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05/20/2019

07:30

Monday's Political Agenda: European Coalition and Kukiz'15 Conventions, Presentation of Bill on Church Pedophilia Commission, President Duda in Silesia, and Marshal's Guard Day

At 9:00 AM, the European Parliament's Bureau in Poland will host a press breakfast on the upcoming European Parliament elections. Krzysztof Lorentz from the National Electoral Office will participate in the meeting. At 9:30 AM, the celebrations for Marshal's Guard Day will commence. The main ceremonies are scheduled for 12:00 PM on the Sejm premises, and at 12:10 PM, speeches will be delivered by Marshal Marek Kuchciński and Senate Vice-Marshal Michał Seweryński.

At 11:00 AM, the 'Do Not Be Afraid' foundation is set to present the assumptions of a draft bill on establishing a special commission to investigate cases of pedophilia in the Catholic Church. At 11:30 AM, the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, will hold his press conference. Meanwhile, at 1:00 PM in Toruń, a press conference will take place with Grzegorz Schetyna and MPs Borys Budka and Arkadiusz Myrcha. The topic: Truth Commission - presenting the draft assumptions.

President Andrzej Duda will sign the bill on the National Oncology Strategy at 1:00 PM, meet with residents of Mysłowice at 4:30 PM, and with residents of Świętochłowice at 7:00 PM.

Kukiz'15 is organizing its regional convention in Gliwice. It begins at 1:00 PM. The second convention will be held in Krakow at 6:00 PM. Furthermore, at 3:00 PM in Bydgoszcz, a regional convention of the European Coalition will take place with the participation of its leaders: Grzegorz Schetyna, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Katarzyna Lubnauer, Małgorzata Tracz, and Piotr Zgorzelski.


07:56

Scheuring-Wielgus:

The Church Cannot Cleanse Itself

- I am convinced that since May 11th, the Sekielski brothers' film has, as it were, initiated the process of holding the Church accountable, and this is happening, but of course, it's not that it will be resolved by the end of this year; it will take years - stated Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Talk".

- For now, we have statements from individual hierarchs, and one must remember that we have almost 150 bishops, 30,000 priests, and of course, statements from some priests are starting to appear, which are okay, but that's really not enough. The Church also cannot cleanse itself - added the MP.


08:00

Scheuring-Wielgus on Pedophilia in the Church: What Will Be Proposed Resembles the Independent Commission Established in Australia
Today, the "Do Not Fear" Foundation will present the assumptions of the project. I have been working on this for 7 months. It's impossible to write a project in 9 days from its premiere. It's truly difficult, substantive work; several lawyers and constitutionalists are working on the "Do Not Fear" Foundation project. Today, you will also learn about the embryo of a citizens' initiative - stated Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego". What will be proposed today will resemble the commission that was established in Australia. It was independent of the Church, and that's the direction we should go. Today, we will present the assumptions. We want such a commission to include sexologists, lawyers, attorneys, and constitutionalists. People who know the subject. Bishops and priests cannot be there - she added. We want this commission to have access to archives, to investigate not only cases of priests' crimes but also the transfer of priests by bishops. We want this commission to have the authority to hear victims, just as it was in Australia - she continued.

08:02

Bartoszewski on Tusk's Speech: It's Not a Matter of Impartiality. He's Not Saying 'Vote for PO'

- It's not a matter of impartiality. He's saying 'this is a party that breaks European principles'. He's not saying 'vote for Civic Platform, vote for those parties that adhere to European principles'. As it happens, the parties of the European Coalition do adhere to them – said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski in a conversation with Wojciech Dąbrowski on the Polsat News program "Graffiti".


08:08

Bartoszewski on Parties within the European Coalition Running Together in Parliamentary Elections: "Certainly, there will be no European Coalition that agrees on worldview matters."

- Certainly, there will be no European Coalition that agrees on worldview matters, because the PSL [Polish People's Party] will not agree, and Mr. Kosiniak-Kamysz has stated this quite clearly – said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News's "Graffiti" program.


08:11

Scheuring-Wielgus:

I Accuse Not Just PiS of Symbiosis with the Church, but All Governing Parties Since 1989

- I accuse not just PiS of symbiosis with the Church, but all governing parties since 1989. The Church plays a very privileged role in our country. It strongly influences our lives. It enters under our duvets, tells us how we should vote, education is not secular, healthcare is not secular. The Church influences our lives. It shouldn't. - stated Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".


08:14

Bartoszewski on Grupiński's words regarding civil unions: He hasn't read the constitution, which clearly states marriage is between a woman and a man

- Mr. Rafał Grupiński has not read the constitution, where it is clearly written that marriage is a union of a woman and a man. If Mr. Grupiński assumes that Civic Platform will have a constitutional majority, then that's great, congratulations. But until then, there's no question of it - said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News' "Graffiti" program.


08:16

Scheuring-Wielgus:

Religion Should Not Be in Schools At All
- I believe that religion should not be in schools at all. I am surprised that politicians from Civic Platform and Modern didn't do anything to have the "Secular School" civic project, which was submitted to the Sejm this term, considered - Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus stated in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Conversation."

08:40

Sasin on 500+ for Disabled Individuals: 'According to our assessment, we have the financial capacity. Benefits for the most needy group would cost as much as revenue from the retail tax'

"At the moment, according to our assessment, we have the financial capacity. Following the CJEU ruling, we have an announcement that we can unblock the adopted act on the so-called retail tax. This amounts to over PLN 1.5 billion annually according to our calculations," said Minister Jacek Sasin in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet. "We have a very large group of disabled people in Poland with various degrees of disability. For the most needy group, i.e., those receiving social pensions, the 500+ benefit would cost approximately as much as the revenue from the retail tax."


