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07/29/2019

01:05

Monday's Political Agenda: Czarzasty, Biedroń, and Zandberg Press Conference Before the Sejm, Witek at Police Day Celebrations in Szczytno

Minister Elżbieta Witek will participate in the Police Day celebrations at the Higher Police School in Szczytno. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM on the square of the Higher Police School.

At 1:00 PM, a press conference will be held in front of the Sejm with the participation of SLD Chairman Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Wiosna party leader Robert Biedroń, and Adrian Zandberg from the Lewica Razem party.

At 4:00 PM, the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, will meet with Warsaw Uprising participants. Starting today, the main commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the August 1st Uprising will begin in the capital.


07:33

Szczerski:

EC should take office on November 1st, and it would be a gamble by the EP if elections in one member state caused the new Commission to fail to assume its duties on schedule

- The Commission should take office on November 1st, and it would be a gamble by the Parliament if, due to elections in one member state, it caused the new European Commission to fail to assume its duties according to the European calendar, because that would show that some particular interests are prevailing over the interest of Europe as a whole – said Krzysztof Szczerski in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały Dnia" on Jedynka radio.


07:38

Szczerski:

I Would Like Poland's and Germany's Proximity to Also Influence Future European Policy. Today, Europe Needs Balance
Germany is our neighbor and a partner country, for example within the Three Seas Initiative. Our two countries are very closely linked, and I would like this proximity between Poland and Germany to also influence future European policy, because today Europe needs a balance between different points of view - said Krzysztof Szczerski in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały Dnia" on Polish Radio Channel One. 

08:01

Waszczykowski on Johnson: I don't call him a comedian. A comedian became president in a neighboring country

- I don't call him a comedian. A comedian became president in a neighboring country, whereas Boris Johnson has a long political career. He has such a characteristic way of behaving, gesticulating, and rhetoric - said Witold Waszczykowski in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on the Polsat News program "Graffiti".


08:06

Waszczykowski on Szczerski: We're Offering an Experienced Individual Capable of Handling Multiple Positions

- We are, however, offering an excellent specialist. Someone who is a Europeanist. He is a professor dealing with these issues. He has a long career in international relations behind him. He already worked in Brussels years ago as an advisor in the ECR, in the European Parliament, so we are offering an experienced individual capable of handling multiple positions - Witold Waszczykowski said in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on the Polsat News program "Graffiti".


08:36

Sasin on Kuchciński's Flights: "Visually, it probably doesn't look the best, hence the Marshal's decision to donate a sum covering the costs of these flights to charity."
- The matter is closed. I believe Marshal Kuchciński's declaration concludes the issue. Especially since the taxpayer did not lose anything in this matter. Let's be very clear here, as we are not discussing a situation where the Marshal was funding flights for someone, in this case, members of his own family, at the taxpayer's expense. Here, these individuals traveled with the Marshal incidentally, as part of his travels resulting from his official duties - stated Jacek Sasin in TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour.". - Of course, you are right here. Visually, it probably doesn't look the best, hence the Marshal's decision to donate a sum covering the costs of these flights to charity, although there is no other mechanism. One cannot buy a ticket on a special plane used by the most important people in the state. In this sense, from a visual perspective, the Marshal acted absolutely correctly, and I believe this concludes the matter - added the Deputy Prime Minister.

08:42

Sasin:

It's not the case that Kuchciński flew home to walk the dog, like the Senate Marshal did during the PO government

This situation [Marek Kuchciński's flights] is often compared in various statements or comments to what happened during the Civic Platform's (PO) time in government. I want to state very clearly that it's not that they did it one way, and we're doing the same. There is an absolutely fundamental difference here. It's not the case that Marshal Kuchciński flew home to walk the dog, like the Senate Marshal did during the PO government, because back then taxpayers truly paid for the whims, for the private flights of these top state officials. In this case, we are dealing with official flights for official purposes, and the taxpayer did not pay a single zloty extra for other individuals accompanying Mr. Marshal on board – stated Jacek Sasin on TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour".


08:53

Sasin:

It Would Be Too Simple to Say the Bialystok March is Just Opposition Politics; It's a Plan to Remake Polish Society and Reject Traditional Values, What I Call the Rabiej Plan
- I think it would be too simplistic to say that this march in Bialystok is solely and exclusively part of the opposition's political struggle today. Today, indeed, the two blocs that are forming, on one side Platforma, on the other the left, will be vying for a part of the same left-leaning electorate, promoting these ideological novelties we are talking about. But on the other hand, it is perhaps something more serious in all of this. We are dealing with a certain plan to rebuild Polish society or to reject the traditional values that have shaped this society over the last centuries, one might say. We are dealing with the implementation of something that I call the Rabiej Plan - stated Jacek Sasin in TVP1's "Polityczny Kwadrans" (Political Quarter). - This plan involves achieving the ultimate goal step by step, namely that homosexual marriages will be legalized in Poland and these marriages will have the right to adopt children - the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

