The Sejm will conclude its three-day session today, the last one before the recess. Voting will commence at 10:30 AM. Among other matters, MPs will decide on the adoption of the government bill concerning the so-called "500+" for individuals with disabilities, and whether to accept the Senate's amendments to the special act on Westerplatte. In turn, at 6:30 PM, the first reading of the so-called anti-usury bill will take place.

The Sejm will convene again for an additionally summoned session on August 30th. In connection with the parliamentary recess, 300POLITYKA will also suspend the publication of its daily "Obraz dnia" (Picture of the Day) starting today.

- I believed that although the European Coalition lost to the right-wing coalition, it was by only 7 percentage points, and today on the political scene, I don't see any other formation that could engage in an equal fight with PiS. I believe that after the breakup of the European Coalition, this chance [that someone will defeat PiS in these elections] is diminishing. This is because on one hand, we have a disciplined army, which, by the way, is already well-prepared for the elections, and on the other hand, three fragmented blocs that only yesterday made their final decisions – stated Leszek Miller in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

"There was a moment a month ago when the entire study of the erosion of faith in victory within this coalition began. First, we heard with surprise, as the SLD, it was probably after Tusk's visit, that the real fight was for the Senate, then that we had to fight so that PiS wouldn't have a majority in the Sejm. Honestly, this surprised me greatly, because one always fights for victory, to win. The fact that PiS wouldn't have a constitutional majority in the Sejm is not a victory for the opposition. That's how it started to happen, that first Kosiniak-Kamysz left, he decided that a different path was better" - said the chairman of the SLD, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, on Radio Jedynka.

"Władek Kosiniak-Kamysz, with the SLD, was with the SLD for several years of government, then we almost signed an agreement in the local elections" - he added. 

“I also have such a suspicion that a delicate little romance with PiS, an initial love game, has begun. That's Władek Kosiniak-Kamysz. Then Grzegorz Schetyna stopped believing that he would win” - stated the leader of SLD, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, on Radio Jedynka.

- It is misplaced to blame Grzegorz Schetyna for the collapse of this coalition [the European Coalition]. If we are to ask who took the first brick from the wall built for the European elections, it was undoubtedly PSL and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, so if there are any complaints, they should be directed that way. However, Schetyna faced a very serious problem to solve without PSL. I believe his apparatus, the Platforma's apparatus, led to the complete destruction of this coalition - stated Leszek Miller in a conversation with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- Certainly, in a sense, yes, although I would not use the word "abdicated," but rather that he was forced, forced by the coalition's collapse. Only he was not the main perpetrator of this collapse - the former prime minister continued, when asked if Grzegorz Schetyna had abdicated his position as leader of the opposition.

- I think that within two weeks it will be clear which portfolio Poland will receive concerning the European Commission. And in this context, candidates will need to be considered for taking on this portfolio - said Piotr Müller in a conversation with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

- I wouldn't put such a sticker on my door. Generally, I am critical of what some LGBT circles are doing, but I am in favour of approaching this constructively and not fanning the flames of tension - said Piotr Müller in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

- [He] Grzegorz Schetyna realizes what the stakes are. He is playing for everything. Because if he succeeds, he will strengthen himself, and if he fails, he will find himself in a very difficult internal situation. He will be held accountable [if he loses the election], although this does not mean the end. Because then Schetyna will lie low and wait. Polish politics is full of such examples where leaders lost, only to return years later. Perhaps not on a white horse, but they returned in an atmosphere of bringing some hope. Schetyna is too seasoned and strong a politician to completely reconcile himself with a potential defeat - stated Leszek Miller in a conversation with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "One on One".

- For now, we're sticking to a picnic formula. It's holiday time, so it's also not the best moment to conduct politics in a classic way, through rallies or conferences. That's why this format is a bit lighter – said Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Siódma9's "Poranek" (Morning Show).

