Friday marks the second day of the Venice Commission delegation's visit to Poland. This morning's schedule includes meetings with the Commissioner for Human Rights and Supreme Court judges.

At **9:15 AM**, a press conference will be held in the Sejm with the participation of Civic Platform (PO) leader Borys Budka, as well as PO MPs and local government officials. At **11:15 AM**, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will formally appoint new voivodes.

The Sejm will resume its proceedings at **10:00 AM** with topical questions. At **12:00 PM**, MPs will hear a current information statement regarding "the increase in energy prices and the state's energy policy," requested by the Civic Coalition parliamentary club. Also on the agenda is the first reading of the government's draft amendment to the law on the quality of agricultural and food products.

Between **11:00 AM** and **1:55 PM**, a ceremony will take place at the Belvedere Palace where ambassadors from the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Republic of Angola, the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, the State of Libya, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Senegal, and the Republic of Ghana will present their letters of credence to President Andrzej Duda.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will visit the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. At **10:30 AM** in Elbląg, a press conference with the leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL) will be held, followed at **11:00 AM** by the opening of the Elbląg Vocational Education Center and a meeting with entrepreneurs. At **1:30 PM** in Nowe Miasto Lubawskie, he will meet with residents.

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

- No, we are the opposition, and therefore, by sheer arithmetic, it follows that we have a minority of votes and are unable to pass anything against the ruling party. Yesterday, we could have forced an adjournment. Prime Minister Morawiecki and several prominent PiS politicians were not in the chamber. Noticing this, we tried to suspend the proceedings for a moment. If everyone had removed their voting cards, the Marshal would have announced an adjournment and would have had to summon other MPs. This [law on compensation for public media] would have been passed. So, here we will do everything possible to ensure that in situations where even a temporary victory for the opposition is possible, such situations occur - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- Such decisions [regarding the attempt to break the quorum] are made dynamically. This is not some strategy developed in offices. It was visible in the chamber, we saw that the ruling party was not complete, that Prime Minister Morawiecki and several MPs were missing. This is evident in voting. And that's why we tried. We agreed that when there was a vote for 2 billion for TVP and changes regarding an unlimited number of board members of public media, we would remove our cards. If it had succeeded, if less than half participated in the vote, then such a vote would not take place, because there would be no quorum. A recess would be called, and I suspect that in 10-15 minutes, the session would have continued - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- Here, two people lacked reflexes, and these were people sitting right in front, who can see the reaction. This is not a matter of discipline. Discipline is when someone is absent from the chamber, for example, because they didn't show up. However, this was an evident blunder, which, had it not happened, would have resulted in a 15-20 minute recess, and it's also important to explain to our viewers how the parliamentary system works. Sometimes decisions are made ad hoc, as was the case now, in agreement with other clubs, and we would have managed to briefly interrupt the session - continued the head of the Civic Coalition (KO) club.

“This government and the president are breaking all world records. They have managed to antagonize everyone – the EU, Israel, Iran. Everyone who is currently a player on the international stage. If the government and the president had good relations, then a place for Mr. President would also have been found regarding some short speech [in Jerusalem]. I believe President Duda should be there. This anniversary is extremely important” – said the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

„I hope the Presidential Chancellery can explain this decision [regarding PAD's absence in Jerusalem] well, because at the moment, the dominant interpretation in the press and global media is that it's marginalization, a sulk, or some kind of demonstration. This is not good for the national interest. At this time, the President and his Chancellery should focus on explaining this decision” – said the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- I have already announced, I have convened a club meeting regarding the upcoming Sejm session, where it will be voted on again, after the Senate's amendments, meaning I hope after the Senate's motion to reject the gag bill, and there too, no situation where an opposition member is absent can occur - stated Borys Budka in a conversation with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

“We are in another election campaign, and at this moment, it would just be a cacophony and a political brawl over [naming one of the capital's streets after President Lech Kaczyński]. I assure you that after the presidential elections, I've said this from the very beginning, once the election cycle ends, there will be a decision, and I hope it won't be met solely with political criticism again. Today, given the mood on the political scene, we would have another political brawl” - said the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

- I regret that Bogdan Zdziejewski was not present at a real campaign headquarters meeting where all candidates for Civic Platform leader met with Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska and together we established the most important matters concerning her campaign and our involvement in this electoral process. This is necessary. However, if such words are spoken by a senator [about a crisis headquarters] - I warn against it. My political experience clearly dictates that we do not comment on internal matters in the media, we do not comment on such things, because these are absolutely words that should not have been uttered. I try to ensure we do not share these internal emotions, this internal rivalry, externally, and I think it would have been much better if Senator Zdziejewski's activity had been directed towards Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska's campaign. I lament that this week he did not find time to meet with all of us, because that is the most important thing. Regardless of who is running, Kidawa-Błońska's campaign, the presidential election, is the most important for us, so in parallel to what we are doing in the internal campaign, we are building Kidawa-Błońska's headquarters and strategy for the campaign - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- This is a visit [by the Venice Commission] at the invitation of the Marshal of the Senate. It is not official in nature. The state in foreign relations is represented by the President and the government - stated Piotr Müller in an interview with Michał Rachoń on TVP Info's program "Jedziemy".

