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05/04/2019

00:00

Saturday's Political Agenda: Morawiecki and Kaczyński at a Patriotic Picnic in Pułtusk, European Coalition Convention in Białystok, Firefighter's Day Celebrations

At 11:00, President Andrzej Duda will participate in the Firefighter's Day celebrations at Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw. During the ceremony, attended by the highest state authorities, the President will confer general promotions upon officers of the State Fire Service. State decorations, "Young Hero" awards, and an official officer promotion ceremony will also take place. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Joachim Brudziński, and Waldemar Pawlak will also attend the ceremonies.

At 10:00, the European Coalition Convention will take place in Białystok. Meanwhile, a patriotic picnic will be held in Pułtusk with the participation of PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The event is scheduled to begin at 14:00. In turn, a concert by the band Bayer Full is planned for 16:00.


10:41

Schetyna:

I assure you that we will not only restore the small border traffic with the Kaliningrad Oblast, but also launch a similar agreement with Belarus.

- It was our government that fought for and secured the small border traffic with the Kaliningrad Oblast, which brought hundreds of millions of zlotys annually to entrepreneurs and residents, especially in tourism and trade in Warmia and Mazury. The current authorities suspended it without reason and without sense. I assure you that we will not only restore the small border traffic with the Kaliningrad Oblast, but also launch a similar agreement with Belarus, which will benefit the entire Podlasie region - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at a convention in Białystok.


10:50

Schetyna:

The European Coalition Stands Against an Anti-European Bloc. We Secured Over PLN 500 Billion. They Secured a Maximum of PLN 400 Billion. This is the Measure of Kaczyński and Morawiecki's Defeat
Much has been built, but it is still not enough. For Poland, every additional euro is still worth its weight in gold. We have so many needs that we must fight tooth and nail for every euro for Poland. And we want to invest in people, in their better lives. The stakes of these European elections are money for our country for the next decade. We must say this very clearly today. Today, I want to ask: will the money be won by those who lose in Europe 1:27, or by those who secured a record budget for Poland 7 years ago? Will it be won by those who call the EU flag a rag, or by those who aim to join the Union to be in its ruling majority? Will the money for Poland be won by those who do not know and do not like Europe, who are a laughingstock in Europe, or by those who have held and continue to hold the most important positions in the EU, and who have many friends in Europe? The European Coalition stands today against an anti-European bloc, a bloc of ineffective people who do not understand the Union and do not like the EU. We secured over PLN 500 billion. They secured a maximum of PLN 400 billion. This is the measure of Kaczyński and Morawiecki's defeat. Grzegorz Schetyna stated at a convention in Białystok.

10:50

Schetyna:

For Some Politicians, Nostalgia for the Middle Ages is Stronger Than Common Sense, but Tolerating, Even Encouraging, Vaccine Refusal is a Crime

"How is it possible that diseases like measles have returned to Poland in the 21st century? I understand that for some politicians, nostalgia for the Middle Ages is stronger than common sense, but tolerating, and even encouraging, vaccine refusal is a crime. And this is certainly not Europe" - said Civic Platform (PO) leader Grzegorz Schetyna during the European Coalition convention in Białystok.


10:52

Schetyna:

Our Program in This Election is 100 Billion PLN More Than the PiS Government Can Negotiate

- As leaders of the European Coalition, we say today: our program in this election is 100 billion PLN more than the PiS government can negotiate. 100 billion more for Poles, for Poland, for health, for the people who build our country by working, for the Polish countryside, education, and for the fight against smog. This is our proposal - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at a convention in Białystok. - This is the great choice we face. More or less? Because the PiS government is forfeiting billions in EU budget negotiations - he added.


10:52

Schetyna:

Just as we once built motorways with European money, now we will build European healthcare together

We will win these elections, we will regain 100 billion for Poland lost due to the incompetence of this government, and just as we once built motorways with European money, now we will build European healthcare together. Believe me, it is possible” - said PO leader Grzegorz Schetyna during the European Coalition convention in Białystok. He announced that the waiting time for a specialist will not exceed 21 days, and for the emergency department - 60 minutes. Within 7 years, cancer curability is to reach the level of the most advanced countries in Europe. - In every voivodeship, in every region, we will create a highly specialized center for fighting cancer - he added.