08:46

Sasin:

Hartwich Protested for the 500 Zloty Benefit, Now Calls it Cynical. What's it About? It's About Politics.
"Hands are falling. Whatever you do, it's wrong. Ms. Hartwich, along with her disabled son, protested precisely so that there would be 500 zlotys for the disabled. Now that there are 500 zlotys for the disabled, and it's becoming a reality, Ms. Hartwich says that it is something that offends, that it is cynical. So what is it about? It's about politics" - said Minister Jacek Sasin in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

08:57

PM's Office: 'Gazeta Wyborcza' Text Violates Prime Minister and Wife's Personal Rights; They Will Sue for Correction of Lies and Manipulations
- The press has the right to scrutinize public figures, but it also has an obligation to do so reliably. "Gazeta Wyborcza" has failed to meet this obligation. As the text by Jacek Harłukowicz violates the personal rights of the Prime Minister and his wife, they have decided to take legal action, demanding a correction of the lies and manipulations contained within it - informed the Government Information Centre (CIR) in a statement published on the KPRM website.
"Gazeta Wyborcza" is once again violating fundamental standards of journalistic reliability. Today's text by Jacek Harłukowicz is based on implications, assumptions, speculation, and untrue statements. Its purpose is to portray the Prime Minister and his wife in a bad light - when in reality, the article itself is full of manipulation and unreliability. The author has omitted facts that contradict the theses he has put forward. For example, in the response provided to him by the Government Information Centre, it was clearly stated that Ms. Iwona Morawiecka gained knowledge about the possibility of acquiring the plot 17 years ago from more than one source ("Ms. Iwona Morawiecka obtained knowledge about the possibility of purchasing the plot, among other things, from an acquaintance who was involved in real estate sales intermediation"). The author of the article omitted this fragment and directly accused the Prime Minister and Ms. Iwona Morawiecka of lying - even though it is he who has strayed from the truth. Similarly, in the information provided to the editor by the Government Information Centre, a series of actual circumstances and sequences of events were indicated, which were omitted because they contradict "Gazeta Wyborcza's" thesis. The editor also omits the fact, cited in the CIR's communication, that these were the market prices for surrounding plots in that area at the time. Deception is achieved by not taking into account a series of limitations associated with the use of the plot. "Gazeta Wyborcza" omits significant facts relating to the condition of the property. To this day, it is agricultural land, and its de-agriculturalization involves significant costs. For the entire time, just like 15 and 20 years ago, crops are growing on the plot. Its potential exclusion from agricultural production would involve a cost exceeding PLN 5 million. The information about the spatial development plan is also a manipulation. It was adopted in 2003, and the purchase of the plot took place earlier."

10:36

European Coalition Wins Against Biedroń in Court, No Apology Needed for Statements on Słupsk Pedophilia Scandal Non-Notification

The court sided with Sławomir Neumann in four out of five claims raised by the leader of Wiosna (Spring) in his lawsuit. The court ruled that Biedroń's statement in "Kropka nad I" (Full Stop) that as the mayor of Słupsk he had notified the prosecutor's office about a pedophilia case in Słupsk was untrue. Based on the testimony of the then-mayor of Słupsk's chief of staff, the court only ruled that one cannot say he "did nothing" with knowledge of the scandal, because he verbally committed to taking appropriate action.


10:52

Civic Platform Demands Prime Minister Morawiecki Publicly Explain His Assets: 'No Hiding Behind the Chancellery, Wife, or Minister Dworczyk'

- According to the article, the Morawiecki couple owns plots of land worth PLN 70 million, which Poles were not supposed to find out about. The matter is very puzzling. It turns out that somewhere in the 1990s, the Prime Minister acquired the plots from the Catholic Church - said Cezary Tomczyk in the Sejm.

- We call on Prime Minister Morawiecki for public explanations. Let him finally, in plain language, looking journalists in the eyes, tell the truth about his assets, his salaries from his previous workplace, namely BZWBK - said Mariusz Witczak.

- We call on the Prime Minister for public explanations. Let him not hide behind the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, let him not hide behind his own wife, let him not hide behind Minister Dworczyk, but rather come to a serious press conference and precisely explain how things stand - added Witczak.


11:01

Jakubiak:

I'm Not Talking About a Coalition with PiS. I'm Talking About Co-Governing Poland with PiS, and That Means Governance in Poland Must Change
If PiS doesn't understand that coalition governance, meaning Konfederacja is that coalition, we are already learning ourselves that coalition governance means taking another opinion into account beyond one's own, then everything will be fine. This common denominator, the Republic, for PiS and Konfederacja is the same denominator, so we can add and subtract. However, ladies and gentlemen, I am not talking about a coalition with PiS. I am talking about co-governing Poland with PiS, and that means that governance in Poland must change - stated Marek Jakubiak in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

11:25

Libicki on the Church Pedophilia Commission: I'd See Former Constitutional Court Presidents, Suchocka, and Bodnar on It
I would see [on the Church pedophilia commission], for example, three former presidents of the Constitutional Tribunal, Professors Andrzej Zoll, Andrzej Rzepliński, and Jerzy Stępień. I would see former Prime Minister Hanna Suchocka, who for many years sat in the Vatican on precisely such a commission. I would see the Commissioner for Human Rights, Adam Bodnar. We have differing views, but I consider him a reliable and honest person. Former Commissioner for Children's Rights, Marek Michalak, could also sit on such a commission, as could, from the church side, Archbishops Wojciech Polak and Grzegorz Ryś. I would also see a representative or representatives of the victims on such a commission. If such a commission were to be established – which I consider an authentic last resort – I would envision it with such a composition - wrote Jan Filip Libicki on his blog.

