The government session will take place at 10:00 AM. The agenda includes, among other items, a draft resolution of the Council of Ministers concerning the "GovTech Polska" Program and information on actions taken and planned in connection with Katowice's selection as the host city for the 2022 World Urban Forum.

President Andrzej Duda will visit the Lublin and Subcarpathian Voivodeships. At 4:30 PM, he will meet with residents of the Biłgoraj poviat, and at 6:30 PM – with residents of the Nisko poviat.

All signs point to me continuing my mission at the Ministry of National Defence. And I am glad about that, because over these two years, I have created very strong foundations for the modernization of the Polish army - said Mariusz Błaszczak in an interview with Piotr Goćka in "Sygnały dnia" on Polish Radio Channel One. 

- The President Andrzej Duda has convened the first session for November 12th, so there is time to settle all matters, including personnel. I don't foresee major complications here - said Mariusz Błaszczak in an interview with Piotr Gocek on "Sygnały dnia" on Polskie Radio Jedynka.

“

There is ongoing mutual probing, talks, and the process of building a majority in every body looks more or less the same, likely from both sides. These are somewhat semi-official talks, conveying proposals. Our proposal is clear and legible. We count on the Senate for non-obstruction, if not support,” said PiS Deputy Spokesperson Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Michał Rachoń on TVP Info.

„It is true that the position of EPP President will not hinder Tusk's political engagement. We can expect his return, a greater involvement in Polish politics. Let's add that the position he currently holds, which by definition should be apolitical, also did not particularly prevent him from interfering in Polish politics. Donald Tusk is quite immune to the demands of the roles he fulfills” - said Radosław Fogiel, Deputy Spokesperson for PiS, in an interview with Michał Rachoń on TVP Info.

- In the Senate, we have many senators who got elected and who are independent, who ran on the Civic Coalition's lists, and about whom we know well – I myself know several such individuals who are, to put it mildly, very much at odds with the Civic Platform leadership. Is it wrong to talk to them about them joining the 'good change' camp? – stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" program.

- Coalition talks are underway today, and I think we are all determined to reach a coalition agreement as quickly as possible. We are not, by chance, like the Netherlands, Belgium, or Germany, which took half a year to form governments. This government will be formed very quickly - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's 'Rozmowa Piaseckiego'.

- It's not for me to talk about [details]. The presidents, the party leaders will communicate them. I suspect there will be an announcement this week - added the Minister of Entrepreneurship.

- I haven't heard Solidarna Polska formulating such expectations [regarding a change of prime minister]. The discussion on the subject of the prime minister has been – I think – clearly settled. My boss, Jarosław Gowin, spoke about it. I believe that this candidate, indicated by Chairman Kaczyński no less, is Mateusz Morawiecki. There's no reason, in a situation where we have a zero deficit budget, super economic growth, and a very good international standing, for us to change horses in midstream right now. This particular horse is pulling the wagon in a very good direction – stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I understand that [this] is a matter of age. Patryk Jaki has a certain youthful expression. Perhaps he enjoys saying such things. In my opinion, the issue of the prime minister is settled. Mateusz Morawiecki will be prime minister. Jarosław Kaczyński and Jarosław Gowin spoke about it. As I understand it, this matter is decided – the minister of entrepreneurship continued to say.

We will be the ones to remind entrepreneurs once again that it is worthwhile for them to do business in Poland. I would say it figuratively: we are the politicians who will strive to ensure that Netflix viewers and attendees of major festivals and concerts in Poland find an attractive offer in our message - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- As far as I know, in one of these districts, the difference is about 300 votes. 50 votes in 2000 decided that Bush Jr. became president [of the USA], not Al Gore. 50 votes in Florida. We have the right to say, ask, and count those votes. We will count those votes, after all. We have doubts. I haven't heard the justification for this request. Can the votes be recounted? The votes can be recounted - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Conversation".

- The votes will be recounted, and if it turns out that there are no doubts, then the matter is closed. This will happen very quickly - the minister of entrepreneurship continued to say.

- In my opinion, there is no possibility [of holding primaries]. Historical experience in Poland shows that parties, if they usually decide not to field their own presidential candidate, subsequently see their popularity decline as a result. Therefore, none of the groups will decide on a solution where they do not have their own candidate in the first round. There should be a pact, an agreement, that states the candidate who enters the second round is supported by all other opposition candidates - said Katarzyna Lubnauer in an interview with Joanna Komolka on the program "Gość Radia ZET".

