The Sejm will resume its proceedings at 9:00 AM with the second reading of the government's draft law on an additional annual monetary benefit for pensioners, effectively a 13th pension. At 9:45 AM, the second reading of a government draft will take place, proposing an increase in the lowest benefits to 1200 PLN for the lowest pension, disability pension for total incapacity, survivor's pension, and social pension; 900 PLN for the lowest pension for partial incapacity; and the application of the statutory indexation rate, ensuring a minimum guaranteed benefit increase of 70 PLN.

At 1:30 PM, the first reading of the government's draft law concerning changes in the Pension Fund (OFE) will be held, and at 3:00 PM, a voting block will commence, scheduled to last until 5:00 PM. During this block, the aforementioned pension-related draft laws will be adopted – before the block, at 1:30 PM, a committee meeting is already planned to review amendments submitted during the second reading.

At 9:00 AM, during a meeting of the parliamentary committee for special services – traditionally closed to the media – the heads of the Intelligence Agency and the Military Intelligence Service will present information on the current situation in the Middle East.

At 10:00 AM, the Marshal of the Senate, Tomasz Grodzki, will meet with representatives of the Venice Commission. Following the meeting, a statement by the Marshal to the media is planned. The commission's delegation will also meet with representatives of the senatorial majority and opposition.

President Andrzej Duda will visit Kolno in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. At 12:25 PM, he will lay a wreath before the monument commemorating Polish Army soldiers murdered by the Bolsheviks after the Battle of Komarów on August 25, 1920. At 12:40 PM, he will participate in the conference "Perspectives for rural residents," and at 4:00 PM, he will meet with residents of the Kolno district.

At 7:00 PM in Łódź, a meeting with Szymon Hołownia will take place as part of the #RozmowyPolaków (Conversations of Poles) series.

- In response to correspondence from a representative of the Venice Commission regarding the organization of meetings with Commission representatives by the Marshal of the Sejm, the CIS informs that due to the ongoing Sejm session, dedicated to numerous important legislative projects, including the state budget law, as well as planned numerous parliamentary committee meetings and several-hour-long voting sessions, organizing meetings within the expected timeframe will not be possible. The planned work on the submitted legislative projects, including the most crucial law for the smooth functioning of the state, always requires extraordinary commitment from parliamentarians and officials of the Chancellery of the Sejm. The Marshal, as the person overseeing and coordinating the work of the Chamber, is responsible for the progress of work, its pace, and timeliness - the Chancellery of the Sejm Information Centre stated in a communication.

- It is worth noting that the Sejm of the Republic of Poland is open to all cooperation with institutions and entities, including foreign ones. Taking into account the bills being processed, the planned work schedule, as well as the Marshal's prior commitments, there is a certain awkwardness due to the rather non-standard procedure of the request submitted. The document reached the Chancellery of the Sejm on January 8th in the late afternoon, while the meetings were to take place on January 9th. Information provided with just over a dozen hours' notice, given the gravity of the subject matter and the rank of the individuals expected to participate in the meeting, seems an unfortunate proposal. At the same time, we express our conviction that the planned visit of the Venice Commission representatives to the Ministry of Justice will allow for a full understanding of all aspects related to the judicial reform in Poland - the CIS emphasized.

- We don't know [the Venice Commission] whether they will [submit comments]. We are confident in our position, in what is in the [judges' discipline] act - stated Michał Wójcik in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- The term "gag law" has appeared in the media. I really dislike that formulation, because no such law exists - he continued. - We are confident in our position. There is nothing in this act that raises such doubts. If there was anything, it was amendments, as you remember, in the parliamentary committees, in the Sejm - added the Deputy Minister of Justice.

- This visit [by the Venice Commission] should be treated as a visit of a more private, unofficial nature. The Marshal of the Senate, according to Polish regulations, does not have the right to invite the Venice Commission. That responsibility lies with the government, which cooperates with the president in this regard - stated Michał Wójcik in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- Article 146 of the Constitution and Article 133 clearly state that the government conducts foreign policy, and the president cooperates with the government in this matter - the Deputy Minister of Justice continued.