- I personally accuse the governments of Mateusz Morawiecki and Beata Szydło of passively watching as more and more citizens fall into debt spirals, of not utilizing the tools provided by the law introduced by the previous government - said Paulina Hennig-Kloska during a press conference in the Sejm.

- Today, the government is beginning the first reading [of the anti-usury law], while in reality the law was submitted for notification to the European Commission because the government itself has doubts whether the law is compliant with EU law. What we are starting today is some kind of fiction. In reality, we don't know what the European Commission will answer, and the response period only begins on September 30th - added the MP.

„Our programs don't differ much, because they have one common denominator - values. [We are thinking] about how to present them in a form that is attractive to voters today and that will finally be an alternative to PiS. I have the impression that for a long time, the opposition tried to turn an onion into crème brûlée. They pretended that something could be made of this misery, that it could be combined” - said Robert Biedroń, leader of Wiosna, in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on Radio Trójka. 

„I hope the Greens will join us, Barbara Nowacka will join, because a place has been created for them today where they won't have to hide their views. This was a requirement of Civic Coalition. You’ve heard how they’ve hidden their views on abortion, many equality issues, progressive ones” - said Wiosna leader Robert Biedroń in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on Radio Trójka. 

"Politics should be credible, politicians should be credible, therefore let's talk seriously. Therefore, Mr. Chairman [Schetyna], we very much ask you to present the calculations, so as not to deceive Poles with empty promises, which you have been doing in recent days," said Minister Michał Dworczyk at a press conference in the Sejm.

"As PiS, from the very beginning of this term, we talked about tax cuts and we kept our word. We lowered CIT to the lowest level in Europe, we lowered the tax for the youngest to zero, and we are introducing a solution that will guarantee 25 million Poles a reduction in income tax to 17%. This is another tax cut proposed and implemented by PiS," added Jarosław Krajewski.

During the session, an amendment from the PO-KO club was passed, excluding pensions and benefits from the Family Support Fund (FUS) from the income limit for benefits. Some PiS MPs did not vote at all, and additionally, the PiS club was divided, which led to the amendment passing (results below).

„We did it. We succeeded, we managed. We are here today to announce a historic, very important moment for Polish democracy. Representatives of the three largest political forces on the left – SLD, the Together Party, and Spring – stand before you today. These three political forces decided yesterday during an important meeting that we will take an important, big step towards strengthening Polish democracy. We have made an important decision that will affect what the Sejm will look like in 4 months, who will represent Polish society in it. We wanted, and we want, to learn an important lesson from democracy, which has taught us that in Poland, the left always wins elections when it is united. Today, we would like to share this good news, that we will win future elections as a united left. This is a big step for the Polish Left, but an even bigger one for Polish democracy” - said the leader of Spring, Robert Biedroń, at a press conference.

„I am very happy that we have taken a step forward that leads us to the Sejm, where there will be strong representation of the left in a few months. From today, we are starting concrete work that will bring us closer to this goal. Tomorrow, we will appoint a joint campaign headquarters, and from tomorrow, a team will begin working on the final program agreements. These programs already exist and are close to each other, they are coherent. We want to build a welfare state, we want a Poland that is democratic and just, that leaves no one behind” - explained Adrian Zandberg from Together.

„We have reached an agreement in order to win, because we want to win against PiS, we want to present a left-wing vision to Polish women and men. Next week, we will invite all left-wing political parties that want to cooperate with us, all women's associations, organizations, foundations, and urban movements. This is not just an empty statement; I am inviting everyone. We will reach everyone, I will call everyone. I will arrange to meet with everyone for coffee and ask for cooperation. I will bow to everyone, and if necessary, I will apologize to everyone” - said the head of SLD, Włodzimierz Czarzasty.

SLD, Spring, and Together have not yet decided whether they will run as an electoral coalition or under the banner of a single party.

The bill to amend the Electoral Code, submitted by the Law and Justice party (PiS), will not be put to a vote in the current Sejm session, despite the ruling party's plans for an expedited legislative process just days ago. The first reading took place on Wednesday evening, followed by a committee meeting on Thursday where amendments were introduced. After this, progress stalled as the second reading was not scheduled.

