Live Feed

08/24/2019

00:00

Saturday's Political Schedule: The Left's Convention and Two PiS Regional Conventions with the Prime Minister

At 9:30 AM in Toruń, a press conference will be held by MP Arkadiusz Myrcha. Topic: Does Prime Minister Morawiecki accept the policies and decisions of Minister Piebiak and the leadership of the Ministry of Justice?

Today, two regional electoral conventions of PiS will take place with the participation of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. At 10:00 AM in Toruń and at 12:00 PM in Bydgoszcz.

At 1:00 PM in Warsaw, the programmatic convention of The Left will be held. - During the convention, we will present demands that are a response to the biggest problems faced by millions of Polish women and men. It is time for each and every one of us to no longer worry daily about the lack of affordable housing, the tragic state of healthcare and expensive medicines, the destruction of the natural environment and poverty-level pensions, the ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) that suffocates small entrepreneurs, and the trampling of women's rights - announce the organizers.

At 3:30 PM, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will visit the DRUTEX company in Bytów.


11:02

PMM:

Foreign Press Writes About a Small Economic Miracle in Poland Under PiS Rule
Perhaps, in terms of timing, this is a good time for Poland. A good time for Poland, even though various commentators, especially from the opposition, point to the economic cycle as the sole factor, suggesting that growth is thanks to the economic upswing, and now the approaching global economic downturn will cause problems. Meanwhile, foreign press is writing about a small economic miracle in Poland under PiS rule. Because we need to state clearly that in times of volatile economic weather, what matters is who actually has the skills in economic management, who has the skills in financial and budgetary management, and here, to the astonishment of the entire opposition and economic commentators in recent years, we are in a period of exceptional stability, which is recognized by the European Commission, analysts from all over the world. The weather may be changeable, the winds may be different, but every good sailor knows that it is primarily the quality of the boat, the sails, and the crew that determines how we will be able to navigate through these changing courses and variable weather conditions – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.

11:05

PMM:

In Difficult, Changing Circumstances, We Can Care for Both the State's Public Finances and the Weakest Groups in Need

- Here's a question that we, during elections, likely pose to the entire society, and Poles ask themselves: now, when it's a good time for Poland, is it worth changing the team that led to this? Is it better to bet on those who have proven that in times when economic growth in the Eurozone is around 1%, in Germany around zero, and here it's over 4%, we can, in difficult, changing circumstances, care for both the state's public finances and the weakest groups that need support, such as young people, seniors, families, and farmers. This is primarily the direction of our actions. This is the kind of policy stably based on two pillars: on the quality of public finances, but also on social policy that changes the life of the entire country. This is PiS's hallmark – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:08

PMM:

We Are Simply a Patriotic Government

- Many commentators around the world are asking how we managed to achieve such success. Even those who wrongly label us a nationalist government – such comments do appear. We are simply a patriotic government. That is a fundamental difference. We believe that Poland should not only be in our hearts, but also that with enormous effort, patience, discipline, and diligence, everything must be changed so that step by step Poland becomes more beautiful - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:12

PMM:

Batman, or as they called us – VATman, Has Indeed Brought About Fundamental Change in Public Finances. And This is the Source of PiS's Great Economic Success

- Young people, and there are many here in the hall, probably also associate bats a bit with Batman. Batman fought evil. He fought evil through very modern instruments; you probably remember, those who watched, the younger ones, our children instructed me, a modern suit, a car, and indeed, this Batman, or as they called us – VATman, has indeed brought about a fundamental change in public finances. And this is the source of PiS's great economic success. - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:18

PM on "Emerytura plus": It's our commitment we want to regulate by law

- This is, moreover, our commitment that we want to regulate by law. So that pensioners can benefit from "Emerytura plus", improving the fate of our pensioners - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:25

PM:

Our opponents are trying to play on emotions. Our political competitors are trying to stir up wave after wave of negative emotions.