- I don't know at what level the meeting will take place. Whether it will be purely official or someone from the Ministry of Justice leadership. We are a hospitable nation. Since someone invited the Venice Commission, everything indicates that the meeting will happen. I don't think the Minister of Justice will participate in this meeting; in fact, he certainly will not participate - stated Michał Wójcik in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I don't have that knowledge, because it's a purely political decision [regarding the motion to dismiss Tomasz Grodzki]. I believe that Marshal Grodzki should resign. Instead of going to Commissioner Jourová, he should clearly explain to the nation: did he take money or not? He already said in one program that he took money. That's obvious - stated Michał Wójcik in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- The matter is unclear, and you know that perfectly well. He is the third person in the state and should clarify unambiguously why he gets so agitated when journalists ask him about specific facts, specific people - the Deputy Minister of Justice continued.

- I must say that the opposition's behavior in this matter is far from what I would have expected. The various posts, those that stir up emotions, like those of Ms. Kidawa-Błońska, but also other politicians, show that the opposition has treated this crisis and a certain real threat to the safety of Polish soldiers, although we know today that these soldiers are safe, but such a danger was potentially present, as a good way to engage in political struggle with the government. This is disappointing - stated Jacek Sasin in an interview with Marcin Wikło on TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour".

- We don't want to turn this matter into a political circus. Having over 4 years of experience with how the opposition operates, one could unfortunately expect that this National Security Council would inevitably transform into such a political circus. We truly appeal to the opposition, we, the ruling camp, appeal for a bit more responsibility and more calm, and also for not frightening the families of Polish soldiers, because building the conviction, the tension that some great danger hangs over Polish soldiers today, is irresponsible – stated Jacek Sasin in an interview with Marcin Wikło on TVP1's "Polityczny Kwadrans" (Political Fifteen Minutes).

- The point is that there cannot be several competing centers in any state conducting foreign policy, and today Marshal Grodzki's activities aim to form an alternative foreign policy center for Poland in relation to the government and the president. This always ends very badly, it always ends very badly, because it creates an opportunity for others to play us off against each other, to pursue their interests at Poland's expense. For example, Russian diplomacy has always been excellent at exploiting such rifts – stated Jacek Sasin in an interview with Marcin Wikło on TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour".

“Poland is pursuing a policy aimed at not escalating conflict in the Middle East. Poland is not heading towards war. Poland desires peace in the Middle East. Representatives of the Iranian authorities emphasize good relations, particularly economic ones” - said government spokesperson Piotr Müller in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News. 

"I think we shouldn't worry too much about it [the Venice Commission visit]. In my opinion, it won't bring anything new. I see Marshal Grodzki's action as damaging Poland's image abroad, because we don't need external foundations or organizations to discuss Polish justice system matters," said government spokesman Piotr Müller in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News. 

"The internal campaign has its charms. It's a lot of conversations. In connection with the Sejm session, I am focusing on conversations with parliamentarians, because we absolutely all need to be in Warsaw. This weekend, more meetings in the field. I will be in Małopolska, Silesia, Gdańsk, and Podlasie" - said Borys Budka, the chairman of the Civic Coalition's parliamentary club, in an interview with Karolina Lewicka on Radio TOK FM's Poranek program.

“The people [on Kidawa-Błońska's staff] must be individuals who know how to win. These are people who have successfully run good campaigns in the past. It won't be the same people [who ran PO's last three campaigns]. I say this with full responsibility. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska's campaign will be run at the highest level, it will be professional” - stated Borys Budka, the chairman of the Civic Coalition club, on Radio TOK FM's morning program.

When asked by Karolina Lewicka if this means there will be no politicians, but rather specialists, Borys Budka replied: “Exactly. I stand by and am consistent in what I say and do. Let's entrust tasks to experts. Politicians are for politics and setting certain directions, while experts and specialists are for running campaigns”. 

