At 9:00 AM, the parliamentary investigative committee on VAT fraud will question former Deputy Minister of Finance, Maciej Grabowski.

At 10:00 AM, the Council of Ministers will convene. The government will address, among other matters, amendments to the Value Added Tax Act. At 1:15 PM, at a press conference, Minister Jerzy Kwieciński will present the new Deputy Ministers of Investment and Development.

President Andrzej Duda continues his visit to Slovenia, where the Three Seas Initiative summit is taking place. At 10:00 AM, a ceremony for the official welcome of the presidents of the Three Seas Initiative countries is scheduled, and at 10:20 AM, a family photo with the heads of delegations.

At 10:30 AM, President Duda will participate in a plenary session with the presidents of the Three Seas Initiative countries. At 12:30 PM, a meeting between the presidents of the Three Seas Initiative countries and media representatives is planned. The last scheduled item is President Duda's walk with foreign delegation heads through the park around 1:15 PM.

- Absolutely not [we haven't lost faith in a Sejm victory]. These speeches in Gdańsk rather closed the period of discussing the results of the European Parliament elections and opened a new campaign. In Poland, it's such that whoever wins the Sejm elections, wins the Senate, or you could say it the other way around, so it's not like we'll be thinking about the Senate now and forget about the Sejm. The Sejm is the most important, and the main battle will revolve around the Sejm elections – stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- Starting with the Senate, where we have single-member constituencies, we must begin rebuilding this grand bloc. I specifically listened to that fragment from Donald Tusk again. It is absolutely not demobilizing – emphasized the Civic Platform politician.

- Not enough mobilization in smaller towns. This is evident from the results. Of course, we can look for deeper reasons; we are having honest party discussions about what didn't work and where mistakes were made – stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego". - [Bogdan Zdrojewski] is a bitter Bogdan Zdrojewski because he wanted to run, but didn't. The list leader in Lower Silesia, Janina Ochojska, achieved a great, wonderful result, and that is also some kind of answer – he added.

- I expect Bogdan Zdrojewski to return, to be the leader – Grzegorz Schetyna proposed this to him – of the parliamentary list in Wrocław. A politician never says never, Zdrojewski is running for the Sejm, for various things, as we read here, so I hope these emotions will subside. Zdrojewski has a clear offer and should not leave Polish politics – stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- We have a board meeting tomorrow, a parliamentary club meeting, and on Saturday, a National Council meeting. Everyone, including MP Łukacijewska, can express their opinion there. We are a democratic party where people criticize and say different things. This is rather our strength, not a flaw - stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- They are our partner [Nowoczesna] since the local government elections within the Civic Coalition. We want closer cooperation, and the formula is up for joint discussion - stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- We proposed the merger of clubs and integration in December. We took the first step then. Today it's time for the next one. There really is no time to divide, argue, or discuss now. We are very close to our colleagues from Nowoczesna. We want to cooperate even more closely with them, and we will find a formula - he added.

When asked about the merger of the PO and N parliamentary clubs, the Platform politician replied: - I have hope for that, but let's wait. This is our wish, our humble request to our colleagues from Nowoczesna, but their authorities are meeting on Saturday and they will decide the direction.

- Andrzej Duda is the incumbent president. There is no campaign. Former presidents are complacent due to high approval ratings and a lack of contenders. I believe he [Donald Tusk] has the nature of a fighter and feels much stronger than Andrzej Duda, and that he will not be looking at current poll results for this decision. Because it will not be an easy victory, an easy campaign, but I am convinced that if he runs in this election, he will [win it] - stated Tomasz Siemoniak in a conversation with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

"We will definitely not feel them this year, because this act is in force for 2019. Let's remember that the significant impact on the increase in electricity prices comes from CO2 emission allowances, i.e. the so-called carbon tax," Jadwiga Emilewicz said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program "Gość Radia ZET".

- There are no reasons for any evacuation. The Minister [Anna Zalewska] was elected as an MEP. Why should I flee? I see no reason to flee. The Minister is not fleeing at all. This is a normal political career in this case. The Minister already resigned from her MEP mandate once. This time she didn't want to - stated Dariusz Piontkowski on RMF FM.

I believe that what worked in the European elections was that the United Right camp had its lists ready very early, and while the opposition was arguing about who belonged to which constituency, we were simply conducting our election campaign. It will definitely happen this summer, and it certainly won't be the last day for registering lists. I think these holidays will be campaign-intensive – Jadwiga Emilewicz said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program “Gość Radia ZET”.

“It is a good model. It proved effective in 2006 and 2007 to have a coordinator of government work, not only legislative but also governmental, alongside the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has an enormous number of duties. One can see how active Prime Minister Morawiecki is, not only in Poland but also in the international arena. This is extremely important today” – said Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin in an interview with Piotr Gociek in “Sygnały dnia” on Polskie Radio Program 1.

“Such an aide for the daily operation of the state machinery is truly needed” – he added.

- As long as we don't talk, we don't truly know what both sides are after. One of the elements we will definitely want to address in the near future is fulfilling the agreements we made even before the strike began - stated Dariusz Piontkowski on RMF FM.

- The Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister primarily hold the purse strings in the government. We will also be discussing money for teachers. We are already guaranteeing this money. As a government, we clearly stated that we have additional funds for teachers from September 1st. This is the nearly 10% of the next installment of pay increases - added the new Minister of Education.

“The train will continue to run on the same track and in the same direction. We do not foresee any adjustments or changes in direction here; it is a continuation, a full continuation. The Prime Minister was concerned that those entering the ministries would take over their duties seamlessly, and that there would be no delays,” said Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin in an interview with Piotr Gociek on “Sygnały dnia” on Radio Jedynka. “In the near future, we will see tax bills, which were announced even before the elections, as part of the so-called Kaczyński's Five,” he added.