- Today, Chairman Schetyna will meet with the leaders of the other parties, and the leaders who have their representatives in the Senate will discuss these options. It is important to reach an agreement and for this candidate to emerge as soon as possible - stated Cezary Tomczyk in an interview with Paweł Lisiecki on "Trójka Political Salon," when asked about the candidate for the Senate Marshal.

- Bogdan Borusewicz is certainly a very serious candidate for this position. He is not only a legend of "Solidarity" but also a former Senate Marshal, a man with immense experience. There are also other senators who have parliamentary experience and could bear such a great burden - added the Civic Platform MP.

– At the moment, I think there are several names in play [as presidential candidates]. It is known that Donald Tusk is still not ruling it out. There is Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, and there are a few other candidates. I believe that within two months, we will know the presidential candidate from the Civic Coalition – stated Cezary Tomczyk in an interview with Paweł Lisiecki on "Trójka's Political Salon".

The decision regarding the actual run in the election will be made by the President, in my opinion, when the election itself is announced. According to the Polish constitutional order, it is the Marshal of the Sejm who announces the date of the presidential elections. This decision, in accordance with the Constitution, will be announced next year, as it directly follows from the Constitution and constitutional deadlines. Only then will it be possible to discuss who will be running for the office of President and whether they will. - stated Błażej Spychalski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

- The one presented by the largest parliamentary party. Please remember that after the elections, it turned out that it would be the same environment that has hitherto formed the parliamentary majority and the government - stated Błażej Spychalski in a conversation with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus, when asked who the president would designate as prime minister.

- This decision will be made by the president in accordance with the Constitution, but for obvious reasons - it has always been this way - it is the parliamentary majority that indicates who will be the candidate for prime minister, who will gain the support of the parliamentary majority - added PAD's spokesperson.

„Stalin had the conviction that it doesn't matter who votes, only who counts the votes. Jarosław Kaczyński is a good student and views political reality similarly to Stalin. We have a major scandal in Poland. The decision regarding the calculation of votes to six decimal places is a political decision, made by PiS, which does not accept the electoral verdict. It does not accept the will of Poles, who, with very high turnout, entrusted the majority of the Senate to the opposition. This is an example that shows what these and future elections, which PiS will not win, will look like” – stated the Civic Platform leader, Grzegorz Schetyna, during a press conference.

„We are at a point where it can be stated very clearly. Democracy and principles are threatened in Poland, which is why the decision on recounting votes, to be made by the Chamber of Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs of the Supreme Court, appointed by the PiS majority, and the National Council of the Judiciary. In the coming weeks, the CJEU will decide whether these decisions did not violate the law. We are currently witnessing the undermining of the Senate election results” - said the Civic Platform leader, Grzegorz Schetyna, during a press conference.

“We will talk with opposition parties. I will lead these consultations, and together we will defend Polish democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of fair elections. At 12:00, I have a meeting scheduled with the head of the OSCE mission,” said the chairman of Civic Platform, Grzegorz Schetyna, during a press conference. “We will monitor every next step. We will do everything to ensure foreign, objective, international oversight of the method and process of tallying these votes. There is no trust in those who are making decisions that aim to change the electoral verdict,” he added.

What is PiS playing at? Chaos. Andrzej Duda is travelling, campaigning, meeting people holding banners that say "Duda 2015-2025," while the opposition is bickering in the Sejm over a vote recount – stated Julia Pitera in an interview with Łukasz Kijek on Gazeta.pl's Morning Talk.

This is how PiS governs. They are packing the opposition into chaos. If the opposition doesn't find a way out of this crisis management, the chaos that the entire opposition is entering, it will be truly bad – she added.

- [Grzegorz Schetyna] should undergo scrutiny. And if I hear a lot of anonymous statements from colleagues... For example, I heard Ms. Izabela Leszczyna express doubt as to whether I am still in the Civic Platform. Why doesn't Izabela Leszczyna ask this question to the countless voices who, in important articles, in important media, on important internet portals, criticize what is happening in the Civic Platform and criticize Grzegorz Schetyna's leadership - stated Julia Pitera in a conversation with Łukasz Kijek on Gazeta.pl's Morning Talk.

- I am concerned why they are afraid to speak under their names. In these articles, I only found two names, truly just two names, plus in the public sphere, Joanna Mucha and Borys Budka declare their readiness to run, and the rest are anonymous. This is not how politics should be conducted - she continued.