- This is yet another example. What right does the Marshal of the Senate have to address the Venice Commission? I must say that the Venice Commission contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting meetings with government representatives. After consulting with the Prime Minister, we concluded that there will be no such meetings. This is because the Venice Commission responds to questions, requests, and opinions from states. And who, according to the Polish Constitution, can formulate such requests? I recall – in a previous instance, my predecessor Witold Waszczykowski sought such an opinion, and then the commission could legitimately respond - stated Jacek Czaputowicz in an interview with Krzysztof Świątek on "Sygnały dnia" PR1.

- The Polish government did not request this opinion. The question now is, for the commission and the Senate, how to interpret this action by the Venice Commission at all. It is certainly not an action, a response to a request or application from the government, therefore the government will not engage in discussions with the commission - the head of the MFA continued.

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„He did well by not flying [PAD to Jerusalem]. We will gladly stand by the President. Just invite us and talk to us. We are asking for the National Security Council to be convened on another matter. We are very open regarding foreign policy, because we believe that Poland should speak with one voice on foreign policy matters” - said the head of SLD, Deputy Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty, in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. 

„*He didn't give up his mandate [Biedroń]. I think he acted wrongly. At the moment an agreement was reached between SLD, Razem and Wiosna, Zandberg and I took our colleague Biedroń and said: Each of us is giving up a part of their freedom for the sake of the agreement. Therefore, Robert, you are staying in the European Parliament, you are not running, you will be the head of the campaign staff, you will be our candidate for president*” - said the head of SLD, Deputy Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty, in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. 

- Well, yes. I can't imagine an opposition leader, the leader of the largest opposition party, who doesn't want to be prime minister. I also believe that I am the right person, precisely because of my life experience. I was Deputy Prime Minister, I was Minister of Defence for four years, the longest in free Poland, I was Deputy Minister of Interior and Administration with authority over voivodes. I will say immodestly, I know how the state functions like few others, because I am simply a practitioner in this regard - stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Jacek Gądek in the Gazeta.pl Morning Talk.

„The Venice Commission arrived urgently to issue an opinion regarding a legislative act that concerns fundamental matters in the judiciary. Some call it the muzzle law. The composition of the Venice Commission is very high-level. There are former prime ministers, former constitutional court judges, and top-class experts,” said Senate Marshal Tomasz Grodzki after a meeting with the Venice Commission delegation.

„We received a promise from the delegation head that the Venice Commission's opinion will be issued urgently and should arrive in Poland by Wednesday or Thursday, so that the honorable senators can familiarize themselves with it,” he added.

- The Marshal of the Senate, the current Marshal, unlike the previous one, meets with representatives of the EU. Marshal Karczewski met with representatives of states where democratic standards presumably raise no doubts. We prefer a Marshal of the Senate who talks with the European Commission and the Venice Commission, rather than Marshal Karczewski who patted President Lukashenko on the back, calling him a warm person - stated Borys Budka at a briefing in the Sejm.

“The situation is such that at the moment, following two statements from very important politicians who have a significant influence on the situation in the Middle East, the situation is beginning to stabilize. I cannot imagine that the President would convene the National Security Council for every reason if missiles were to fly somewhere. This is an important region. This is not one of the most important conflicts. If representatives of two sides declare that they do not foresee escalation… I am aware [that missiles flew towards Polish soldiers], but the National Security Council is too important a body, and if we were to convene it, we would be giving this action far too much importance” – said Michał Jach, chairman of the parliamentary defense committee, at a press conference in the Sejm, when asked by Roch Kowalski.

"We tried to show that the regulations we are introducing in this law are not unprecedented in other European Union countries, even if they are not identical, because we have the right to our own legislative path. The principle of the political neutrality of judges is a universally recognized principle. Not only independence, but also political neutrality. For now, issues of judicial organization and justice are within the competence of Member States," said Senator Marek Pęk of PiS at a press conference in the Sejm, after meeting with a delegation from the Venice Commission.