„We are currently working on these program proposals, because we always work based on what we hear from people, and by its very nature, this is not a day-to-day process” – said Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin in an interview with Piotr Gocek on the program “Sygnały dnia” on Radio Jedynka.

„[Healthcare] is perhaps even the biggest challenge. Here we see clearly that money won't solve everything” – he added.

I said that attempts are being made to teach children as young as a few years old, still in preschool, about, for example, masturbation, and in my opinion, that is sick. WHO standards, which some circles refer to, clearly state that children should be prepared for sexual life, but I don't necessarily think that should happen at a few years old - stated Dariusz Piontkowski in RMF FM, when asked if sex education is about preparing children to be handed over to pedophiles. - I would not wish for my children, when they go to kindergarten or the first grades of primary school, for one of the most important subjects that some would like to introduce to be an attempt to teach them sexual behaviors - emphasized the new head of the Ministry of National Education. - In my opinion, preparing children for sexual life at too early an age is not good and we should not do it. Young children don't necessarily need to be sexually educated, and from my point of view, if someone tries to force these very young children, our grandchildren, to do this by introducing such classes, it can unfortunately lead to the education of future objects of pedophilic interest, and I clearly confirm that it can - he noted.

„I started my term yesterday. Prime Minister Morawiecki outlined the timeline. The project will be developed by the end of June and will undoubtedly be passed this year” - Minister Bożena Borys-Szopa said at a press conference about the so-called '500+' project for people with disabilities.

„The project is currently being drafted. It is intended to enter into force on September 1st, if I am not mistaken. Once the project is accepted, after consultations, we will share all the details” - she added - „We are currently in the process of identifying these individuals. We have a preliminary estimate. The Prime Minister mentioned that it is mainly intended for severely disabled individuals, unable to undertake any professional work. There are various groups here. I believe that once we finalize this, it will take 2-3 weeks for the project to be submitted to the Sejm”. 

- Regarding the Polish Coalition's project, I heard about it in early February. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Katarzyna Lubnauer spoke about it for the first time then, and later joined the European Coalition. Time and talks are needed here. Today we are in a phase where all groups are summing up their results. We have a National Council meeting this Saturday, and the time will come, most likely next week, to discuss the future - said Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on "Sedno Sprawy" (The Core of the Matter) on Radio Plus.

- She dealt with numerous international matters, and I had the honor of being her collaborator. I believe this is a very good decision by the faction, as she is a politically very strong individual, with a very good result in Greater Poland as well, making her suitable for this role. We need politicians who effectively connect Poland with Europe. Ewa Kopacz is certainly one such politician - said Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's "The Heart of the Matter".

- Everything will happen in its own time. This support for Donald Tusk is very important now, it adds strength. I hope it closes the entire period of discussion about the election results and opens a completely new chapter. The political calendar and optimal scenario, in my opinion, assumes that Donald Tusk, after concluding his mission at the European Council in December, will run for president and win against Andrzej Duda - said Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's "Sedno Sprawy" (The Heart of the Matter).

The idea of taking over the Senate – as suggested, for instance, by Donald Tusk on June 4th in Gdańsk – and thereby blocking PiS's revolutionary ideas, sounds impressive, but in practice, it would be at best a moral victory for the opposition camp. This is because Jarosław Kaczyński's party could continue to implement its agenda, albeit with a slightly extended legislative process. Yes, without the Senate, the Constitution cannot be amended, but this is rather abstract thinking, as it's unclear if such a majority will exist in the Sejm, and some changes can be carried out anyway through ordinary laws.

Article 121 of the Constitution is clear: The Senate, within 30 days of the date of transmission of a bill, may adopt it without amendment, adopt amendments, or adopt a resolution rejecting it in its entirety. If the Senate does not adopt a relevant resolution within 30 days of the date of transmission of the bill, the bill is considered adopted in the wording adopted by the Sejm. PiS would no longer be able to pass laws at breakneck speed, but is that really such a big problem? It would be difficult for the opposition not to support, for example, a bill on the classification of high school graduates. Other initiatives can wait a month – especially since the elections will be over by then.

A Senate controlled by the opposition would likely utilize the constitutional deadline to the fullest, rejecting controversial bills – such as the next stage of judicial reforms, which can be heard in the corridors, or media deconcentration – at the last possible moment. After 30 days, the bill would return to the lower house, which would have to convene to override the Senate's veto. The Constitution states: A Senate resolution rejecting a bill or an amendment proposed in a Senate resolution is considered adopted if the Sejm does not reject it by an absolute majority of votes in the presence of at least half of the statutory number of deputies.

In other words, all that's needed to govern is a majority in the Sejm and your own president. Lacking a majority in the Senate wouldn't even have to cause significant reputational damage. After each veto, there would be some media commotion, but, firstly, it would quickly become routine, and secondly, the last few years have shown – with night sessions and the express pace of passing laws important to the ruling party – that PiS doesn't pay much attention to such criticism. And besides, until now, the winner of the Sejm elections also took the Senate. Talking about 70-80 seats is fortune-telling.

Opinions are appearing on social media, from supporters, one can assume, of the opposition, that the minimum plan is to take over the Senate and the office of the president. But in practice, such a verdict – which is hard to imagine given the current approval ratings of the head of state – would only accelerate the revolutionary process. PiS would rush to implement its projects before a change occurred in the Presidential Palace, likely around next summer's vacation.

The Senate, of course, is not only about approving bills passed by the Sejm, but also, among other things, about expressing consent for the appointment of, for example, the President of NIK, the Ombudsman, the President of the Personal Data Protection Office, NIK, or UKE. Our sources close to the government admit that this would be a problem, but in practice, PiS would have to reach a more or less silent agreement with the opposition in these matters.

Photo: Senate

PiS published a letter from Jarosław Kaczyński to Poles on Twitter, written on May 31st. The ruling party's leader thanks them for their support in the European Parliament elections and points out that for the 'good change' to be continued and expanded, PiS must achieve an absolute majority in the parliamentary elections, as it did in 2015.