“We have filed three election complaints with the Supreme Court concerning the Senate elections – Jelenia Góra, Łomża, and Pabianice. These are the constituencies for which we are filing election complaints. We want to state that our election complaints are based on valid grounds that authorize us to do so, unlike the complaints filed by PiS. PiS's complaints stem from the fact that PiS is dissatisfied with the election results. PiS's electoral defeat is the basis for the election complaints they are filing. This is a scandalous, outrageous situation that requires appropriate steps from international bodies and domestic, national monitoring of this process,” said Mariusz Witczak from Civic Platform during a press conference in front of the Supreme Court.

https://twitter.com/beatamk/status/1186627467848638464?s=12

„As people get older, they are told various things, like if the minimum wage is raised to 4,000 [zlotys], people will be fired. Ladies and gentlemen, do not listen to this nonsense. We have ambitious plans, but above all, we focus on people. For me, the most important thing is the human being” - said President Andrzej Duda in Biłgoraj.

„It was said that 500+ could not be paid out, that people's living conditions could not be improved, that nothing could be done. And what? It was possible to introduce 500+” - he added.

„Do you happen to encounter people who we were mistaken about, or those who chose them for positions were mistaken? It happens. A lot is happening and many people are involved. It happens and we should assume it will happen, but if it does, it will be rectified, because that is the natural order of things, that even if something doesn't work, it will be repaired, changed. Sometimes it's a trial-and-error method, especially in delicate matters that no one has undertaken before, and no one has ever embarked on a program like 500+ in Poland before” - said President Andrzej Duda in Biłgoraj.

- This is a Kali's mentality, please forgive me. If the Civic Platform files a protest, it means it's a manifestation of democracy and normal procedure. If Law and Justice files a protest, it's an attempt to rig elections. Anyone who thinks rationally and independently will admit that this is simply nonsense - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

- I can reiterate that after every election, in an absolutely natural and obvious way, various kinds of talks and consultations take place, and anything can happen. Not everything, but many things can happen, and the choices of individuals, whether councillors, MPs, or senators, must be respected. Today, there is no such discussion at all, and there are absolutely no situations, as you were kind enough to mention earlier, of 'fishing' or searching for people - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events) on Polsat News.

- Attacking a family is absolutely disgusting. It doesn't fit any standards. We stand in solidarity with the former Prime Minister and condemn such actions. We regret that some media are participating in this - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

- It's difficult for me to say whether this is an organized action or not. However, both on social media and in some newspapers, one can see that such disgusting attacks are taking place, and we condemn them - added the head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery.

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI:
Dworczyk on the mentality that when PO lodges a protest, it's defending democracy, but when PiS does it, it's an attack.
The President on the scaremongering about a higher minimum wage.
Mazurek on Tusk's meeting with Kopacz.
https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/10/22/

*****

Polsat Events
-- PROTEST CHASES PROTEST, 55 ELECTION APPEALS FILED WITH THE SUPREME COURT - preview.

-- THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE APPEALS FILED BY PIS - THE OPPOSITION HAS ALSO CHALLENGED THE SENATE ELECTION RESULTS - Grzegorz Kępka.

-- PIS FILED SIX APPEALS YESTERDAY, IN CONSTITUENCIES WHERE THE VOTE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WINNING OPPOSITION CANDIDATE AND THE LOSING PiS POLITICIAN IS SMALL, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY THERE ARE MANY INVALID VOTES - Kępka continues.

-- IF THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES UPHOLD PIS'S APPEALS, THE VOTE COUNTING WILL BE SUPERVISED BY REGIONAL COURTS - Kępka.

-- THE DEADLINE FOR FILING APPEALS EXPIRES AT MIDNIGHT - Kępka continues.

-- TEACHERS WANT RAISES AND ARE STARTING AN "ITALIAN STRIKE" - no material.

*****

TVN Fakty
-- MORE AND MORE QUESTIONS ARE ARISING AFTER PIS DEMANDED A RECOUNT OF VOTES IN SIX CONSTITUENCIES; THE OPPOSITION IS ALSO FILING APPEALS WITH THE SUPREME COURT, BUT WITH ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ARGUMENTS - preview.

-- THE CHAMBER OF EXTRAORDINARY CONTROL, PRESIDED OVER BY JUDGE LEMAŃSKA, IS A NEW ENTITY - Maciej Knapik: It was established under provisions introduced by PiS. The judges of this chamber were appointed by the new National Council of the Judiciary (KRS). These changes have been challenged as unconstitutional and politicized - alarms the opposition.

-- THERE ARE TRUSTWORTHY REPRESENTATIVES IN THE ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS, PARTY REPRESENTATIVES, INCLUDING THOSE FROM PIS - Knapik continues: Despite this, PiS wants inspections, comparison with protocols, a vote recount, and the opportunity to speak in court.