11:36

Fundacja 'Don't Be Afraid' Proposes 15-Member State Commission for Pedophilia in the Church in the Sejm

In the Sejm, during a session of the Parliamentary Team for Counteracting Hate Speech and Protecting Human Rights, the legal framework for a state commission to investigate cases of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is being presented.

The commission would comprise 15 members. Proponents suggest that they be appointed by the Sejm with a 3/5 majority vote. Professional self-governing bodies and non-governmental organizations would have the right to nominate candidates. The team's composition would include, among others: lawyers, psychiatrists, psychologists, sexologists, experts recommended by at least 3 non-governmental organizations with documented at least 5 years of experience in assisting victims of sexual offenses, and two experts from the Prime Minister's Office and the President's Chancellery.

Representatives of churches and religious unions could participate in the commission's work, but without voting rights.

“We are at a turning point for the foundation and for the survivors themselves. For years, the main goal has been the establishment of such an independent commission, free from the influence of politics and the church. Recently, the need to establish such a commission has been growing for political reasons. Survivors calling the foundation are very frightened by what is happening. The events that are unfolding, which should not be happening, are re-traumatizing them. In Poland, the law applies. It is good law, it's just a matter of respecting and enforcing this law daily. Since Saturday, when the Sekielski brothers' film was released, we’ve had our own Polish 'Spotlight' at the foundation. Phones are ringing non-stop, hundreds of emails. This shows the scale,” said Marek Lisiński, head of the “Don't Be Afraid” foundation, during the session of the Parliamentary Team for Counteracting Hate Speech and Protecting Human Rights.


11:58

Biedroń Responds to PO: Court Prohibited Neumann from Disseminating False Information. No Damages Awarded Due to Procedural Reasons

- Sławomir Neumann, as stated by the court, lied, disseminating false information regarding alleged inaction on my part when I was the mayor of Słupsk concerning irregularities at the Słupsk Cultural Centre. The court prohibited Neumann from disseminating false information. Due to procedural reasons, no damages were awarded because the court considered that I could pursue such damages through civil proceedings - stated Robert Biedroń at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- In recent days, Civic Platform, PO politicians led by Mr. Neumann, have been disseminating false, deceitful information about me. We have a court ruling on this matter and a prohibition on disseminating this false, deceitful information - he added.


12:02

Trzaskowski Announces Implementation of "Warsaw for Women" Program: "If We Want to Build a Warsaw for Everyone, We Must First Remember Women's Rights"
We are meeting here at the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum, a truly unique place, to announce the implementation of a program for women. I would like to remind you that this was one of the first programs I spoke about during the election campaign, the first project we prepared - said Rafał Trzaskowski during a press conference. I considered this one of the most important points in the program. If we want to build a Warsaw for everyone, we must first and foremost remember women's rights - added the Mayor of Warsaw.

12:05

Biedroń:

Timmermans Arrives in Poland Tomorrow

- Tomorrow, Frans Timmermans is arriving. We have a whole series of events planned. We invite you to a conference which will be on Wednesday morning, and tomorrow evening we have a picnic with Timmermans, a tour of Warsaw, and a debate - stated Robert Biedroń at a briefing in front of the Sejm.


12:27

PiS Presents New Billboard:

Vote for Poland in Europe.

- "Vote for Poland in Europe" is the slogan that will accompany us in these final days, but it is also the brand of PiS, in fact, the most important message that we will build both here in Poland and there in the European Parliament, and we are also building it in our country, therefore, first and foremost, we represent, vote for, and fight for Polish matters. This is how it is in Poland, while we govern, and similarly in the European Parliament when PiS has its representation there in Brussels - stated Tomasz Poręba at a press conference at PiS headquarters.

https://twitter.com/pisorgpl/status/1130417559038304256


12:36

Kaczyński on Grupiński's Statement: "Further Proof that Civic Platform Represents an Extremely Unreliable Party"

- This is further proof [Rafał Grupiński's statement] that Civic Platform represents the type of extremely unreliable party. That is, one that fundamentally treats politics as one great manipulation, because if politics is taken seriously, as an act within a democratic system, then credibility is absolutely essential. What sense does it make to cast a ballot in favour of a party if it turns out that this party says one thing and does another? Then it simply makes no sense at all. All of this, I will repeat, is fundamentally manipulation. And this undermines the sense of this formation's operation within a democratic system. Of course, so that no one draws the conclusion that someone is trying to challenge this action legally. Civic Platform will probably be on the political scene for a long time yet. But these characteristics must be highlighted, they should be known to society. Civic Platform managed to announce, almost swear, that it would not raise the retirement age, and then do so. It managed to make very patriotic declarations, and then pursue a very left-wing policy, and in the end, even a far-left one, directed against traditional values. Now we have the prospect of Civic Platform wanting to introduce a cultural revolution in Poland, undermining all traditional canons, which is already a fact in many countries west of our borders. Will this serve any good purpose? Certainly not. But it is clearly some kind of interest, some matter that Civic Platform must settle, but it could also be otherwise. It might just be about misleading the LGBT community to gain their support in these elections. In any case, we don't know what it's really about, but we do know that we are dealing here with another act that has nothing to do with democracy, with honest democratic politics - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference at PiS headquarters.