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for granting us your support in the European Parliament elections and for the votes cast for our candidates. We are deeply grateful to you for the trust you have shown us. It is precisely thanks to you, thanks to all those who appreciated our credibility, that we have achieved this very valuable electoral success.

Victory in the European Parliament elections is extremely important, but they have already passed into history. Now, autumn elections to the Sejm and Senate await us. It is in these elections that the future of our Homeland and the further fate of the 'good change' will be decided. In order to continue and expand it, we must achieve in these elections – just as in 2015 – an absolute majority, meaning winning over half of the seats in the Polish Sejm. This is a crucial matter for the prosperity of our Homeland. Therefore, today I wish to ask you to turn out in even greater numbers at the polling stations in the autumn and cast even more votes for Law and Justice, and also to support our candidates even more strongly during the election campaign.

We – I address you on behalf of the party which I have the honor to lead – promise, for our part, that we will work even harder for Poland, work even harder for the growth in quality and standard of living for all Poles.

Once again, thanking you for your electoral support and the votes cast for the candidates of Law and Justice, I wish you and your loved ones health, happiness, and all the best. Please accept my warmest regards and expressions of deep respect."

- The SLD must decide how it will seek seats in the Sejm and Senate, and this will happen soon, in the form of an [internal] referendum. The leadership of the SLD wants to ask all members of the alliance, and then we will know the answer, because there are several possibilities. Either to go into the elections in a coalition formula, the European Coalition, or perhaps some other one, or to run independently. This must be decided – stated Leszek Miller in "Political Quarter of an Hour" on TVP1.

„Robert Biedroń is in Brussels, he is the head of our national three-person delegation. We have joined the Social Democrats faction, and Robert Biedroń has received his certificate and is a Member of the European Parliament. He is already working very hard in Brussels today. The European Parliament works at its own pace. I am a supporter of Robert Biedroń being in the EP. For five years, for sure. Lists for the Sejm will be compiled. There has been no decision yet on what we will do with individuals who have been elected to the European Parliament” – said Krzysztof Śmiszek from Wiosna in an interview with Karolina Lewicka on Radio TOK FM's Poranek. 

“PiS boasts about social transfers. Recently, they granted seniors a thirteenth pension, and now they are preparing to expand the 500+ program. Generally, it would seem that things are very good, but the problem is very significant because nothing remains from all these 'pluses' as the 'pluses' are consumed by galloping energy prices, and prices at gas stations are also skyrocketing. Anyone who cooked Sunday broth also knows how much they paid for parsley” - said Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz from PO at a press conference in the Sejm. “A kilogram of butter under PiS rule has become more expensive than a kilogram of calamari under PO rule. This year, parsley, cabbage, and many other vegetables are joining in.”

“There are three reasons for the price increases at local markets: climate change and the huge drought, which causes enormous losses for farmers. But the question is, what is Minister Ardanowski doing? Why is he concerned with beavers and bisons instead of considering a system of solutions that would facilitate agricultural production subsidies?” - added Joanna Augustynowska.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, opening today's meeting, welcomed the new ministers to its ranks. The head of government emphasized that the government's reconstruction was primarily a consequence of the electoral victory in the European Parliament elections.

https://twitter.com/premierrp/status/1136591252592504834?s=21

Today, PiS submitted a draft bill amending the Teachers' Charter and certain other acts to the Sejm. - It concerns raising the average salary of teachers, introducing a new starting benefit for trainee teachers, defining the minimum amount of the form teacher's allowance, and shortening the professional advancement path - according to the description posted on the Sejm's website. The project itself has been referred to BL and BAS.

https://twitter.com/bbudka/status/1136625307744636928?s=12

- Indeed, the official National Council of PO and Nowoczesna will take place on Saturday, while Friday's meeting is informal, it is not a National Council - we will be talking with regional leaders, willing members of the National Council - stated Katarzyna Lubnauer in an interview with Marcin Makowski on WP.pl.


- No. A decision on a merger will certainly not be made on Saturday; Nowoczesna will remain an independent political entity. However, certain announcements will be made regarding a return to the formula that was the Civic Coalition, which worked excellently in the local government elections - she continued.




- The banner of the Civic Coalition was intended from the beginning for a specific campaign for the European Parliament, and no one needs to unfurl it. Now we will build a new coalition, and I hope our current partners from the European Coalition will join it - with the parliamentary elections in Poland in mind - emphasized the leader of Nowoczesna.