-- TODAY THE OPPOSITION FILED ITS ELECTION APPEALS - Knapik.

-- THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO CHALLENGE ELECTION RESULTS, BUT UNTIL NOW, IT HAS BEEN DONE BY THOSE WHO LOST - Grzegorz Kajdanowicz.

-- THIS WAS MEANT TO BE A VOTE WITHOUT SUSPICION OF FRAUD - Jakub Sobieniowski.

-- SO FAR, PIS HAS ACCUSED OTHERS OF ELECTION FRAUD, BUT NOW THEY HAVE BEEN IN POWER FOR 4 YEARS - Sobieniowski continues.

-- THIS IS HOW IT STARTED: WHEN THE PRESIDENT DID NOT SWEAR IN LEGALLY ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL JUDGES, WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER DID NOT PUBLISH RULINGS, AND FINALLY WHEN JULIA PRZYŁĘBSKA TOOK CHARGE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL - JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI CALLED HER HIS SOCIAL DISCOVERY - Sobieniowski: This opened the way for the politicization of the KRS. The KRS, elected by politicians, opened another door to the creation of a new chamber in the Supreme Court.

-- IF THIS NEW CHAMBER IN THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES ON A RECOUNT OF VOTES, WHAT WILL BE DECISIVE MAY BE WHAT PIS AND ITS ALLIES PLANNED MUCH EARLIER AND IMPLEMENTED BEFORE THE ELECTIONS - Sobieniowski continues: After all, Joachim Brudziński, while still Minister of Interior, had influence on the appointment of the new head of the National Election Bureau (KBW).

-- PIS HAS ALSO PREPARED REGULATIONS ACCORDING TO WHICH THE NATIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION (PKW) WILL CHANGE - It will also be elected mostly by politicians.

-- THE OPPOSITION DOES NOT YET HAVE A STABLE MAJORITY, BUT IT MUST BE READY TO TAKE POWER IN THE SENATE - preview.

-- IF IT WEREN'T FOR PIS, THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE MIGHT BE ARGUING AMONGST THEMSELVES - Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska: Thanks to the request for a recount, the opposition is more united than ever before.

-- TODAY THE HEAD OF PLATFORMA MET WITH THE LEADERS OF THE PARTIES THAT GOT THEIR SENATORS INTO PARLIAMENT - Kolenda-Zaleska continues.

-- FOR NOW, THE MOST SERIOUS CANDIDATE FOR SENATE MARSHAL IS SŁAWOMIR RYBICKI - Kolenda-Zaleska.

-- INDEPENDENT SENATORS DO NOT RULE OUT HIS SUPPORT - Kolenda-Zaleska continues.

-- FOR NOW, THESE ARE JUST PRELIMINARIES, BUT THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SENATE MAY LOOK LIKE THIS - Kolenda-Zaleska continues: Marshal from Civic Coalition and 4 deputy marshals: Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka from SLD, Michał Kamiński or Filip Libicki from PSL, Stanisław Karczewski from PiS, and another senator from the coalition. It is not impossible that this will be Barbara Zdrojewska. It is also possible that one of the independent senators will be a deputy marshal.

-- KRZYSZTOF BREJZA IS TO GET THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND RULE OF LAW COMMITTEE, AND INDEPENDENT SENATOR KRZYSZTOF KWIATKOWSKI THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE - Kolenda-Zaleska.

-- THE COMMITTEE FOR POLISH DIASPORA AFFAIRS IS EXTREMELY INFLUENTIAL AND PRESTIGIOUS IN THE SENATE - Kolenda-Zaleska continues: It is not impossible that independent senator Lidia Staroń will get it.

-- DECISIONS REGARDING POSITIONS IN THE SENATE ARE TO BE MADE NEXT WEEK - Kolenda-Zaleska.

-- THERE WERE NOT TOO MANY MEPs IN THE HALL, BUT THE DEBATE WAS EXCEPTIONALLY EMOTIONAL - preview.

-- THE DISPUTE OVER EDUCATION IN POLAND IS NOW INTERNATIONAL - Kajdanowicz.

-- THE UNION NOW KNOWS ABOUT THE LAW, KNOWS THAT PIS MPS WANT TO WORK ON IT - Krzysztof Skórzyński: It knows that there have been significant protests on this matter. The Union finally also knows that there is a lot of emotion involved.

-- THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSED WHAT THE POLISH PARLIAMENT DID LAST WEEK, AND DECIDED THAT MPS WILL ADDRESS A CITIZEN'S BILL, SUPPORTED BY PIS, WHICH, ACCORDING TO OPPONENTS OF THIS LAW, ALLOWS FOR IMPRISONING SEX EDUCATION TEACHERS - Skórzyński continues.

-- DEFENDERS OF THE LAW, SUCH AS PIS POLITICIANS, ARGUE THAT IT IS A LAW DESIGNED TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PEDOPHILIA - Skórzyński.

-- IT WILL BE PIS THAT DECIDES IN THE NEW TERM WHETHER WORK ON THE LAW WILL CONTINUE - Skórzyński continues.

-- AN "ITALIAN STRIKE" IS STARTING IN SCHOOLS, TEACHERS WILL INDEFINITELY PERFORM ONLY DUTIES DESCRIBED IN THE EDUCATION LAW - no material.

*****

TVP Wiadomości

-- THIS IS THE END OF DEMOCRACY IN POLAND - THAT'S WHAT PLATFORMA SAYS ABOUT APPEALS BUT THEN THEY ALSO FILE APPEALS - in preview.

-- PIS'S COMPLAINTS CONCERN, AMONG OTHERS, THE CONSTITUENCY WHERE GAWŁOWSKI, SUPPORTED BY PO, WON, WHERE THE DIFFERENCE WAS MUCH SMALLER THAN THE NUMBER OF INVALID VOTES - Karol Jałtuszewski.

-- THE OPPOSITION HAS REACTED LIKE THIS TO THE STANDARD AND COMMON PRACTICE IN MANY COUNTRIES: - statements from Schetyna, Borusewicz, and Kamiński.

-- AFTER ANNOUNCING ANOTHER END OF DEMOCRACY, PLATFORMA ITSELF FILED APPEALS - Jałtuszewski.

-- THE COALITION ITSELF CAME UP WITH THE LOGO DESIGN, AND THE PKW TESTED THE BALLOTS ON PRESCHOOLERS - Jałtuszewski.

-- AND SO, THESE ELECTIONS WERE THE BEST IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF INVALID VOTES - Jałtuszewski.

-- IN 2014, THERE WERE 5 MILLION INVALID VOTES, MAINLY WHERE PO AND PSL HAD THE BEST RESULTS - Jałtuszewski.

-- REPORT ON FARMERS' PROTESTS IN THE EU DUE TO RESTRICTIVE ECOLOGICAL POLICY AND THE OPENING OF THE CHINESE MARKET TO POLISH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

-- RECORD NUMBERS OF FOREIGN TOURISTS IN POLAND.

-- ROBERT BIEDROŃ, CONTRARY TO FACTS, ARGUED THAT POLAND THREATENS SEX EDUCATION, GERSDORF SPOKE OF AUTHORITARIANISM ABROAD - in preview.

-- FOR MEPs, SUCH DETAILS AS THE FACT THAT NO ONE INTENDS TO PUNISH FOR SEX EDUCATION ARE IRRELEVANT - Wolski.

-- IF THE FACTS DO NOT FIT THE THESIS, IT IS EVEN WORSE FOR THE FACTS - Wolski.

-- MEPs FROM OTHER COUNTRIES DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE DETAILS BECAUSE THE DRAFT WAS NOT TRANSLATED - Wolski.

-- JUDGE GERSDORF ALSO SPOKE, IN NORWAY SHE SPOKE OF A THREAT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND A FACADE OF ELECTIONS - Wolski.

-- GERSDORF APPEALED FOR POLAND TO BE MONITORED - Wolski.

-- POLISH LAWYERS WANT GUY VERHOFSTADT TO ANSWER FOR HIS WORDS ABOUT POLISH FASCISTS - Wolski.

-- THIS TRAGEDY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED - Belka.

-- WILL THE WARSAW AUTHORITIES ONCE AGAIN IGNORE THE RESIDENTS' APPEAL? - in preview.

-- PROTEST OF RESIDENTS OF SOKRATESA STREET.

-- THE CITY HALL DOES NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE LETTERS AND PETITIONS FROM THE RESIDENTS; THE ROAD MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT REPLIED THAT NOTHING INDICATES SUCH A NECESSITY - Waldemar Stankiewicz.

-- SINCE SUNDAY'S TRAGEDY, NEITHER TRZASKOWSKI NOR HIS DEPUTY RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORT HAS COMMENTED - Stankiewicz.

-- IN ANY EUROPEAN CAPITAL, CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN DRAWN, BUT HERE WE HAVE SILENCE AND A LACK OF REACTION FROM THE CITY HALL - Jan Mencwel from urban movements.