13:00

Szydło Publicly Questions European Coalition Politicians: What is the Truth About Parental Rights and Child Rearing?
Poles have the right to know the truth before the elections, before they cast their vote this coming Sunday. Is what PO politicians are officially saying today the truth, or is it what they say in backroom conversations? Will it be like here in Warsaw, when there was an attempt to introduce programs in schools teaching about LGBT, elements of gender politics, the sexualization of children, or is it true what Ms. Nowacka, who is running on the European Coalition's list, also says in her posts, that same-sex couples will have the right to adopt children? These are fundamental issues for Poles, which is why I am now publicly asking politicians of the European Coalition: what is the truth? Will parents have the right to raise their children? Will they have the right to decide about their children's future? Or will there be an attempt by European Coalition politicians to introduce rules and elements that have already been introduced here by Mayor Trzaskowski in Warsaw concerning the sexualization of children, consent for same-sex couples to have the right to adopt children. These are statements from prominent politicians associated with the European Coalition, with Platforma. Mr. Trzaskowski, Ms. Nowacka, Mr. Rabiej. Therefore, we are asking this question today on behalf of Poles. What is the truth? - stated Beata Szydło at a press conference at PiS headquarters.

13:02

Kaczyński on 500+ for persons with disabilities: After winning the trade tax lawsuit and accumulating funds in the solidarity fund, certain solutions are now possible

Currently, financial possibilities have emerged. Our opponents, when they were in power, did not introduce any solutions to support families or people with disabilities. In any case, these were solutions of a very limited nature because their policy led to a constant budget deficit and enormous difficulties. This stemmed mainly from their incompetence. They are a group that cannot govern; they play at governing. We are responsible. We are introducing solutions that are financially feasible. After winning the lawsuit and accumulating a certain sum in the solidarity fund, certain solutions are now possible” – stated PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.


13:02

Kaczyński:

We Want to Appoint a Commission to Investigate Pedophilia Cases in All Milieus, Including the Church, but Also Others
"We want to appoint a commission that will investigate pedophilia cases in all milieus, and in particular in those that can be described as particularly vulnerable or of special concern. It will not omit the Church, but we also want to address other milieus. All victims are equal. I see no reason why victims of some should be treated differently from victims of others. Furthermore, all citizens of Poland – secular or clergy, whether they hold a distinguished social position or not – are also equal. Neither the purple [of a cardinal], nor a Nobel Prize – because that is somehow being overlooked recently by your station [TVN24] – nor an Oscar, nor global or European fame, will protect anyone from punishment. And I emphasize – including the Nobel Prize, because you somehow don't want to talk about that," said PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.

13:02

Kaczyński on Amber Gold Verdict: "I Think the Main Culprits Are Different. They Are Known, Just Under Protection"
“I am absolutely convinced that these are not the only ones to blame. As far as I know, the conclusion of the [Amber Gold investigative] committee's work is that these individuals [Marcin and Katarzyna P.] played the role of figureheads. They are certainly not the only ones to blame, and perhaps not even the main culprits. It seems to me that the main culprits are different. They are known, but they are simply under protection. A full reckoning with this affair and others would mean dismantling a certain system. Some call it the Gdańsk system, the Gdańsk Sicily, the Tricity Sicily. There are certain limitations here. It is possible that achieving full justice will be possible with further improvements in certain political conditions. I believe this improvement will occur after the parliamentary elections,” said PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.

13:05

Kaczyński on 'GW' Article Regarding Morawiecki's Assets: The Theses Presented Are Worth Verifying. I Believe This Verification Will Result in Falsification

"There has already been a statement from the [Prime Minister's] Chancellery on this matter. A lawsuit will be filed, and that is all I can say on the subject at this time. Personally, I have not dealt with the Prime Minister's assets. I only skimmed the article. The theses presented there are worth verifying. But I believe that this verification will result in falsification" - said PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.


13:28

At 3 PM: Statement from Morawiecki's Lawyers Regarding Gazeta Wyborcza Publication

Today at 3:00 PM, a press conference will be held where a statement will be delivered concerning the publication by "Gazeta Wyborcza" regarding properties purchased by Iwona and Mateusz Morawiecki. The meeting will take place in the courtyard in front of the entrance to the Gide Loyrette Nouel law firm, at the intersection of Wierzbowa Street and Marshal Ferdynand Foch Street.


14:03

Schetyna Announces Bill for Church Pedophilia Commission to be Submitted in June. "It Should Have Investigative Powers"
Public opinion expects, demands that the political class, the Polish state, engage in these matters, to establish a special, independent, state commission. It must be composed of experts, it must concern the activities of state services, which would investigate omissions and activities of the Church, religious associations, but also state organs in the matter of prevention. We want this commission to consist of 9 people. We are also open to the proposed composition. 3 retired prosecutors, 3 retired judges, 3 representatives of victims of pedophilia offenses. This is the team that can and should deal with this matter. This commission should have investigative powers. When verifying and with the information it obtains, with reports to the prosecutor's office, it must have investigative capabilities" - said the leader of PO, Grzegorz Schetyna, at a press conference in Toruń. "We are ready to present a draft bill in the coming days, weeks, which we will submit to the Marshal's Office in June, to discuss it and build a parliamentary majority around it. Today we are saying 'checkmate' to President Kaczyński. If PiS wants to clarify this issue, we expect them to vote for this project" - he added.

14:03

Schetyna:

We are determined to convince the Prime Minister to fully disclose the assets of himself and his wife

These are matters that show that the relationship between the Catholic Church, the authorities, both then and now, requires description and explanation. There are too many questions for those who today conceal, who do not want to reveal their assets, to have to speak about it to an independent commission, to the public. We are determined to bring this project to life during this parliamentary term, to convince Prime Minister Morawiecki to fully disclose information about his assets, his wife's assets, and how they were acquired” - said PO leader Grzegorz Schetyna at a press conference in Toruń.