Balcerowicz and Wałęsa in their most important conversation on the 30th anniversary of democratic transformations in Poland. 30 years ago, Poles decided that freedom was paramount. We gained it, but we also paid a huge price. Political, economic, and social. What does freedom mean to Lech Wałęsa and Leszek Balcerowicz? How did their actions and decisions lead to the transformations in Poland? What price did their architects pay? And is freedom given once and for all? The book, a record of the first conversation between the architects of Polish transformation, answers these and other important questions. Wałęsa and Balcerowicz reveal the behind-the-scenes story of that period, its difficult choices, personal sacrifices, frenzied work, and their mutual relationship – the union leader who became president, and the scientist who was tasked with rebuilding a ruined country. Together, they achieved something great – they won freedom. 300POLITYKA is the first to publish an excerpt from Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska's book. Years 1990 and 1991 were the most difficult years for the Polish economy in the entire history of the Third Polish Republic. Inflation was brought under control, but recession set in, unemployment and the budget deficit grew, and spending cuts affected all budget sectors, from the military and education to healthcare. The shock therapy worked, but slower than expected. LW (somewhat provocatively): "Balcerowicz must go." LB: It doesn't affect me at all. Just an old populist slogan. LW (with curiosity): "The Mengele of the Polish economy"? LB (shrugs shoulders) LW: Nothing? LB: "A monkey with a razor in its hand" – some people called me that too. If Jan Nowak-Jeziorański, Zbigniew Brzeziński, Władysław Bartoszewski, and other people whom I respected for their intellect and character had criticized me, it certainly would have affected me and made me consider that there might be something to it. But no person whom I respected said so. However, I knew how ignoramuses and political manipulators treated reformers.  LW: This is democracy! People have the right to say what they don't like. They have the right to attack Balcerowicz, Wałęsa. You know what they said about me.  LB, KKZ (simultaneously): We know. They still do. LW: Exactly, let them talk. They won't stop me. I had a goal then, and I pursued it. Now I won't get offended by democracy.  KKZ: Doesn't it hurt, though?  LW: It hurt sometimes, but this is democracy, I repeat. It was a fight, precisely for the sake that everyone could say what they wanted. Even that I am Bolek, an agent. (shrugs shoulders) I've said everything on this topic, and I stand by it: I never collaborated with the Security Service (SB), I never signed anything. Never. The Security Service fabricated false documents to destroy public trust in a leader. I fought for democracy, for freedom. Ah, let them talk. I defend myself. I defend myself because my friends didn't defend me. And those others, my enemies, felt emboldened and gave the order: finish Wałęsa.  LB: Mr. President, all honest people stood as a wall behind you.  LW: But how could anyone doubt? Have you gone mad? Of course, I had to talk to the Security Service. In 1970, yes, I talked. I was a leader, and I had to talk, but only for one purpose. To fight for as much freedom as possible. (bitterly) And you allowed me to be destroyed. LB: Mr. President, that's not true.  LW: Let's leave it. I've learned to distinguish whether I'm attacked out of ignorance or premeditation. I won't convince certain people, I will convince others, just as I convinced Adaś Michnik again. How he fought me! You remember, don't you. And now? We are on the same side, because we were always on the side of democracy and pluralism. However, the attacks on me are needed by those who want to gain political advantage by slandering Wałęsa, because they themselves have no merits for the opposition.  KKZ: Do you have to learn how to be tough when faced with a wave of epithets and criticism? LW: I did everything I could and in the way I could. I couldn't do any more. All with conviction. LB: Circumstances reveal a person and circumstances reveal what they are capable of. I couldn't know how I would fare as a decision-maker in difficult times, because I had never acted that way before. And I found out. I didn't yield when I knew I shouldn't. It's a matter of principles, as well as calculation, when the good of the program requires steadfastness. KKZ: Were you able to?  LB: As I say, I discovered resilience within myself, which also stemmed from the conviction that if I yielded once, the entire program would be diluted. My strength was also a very good team of people. I trusted the competence, knowledge, and character of my collaborators. And I was not let down by them. KKZ: Weren't there moments of stress? LB: Of course, there were. Huge stress.  KKZ: When you presented your reform plan, almost immediately, in addition to criticism, there were predictions that everything would collapse, that the reform would fail.  LB: You are right. My stress was mainly related to whether the program would be successful, not to the fact that many would criticize me. Many criticize the contract Sejm, but its deputies genuinely cared about changing Poland. Now there are far fewer such politicians in our country. Unfortunately, demagoguery and lies play a larger role.  LW: They say about me that I am an agent, and about you, that you are heartless. LB: And what are we supposed to do about it? (shrugs shoulders)  KKZ: Perhaps I will now cite a story about the professor's heartlessness. Sister Małgorzata Chmielewska came to you, to the Ministry of Finance, after the Sejm passed a law that effectively prohibited public funding for non-governmental organizations. Her center for the homeless was on the verge of bankruptcy. The conversation with you was so heated that the sister slammed her fist on the table and left. A few days later, you sent your assistant, Łukasz Mężyk, to her to help sort out matters with the authorities. And then, in the driveway, a car from you appeared for the center. With a full tank and, as Sister Małgorzata recalls, chocolate in the glove compartment for strength. LB (waves his hand with embarrassment) KKZ: You never tell such stories. LB: Why? To brag? Never. You have to do your job with conviction.  LW: I have it better than you. In the name of the Father and the Son. (crosses himself) Lord God, what should I do? And I already knew, I was already calm. LB: One cannot be bothered by the opinion of every person, especially the opinion of people with ill intentions. Andrzej Lepper shouted "Balcerowicz must go." Journalists also constantly asked me about it, expecting me to say, "Yes, it pains me so much." But why should I lie? It didn't pain me. There will always be someone who has to shout like that to maintain their political course. Everywhere in the world. So I answered, and I answer you: if you are in politics for reforms, you have to look at the world of politics as you look at the natural world. And in nature, there are various specimens.  LW: In economics, it's probably harder to be completely sure of yourself. In politics, it's easier, so I had it easier than you. LB: I don't know, honestly. But I'll tell you what helps. Knowledge. It gives certainty. Comparative analysis when implementing reforms. It shows what is better. KKZ: Poland's fate depended on you. Even your wife believed that you had undertaken an almost impossible task. This awareness of responsibility... LB: It was a feasible, though very difficult, task. KKZ: Didn't you feel that you were implementing changes against people's expectations?  