10:58

Schetyna:

100 Billion More for Poles for Three Basic Goals. European Healthcare, Priority Work Project, National Rural Development Program

- Today and for the next few days, we will present clear declarations. 100 billion more for Poles for three basic goals. Firstly, European healthcare. Secondly, the Priority Work project, of which our Higher Salary project is an element, because work must pay off. Thirdly, the National Rural Development Program, which will equalize opportunities and give a new impetus for development, a real one based on billions of zlotys - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at the convention in Białystok.


11:01

Schetyna:

Our Fellow Citizens with Disabilities Don't Hinder Anyone and Don't Have to Support Anyone. Kaczyński's Disgraceful Words Deserve an Apology

This needs to be repeated. Our fellow citizens with disabilities don't hinder anyone and don't have to support anyone, as President Kaczyński wants. That's truly the case. They simply need to be respected. They have the right to speak about what is a problem for them. For these disgraceful words from President Kaczyński, they should receive an apology. People with disabilities are a value. They are important. Every human being is important, regardless of who they politically support. They have a harder life, but that much more they deserve respect. They are capable of achieving a lot” - said PO (Civic Platform) leader Grzegorz Schetyna during the European Coalition convention in Białystok.


11:14

Schetyna:

We will never again allow the government to allocate PLN 1.3 billion to propaganda television, which is the same as the annual cost of chemotherapy in Poland.

- We will never again allow the government to allocate PLN 1.3 billion to propaganda television, which is the same as the annual cost of chemotherapy in Poland. We will not allow it - stated Grzegorz Schetyna at a convention in Białystok.


12:08

WKK:

We Don't Agree with Politics in the Church, Because We Want to Hear About God There, Not Whom to Vote For. But the Church is More Than Hierarchy and Parish Priests. It's a Community of Everyone, and We Don't Consent, We Don't Allow Insults.
We must go with a strong message, a great will to win, with faith that we can change Poland. But precisely with a message not dictated and not fueled by hatred, but by warmth. With a message that will unite Poles and restore brotherhood. Just as we managed to unite the opposition, we will manage to unite Poland - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the KE convention in Białystok. - We do not agree with politics in the Church, because we want to hear about God there, not about whom we should vote for. But we also cannot agree with those who speak and insult the entire community of the Church in any way. The hierarchy makes its mistakes, parish priests do wrong by getting involved in politics. But the Church is more than the hierarchy and parish priests. It is a community of everyone, of the Church, and we do not consent, we do not allow insults and the exploitation of this community and the denial of its right to speak about the most important matters, including worldview. We will defend this, regardless of whose lectures and with whom we listen to lectures in the hall - he continued.

12:37

Czarzasty:

At Every Convention, We Will Present a Program for Poles. The End of Negative Campaigning, the Beginning of Programmatic, Future-Oriented Campaigning

From today, at every convention, we will present a draft program concerning Poles, aimed at solving problems. The end of negative campaigning, the beginning of programmatic, future-oriented campaigning” - said the leader of SLD, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, at the European Coalition convention in Białystok.


12:42

Czarzasty:

Russians, Belarusians, and Poles are close. And this is a true closeness. Putin, Lukashenko, and Kaczyński are close. And this is also a true closeness.
The most important thing is to live well with neighbors. Putin is not the Russian nation, Lukashenko is not the Belarusian nation, Kaczyński is not the Polish nation. Power often does not express the desires of the entire nation. One must remember this. As I was preparing for today's speech, I saw a certain interesting consistency. Russians, Belarusians, and Poles are close. And this is a true closeness. Putin, Lukashenko, and Kaczyński are close. And this is also a true closeness. In thinking, in perceiving the world, in managing the world, in creating conflicts, in pitting one group against another' - said the leader of SLD, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, at the European Coalition convention in Białystok.

14:58

Kaczyński:

We Know What Needs to Be Done for Poland to Be Stronger
- We know what needs to be done for Poland to be stronger, and every patriot wants it to be stronger, more prosperous, happier, i.e., for people in Poland to be happy, content with their fate, for us to be reckoned with on the international stage, for us to be taken seriously, for us not to be insulted and for people not to try to rob us - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the Patriotic Picnic in Pułtusk. He added: - First and foremost, we need to build an efficient state apparatus. More generally speaking, an efficient state. We must have an efficient democracy and an efficient state that looks after our interests. It looks after the fact that Poland, operating today under certain specific circumstances, being a member of the EU – which is a requirement of Polish patriotism today – being a member of NATO, which is also a requirement of Polish patriotism, should simultaneously retain its agency, so that decisions are not made for it, so that it can handle its affairs in a way that is appropriate, supported by the majority of society, so that we can simply do what serves Poland well, and we here in Poland best know what serves our nation, our homeland well. Of course, we must do this within certain frameworks, but these frameworks are clearly defined in the treaties and must be respected. The European Treaty, the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, are treaties that do not take away states' sovereignty. They are treaties that transfer certain elements of power, which states have previously held, into other hands, the hands of EU bodies, over which we should have influence. But this does not mean we lose everything, and what is reserved for us should be fiercely guarded, and this must be a principle we adhere to, we defend, because it is absolutely necessary for our dignity, but also for our interests - added PJK.