15:22

Iwona Morawiecka: I am taking the matter to court

- In reference to the manipulated article in Gazeta Wyborcza, signed by editor J. Harłukowicz, and the false accusations contained therein, I am taking the matter to court - Iwona Morawiecka, the Prime Minister's wife, stated to PAP in a declaration.

"Furthermore, I declare that should the Municipality of Wrocław proceed with the construction of roads, as outlined in the local spatial development plan for this area and running through the plot which is currently my property, and has been co-owned since 2002, I will sell all demarcated areas at the purchase price indicated in the notarial deeds, taking inflation into account."

- I also declare that I will allocate the entire amount received from the Municipality of Wrocław to charitable purposes - emphasized the wife of the Prime Minister.


15:29

Morawieckis' Lawyers Announce Lawsuit Against Gazeta Wyborcza Publishers and Editor-in-Chief

- Acting in the name and on behalf of Iwona and Mateusz Morawiecki, pursuant to the granted power of attorney, we inform you that in the coming days a lawsuit will be filed against the publisher of the Gazeta Wyborcza daily, the editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, the editor-in-chief of the Wyborcza.pl news portal, and Mr. Jacek Harłukowicz, the author of the press material, for the protection of personal rights due to violations committed through the publication of press materials containing untrue or inaccurate information about our clients, including specifically the article titled "How Morawiecki Enriched Himself with Church Land" dated May 20, 2019 - informed Dariusz Tokarczuk from the Gide Loyrette Nouel law firm.

"The information contained in the publications is incomplete and unreliable, and therefore violates the personal rights of the Morawiecki couple. The press material misleads public opinion not only regarding the procedure for purchasing the plot but, above all, its current value, inaccurately stating the plot's value at 70 million PLN, without taking into account objective changes in land value over the 17 years since the property was purchased, as well as deductions from today's plot value for the costs of excluding the land from agricultural production for the purpose of future investments. It also makes an unauthorized accusation of "enrichment" by Iwona and Mateusz Morawiecki, while the described plot was not public property at the time of purchase, and the Morawiecki couple were private individuals. The purchase prices of plots in that area were market prices.

We wish to point out that the owner of the plot described by Gazeta Wyborcza, Ms. Iwona Morawiecka, has today issued a statement that in the event the city of Wrocław commences construction of roads included in the spatial development plan for this area, she is prepared to sell the part of the plot necessary for such an investment at the purchase price adjusted for inflation, and the funds obtained from such a sale will be entirely allocated to social purposes.

Our clients, and in particular Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki, are aware that the media have the right to assess the private lives of public figures. However, they must exercise due diligence and, above all, adhere to the principles of reliability and journalistic ethics. Ms. Iwona Morawiecka provided the editorial office of Gazeta Wyborcza with exhaustive answers, the content of which was not, however, taken into account in the published text. In view of the foregoing, our clients have decided to take legal action to protect their good name as a result of being attributed improper conduct, and will seek the publication of an apology of appropriate content."


16:48

President Duda: "The European Parliament is a democratic institution. Let's take matters into our own hands. Please vote."
"There are other European institutions we complain about having a deficit of democracy, but the European Parliament, precisely, is a democratic institution. Let's take matters into our own hands. I encourage you, please go to the elections next Sunday. It is extremely important. Please take part in these elections. Please choose. Please send our strong representation to the European Parliament. People who will represent us there with dignity, who will care about European affairs, but who will above all care about our affairs, about Polish affairs." – said President Andrzej Duda during a meeting with the residents of Mysłowice.

18:01

Kwieciński Presents Award to PKN Orlen

19:45

Kierwiński Quotes Morawiecki: 'Interest Groups Roamed the Third Republic in the 90s Like the Wind Across Wild Fields.' He Forgot to Add He Roamed with That Wind Himself

- I have this one quote here. It's from this year, from March. Prime Minister Morawiecki for "Rzeczpospolita". 'Interest groups roamed the Third Republic in the 90s like the wind across wild fields'.   Prime Minister Morawiecki forgot to add that along with that wind, across those wild fields of the 90s, Mr. Morawiecki himself was roaming - said Marcin Kierwiński in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" on Polsat News.


19:52

Jaki to Kierwiński regarding GW publication: When asked for specifics about broken law, you can't answer. Perhaps because you ruled for 8 years, and if it was such a scandalous transaction, you should have pressed charges.

- This is an attempt to create an impression that something is not right here, but when asked for specifics about what it's about, where the law has been broken, you are unable to answer. Perhaps because you yourself ruled for eight years, and if it was such a scandalous transaction, you should have pressed charges, you should have conducted an investigation – said Patryk Jaki in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.


19:56

Bielan on GW Publication: "This is the final stretch of the election campaign. I'm not surprised that Civic Platform and its affiliated media are trying to tarnish one of the most popular politicians in the country."
"This is the final stretch of the election campaign. I'm not surprised that Civic Platform and its affiliated media are trying to tarnish one of the most popular politicians in the country. Mateusz Morawiecki left a very well-paid job in banking to work for Poland. He is an excellent Prime Minister, and before that, he was an excellent Minister of Finance. He put our state budget back on its feet" – stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

20:01

Kierwiński to Jaki: Grupiński said we'll be back after the election campaign. It's nothing extraordinary. When you ran for Mayor of Warsaw, you said you were an open-minded person. So what's bothering you about registered partnerships now?

- [Grupiński] Said that we will be back after the election campaign, it is nothing extraordinary, Grzegorz Schetyna spoke about it. This is a somewhat fabricated problem - Marcin Kierwiński said in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" on Polsat News.

