YEARS AGO BY PRESIDENT LECH KACZYŃSKI - Kępka.

-- THE PROTESTERS CONTINUE TO DEMAND A 30% RAISE, ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT, 5% FROM JANUARY AND LESS THAN 10% FROM SEPTEMBER IS THE LIMIT OF THE BUDGET'S POSSIBILITIES - Kępka continues.

-- FOR NOW, THERE IS NOTHING TO INDICATE THAT AN AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED - Kępka.

*****

FAKTY TVN

-- WHY ONLY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS? IT IS HOLY WEEK, A TIME FOR BIG DECISIONS - in the announcement.

-- RALLIES OF SUPPORT, GESTURES OF SUPPORT FROM ARTISTS, 5 MILLION FOR THE SOCIAL FUND, A SPECIAL CONCERT - in Knapik's report.

-- THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT MENTION EVEN A WORD, AS IF WAITING FOR THE ENTHUSIASM TO BURN OUT - Knapik.

-- WE WILL BREAK THE TEACHERS AND END THE STRIKE - Krystyna Szumilas.

-- THE QUESTION IS WHETHER IT IS EVEN WORTH STARTING A TEACHING CAREER FOR 1900 [PLN] RECEIVING 1000 [PLN] AFTER THE BIRTH OF TWO CHILDREN - Knapik.

-- EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER DURING THE EXAMS, BUT NOTHING IS IN ORDER IN POLISH SCHOOLS - in the announcement.

-- WHAT WAS GIVEN, WE RETURN, SAYS THE PRIME MINISTER ABOUT OFE - in the announcement.

-- THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FOR MONEY - Marcin Kierwiński.

-- THEFT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT - Katarzyna Lubnauer.

*****

WIADOMOŚCI TVP

-- THE PRIME MINISTER PROPOSES THE TRANSFORMATION OF OFE. THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO TRANSFER SHARES TO IKE - Damian Diaz.

-- THE GOVERNMENT REALIZES THAT AFTER WHAT THE TUSK TEAM DID, IT IS DIFFICULT TO REBUILD TRUST IN FINANCIAL MARKETS - Diaz.

-- THE POLISH GOVERNMENT WANTS TO INCREASE EU SUBSIDIES FOR FARMERS. WHAT IS IN THE INTEREST OF POLISH FARMERS, THE EUROPEAN COALITION TRIES TO MOCK - announcement.

-- THIS IS MEANT TO BE SUPPORT NEVER SEEN BEFORE. BUT FROM WHAT PLEASES THE FARMERS, THE OPPOSITION FINDS AMUSEMENT - Maciej Sawicki.

-- 400 THOUSAND STUDENTS TOOK THE EIGHTH-GRADE EXAM. THE EXAM WAS WITHOUT DISRUPTIONS, DESPITE THE PROTEST OF TEACHERS FROM ZNP - announcement.

-- THE PROTESTING TEACHERS THREATENED TO BLOCK THE EXAMS. THIS WAS MEANT TO BE AN ARGUMENT OF FORCE IN THE DISPUTE OVER HIGHER SALARIES - Konrad Wąż.

-- STRIKING TEACHERS ARE NOT GIVING UP. BRONIARZ ANNOUNCES BLOCKING THE MATURITAS - announcement.

-- BRONIARZ SUPPORTS THE DECISION OF SOME TEACHERS NOT TO ISSUE FINAL GRADES - Krzysztof Nowina-Konopka.

-- JOURNALISTS FRIENDLY TO THE OPPOSITION ARE CALLING FOR THE POLITICAL EXPLOITATION OF THE TEACHERS' PROTEST - Nowina-Konopka.