- Our opponents are trying to play on emotions. Our political competitors are trying to stir up wave after wave of negative emotions. And here we need to explain, to explain to people that when we make mistakes, we are responsible for them, moreover, as politicians we are responsible for them ourselves, we as politicians, and for the mistakes, pathologies of our predecessors, they were also partly responsible, but as a result of these mistakes, the development of Poland was hindered, the development opportunities of millions of Poles, tens of millions of Poles. And this is the fundamental difference. This is our great task. To engage in deep conversations, in dialogue with the nations, with all people, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, strangers, and to explain, explain, and explain again that this is the fundamental difference. One can stumble, make a mistake, get up, apologize, move on, be responsible for it. But on the other side, we have anti-development policies, where VAT mafias raged like the wind across the wild fields, where tens of billions of zlotys slipped through fingers, and this was not because social policies, 500+, 75+, free medicines for seniors, were not implemented, not because they couldn't, or some of them might have wanted to, maybe not, but primarily because they couldn't. They couldn't treat the state as the greatest good and state institutions as institutions of the highest good. This is where the money comes from, which in their time was supposed to be buried somewhere, you remember. Laughter. There is no money and there will be no money. We have moved away from that and shown our society that it was possible in a short time, in three years actually, to introduce fundamental change and at the same time keep public finances in check, because public debt to GDP is falling during the PiS era. And during the PO era, it was growing, and they had to consume the Open Pension Funds and privatize - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:31

Morawiecki:

Competitors Who Compared Poland to Greece Were Right About One Thing – Poland is Becoming a Tourist Destination, Just Like Greece for Europeans

- We can proudly say that despite the attempt to spoil Poland's reputation by our political rivals, the number of foreign tourists visiting is growing year by year. In 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, there are now nearly 20 million such tourists. So, our competitors, who just three years ago, two years ago, compared Poland to Greece, were not mistaken in at least one aspect. Poland is becoming an attractive tourist destination, but only a tourist destination. Just like Greece for all Europeans – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:34

PMM:

This is part of PiS's program. More greenery, less plastic, less concrete, and we will adapt our programs accordingly
In our program, we strongly emphasize that in cities, regardless of how different they are, Toruń from Krakow, Wrocław from Gdańsk, we need to put an end to this "concreteization," these vast concrete expanses, and focus on greenery, encouraging the authorities of large and medium-sized cities to green their environments. This is one part of PiS's program. More greenery, less plastic, less concrete, and we will adapt our programs, including environmental programs, accordingly, and we will encourage, ask the mayors of all cities to do as the mayor of Stalowa Wola, in Chełmno, has done, to have as much greenery as possible, so that plans feature not more places for concrete, but more parks, places where people can calmly go for a walk, breathe fresh air, and which will simply be beautiful places in these cities. This is our program, an ecological, green Poland - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.

11:37

PM Morawiecki: "If the opposition presented a real program, I'd gladly discuss programs"

- At our individual meetings, at PiS conventions, we will be presenting various elements of our program. So that the discussion truly revolves around the most important topics. We are pleased with these economic successes, the lowest unemployment in history. Besides, if the opposition presented a real program, if they agreed to discuss programs, I would be very happy to discuss programs. Then we could arrive at an even better program. Because we want agreement, consensus, so that above political divisions, there is agreement on the most important directions of Poland's development - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:40

Morawiecki:

All Poles Must Fit in Poland. There is a Place for You Here, for All Poles

- We want Poland to be under one roof. To create the best conditions for Poles to develop, so that hundreds of thousands of young people don't disappear, so that further waves of emigration from Poland don't occur, but rather that people come back here. Compatriots who have left our homeland. This is also one of the fundamental points of our program for the next 4 years, if our compatriots trust us. To attract back people who were driven out of here, often by poverty, by a lack of professional prospects, who went abroad. All Poles must fit in Poland. There is a place for you here, for all Poles – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń.


11:45

PMM:

To Convince Poles, We Can Continue Reforming the State
The coming weeks are crucial for us. It's an effort of mobilization, because we must travel this road to be able to continue reforming the state. We need to convince Poles that despite stumbles, what we have done, what is visible around us, but sometimes the emotions stirred up by the opposition obscure the fact that it is all a great achievement for the broadly understood nation, for the whole society, and not just for anti-development interest groups. That it is a change for normality. We want a normal country - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Toruń. We commit to fighting for Poland to be exactly as we envisioned it. To attract talent from all over the world, to be a friendly place to live, a green, good place for young people, where professional and developmental prospects are as great as possible, so that Poland is a country we can all be proud of - concluded PMM.