During a block of votes, MPs adopted the resolution presented by the Sejm Presidium concerning the expression of objection to the manipulation of facts and distortion of history by politicians of the Russian Federation, aimed at discrediting Poland and worsening Polish-Russian relations.

During a block of votes, the Sejm approved a bill submitted by PiS (Law and Justice party) stipulating compensation of up to PLN 1.95 billion for Polish Television and Polish Radio. The proposal – after committee work – also includes an amendment to the Broadcasting Act, abolishing the restriction on the number of board members of a company to three.

Members of the opposition attempted to break the quorum during the vote on the bill proposed by PiS concerning compensation for public media by withholding their voting cards. However, two Civic Coalition MPs, Iwona Śledzińska-Katarasińska and Małgorzata Tracz, participated in the vote, leading to the bill's passage. The bill was supported by 228 MPs out of 230 who voted.

During a block of votes, the Sejm adopted the government's draft bill on an additional annual monetary benefit for pensioners and disability beneficiaries, effectively the 13th pension, as well as the government's draft bill proposing an increase in the lowest benefits to PLN 1200 for the lowest pension, disability pension due to total work incapacity, family pension, and social pension, PLN 900 for the lowest disability pension due to partial work incapacity, and the application of the statutory revaluation index, while ensuring a guaranteed minimum benefit increase of PLN 70.

- Joking aside, I'm glad it wasn't 'wanted dead or alive' like in the Wild West. And some kind of reward too. But seriously, they [the CBA] aren't giving themselves the best testimonial, because it's their job to look for such people, not for people to report themselves. However, perhaps I should appeal: let those who were bribed, blackmailed, threatened, offered 5,000 PLN, like Mr. Staszezyk, to write libels against me, come forward. I'd also be happy to find such people, because unlike the CBA, I don't have the tools to verify it with my apparatus. And speaking quite seriously, this is scandalous – stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Karolina Lewicka on TOK FM's "Political Interview".

“Please do not worry. We are pursuing a very prudent security policy. We are constantly monitoring the security situation in Poland and around the world. When I said two days ago that Polish soldiers are safe, people then appeared on television, in various programs, saying, ‘How can he say they are safe when missiles have fallen?’. I had spoken with representatives of Polish counterintelligence, intelligence, spoken with Polish commanders, and been in contact with our commanders in the contingent in Iraq. They told me this: ‘Procedures are absolutely under control. There are no signals that anyone intends to attack Polish soldiers.’ Of course, an American base, where our soldiers were among others, was attacked, but all security procedures were implemented. Polish soldiers were and are safe. Perhaps the area isn't safe, and Iraq hasn't been safe for many years” – said President Andrzej Duda in Kolno.

- That might happen [that the judges' disciplinary act will be rejected], but I remind you that we still have social consultations ahead of us, which will take place on the 14th [of January]. There will still be a verdict, an opinion from the Venice Commission, and there will be an additional meeting of the legislative and human rights committee, and the rapporteurs will report all of this to us. It is a fact that in its current form, we have 10 opinions regarding the shape of this act, and it is to be rejected. The only question is whether it requires deep amendments or if those amendments will simply annihilate it and cause it to disappear. That might happen. Then it will have to be rejected - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Karolina Lewicka in TOK FM's "Political Interview".

- I have no idea. I don't just lament it; it is inexplicable, incomprehensible, unacceptable, and needs clarification for me – stated Bogdan Zdrojewski in an interview with Marcin Zaborski on RMF FM, commenting on the opposition's failed attempt to break the quorum during the vote on adopting the bill for public media compensation.

- This is a situation for which, although I have no grounds for it, I would gladly apologize, although I repeat once again: an unforgivable, inexplicable, incomprehensible situation. Something has failed again, because it's not the first time. In my opinion, this absolutely requires a crisis team concerning discipline, voting methods, and mutual oversight in such reactions, because such mistakes will devalue the entire formation of the opposition, not just Civic Platform. And in my assessment, societal expectations are currently so heightened that the evaluations will be the harshest – he continued.