LB: I was doing it for the people – for a better Poland. Personal costs mattered little when I realized how huge the stakes were. Please don't think I didn't notice people's dramas. Except I knew that there would be many, many more such dramas if we stopped implementing reforms and condemned Poland, for example, to the fate of Belarus. LW: And that's why you had it harder. I wouldn't be able to do your job. Too much uncertainty. LB: Some things are reasonably certain. Private property is better than state ownership. Economic freedom is better than tyranny. What is uncertain? What is the best way to achieve these universal values. And here there are various possibilities. I chose the one that offered the greatest chance of success.  LW: I tell you, politics is easier. We know what we want – democracy and freedom.  LB: Of course. Our goal was common. Freedom, including economic freedom, and democracy.  KKZ: Isn't it true that a leader – whether in economics or politics – is the loneliest person in the world, even though they have advisors, teams, sometimes sycophants around them?  LW: A thousand people build a car, and there's only one driver. Yes, ultimately, a person is alone.  LB: I agree. Responsibility, full responsibility, condemns one to solitude. Because one is always individually accountable.  KKZ: And where is the family in all this? Do they suffer because of these insults, your loneliness? LB: That's true. My mother was constantly worried. She watched television, bought newspapers, and was constantly concerned. Once, in 1990, she came from Toruń to Warsaw and went shopping. She was buying something at a stall, and the vendor, of his own accord, started talking about who was Jewish in the Mazowiecki government. My mother couldn't take it and asked: and Balcerowicz? LW: Did she admit to you? LB: No, she didn't mention his name. And the vendor answered her: Balcerowicz no. He's a German. Authentic. (sad smile) I think it hurt my mother, those epithets, insults. I told her: don't watch so much television. My father, who died in 1997, and my mother certainly worried, but I still felt they were proud of me. My wife Ewa is an economist, she understood what we were doing, what we were undertaking, she read a lot of newspapers, so she knew perfectly well what was happening. And she behaved absolutely exceptionally, even though she was against me entering the government. But once the die was cast, she never held it against me, she quickly forgave me, and completely took over the care of the children. Along with our neighbors, with whom we are still very friendly today. I noticed that my children were sometimes afraid to admit that they bore my last name. I wasn't a father who attended parent-teacher meetings then, but we spent Sundays together, though not always. We talked and went for walks. LW: You probably marched.  LB (laughs): Of course, we marched. A lady once recognized me on such a Sunday walk. She looked angrily and said: "If they don't know, they shouldn't get involved in governing." (laughs) Nothing serious. I am a frequent guest at the so-called former "balcerowiaks," the market stalls that sprang up as soon as we liberalized the market. And there, I must admit, from the very beginning, I mostly encountered signs of sympathy. I also really like these hard-working people who don't complain but seize their chance. I even have my favorite "balcerowiak" in Rzeszów, where I always stop for apples and socks. LW: Socks? LB: Socks are always useful.  LW: If you want to be a leader, then 100 percent. No wife, no children, no money, and no accusations. KKZ: Did you ask your wife if she agreed to such a life? LW. No. But I come from the countryside, my wife does too. I've already told you, and I repeat, even though I saw you didn't like it. KKZ: Hm. LW: The wife is responsible for the home, and the man brings the money. That's the philosophy, that's how I was raised. Everyone knew what they were doing. KKZ: Now your wife has rebelled. LW: Yes, now she has, she changed her concept, and we have a problem. (laughs despite everything) LB: Your wife Danuta was and is a very courageous woman. LW (proudly, despite everything): Yes, she was and is. And she is right. LB: Now she is right? LW: Yes, she is right, but we agreed on something else.  LB: But you didn't agree on life in opposition, revisions, internments, fear for you, for the children. On life under surveillance.  LW: Yes, we didn't agree on that, but we agreed on a shared life according to old-fashioned principles. Wife at home, I do my thing, but I take care of the family. And I did, as best I could. (silence) I'll tell you, I lost my life. LB (cautiously): Aren't you happy? LW: From that perspective, no. I lost a whole period of my life, from the 70s to the presidency. I didn't have time for my children and my wife. But I am happy because I regained what my parents lost. Freedom. I regained what they longed for. Happiness. (another moment of silence) I don't blame fate. It was worth it. And you, what do you think about happiness? LB: I participated in something great, something I had never even dreamed of before. In the great transformation of Poland. For that reason, I am very happy. You were the hero of my youth... LW: How was I? (feigns indignation) LB: Please let me finish. You are, of course, the hero of our freedom, but I wanted to add that I maintained my respect for you through all the difficult years.  LW: I only do what I believe in.  LB: Excellent. Me too. And please, when a person does what they believe in, and it is right, there is no reason to worry about epithets. I have more supporters than people think, only they don't shout. The constant attacks on me... (thinks) It's an acoustic illusion. LW (approvingly): Well said. Do you walk the streets without fear? LB: Yes, I walk the streets. And I will tell you, I have never encountered real aggression. And even when the first criticisms of the reform appeared, I never asked for increased protection. What's more, when a car was taking me to the working-class district of Bródno, where I lived at the time, neighbors would lean out of their windows and shout: "We will protect the Deputy Prime Minister now." I have no problems interacting with ordinary people. And I really like it when people often address me as "Leszek." LW: When the reform began, probably few spoke to you so affectionately. LB (resignedly): I understand we are reaching the point: social consequences of reforms. KKZ: You're starting to get irritated, and we haven't even begun.  LW: Don't get upset. You know you were right, although I could have advised you on a few things.  LB: I am irritated by the phrase "social costs," which I consider one of the most idiotic slogans circulating in public debate. Ukraine in 1989 was at the same economic level as Poland. And let's compare now, where is it better, which country is richer, to which people come looking for work. From Ukraine to Poland, right? That's why I'm irritated. Because when the slogan about the costs of reform is raised, no one adds what would have happened if these reforms hadn't occurred.  LW: What your critics mean, and what I meant, is that they could have been less painful for people.  LB (sighs)  LW: I will say this, and let it be heard decisively: Balcerowicz had to do what he did. LB (silently thanks)