15:00

Kaczyński:

Only Naive People, Naive as Children, Believe in Good Uncles. There Are No Good Uncles in International Relations
Let no one think that some good uncles will sort things out for us. Only naive people, naive as children, believe in good uncles. There are no good uncles in international relations. We simply have to fight for our own interests, but the state is an emanation of the nation, and this nation must be a community. And for it to be a community, these cannot be mere declarations. We need to conduct politics that genuinely builds this community. At least on two levels: social and regional policy - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the Patriotic Picnic in Pułtusk.

15:09

Kaczyński:

Those Who Raise Their Hand Against the Church, Wanting to Destroy It, Raise Their Hand Against Poland
Spiritual values are immensely important. We must defend this Polish tradition, Polish spirituality, and morality. And it is under attack. The Church is being attacked in an extremely brutal manner. And anyone who looks at Polish history knows that there are no annals of the Polish nation, neither in times when Poland was strong and great, nor in those bad times when it didn't exist at all, without the Church. It didn't exist as a state, that's what I'm talking about. I will say more. Even today, when we have a different situation, when much has changed regarding people's views, including the role of the Church, the Church continues to be the sole custodian of the value system that is widely known in Poland. Even for people who are non-believers. The role of the Church, if they are Polish patriots, must be obvious. Whoever raises their hand against the Church, wanting to destroy it, raises their hand against Poland. And I repeat: I am a believer, a practicing Catholic. But even if I were not, I would say the same thing, because it is obvious. Because what is on the other side? On the other side is urban-palikotism, nihilism. That is why the Church must be defended. This is also a patriotic duty – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the Patriotic Picnic in Pułtusk.

15:14

Kaczyński:

We Were the First to Take Up Arms. Yet They Try to Portray Us as Hitler's Allies

- We are being attributed German crimes, a role in World War II exactly the opposite of what we actually played. We were the first to take up arms. Yet they try to portray us as Hitler's allies - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the Patriotic Picnic in Pułtusk.


15:16

Kaczyński:

Attempts to Claim Poland Has Financial Obligations Regarding WWII. The Truth Is, There Are Financial Obligations. Towards Poland, Towards Poles.

- They are trying to do even more. They are trying to claim that Poland has some financial obligations in connection with World War II. Well, yes, there are financial obligations. Towards Poland, towards Poles, and Poland has no obligations whatsoever. This is true from the perspective of law, as well as elementary morality and decency. We are owed payment. Some to the west of Poland's borders owe us tens of billions, hundreds of billions of euros or dollars, perhaps even more than a trillion, not the other way around. We owe no one anything - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the Patriotic Picnic in Pułtusk.


15:18

Kaczyński:

There is no patriotic alternative today to the policy we have undertaken, announced, and are implementing
We are on the path to making Poland truly as we would like it to be. And this is not a matter of many decades. This can be achieved within a dozen or so years. This is our proposal for patriotic policy, attitude, patriotic upbringing - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the Patriotic Picnic in Pułtusk. - There is no patriotic alternative today to the policy that we have undertaken, announced, are implementing, and keep our word. We are Polish patriots - he added.

15:20

PMM:

We Understand Patriotism as Respect for Great Polish Culture

We understand patriotism as respect for great Polish culture. This care for Polish culture will guide us in the coming years, in the coming decades. I am convinced that this patriotism, which is increasingly visible, and it was different in the Third Republic, this patriotism will carry us on wings towards the future. Patriotism, which is important for 89% of Poles, almost 90% of Poles, patriotism is a great value, it is important. This is a great joy” - said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Pułtusk.