- When you ran for Mayor of Warsaw, you spoke about what an open-minded person you are. So what is bothering you about registered partnerships now? - Kierwiński asked, addressing Patryk Jaki. 


20:08

Jaki:

Why Are Only Two Priests Currently Imprisoned? Because, Thanks to Colleagues from Civic Platform and Judicial Elites, Most Sentences for Pedophilic Crimes Are Suspended.
"Why are only two [priests] currently serving time? Because, thanks to colleagues from Civic Platform and colleagues from judicial elites, among others, most sentences in Poland for pedophilic crimes are suspended" – said Patryk Jaki in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" on Polsat News.

20:09

Tomczyk:

We Can Boldly Say the Myth of Prime Minister Morawiecki's Personal Honesty is Collapsing Before Our Eyes
PiS effectively has nothing to defend Prime Minister Morawiecki with. When we look at the materials published by "Gazeta Wyborcza" today, we can boldly say that the myth of Prime Minister Morawiecki's personal honesty is collapsing before our eyes. I hold Prime Minister Morawiecki's asset declaration in my hands, and this declaration makes no mention of the 70 million PLN plot of land purchased from the Catholic Church – stated Cezary Tomczyk in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach." He added:
"There is nothing in this asset declaration about the 70 million PLN plots of land bought from the Catholic Church, because Prime Minister Morawiecki, on the eve of entering politics, transferred everything to his wife. We know such practices from the past. These were never good practices. What's more, the land was bought from the Catholic Church."
- Let me recall one quote from Prime Minister Morawiecki from March of this year: In the 1990s, interest groups ran wild across the Third Republic like the wind across wild fields. Prime Minister Morawiecki just forgot to tell his voters that he was running wild across those fields with them. If today we hear that the Prime Minister of the Polish government is unable to face journalists and clarify doubts related to his assets, then we can say today that the Prime Minister has something to hide – emphasized the Civic Platform MP.

20:11

Kierwiński:

If a Pedophile is a Bricklayer, Roofer, or Soldier, They are Prosecuted and Convicted. The Problem Lies with Pedophilia in the Church

- Minister Jaki wants to obscure this issue, just like MP Kaczyński. It's common knowledge that if a pedophile is a bricklayer, a roofer, or a soldier, such a person is prosecuted by the prosecutor's office and convicted. The problem is with pedophilia in the Church – stated Marcin Kierwiński in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program „Wydarzenia i Opinie” on Polsat News.


20:13

Adamowicz:

Hard to speak of friendship, Paweł had contacts with Metropolitan Głodź
- Perhaps it's fear and a lack of responsibility. The situation should be clarified as soon as possible. The most important are the victims, they had to live with great trauma all this time. It's hard to speak of friendship, Paweł had contacts with Metropolitan Głodź - Magdalena Adamowicz said in 'Kropka nad I'.

20:18

Tomczyk:

Everyone knows PM Morawiecki is wealthy. It's even more surprising that he hid a plot of land, estimated by GW at PLN 70 million, after transferring it to his wife.

- Nobody questions Prime Minister Morawiecki's wealth. Everyone knows he is a wealthy man. It is all the more surprising that he hid a plot of land, estimated by "Gazeta Wyborcza" at PLN 70 million, after previously transferring it to his wife - stated Cezary Tomczyk in an interview with Anita Werner on "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.

- I would like to remind you that Prime Minister Morawiecki, when he bought this plot of land, was a member of the provincial assembly. As "Gazeta Wyborcza" writes today, he could have had access to information about where the express road would cut through Wrocław. These lands are worth 100 times more today than they were then - he added.


20:22

Adamowicz:

It's a distortion to say there are more paedophiles among bricklayers than in the Church, but no bricklayers were ever transferred
- It's a distortion to say there are more paedophiles among bricklayers than in the Church, but no bricklayers were ever transferred. We need a system that will punish perpetrators. Simply increasing penalties is not effective, because we see how protracted the legal proceedings are under the PiS government, prolonged, with prosecutors and judges being changed – Magdalena Adamowicz said on Kropka nad I.

20:32

Bielan:

Grad Had a Separation of Property. During the PO Government, When Grad Was Minister of the Treasury, a Company Owned by His Wife Earned Millions of Zlotys from Public Contracts

- Mr. MP [Tomczyk] accuses Mateusz Morawiecki of dishonesty and in the same sentence later says that the [asset] declaration is filled out correctly. Well, Prime Minister Morawiecki established a separation of property. Exactly the same as Minister of the Treasury Aleksander Grad did. During your government, when Grad was the minister of the treasury, a company belonging to Minister Grad's wife was winning millions of zlotys from public procurement. Did you then attack Grad, your party colleague, did you hold press conferences and say that Grad could not be the minister of the treasury because he had a separation of property with his wife, who was doing multi-million deals with the State Treasury - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Anita Werner on "Fakty po faktach" TVN24.


20:36

Tomczyk:

I expect the PM to tell the truth at a press conference and clear up all doubts

- My expectations are very clear. I expect Prime Minister Morawiecki to tell the truth at a press conference and clear up all doubts. Because every person, and especially the Prime Minister of the Polish government, should be beyond suspicion - stated Cezary Tomczyk in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".