- On Friday at 10:00 AM, a meeting will take place at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister between Prime Minister Morawiecki and Manfred Weber, the candidate for President of the European Commission. The meeting will be dedicated to filling EU positions following the May European Parliament elections - government spokesperson Piotr Müller announced on Twitter.

- Some conclusions need to be drawn, but the Law and Justice party will already be on the move, while Civic Platform will only slowly step towards a campaign. If someone asked me what to do, I would say: You'll settle accounts later, and now you need to change the rules of the game a bit - said Adam Hofman in a conversation with Beata Michniewicz on "Puls Trójki".

- Trzaskowski won the elections brilliantly in Warsaw, so he must have something about him. The electorate loves him. We are investigating, they haven't fallen out of love, let's champion him. But what can we do with him? He is the mayor of Warsaw, how can we champion him. Let's create a new arena that doesn't exist yet. The presidential campaign is approaching, let's hold primary elections - Hofman added.

- Let's give the leader until the end of the week for these preliminary talks, and for finalization next week - stated Marek Sawicki in an interview with Marcin Zaborski on RMF FM.

- I think not officially, but rather in the media. There will be [an official invitation for PO to the Polish Coalition]. Today, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also discussed this with me. I think that in the near future he will try to meet with Grzegorz Schetyna and invite him to cooperate - he added.

If they had their own funding, their own subsidies, they probably wouldn't do it so willingly. Because they lack funds due to a mistake made in the past, they will become part of Civic Platform. This is the logical consequence of their previous choices – said Adam Hofman in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on "Puls Trójki".

- I believe that the main troubles and one of the reasons for the European Coalition's defeat in these EP elections were, on the one hand, the appearances of Vice-President Rabiej, and on the other hand, the frequent statements by MP Lubnauer. It was about hoisting these worldview issues, leftist ideas, onto the banners of the European Coalition, which we did not agree to - stated Marek Sawicki in an interview with Marcin Zaborski on RMF FM.

- We suggest that Grzegorz Schetyna either return to the conservative roots, as the Civic Platform was founded and built the Polish Coalition with us, or indeed, as he invites Biedroń's Spring to cooperate and build a common electoral list, form a liberal-left electoral committee, and then within this committee, we foresee that the SLD and Nowoczesna will likely be found, and perhaps Biedroń's Spring as well - he added.

- I also asked the President [Kosiniak-Kamysz] about this today, and the President says he can't imagine a coalition with PiS at this stage. But he doesn't rule it out either - stated Marek Sawicki in a conversation with Marcin Zaborski on RMF FM.

- We are not planning to form a coalition committee. The committee will be PSL. This is decided, and we are clearly stating this matter to our partners. Koalicja Polska is indeed a working term for the interparty agreement being built, just like Zjednoczona Prawica for example - stated Marek Sawicki in an interview with Marcin Zaborski on RMF FM.

- Do you envision the United Right, with Kukiz’15 becoming part of this good change? - asked Antoni Trzmiel in a conversation with Tomasz Rzymkowski on the program "Gość Polskiego Radia 24".

- I do. I don't know if this is a plan, but I believe such a solution can be considered, however, it requires the agreement of both sides - replied Rzymkowski.

- I would be most pleased if the voters of Kukiz'15 decided that it is worth supporting PiS and the United Right. But we are open precisely to those people who form the Kukiz'15 movement – stated Jacek Sasin in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" on Polsat News, when asked if he would like the Kukiz'15 movement, or its politicians and members, to be on the PiS lists in the autumn elections.

- Frankly, I also imagine MP Rzymkowski as my colleague in a single political bloc. I think I am also able to imagine [Paweł Kukiz] – added the Deputy Prime Minister. – As you can see, his political project does not have the influence on Poland's situation that he probably would have wanted. He needs to find some partners, and we are that partner for changing Poland – he emphasized.

- Certainly, I don't want to compare myself to Przemysław Gosiewski, because he is an ideal that I would probably want to strive for, but I am likely far from possessing the qualities he had while serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Council of Ministers' Standing Committee. But this is more or less what this whole construction is about - stated Jacek Sasin in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" on Polsat News.

'There are three mandates, but one needs to know who these candidates are. It's hard to say what the relations would be and at what moment. There will be an offer, there will be polls, then I will consider. I don't rule it out. I have never ruled anything out' – said Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach" (Facts After Facts).

The president matters too. I will advise Donald Tusk. The Senate alone is not enough. I'm not trying to persuade him, but rather gently nudge him to take this seriously. The Senate can only delay, whereas with a Sejm, I would say a PiS-controlled Sejm, the key is the Senate plus the president, not just the Senate - said Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- That wouldn't be good. If local government officials are thinking about the Senate, then in the Senate there must be one opposition candidate, depending on which opposition wins, because it's a majority system there. In a word, they're thinking about the Senate, and some of them also want to get into the Sejm. At this moment, it's the worst possible proposal to have any separate representation, organization - said Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I am convinced this issue will return. I do not believe the Prime Minister's story. It's not a normal situation for Catholic cardinals to provide young people with information on where to buy land - said Roman Giertych on Kropka nad I.

- I think Schetyna understands where the mistakes were. In my opinion, they lay in the lack of consistency in the message. Schetyna spoke a few months ago, and spoke well, about the necessity of maintaining a conservative anchor, because that is what's needed. And this was the reason PiS occupied the centre ground. Jarosław Kaczyński won this campaign, there's no doubt about it. If this course is corrected, if the PSL and PO coalition proposes social topics that will be a conversation other than just being anti-PiS, then these elections can be won - said Roman Giertych on Kropka nad I.

„As far as I know, Professor Jacek Saryusz-Wolski has not changed his views. If anything, he has changed his political colours. That’s a bit different. He changed them precisely because the colours under which he was; [to Saryusz-Wolski] I apologize for being your spokesperson; changed their views on Poland” – stated Danuta Holecka on TVP Info in a conversation with Jacek Saryusz-Wolski himself and Józef Brynkus, who was bringing up the party switch.

- The European Coalition has been pushed into ideological positions that were characteristic of Mr. Palikot a few years ago. With the success of the PiS campaign, pushing the European Coalition to the left allowed PiS to capture the center. Kaczyński said, "Hands off our children," and that was the turning point of the campaign, because up until that moment, the campaign had been revolving around PiS scandals. And when the Srebrna scandal, the KNF scandal, and subsequent stories collided, the European Coalition had a chance of winning in the polls up to that point, but then Mr. Rabiej appeared with the Card - said Roman Giertych on Kropka.