15:24

Morawiecki:

PO Leader Erred on Billions, Lacking Understanding of EU Budget Negotiations

Not only did our opponent from yesterday, the Civic Platform chairman, dramatically err by mentioning one hundred billion without understanding what today’s negotiations for the next 7-year EU budget look like. We are up to date on all matters, we are a leading country that has reconstructed the cohesion group. 15-16 countries will ensure that this budget is at least as substantial as the current one” – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Pułtusk.


15:32

PM:

Our Opponents Squandered Two Budgets - PLN 290 Billion Lost to VAT Gap, CIT, Shadow Economy, and OFE. Those Mentioning PLN 100 Billion for Healthcare Should Look Within and Reckon with Their Conscience.

Our opponents squandered roughly two budgets, looking at 2014 and 2015. That was about PLN 290 billion. If we count the VAT gap, the CIT gap, the shadow economy, and OFE, the first tranche of OFE, which they consumed because they couldn't manage the state's finances, it amounts to approximately two budgets. So, anyone who talks about healthcare, about PLN 100 billion, should look within and perform a great act of self-reflection, and then engage in a genuine, honest discussion, because we have recovered these funds” – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Pułtusk.


15:37

PMM:

We Were the Most Murdered Victims in WWII. We Will Never Agree to Any Payouts. We Will Find and Implement Legal Formulas to Respond to Claims
"We were the most murdered victims during World War II. We will never agree to any payouts for anyone on this basis, any compensation. We will find appropriate legal formulas, and as long as we are responsible for political life, these regulations, the legislation we implement, will certainly be a response to any claims from any side. We will not allow it," said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Pułtusk.

19:17

ACTA2:

More Than Just Internet Censorship – France and Germany's Shadow Deal?
The European Parliament has adopted a directive commonly referred to as the ACTA2 directive. Many believe this is a restriction on internet freedom. I share this view, because I want to state that some of the information you have access to today in social media, for example on Facebook, for free, will be regulated once this directive is implemented. In a few years, some of this information will be rationed. You will have to pay for it. I believe this wasn't how it was supposed to be, these are not the principles of information flow on the internet, but something like this has been enacted - stated Patryk Jaki at a meeting with residents in Gorlice. He continued:

"Every time such a controversial law is passed, one must ask what the background to its adoption is. Because when a controversial law is passed in an election year, there must be something deeper here. And since only the truth is interesting, one must dig deeper. And what turned out? It's not like Jaki invented this. Foreign media, serious newspapers, have dug into what this is all about. They write that ACTA2 is actually a deal between France and Germany. France was very keen on this directive because France has the most such creative companies and has similar laws in its own country, and will profit the most from it. It wanted this law to be an EU law, but for it to pass, they needed Germany's support. And they made a deal in this way: they will support the directive that France was keen on, and in return, France will support another project that Germany was very keen on. Nord Stream 2."

19:24

Jaki:

For Europe to be stronger, it must return to its roots, to Christian values

- Poland is one of the last countries that does not want to agree to this whole moral revolution, this left-wing moral revolution. In Poland, the strong words of Holy Father John Paul II are still present - stated Patryk Jaki at a meeting with residents in Gorlice. - We believe that for Europe to be stronger, it must return to its roots, to Christian values - he added.


19:32

Jaki on the Opposition: "There are leaders who say openly that the euro should be adopted now, immediately, quickly. ZP believes we shouldn't rush, to put it mildly."

- In 2015, when Civic Platform was leaving power, one of the last documents they signed was a commitment to accept a quota of refugees into Poland. Fortunately, the United Right won the elections then, and we still haven't implemented that agreement. However, I want to say that if they return to power, I am convinced they will return to implementing this agreement - stated Patryk Jaki during a meeting with residents in Gorlice.

- I am a representative of the United Right, which believes that, to put it mildly, we should not rush to adopt the euro as our currency. However, our competitors from POKO, or whatever they call themselves now, you will find leaders there who say openly that the euro should be adopted now, immediately, quickly, and that this is a testament to our European identity - he continued.


19:55

Jaki:

The European Parliament is today the arena where the battle for Poland's right to reform its own justice system is being fought

- The European Parliament is today the arena where the battle for Poland's right to reform its own justice system is being fought. I am demonstrating what effects can be brought about by very hard work associated with reforming individual areas of the justice system, which for most of the Third Polish Republic's existence was dysfunctional, and there is still a lot to be done - stated Patryk Jaki in Gorlice.