09:08

Sasin:

PSL Has Changed Its Colors and Is Now Conservative, Yet Just Weeks Ago Was Very Progressive and Forward-Thinking. WKK Applauded Jażdżewski When He Attacked the Church and Catholics

At this moment, the division of the opposition into several blocs is not a factual change. I don't believe that those who, just a few or a dozen or so weeks ago, marched under rainbow banners have suddenly become conservatives today and that the traditional family model is now most important to them – stated Jacek Sasin in TVP1's "Political Fifteen Minutes".

I'm talking about the PSL, which has now changed its colors and is conservative, whereas just a few weeks ago it was very progressive and forward-thinking, and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz applauded Jażdżewski when he attacked the Church and Catholics – added the Deputy Prime Minister.


09:12

Sasin:

There are valuable MPs in the Kukiz'15 club. We see a place for them in the United Right camp
- Certainly, in the Kukiz’15 club, despite numerous secessions, because very many MPs have already left this club during the term, there are still valuable MPs who contribute significantly to the work of parliament, and we certainly see a place for them in the United Right camp – stated Jacek Sasin in "Political Quarter of an Hour" on TVP1.

09:16

Nitras:

My Sources Say Kuchciński's Flights with Family Members Aboard Could Have Exceeded 100. This Completely Changes the Situation

"The Marshal is losing another day. I hope this week will be a breakthrough in this regard. We have a Sejm session, so an opportunity to deal with this matter. The Marshal has an obligation to inform us how many such flights there have been since the beginning of the term. I have pretty good sources of information. These sources of mine say that such flights with family members aboard could have exceeded 100. This completely changes the situation" – said Sławomir Nitras from Civic Platform (PO) in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on Radio TOK FM's 'Poranek' (Morning Show).


09:49

PM Morawiecki: I'm Convinced Szczerski Will Do Excellently in the European Parliament Procedure

- I am convinced that Professor Szczerski will do excellently in this procedure before the European Parliament. He is an excellent candidate – said Mateusz Morawiecki in an interview with Piotr Kubiak on Radio Gdańsk.


09:53

PMM on PO's Program: Many Points Copy Our Proposals

- Many of the Civic Platform's points copy our proposals. For example, what we did for pensioners and what we will continue, if, of course, voters trust us. The fundamental test is ahead of us - said Mateusz Morawiecki in an interview with Piotr Kubiak on Radio Gdańsk.


10:42

Miller:

Schetyna Leaves Space for the Left Focused on Cultural Leftism, While Seeking Broader Maneuverability Himself

“I interpret the absence of PO leaders by the fact that they have taken to heart the opinions of politicians and experts who claim that the European Coalition's loss to PiS in the EP elections was partly a result of a shift to the left, or an excessive shift to the left. Consequently, Grzegorz Schetyna is leaving space for the left, which, as yesterday, is focusing on the message concerning cultural leftism, while he himself wants to have a broader field of maneuver. There is a difference between a party fighting for 30% and a party fighting for 5%,” stated MEP Leszek Miller in an interview with Paweł Lisicki on Polskie Radio Trójka.


10:45

Miller:

The agreement of the three left-wing leaders is rather accidental, a result of circumstances. If it works out, champagne for Kosiniak-Kamysz is mandatory.

"I heard a thesis from a certain peasant activist, said somewhat provocatively, that these three left-wing leaders should go to Kosiniak-Kamysz with champagne. Because indeed, the agreement of the three is quite accidental, it happened as a result of a confluence of circumstances, and was not a pre-determined political or ideological choice. If it works out, champagne for Kosiniak-Kamysz is mandatory," said MEP Leszek Miller in an interview with Paweł Lisicki on Radio Trójka.


11:36

Grzegrzółka on Kuchciński's Flights: Sejm Marshal Transferred Funds to Charities. The Amount is PLN 15,000. Caritas and Budzik Foundation Received Donations.

- The most important information in this matter is that no regulations were broken. That is, the Marshal of the Sejm, as the second person in the state, has the right to travel on official flights, not just by plane. He performs his duties at home and abroad. These are numerous duties, the calendar is very tight, and in light of these facts, he uses this type of travel. The Marshal of the Sejm decided and today made transfers to charitable organizations. The amount is PLN 15,000. Caritas and the Budzik Foundation have been credited with this amount - stated the CIS director Andrzej Grzegrzółka in a conversation with journalists.