"It's a confluence of horror and absurdity. The world has never seen anything like it. Someone mentally unwell came up with this. This is the dismantling of the state," said PiS MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski in an interview with Danuta Holecka on "Gość Wiadomości" on TVP Info.

-- WAŁĘSA: BALCEROWICZ MUST LEAVE. BALCEROWICZ: IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME AT ALL - on 300POLITYCE, a fragment from Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska’s new book “Lech and Leszek”. https://300polityka.pl/news/2019/06/06/walesa-balcerowicz-musi-odejsc-balcerowicz-zupelnie-mnie-to-nie-dotyka-fragment-ksiazki-katarzyny-kolendy-zaleskiej-lech-i-leszek/ -- BLOCKADE BY THE SENATE IS A MYTH. THE LAW AND JUSTICE PARTY COULD GOVERN EFFECTIVELY EVEN WITHOUT THE UPPER HOUSE - we write on 300POLITYCE. https://300polityka.pl/news/2019/06/06/blokada-przez-senat-to-mit-pis-moglby-skutecznie-rzadzic-nawet-bez-izby-wyzszej-analiza-300polityki/ -- 300POLITYKI LIVEBLOG: Giertych on the reasons for PiS’s victory and the turning point HGW: The president is also important. I will advise Tusk. The Senate can only delay, but the key with a PiS Sejm is the Senate plus the president HGW on running in parliamentary elections: There will be an offer, there will be surveys, then I will consider it. I do not rule it out. Sasin: We are open to people who form the Kukiz’15 movement. I imagine Rzymkowski as my colleague from one political bloc. Rzymkowski: I imagine a United Right, of which Kukiz’15 is a part. Such a solution can be considered. Sawicki: We are not planning to form a coalition committee. The committee will be PSL. https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/06/06/ ***** POLSAT EVENTS -- THE NEW MINISTER OF LABOR SPEAKS ABOUT 500+ FOR THE DISABLED THIS AUTUMN, AND THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION ABOUT RAISES FOR SOME TEACHERS, NEGOTIATED DURING THE STRIKE - announcement. -- THE DEBUT OF THE NEW MINISTER OF EDUCATION ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE WAS PROBABLY NOT SUCCESSFUL - Agnieszka Milczarz: Dariusz Piontkowski’s statement about the circus-protest. -- IT CAN BE CONSIDERED THAT THE JOURNALIST PROVOKED THE MINISTER INTO CALLING THE TEACHERS' STRIKE A CIRCUS, BUT THE MINISTER DID NOT DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THESE WORDS - Milczarz continues. -- ZNP FEELS OFFENDED, BUT WANTS TO MEET WITH THE NEW HEAD OF MEN ON JUNE 18 - Milczarz. -- A PIŠ PROPOSAL FOR A LAW IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT SIGNED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WITH SOLIDARITY OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SEJM TODAY - Milczarz continues. -- BUT THIS IS UNLIKELY TO STOP THE CONTINUATION OF THE TEACHERS' PROTEST ANNOUNCED FOR SEPTEMBER, UNLESS THE NEW MINISTER REACHES AN AGREEMENT WITH ZNP EARLIER - Milczarz. -- THE NEW MINISTER OF FAMILY ALSO HAS TO DEAL WITH PROMISES MADE EARLIER - Milczarz continues: It's about the allowance [500 PLN] for the disabled. -- JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI WROTE AN OPEN LETTER TO POLES - without material: In a letter published online, the PiS leader thanks for the votes that brought his party victory in the European elections and asks for greater support in the autumn. ***** TVN FACTS -- Dariusz Piontkowski is ready to meet with teachers who have suspended their strike but are still demanding raises. A new bill on teacher raises is already in the Sejm, but it is still heated. The new Minister of Education might have the hottest vacation of all – especially since his statements are causing considerable controversy. -- AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, WE WILL SEE WHO IS RIGHT, THE TEACHERS OR THE MINISTER - Jakub Sobieniowski on the double cohort and the expected chaos. -- IN THE SEJM, A NEW TEACHER'S CHARTER ACCORDING TO PIŚ, BUT NOT MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE STRIKING TEACHERS - Sobieniowski. -- Archival statements of Piątkowski. -- IF SOMEONE IS ACCUSED OF SUCH SHOCKING INTENTIONS, THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SAYING - Sobieniowski. -- NOT EVEN ANNA ZALEWSKA WAS ASSESSED BY THE OPPOSITION SO QUICKLY - Sobieniowski. -- I AM HORRIFIED BY WHOSE HANDS WE ARE ENTRUSTING POLISH CHILDREN AND POLISH EDUCATION, IT SEEMED THAT NOTHING WORSE THAN MINISTER ZALEWSKA COULD HAPPEN TO OUR CHILDREN - Paweł Olszewski. -- PIŠ TALIBAN - Marcin Kierwiński. -- WHY ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT A WAKE AFTER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? They say they are observing actions aimed at limiting the role of local communities. - In a year, we might only have a wake for local governments – emphasizes Tadeusz Truskolaski, mayor of Białystok. -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM - Maciej Knapik. -- TYSZKIEWICZ WILL BE ONE OF THE 30-35 LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO WILL RUN FOR THE SENATE - Knapik. -- THERE IS NO OTHER INSTITUTION THAT ENJOYS GREATER AUTHORITY - Aleksander Smolar. -- STOP THIS KIND OF POLITICS, WHERE WE ARE PUSHED ASIDE - ŻUK. -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS RECALL THE GREAT WARSAW PROJECT WHEN PIŠ TRIED TO DILUTE THE LIBERAL ELECTORATE - Knapik. -- THE PRIME MINISTER'S CONVOY'S RISKY DRIVE: The road from Pułtusk to Warsaw, May 4th. What happened there was recorded by a journalist from tvn24.pl. Watching the recording for the first time, it seems like a film of a daredevil driver’s exploits, but it turns out to be the convoy of the SOP (State Protection Service) with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The Prime Minister was returning from the Law and Justice Party’s Patriotic Picnic in such a way that oncoming cars were forced to pull over to the shoulder. ***** TVP NEWS -- THE POLISH ECONOMY IS BREAKING NEW RECORDS - announcement: According to data from the Ministry of Family, another 30,000 Poles found jobs in May. This means a decrease in the unemployment rate to a historically low level of 5.4% -- OPPOSITION POLITICIANS ARE SCAREING POLES BY SAYING WE WILL SOON HAVE TO EAT SORREL AND MIRABELLE PLUMS - Danuta Holecka continues. -- DESPITE THE GOOD STATE OF THE POLISH ECONOMY, OPPOSITION POLITICIANS ARE SCAREING US WITH DOOMSDAY SCENARIOS - Dominik Cierpioł. -- AT THE FIRST GOVERNMENT SESSION WITH THE NEW COMPOSITION, MINISTERS ADOPTED FURTHER REGULATIONS TO TIGHTEN THE TAX SYSTEM - Cierpioł: PiS MPs have submitted a bill to the Sejm to increase teacher salaries by almost 10% from September 1st. -- MEETINGS BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT OF POLAND AND DONALD TRUMP ON WEDNESDAY - announcement: The presidents are to announce a decision to strengthen the presence of American troops in Poland. -- POLAND WANTS TO BUY 32 STATE-OF-THE-ART F-35A FIGHTER JETS - Holecka continues. -- IDEAS THAT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION EVOKE EXTREMELY POSITIVE EMOTIONS AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ASSOCIATED WITH PO - Jan Korab. -- THE PRESIDENTS OF LARGE CITIES GOVERNED BY PO DO NOT RULE OUT THE FORMATION OF A MOVEMENT AIMED AT DRAWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INTO THE FIGHT AGAINST THE STATE - Korab. -- OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE ALWAYS EXPLOITED INTERNAL CONFLICTS IN POLAND - Korab. -- PIŠ DECIDEDLY OPPOSES THE BREAKDOWN OF THE POLISH STATE - Korab. -- ALEKSANDRA DULKIEWICZ HAS BANNED ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK AT WESTERPLATTE, THANKS TO WHICH IT WAS POSSIBLE TO FIND 50,000 EXHIBITS RELATED TO THE BEGINNING OF WORLD WAR II - announcement. -- DULKIEWICZ PROBABLY OPERATES UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR CONTROVERSIAL, AND FOR MANY SCANDALOUS, DECISIONS - Marcin Tulicki. -- PHOTOS FROM THE PUSHING AND SHOVEING BETWEEN TVP JOURNALISTS AND ALEKSANDRA DULKIEWICZ’S SECURITY GUARDS. -- THERE ARE SEVERAL TENS OF THOUSANDS OF US HERE – DONALD TUSK SAID AT DŁUGI TARG. IN REALITY, THERE WERE – ACCORDING TO VERY OPTIMISTIC ESTIMATES – SEVERAL TIMES FEWER - announcement. -- TUSK DID NOT SEE EXACTLY OR DID NOT WANT TO SEE HOW SMALL THE TURNout WAS AT THE RALLY HE ATTENDED - Maciej Sawicki. -- THE ORGANIZERS' PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES, REPLICATED BY TVP, CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THAN IN REALITY AND BUILD THE SO-CALLED FREQUENCY LIE - Sawicki. -- FOR HALF A YEAR, HE HAS BEEN GOVERNING THE CAPITAL, BUT IT IS ALREADY EVIDENT THAT WARSAW CITY HALL IS JUST ANOTHER STAGE IN HIS POLITICAL CAREER. AFTER TRZASKOWSKI ANNOUNCED HIS NEW POLITICAL PROJECT, OPINIONS APPEARED THAT IT IS HE, NOT DONALD TUSK, WHO WILL BE THE CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF POLAND - announcement. -- SO FAR, THE PRESIDENT OF WARSAW HAS FULFILLED ONE PROGRAMMATIC PROMISE – HE SIGNED THE LGBT+ CHARTER – Konrad Wąż. -- THERE IS NO LACK OF OPINIONS THAT FOR TRZASKOWSKI, CITY HALL IS A STOP ON THE WAY TO KRAKOWSKIE PRZEDMIEŚCIE - Wąż.