- So many years have passed, but the division in Poland is exactly the same. There are two groups. One group wants a strong Poland, and the other wants a weak Poland. Although every politician will say they want a strong Poland, that is not true. Our competitors want a weak Poland. This is because if Poland is weak, then it is easier to colonize it economically. They represent the oligarchy of the Third Polish Republic - he added.


20:11

Jaki:

I'd like to see as many judges as possible in Poland elected in general elections in the future. This is my personal opinion, not the government's.
- If it ever depends on me, it's my personal opinion, not the government's, I would like to see as many judges as possible in Poland elected in general elections in the future. That's why Jaki is many years old, but he has one advantage. If you don't like him, you can kick him out once every 4 years. Whereas a judge can do whatever they want, for life. You know how it is. I would like it to be like in the States someday, where a large part of the judges are elected in general elections - stated Patryk Jaki in Gorlice.

20:30

Jarubas on Jażdżewski's Speech: I Am Surprised and Disgusted. Such Words Should Not Be Uttered at a Public University

- As far as I'm concerned, I am absolutely surprised, disgusted. Such words should absolutely not have been said [by Leszek Jażdżewski]. Especially at a public university. In the Catholic Church, we venerate children, we take vows. For many of us, it is a community that has saved Polishness for many generations. Inappropriate behavior, absolutely unacceptable - stated Adam Jarubas in an interview with Danuta Holecka on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".


21:22

Just Before the Final Campaign Phase, PiS and KE Strike at Their Rivals - ANALYSIS BY 300POLITYKA

On the last weekend before the decisive phase of the campaign, Grzegorz Schetyna is not only returning to the theme of a narrow victory, recalling the European campaign of 2014 won by Platforma Obywatelska, and speaking of 100 billion from the Union, but he is also taking over the social narrative of Wiosna (Spring). Jarosław Kaczyński speaks of a "lack of a patriotic alternative to PiS," and Prime Minister Morawiecki is trying to cut short the discussion about the American JUST 447, which is giving Konfederacja an increasingly distinct moment: "We will find appropriate legal formulas, we will not allow any claims." It is evident that the phones of listeners to "Rozmowy Niedokończone" (Unfinished Conversations) are being monitored at Nowogrodzka Street [PiS headquarters].

The European Coalition is finally managing to find its voice and move beyond tired slogans. Schetyna's 100 billion from the EU is a concrete offer. Platforma and KE have strong cards: under their government and during the term of Commissioner Lewandowski, responsible for the budget, Poland was the biggest winner of the current budget perspective. By the way, the Prime Minister is also right in saying that Poland is the creator of the cohesion club, which has been quite effectively lobbying for the maintenance of high EU subsidies. However, due to the reduction of the EU budget after Brexit and the difficulties faced by Southern European countries, it is more appropriate to talk about limiting losses rather than maintaining the pool. These are also facts that any Polish government would have to contend with, but the KE's 100 billion is, in the end, a breakthrough in the EC's policy, which has so far been proceeding at its own pace rather than setting the campaign's agenda.

Robert Biedroń spoke about a major healthcare project a month ago. But the promise of a 30-day wait for a doctor's appointment got lost in the flood of other promises made at Torwar. Wiosna can only blame itself for not presenting a plan or a funding scheme for this, and today it is difficult to associate it with any specific promise, especially after PiS had already "stripped" it of its local connections, which were then incorporated into Kaczyński's "Piątka Plus" [Five Plus] program. Schetyna has presented a concrete proposal in the form of European healthcare protection funded by that 100 billion.

PiS, on the other hand, is very clearly targeting Konfederacja, which has managed to capture a segment of the disciplined far-right electorate with its narrative of a "Jewish-American conspiracy" – a theme known since the era of the queen of Russian fake news, the Tsarist Protocols of the Elders of Zion, enriched with an alleged secret note about the 447 Act. It is enough to listen to "Rozmowy niedokończone" on Radio Maryja to notice that if not every second, then every third caller concerns issues of unclaimed inheritance, and increasingly voices question whether our alliance with America is beneficial and why we are not trading with Russia. Of course, it's a separate matter how spontaneous these calls are and what kind of phones are used to make them, but the growing irritation of the priests hosting the show is also evident. And PiS faces a growing problem, because Konfederacja is chipping away at PiS's results, and every half a percent counts.

Both leaders know that the actual polling tie means the fight is truly for every vote. And so far, PiS has not succeeded in marginalizing Konfederacja and Kukiz, nor in reducing Wiosna's support to below 10% for the European Coalition.