11:41

Grzegrzółka:

Kuchciński Paid 15,000 PLN for 23 Flights

- We are dealing with 23 flights during this parliamentary term, from 2015 to 2019. I want to unequivocally address the words spoken on one of the radio stations, where a politician had the opportunity to describe it as over 100. This is not true - stated the Director of the CIS, Andrzej Grzegrzółka, in a conversation with journalists.

- There are exactly 23 of them, and consequently, this amount of 15,000 PLN was transferred today to the accounts of two organizations - he added.


13:17

Civic Platform Demands Full Information from Kuchciński on Flights with Family at Next Sejm Session. Halicki: This Siphoning of State Funds Must End
Today, the Chancellery of the Sejm informed that Marshal Kuchciński has donated money to charitable causes. We want to state very clearly and firmly that this type of decision by the Marshal does not end or resolve the issue in any way. Marshal Kuchciński can donate money to charitable causes, support various organizations as he sees fit. This has nothing to do with the matter concerning the Marshal's flights with family members, as well as colleagues from PiS or acquaintances. This is an extremely serious matter that concerns state procedures, very costly matters from the perspective of the state budget. It must be resolved through that channel. We will be filing a motion for Marshal Kuchciński himself to provide the chamber with full information at the next Sejm session regarding the number of his flights with acquaintances, family members, children, and his wife. Public opinion must be informed very transparently about the number of flights taken, and the costs incurred by the state budget in this regard must be very precisely estimated. The Marshal cannot escape the problem with donations to charitable causes” - said Mariusz Witczak from Civic Platform at a press conference in the Sejm.

This siphoning of state funds must end, especially since it is being done by party leaders who spoke very loudly about not abusing their functions and positions and drawing benefits from them. This is the hypocrisy that is most apparent, because only when caught red-handed did Marshal Kuchciński admit to what his services had previously denied” - added MEP Andrzej Halicki.

14:06

Czarzasty:

We Propose All Opposition and Civic Forces Adopt the Senate Pact

- We propose that all opposition and civic forces adopt the Senate Pact. We want opposition parties not to field candidates against each other in single-member Senate districts. We are different, we have different views and different visions for Poland. What unites us, we believe, is the conviction that absolute power of one party is an evil. Adopting the Senate Pact will ensure democratic diversity in the upper house of parliament. We are addressing you with a proposal to begin talks on the Senate Pact this week - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty at a briefing before the Sejm, reading a joint statement from the leaders of SLD, Adrian Zandberg and Robert Biedroń.


14:23

Czarzasty announces expansion of the left-wing coalition:

Many entities have joined.

- Many entities have joined this coalition, we will be informing about it soon. We will be meeting with you shortly. We have several decisions ahead of us. We will be informing about some of them, and I think it will be a very interesting conference, this coming Friday. You will have some of the answers to the questions you are thinking about, namely issues related to forming the lists, the form of our campaign, we will be presenting answers to these questions periodically - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty at a briefing in front of the Sejm.


14:55

Brejza:

The authorities acted disgracefully. Hiding and concealing information about how to take advantage of electricity price freezes is unworthy.

The Civic Coalition prompted energy companies to act on Friday because the authorities wanted to hide from small business owners the fact that a statement needed to be submitted. The authorities structured this electricity price freeze system for six months for small business owners in such a way that only those who submit a statement will be able to benefit from the freeze. 95% of micro and small business owners had no idea about this, and after our campaign – parliamentarians, local government officials, volunteers gathered around the 'Robbery for Electricity' initiative – we managed to mobilize not only the media but also energy companies, which woke up from their slumber and started sending SMS messages, informing that forms can be submitted until today. The authorities acted disgracefully. Hiding, concealing information, and picnicking at a time when entrepreneurs are exposed to these traps with electricity prices is unworthy” - said the head of the Civic Platform's campaign staff, Krzysztof Brejza, at a press conference in the Sejm.

The Civic Platform-KO club is submitting a bill extending the deadline for submitting the declaration entitling to the freezing of electricity prices” - added the Civic Platform's spokesperson, Jan Grabiec.


15:00

Piontkowski:

For a Certified Teacher, the Total, Cumulative Increase in Base Salary in 2019 Will Be an Additional 500 Zlotys

For a certified teacher, the total, cumulative increase in base salary in 2019 will mean an additional 500 zlotys. If we were to sum up all these years when we proposed and implemented salary increases for teachers, a certified teacher would have achieved a total salary increase of 708 zlotys. For other professional qualification levels, these increases are lower. An intern teacher will have 517 zlotys more in base salary” - said Minister Dariusz Piontkowski at a press conference.


16:28

Trzaskowski:

We, all Warsaw residents, will always remember this anniversary. We pause for a minute on August 1st at 5 PM. We will always pause.

- We, all Warsaw residents, will always remember this anniversary. We pause for a minute on August 1st at 5 PM. We will always pause - said Rafał Trzaskowski during the ceremony commencing the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising.