“I’ll add one more [to the pool of local government officials’ demands]: a local government veto, meaning the ability to temporarily suspend the legislative process. A veto. Simply put. So what do you say? I see you’re speechless” – said Danuta Holecka, listing the local government officials’ demands in a conversation with Józef Brynkuse from Kukiz’15.

“Perhaps a separate president for each municipality?” – she added.

"It looks like a declaration of disobedience to the state by these territorial units managed by the total opposition. I believe the Office for State Protection should deal with this. I believe that in many other democratic, well-governed states, certainly in Germany, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution would have intervened long ago" – said PiS MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski in an interview with Danuta Holecka on "Gość Wiadomości" on TVP Info.

- This is one of the projects that is to be implemented. It is also one of the announcements, namely the social security contributions for 'zlecenie' contracts. Today, these contracts are subject to contributions up to the minimum wage. We want everyone to pay contributions in this regard, which means leveling the playing field. 'O dzieło' [contracts] are a bigger problem; here we cannot say that 'o dzieło' contracts should also be subject to contributions in the same way, but rather we need to tighten up the 'o dzieło' contracts to prevent circumvention of the law, where an employment contract becomes an 'o dzieło' contract, which it is not. This might still happen during this term [be implemented], we will see - stated the Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Stanisław Szwed, in an interview with Łukasz A. Jankowski on Radio Wnet.

- Yes, such talks are being conducted. If there is a positive response from that side, then of course we see cooperation with Paweł Kukiz. Yes, they are talking [Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz with Kukiz]. As far as I know, they have had one meeting - stated Marek Sawicki in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Events and Opinions" on Polsat News.