- The President is working, he is very active in the sphere of international and domestic politics, but this is the specific nature of holding office, it is not an election campaign. From the outset, the President has adopted the assumption that he will be close to people's matters, he will be close to Poles, and these meetings are taking place and will continue to take place - stated Paweł Mucha in an interview with Lidia Lemaniak on "Rozmowa Niezależna", when asked if Beata Szydło would be the head of Andrzej Duda's election staff.

- I can say with full conviction and certainty that the President, who is full of strength, is fully ready to engage in a debate about Polish matters with the candidates who have already revealed themselves - he continued. - Information regarding the election staff is, of course, a statement by the President of the Republic of Poland once a decision is made about participation in the elections, and this is contingent upon the election order - he emphasized.

- It seems to me that no other decision could have emerged. The situation has become so complicated that there is no other decision. President Duda, any president, I'd say, maybe every Pole, because it's quite a surreal situation, that at such a global conference dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, where the main goal, perhaps the only goal, and I emphasize, it should be so, is to pay tribute, to remember this terrible tragedy in which so many people died. That is the most important matter - said Szewach Weiss in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program 'Gość Wydarzeń' on Polsat News.

- I am certain that it was a mistake to have the organization of such an important conference entrusted to a private individual. It should have been organized by the state, by the Yad Vashem Institute - said Szewach Weiss in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

“Members of the Venice Commission also met with members of the Law and Justice party. The bill concerning changes in the judiciary was passed in a scandalous manner. I remember when on December 19th, we voted 123 times in a single day. This is not normal procedure” – said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski from PSL-Koalicja Polska in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on Polsat News’s “Wydarzenia i opinie”.

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- At this moment, there was a vote on the bill, meaning whether 2 billion would go to television or not. I am sorry for the Civic Coalition. Well, it just happened this way - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Agnieszka Gozdyra on the program "Polityka na ostro" on Polsat News.

- We hope for de-escalation, and that is our position. We are supporting EU member states here; tomorrow there will be a special meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, which I will attend on this matter. Our goal is to achieve some form of de-escalation so that this conflict does not escalate and does not threaten peace and security in the world, and consequently, potentially Poland as well, in some part. This is our position. Furthermore, we would like to maintain transatlantic unity - stated Jacek Czaputowicz in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- "Jarek's Share" would be if Mr. Jarek woke up in the morning to work, put on work clothes, went to work, earned 13 billion PLN, and then came and distributed it - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Agnieszka Gozdyra on the program "Politics on the Edge" on Polsat News.

- Intelligence and counter-intelligence receive several times more than border protection troops; Macierewicz's groups are those people who go roaming in the forest and shoot for fun on Saturdays or Sundays - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Agnieszka Gozdyra on the program "Polityka na ostro" (Politics at the Sharp End) on Polsat News. 

- We have such a foreign policy that if a year ago we acted on the order and at the command of the United States, of the madman President Trump – I consider him a madman regarding his behavior, regardless of what happened in Iraq, not even Iran, a man died who was actually on the list of the 15 most dangerous people in the world, according to the United States' list. But madam, if we are going to settle these matters by murdering people, that is not a good approach – said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Agnieszka Gozdyra in the program "Polityka na ostro" on Polsat News.

- I believe that [Trump] is emotionally unstable. These actions, which are currently escalating conflicts, bordering on war, I must say honestly, I consider them mad and unstable – added Czarzasty.

- Our experiences indicate that the Venice Commission has somewhat lost authority, it has made hasty political opinions, for example, concerning the Constitutional Tribunal, claiming that judges for this tribunal could be elected in advance. Even these opinions were not used by the European Commission in the sense that the EC had justified questions regarding judicial reform. It referred some issues to the CJEU, but not on this matter, for instance. I agree, the Venice Commission's authority is not high - stated Jacek Czaputowicz in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's 'Fakty po faktach'.