Potentially, the Sejm's regulations may have presented an obstacle. Article 89 of the Sejm's standing orders states that the first reading of a bill amending a code, or a bill introducing amendments to provisions that enact a code, cannot take place earlier than fourteen days after the draft has been delivered to the members of parliament.

Article 87 does stipulate that the Marshal of the Sejm has the final say on whether a bill is considered a codifying bill. However, following a similar legislative process for amendments to the Penal Code during the recent European Parliament campaign – and the Marshal's reliance on this article – the President referred the Penal Code amendment to the Constitutional Tribunal, partly due to doubts regarding the legislative process.

According to PiS, the bill concerns regulations aimed at introducing adjustments to the provisions governing the composition of the Supreme Court that handles electoral law cases. In practice, this means that the Supreme Court, composed of the entire Chamber of Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs, would decide on the validity of elections, including presidential and Sejm elections.

- The President has decided to analyze the matter further. Now the bill goes to the Senate. That's all. We will see if it is possible in this exact form. This is a very serious change, it requires additional analysis - said Łukasz Schreiber in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm. 

- A disgrace by Kukiz'15 MPs concerning the vote on the amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure. 8 Kukiz MPs voted in favour of criminal proceedings conducted in the absence of a wrongly notified accused, in favour of evidential preclusion, and in favour of the return of prosecutorial, not judicial, dismissal of cases. We will have the production of criminal verdicts, not the court's pursuit of establishing material truth. Independent MPs, including lawyers, did not vote any better. After such a vote, I have nothing more to do in a club that voted against my recommendation - wrote Kukiz'15 MP Jerzy Jachnik on Facebook.

- Of course I will support my colleagues from the SLD. All the more so because they helped me in my election campaign, so I have a debt of gratitude - said Leszek Miller in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

- I believe that opinions about Grzegorz Schetyna losing his leadership capabilities are exaggerated. As for who initiated the dismantling of the European Coalition, there is only one answer. The Polish People's Party and Mr. Kosiniak-Kamysz - said Leszek Miller in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Wydarzenia i Opinie” on Polsat News.

- There's an unwritten agreement in the European Parliament not to support representatives from governments of countries that are undergoing the rule of law verification procedure. Consequently, this also applies to Poland - stated Leszek Miller in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

– If Leszek Miller were at the head of the SLD today, I think building such an agreement wouldn't be possible. This is due to Włodzimierz Czarzasty's very fine qualities – said Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program „Wydarzenia i Opinie” (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

– Czarzasty is a pragmatist. Some may like this, some may like it less. He is a person with an open mind – added the leader of Razem.

- According to all polls, one left-wing list, a list to the left of Civic Platform, will win several percent of the votes. This is obvious to anyone who can read trends - said Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

- We managed to reach an understanding, we managed to agree. The situation is that today, to the left of the Civic Platform, there is an agreement, there is a coalition. The Civic Platform stands alone. It goes its own way. The Civic Platform cannot reach an agreement with anyone it cannot dominate and subordinate – said Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program „Wydarzenia i Opinie” (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

- I think from the opposition's perspective, it's good that this series is coming to an end, these mutual flirtations. And I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for the campaign. As for PiS, we've had our campaign plan mapped out for a long time. We're consistently implementing it, we're talking to Poles, we will present them with our program and we are counting on their trust for the next 4 years - stated Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Danuta Holecka on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".

- It's still difficult to say anything definitive, as we don't know what constellations will ultimately form. To be honest, I'm a bit surprised by Paweł Kukiz, because a person who said he was entering politics to break away from existing bad practices, who is against partisanship, in its worst understanding, is entering into a union, after all, with a party that is, after all, a symbol of what Kukiz claimed to fight against. Not without reason did this joke arise: who will win the election? The future PSL coalition partner – stated Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Danuta Holecka on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".