12:54

PMM:

After 4 Years, We Must Ask Ourselves - Is Life Better Now, or Was It Better 4-5 Years Ago?
"After 4 years, we must ask ourselves – is life better now, or was it better 4-5 years ago. Now is a good time for Poland, but all our compatriots must answer this question for themselves. Young people who in the period 2012-2013 had to struggle to find work, because unemployment reached 25% among young people. Today it is around 10% and continues to fall, as we attract investors from all over the world. This is part of the plan for responsible development, to attract investors, because it creates new jobs and pushes wages up. This is at the core of our plan" – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Bydgoszcz.

12:56

PMM:

The Trap Our Political Opponents Want to Drag Us Into is a Trap of Negative Emotions, a Spiral of Negative Emotions

The trap our political opponents want to drag us into is a trap of negative emotions, a spiral of negative emotions. Let us not be drawn into this trap, dear compatriots, but let us try to objectively measure, define, and answer for ourselves the fundamental questions [about when life was better]” - said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Bydgoszcz.


13:01

PMM:

For 25 Years, We Were Told That the Third Polish Republic Was the Best Possible Socio-Economic System. We Believe Poland Can Be Much Better and We Proved It Over 4 Years

For 25 years, we were told that what had happened to us, the Third Polish Republic, was the best possible system, the best socio-economic system. We believe that Poland can be much better, and we have shown it over 4 years, or rather over 3 years, because certain policies needed to be ramped up. We showed how much can be done in a short time for the weakest, for the entire nation, for Polish families, for seniors, for the young, for farmers, for workers, and this is our program for the coming years” - said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Bydgoszcz.


13:06

Mateusz Morawiecki: We are moving towards a balanced budget
Which government can be more effective? Which one has real achievements in public finance stability? Which government has the lowest budget deficit? We are moving towards a balanced budget and we have the ambition for this budget to be balanced, but at the same time we must have this balance between the effectiveness of public finances and a solidarity policy that includes the entire society in sharing the economic pie. It does not divide society into the chosen few, into anti-development interest groups, and the rest, the weaker part, which could not stand up for itself – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Bydgoszcz.

13:08

PMM:

We Represent the Weaker

We represent the weaker ones. Those who have been wronged and those who today, I hope, see and know that they have regained their rightful place in society and in Poland – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Bydgoszcz.


13:12

PMM:

We Want to Debate Using Arguments

- We want to debate using arguments, using numbers, using what we have managed to achieve, and let's remember to be able to respond to these provocations, to the atmosphere of negative emotions, bad emotions created by our political competitors, because like everyone, we stumble, I do too, everyone makes mistakes. But on one scale and the other, we must weigh the changes we have introduced for pensioners, for Polish families. The tax reduction, the PIT tax reduction, the first since the previous PiS government, by the way, the CIT reduction to 9%. The VAT tax reduction through a matrix unifying VAT rates downwards, and on the other side, certain individual errors, sometimes out of hundreds of projects we implement, some will not work out. That's normal. Thousands of people who were and are involved in the good change, someone might make a mistake, inadvertently, or sometimes it is indeed a mistake, but we can admit to it and we appeal for reason, moderation, prudence, and justice in evaluating all of this, because it is extremely important to make the right choice in a few weeks when we go to the ballot boxes - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Bydgoszcz.


13:20

Morawiecki:

Poland's Future for Decades Hinges on Upcoming Parliamentary Elections

- The future of Poland for decades, for the next 5, 10, 20 years, will depend on this choice in a few weeks, on the parliamentary elections. Because alongside all these social programs, we have also found funds for the largest infrastructure road construction program in 30-50 years, a Polish budget, not an EU one. For the construction of district and municipal roads. This amounts to 10 billion [PLN] spent over approximately 12-15 months. So, on one hand, funds for development purposes, reconstruction of PKS (state-owned bus carriers), repolonization, the local government road fund. On the other hand, major social programs, which we know about, 500+, now also for the first child, which means changing the lives of Polish families. The third pillar is stable public finances, something our opponents thought was absolutely impossible. Another Greece, remember all those slogans they bombarded us with. And all of this is underpinned by our ideas, our dreams of a magnificent Poland, dreams, patriotism, of a strong Poland that is carving out and asserting its rightful place - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention in Bydgoszcz.


15:34

Zandberg:

Next Year We Will Raise the Minimum Wage to 2700 Zlotys

Poland must take care of ordinary people, and that is what we promise. This is the Poland that the Left will build. Prosperity comes from work, and the Left has solutions that are solutions for hard-working people. The Left will take care of those who work hard every day. Next year, we will raise the minimum wage to 2700 zlotys and introduce a mechanism that will guarantee that lower wages will grow faster” - said Adrian Zandberg from Razem during the Left's convention.