20:39

Radziwiłł:

Kosiniak-Kamysz Marches Under a Banner Mentioning Same-Sex Marriages and Child Adoption by Such Couples

I think we all feel a bit lost. The statements made by Mr. Grupiński and Szczerba 'off the record' suggest something is wrong here. Either you are a coalition, or you are not. If the coalition has common goals, they need to be revealed, not saying 'first in the cities, and for now not in the provinces.' At the same time, we see Mr. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz marching under a banner that not only mentions same-sex marriages but also the adoption of children by these couples” - said Konstanty Radziwiłł from PiS on TVP Info's 'Gość Wiadomości'.


21:01

HEADLINE:

Media Reactions to Political Developments: Church Commission Compared to Reprivatization, TVP Highlights LGBTQ+ Presence at European Coalition March
-- 300POLITYKA LIVEBLOG: Tomczyk on the Prime Minister's image that has collapsed. Radziwiłł on Kosiniak marching under LGBT banners. Kierwiński quotes a statement about interest groups in the Third Polish Republic. https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/05/20/ ***** PULS WYDARZENIA (POLSAT NEWS) -- AMBER GOLD CREATORS FOUND GUILTY OF FRAUD - COURT DECIDES - announcement. -- UNUSUALLY, THE COURT BEGAN READING THE VERDICT AND WILL FINISH IN 4 MONTHS - Dorota Gawryluk. -- THE COURT WILL ANNOUNCE THE SENTENCE ONLY AFTER READING THE NAMES OF OVER 18,500 VICTIMS AND DESCRIBING THEIR LOSSES - Grzegorz Kępka. -- PIS WANTS A DIFFERENT COMMISSION FOR PEDOPHILIA IN THE CHURCH, THE OPPOSITION SEES IT DIFFERENTLY, AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS HAVE YET ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE - announcement. -- PIS AND THE EUROPEAN COALITION ANNOUNCE THE FORMATION OF THEIR OWN COMMISSION. THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE LATTER WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THE CIVIL PROJECT, BUT THE OPPOSITION WANTS THE COMMISSION TO HAVE INVESTIGATIVE POWERS - Agnieszka Milczarz. -- PIS RESPONDS THAT THEY WILL APPOINT A COMMISSION, BUT ON THEIR OWN TERMS - Milczarz continues. -- THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE CAMPAIGN, EMOTIONS, AND ACCUSATIONS - THE PRIME MINISTER'S SHARP REACTION TO A GAZETA WYBORCZA ARTICLE - announcement. -- MATEUSZ AND IWONA MORAWIECKI HAVE ANNOUNCED FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NEWSPAPER - Dariusz Ociepa. -- FRAGMENTS OF PRESS CONFERENCES BY JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI AND THE OPPOSITION. -- IWONA MORAWIECKA ISSUED A STATEMENT INDICATING THAT IF A ROAD IS BUILT, SHE WILL SELL PART OF THE PROPERTY - Ociepa. ***** FAKTY TVN (TVN FACTS) -- READING THE AMBER GOLD VERDICT WILL TAKE WEEKS: Katarzyna and Marcin P. - the creators of the Amber Gold financial pyramid - are guilty in the court's opinion, but it is not yet known if and how long they will spend in prison. The court has issued a verdict, but reading the justification may take months. The reading of the 18,000 names of the victims is ongoing. -- WHAT DON'T WE KNOW ABOUT THE PRIME MINISTER'S WEALTH? When Mateusz Morawiecki was on the board of a commercial bank, he bought a 15-hectare plot of land in Wrocław from the Church, which today could be worth up to 100 times more. This is information from "Gazeta Wyborcza." The land is not listed in the Prime Minister's asset declaration because he transferred it to his wife. What don't we know about the Prime Minister's wealth? -- THE PRIME MINISTER COULD HAVE COME OUT AND ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS, HE DIDN'T DO THAT; INSTEAD, HIS LAWYER DID SO, WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ASKING QUESTIONS - Arleta Zalewska. -- Report on Morawiecki's land and testimony. -- THIS INFORMATION IS FALSE; LAND PRICES IN THAT AREA HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT THE PRIME MINISTER PAID - Jacek Harłukowicz. -- THE PRIME MINISTER MUST BE LIKE CAESAR'S WIFE - G. Schetyna. -- Report on Gulbinowicz. -- Opposition's accusations regarding marital property separation. -- THE LAW DOES NOT IMPOSE PROPERTY TRANSPARENCY ON A SPOUSE'S PROPERTY - Zalewska. -- The commission includes two laypeople and one church lawyer. They met for their first session on Monday. At the request of Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, they are to clarify the case of Father Dariusz Olejniczak: why, despite a verdict, he conducted retreats with children. The first answers are expected on Wednesday. -- KKZ ON NYCZ'S COMMISSION: Cardinal Nycz appointed a commission because in the film "Only Don't Tell Anyone," the Sekielski brothers revealed that in his diocese, Father Dariusz Olejniczak conducted retreats for children despite a verdict for molesting girls and a court ban on working with children. The commission is to investigate how this could have happened. Was the Warsaw curia to blame, church procedures, or perhaps someone was covering for Father Olejniczak? -- KKZ ON THE BISHOPS' STANCE: It is unknown how many hierarchs have made such reports. Neither the apostolic nuncio nor a high-ranking diplomat from the Vatican, who was in Poland on Monday, wanted to talk about the situation of the Polish Church after the revelation of pedophilia