- I would like to declare that in the coming years of my presidency, we will continue all actions that support you in your daily lives. I am thinking here of special healthcare, free taxi rides, as well as financial support - added the Mayor of Warsaw, addressing the Insurgents.


17:38

President Duda Appoints Wojciech Sycz to the National Electoral Commission

By decree of July 15, President Andrzej Duda appointed Wojciech Sycz, a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal, to the National Electoral Commission, effective July 29.

The instrument of appointment was presented to the judge by the Head of the Presidential Office, Minister Halina Szymańska, during a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace.


19:40

Frasyniuk:

Prime Minister Morawiecki is a petty careerist. He's a man for whom the greatest value is money, money, money

Prime Minister Morawiecki is a petty careerist. He's a man for whom the greatest value is money, money, money. I am astonished that someone who worked at the head of an international institution is spouting such nonsense [about the European Union]. Remuneration is an element of human dignity. Without respect for fellow human beings, Europe and Poland would still be feudal and slave-like countries,” stated Władysław Frasyniuk in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.


19:40

Frasyniuk:

I have the impression that young Morawiecki is a completely demoralized person. This drive to buy cheaper and sell dearer has followed him since childhood.

I have the impression that young Morawiecki is a completely demoralized person. Demoralized by the high salaries he honestly received at the bank and in foreign corporations. This drive to buy cheaper and sell dearer has followed him since childhood, because of his Wrocław business and a few things I don't know about. It's about hiding assets, asset division. Young Morawiecki, who talks about Christian values, about family, and suddenly he has no trust in his wife and therefore divides their assets. It's all false” - Władysław Frasyniuk said in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on „Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24.


19:58

Kwaśniewski:

I Appeal to Schetyna to Cease Transfers, and to Left-Wing Individuals to Firmly Adhere to Their Convictions
The strength of the left is also needed by Civic Coalition today. I appeal to Schetyna to cease these transfers, and to left-wing individuals to firmly hold onto their convictions, their voters, so as not to take steps that Schetyna will gain little from, while the left may lose a lot – said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Wydarzenia i Opinie” on Polsat News.

20:03

Kwaśniewski:

No Special Congratulations for Morawiecki. Macron Can Feel Like a Winner as He Proposed von der Leyen. Germany Has the President of the European Commission

- There is no need for special congratulations [for Morawiecki] because the strongest have emerged victorious from this European Union puzzle. Macron can feel like a winner, as he was the one who actually proposed Ursula von der Leyen. Germany has no reason to complain, as after 50 years, they have the President of the European Commission – said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program „Wydarzenia i Opinie” (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.


20:06

Sasin on Kuchciński's Flights: The Matter Probably Doesn't Deserve the Storm It's Caused, Though We Understand Public Opinion Has Expressed Itself

- The matter probably doesn't deserve the storm that has erupted around it. Although we understand that public opinion has expressed its view on the matter - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.


20:09

Zdrojewski:

I'm Running for the Senate, But Not on the PSL Ticket. My First Choice is Civic Platform. I'm Awaiting Confirmation. An Independent Committee is Still a Possibility.
"I will not run on the PSL ticket. Yes, I am running for the Senate. I changed my mind under the influence of many conversations where my decision to suspend my activity in professional politics, domestic and international, was either misunderstood or not understood at all. Under the influence of many conversations, I changed my decision and decided to run for the Senate. My first choice is Civic Platform (PO). I am waiting for confirmation of this possibility. An independent committee is still a possibility. I have also chosen a constituency, which was a very difficult decision, where PO has not obtained a mandate in the last 8 years, so it is not an easy choice at all for this reason" - said Bogdan Zdrojewski in an interview with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska on "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.

20:10

Zdrojewski:

Civic Coalition Should Be Satisfied with My Decision. They Were Lobbying for It Recently

The Civic Coalition, based on my decision, should be satisfied. They were lobbying for it recently. All discussions concerned my activity on the domestic market. Grzegorz Schetyna wanted me to confront Mateusz Morawiecki” – said Bogdan Zdrojewski in a conversation with Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska in “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24.


20:10

Sasin on the Law on Politicians' Assets: "We are at the final stage of government work. Parliament will surely adopt this law during this term."

- We are at the final stage of government work. Parliament will surely adopt this law during this term. The draft will definitely be adopted at this government stage. We still have a few Sejm sessions left in this term, so the Sejm will have a chance to adopt this law - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Events and Opinions" on Polsat News.


20:14

Sasin:

At This Moment, There Is No Such Discussion About a Debate

- At this moment, there is no such discussion about a debate. I have not spoken with the Prime Minister about how he sees this issue. At this moment, it's more of a concept rather than something real - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" on Polsat News.