15:35

Zandberg:

We will establish a public developer and, in cooperation with local governments, build one million apartments in Poland over the next 10 years

"We all know what the housing market in Poland looks like. Sometimes you have to give your entire salary to rent a studio apartment. This is upside down and it needs to change. PiS failed in this matter because they bent to a very influential lobby. A left-wing government will not back down on this. We will establish a public developer and, in cooperation with local governments, build one million apartments in Poland over the next 10 years" – said Adrian Zandberg from Razem during the Left Congress.


15:35

Zandberg:

We will adopt a law that will end restitution once and for all. Poland's affairs will be decided by the Polish parliament and the Polish government, not the US embassy

We will adopt a law that will end restitution once and for all. Poland's affairs will be decided by the Polish parliament and the Polish government, not the US embassy. People have the right to live peacefully, without fear that some swindler will throw them out of their homes” – said Adrian Zandberg from Razem during the Left convention.


15:38

Zandberg:

The Left is a life without fear of tomorrow. This is our commitment. Poland will be a modern, European welfare state.
“The Left is a life without fear of tomorrow. And that, in reality, is freedom. Because true freedom only begins where fear ends. True freedom is where there is no need to be afraid, and we will build such a Poland. This is our promise. This is our commitment. Poland will be a modern, European welfare state. And this future begins today” - said Adrian Zandberg from Together (Razem) during the Left's convention.

15:55

Czarzasty:

The Tax System Should Reflect Principles of Social Justice. There Can Be No Deviations or Exceptions, Not Even for the Clergy

"The tax system should reflect the principles of social justice. There can be no deviations or exceptions from it, not even for the clergy. The Constitution is more important than the Gospel" - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty from SLD during the Left convention.


15:56

Czarzasty to Ziobro: Have You Noticed How All These Scoundrel-Like Things From Your Past Are Ensnaring You? Mr. Ziobro, Mr. Minister, Are You Not Infamous?
"The rule of law is not the rule of Piebiak and Ziobro. It is not that judges have quarrelled amongst themselves. It is not, as Mr. Ziobro claims, that this is a scoundrel-like situation between one judge and another. It is that when Barbara Blida died, Mr. Ziobro said, 'This is a scoundrel-like situation, this should not have happened.' It is that when they broke into my house at 6 AM, threw my wife and children onto the floor, put a gun to my head and said, 'If you move, we'll shoot you, motherfucker.' This is not, Mr. Ziobro, a scoundrel-like situation. It is also not the case that judges are arguing. It is, Mr. Ziobro, that state officials, including a deputy minister subordinate to you, incite people. Dishonest people are against honest people. Have you not noticed how all these scoundrel-like things from your past are ensnaring you? Mr. Ziobro, Mr. Minister, are you not infamous?" - Włodzimierz Czarzasty from SLD said during the Lewica convention.

15:57

Czarzasty to Ziobro: We, the Left, are not part of Civic Platform. You will face the State Tribunal. If you don't clarify this matter, you will face the ST together with the Prime Minister. There will be two of you.

"The time will come. The time for the State Tribunal will come. I want to promise you one thing. We, the Left, are not part of Civic Platform. You will face the State Tribunal. Look me in the eyes. You will face the State Tribunal. If you do not clarify this matter, if you do not appoint a parliamentary investigation committee, and you will not appoint one, then you will face the State Tribunal together with Prime Minister Morawiecki. There will be two of you" – said Włodzimierz Czarzasty from SLD during the Left convention.


16:08

Biedroń:

The Poland of Tomorrow Will Be Ruled by Three Values: Freedom, Not Control; Community, Not War; and Cooperation, Not a State for the Few

The Poland of tomorrow is a Poland where three values reign and will continue to reign: freedom, not control; community, not war; and cooperation, not a state only for the chosen few” – said Robert Biedroń of Wiosna during the Left convention.


16:10

Biedroń:

Our Great Return to the Polish Parliament and Politics Begins

We are embarking on our grand adventure, a journey to the Sejm and the Senate - to where the left should always be, defending human rights and democracy. And we see today what happens when the left is absent. Our great return to the Polish parliament, to Polish politics, begins, in order to defend human rights, democracy, and the ordinary person” - said Robert Biedroń from Wiosna during the Left's convention.