cases. The bishops themselves speak about it uncertainly and with apprehension. -- BISHOP OF GLIWICE JAN KOPIEC: The problem is that the victims were not dealt with. -- In his opinion, hierarchs should bear responsibility "proportionally to the neglect." The Council of the Polish Episcopal Conference is also to discuss the responsibility of hierarchs on Wednesday - KKZ. -- TWO PROPOSALS FOR COMMISSION FORMATION: There are already two official proposals for the establishment of a commission to investigate the issue of pedophilia in the Church. The first was drafted by Civic Platform MPs. The second is submitted by the "Do Not Fear" Foundation. Commission members would question witnesses and have access to church archives. -- THE IDEA OF THE COMMISSION IS REMINISCENT OF THE COMMISSION ON WARSAW REPRIVATIZATION, ALREADY IMPLEMENTED BY PIS - Jakub Sobieniowski. -- ARCHIVAL STATEMENT BY ABP MICHALIK FROM 2013, SAYING THAT A CHILD THEMSELVES SEEKS LOVE... -- THE COMMISSION MUST HAVE INVESTIGATIVE POWERS, A COMPENSATION FUND MUST BE ESTABLISHED - Schetyna. -- There is a request for arrest and two charges carrying a life sentence for a 33-year-old councilor from Busko-Zdrój. He attacked and injured a police officer with a knife. The man obtained his mandate with the support of the Porozumienie party. He was photographed with many well-known politicians. -- HE IS NOT AN ANONYMOUS FIGURE, HE IS A COUNCILOR, THIS FACT IS A PROBLEM FOR PIS AND ITS COALITION PARTNERS, HE WAS SUPPORTED BY POROZUMIENIE IN THE ELECTIONS - Krzysztof Skórzyński. -- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SZYDŁO HAS SUMMONED THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER FOR EXPLANATIONS - Skórzyński. -- STRANGELY ENOUGH, HE WAS THEIR GUY - Borys Budka. -- RECORDING WITH JADWIGA EMILEWICZ. -- THIS IS A LESSON TO BETTER CHECK WHO YOU ARE GIVING SUPPORT TO - Emilewicz's statement. -- A MAN ABOUT WHOSE AGGRESSION MUCH WAS SAID IN BUSKO HAS APPEARED IN THE VICINITY OF POLITICIANS - Skórzyński. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP (TVP NEWS) -- THE EUROPEAN COALITION'S SECRET PLAN - LEGALIZATION OF SAME-SEX UNIONS - in the opening. -- THE COURT FOUND MARCIN P. AND HIS WIFE GUILTY OF TAX FRAUD AND RUNNING AN ILLEGAL PARABANK OPERATION - announcement: However, the sentence is unknown. -- THE FINAL REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATIVE COMMISSION ONLY SHOWED THE SCALE OF NEGLECT AND THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY - Waldemar Stankiewicz. -- THE AMBER GOLD SCANDAL IS A SAD EXAMPLE OF HOW THE STATE DID NOT FUNCTION. POLITICIANS, SERVICES FAILED, NO ONE WAS ABLE TO DEFEND PEOPLE FROM THE THEFT OF THEIR MONEY. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY SCANDAL THAT HAS REVEALED THE WEAKNESS OF THE STATE AND THE AUTHORITIES OF THE TIME - announcement. -- THE FIRST SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST PO POLITICIANS APPEARED AS EARLY AS 2009. ZBIGNIEW CHLEBOWSKI WAS THEN DETERMINING THE CONTENT OF THE GAMBLING ACT AT A CEMETERY - Konrad Wąż. -- A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE SHIPYARD SCANDAL ERUPTED - Wąż: Later, the reprivatization, melioration, and wiretapping scandals. -- THE BALANCE SHEET OF 8 YEARS OF PO-PSL COALITION GOVERNANCE IS, IN THE EYES OF MANY POLES, PRIMARILY NUMEROUS SCANDALS AND HUGE LOSSES FOR THE STATE TREASURY - Wąż. -- ONCE AGAIN, GW PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE FULL OF INSINUATIONS AND HALF-TRUTHS. THIS IS AN ELEMENT OF POLITICAL STRUGGLE, EXCEPTIONALLY INEPT - MICHAŁ DWORCZYK ON THE PUBLICATION ABOUT THE PRIME MINISTER'S WEALTH - no material. -- THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE LAW ON THE NATIONAL ONCOLOGY STRATEGY. -- THE CHAIRMAN OF PIS HAS ONCE AGAIN ASSURED THAT THERE WILL BE NO TOLERANCE FOR PEDOPHILIC CRIMES - Szypszak. -- THE FINAL STRETCH BEFORE THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS - announcement. -- A SHARP, IDEOLOGICAL TURN TO THE LEFT AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGES - THIS IS PO'S PLAN, AS REVEALED BY RAFAŁ GRUPIŃSKI - announcement. -- LESBIANS, GAYS, BISEXUALS, AND TRANSSEXUALS - THIS IS WHAT THE KE MARCH IN WARSAW LOOKED LIKE ON SATURDAY - Maciej Sawicki: Demands for the introduction of same-sex marriages and slogans aimed at legalizing adoption of children by same-sex couples were visible. -- PAWEL RABIEJ'S POLITICAL PLAN HAS THE SUPPORT OF PO POLITICIANS, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT OPENLY FOR FEAR OF LOSING VOTERS - Sawicki. -- PO REPRESENTS A TYPE OF EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE PARTY - THIS IS HOW JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI SPEAKS ABOUT HIS COMPETITORS. THIS IS HOW THE PIS CHAIRMAN ADDRESSED PO'S ELECTION PROMISES - announcement. -- EUROPEAN MPS FROM PO ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RELIABILITY - Dominik Cierpioł recalls the vote on the so-called ACTA2 and the directive on posted workers. -- THE RESIDENTS OF WARSAW SEE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW QUICKLY ONE CAN BACK DOWN FROM PROMISES - Cierpioł: Trzaskowski backed down from his promise of free nurseries for all children, and high school students do not have the promised free public transport.