- This borders on being quite comical. Complaining whether there will be a car or not. Technical matters belong to the Marshal of the Senate - the government spokesperson continued. - The role of the Senate is legislative, together with the Sejm. The Marshal of the Senate can meet with other people, but one should ask about the purpose. Does this purpose serve the specific interests of Poland, or rather to allow the Marshal to meet with more people - he stated.

- It would be worthwhile to ask about the concrete benefits for Poland from the Marshal [Grodzki]'s good actions. So far, I only observe that his visits abroad are causing a certain dissonance regarding what is happening in Poland. In my opinion, this does not serve to improve Poland's image abroad - Müller emphasized.

"Ahead of us lie the most important decisions, which will not only influence the shape of the largest opposition party in Poland, but will also affect the future of Poland. I am glad that we are in a very good team. PO has always been and always will be a team of wonderful people," said the chairman of the Civic Coalition parliamentary club, Borys Budka, at a press conference in the Sejm.

"Platforma needs new energy, teamwork, and harnessing the potential of all people who are engaged in this wonderful project. PO needs positive change, for Poles to believe again that a substantive, effective, but above all professional opposition party is capable of guaranteeing in the future that Poland will change for the better," he added.

"Ahead of us lies the most important challenge of defining the Civic Platform's identity and proposals for Poland. We will do this together, because we know that teamwork always brings positive results. I want to be the captain of such a good team. I know how to build a good team because I value cooperation with everyone who brings certain values to social life and politics. We are and will remain a centrist group that clearly and lucidly declares its support for all hard-working people – from entrepreneurs to employees, those employed in administration, or in the entire public sphere" – said the chairman of the Civic Coalition club, Borys Budka, at a press conference in the Sejm.

- This is not an area where we need some kind of political theater, and unfortunately, I have the impression that some opposition presidential candidates are clearly trying to generate media interest in this sphere of foreign policy. That's not what it's about. It's about the Polish state functioning efficiently, about the executive branch being able to reach an understanding. The Council of Ministers is undoubtedly such a formula for understanding within the executive branch, and the council took place here. It was an opportunity to analyze matters from various perspectives and contexts. Not only in the direct sense of security, but also all economic and social consequences, and other aspects that came into play regarding the situation of the topics discussed, i.e., the situation in the Middle East, also in the context of energy security and other dimensions, but also concerning Poland's historical policy, and this is ongoing. However, the president will not participate ad hoc in any political actions that serve to promote a particular opposition candidate's person in the media. Assuming the good faith of the opposition politicians, it must be said: there is no objective need, and there has been no need, to convene the RBN - stated Paweł Mucha in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

- The [Jan Śpiewak's case] has been set in motion. The President has initiated proceedings, as is said, ex officio, in the presidential mode. The request for pardon has been submitted, and this pardon proceeding is underway. Therefore, we await the case files from the prosecutor's office to the Presidential Chancellery. As the President previously announced, this matter will be thoroughly analyzed. The request for pardon has arrived, the President has issued a decision to initiate proceedings ex officio in the presidential mode, based on the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure. As we are discussing, this is certainly a matter that is causing public outcry. However, whether there are grounds for action and what decisions the President will make, it is too early to say today, because we must have these files on our desks. The President must have these files on his desk, and we will certainly analyze these matters very thoroughly - stated Paweł Mucha in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

The Venice Commission is in Poland in a way semi-officially, unofficially, or privately. This is because an invitation, which could be formulated, should be an invitation from the state. Under the law, the Marshal of the Senate is not a representative of the state, in the sense that an invitation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs would be different from an invitation from the Prime Minister or the Council of Ministers. Conducting foreign policy is a constitutional competence, shared by the government and the president, whereas the Marshal of the Senate has no competence regarding the creation of Polish foreign policy. What is also absolutely shocking and surprising to me is that an attempt is being made to create such a center independent of the government administration and foreign policy conduct - stated Paweł Mucha in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

- A strong state is simultaneously a strong central administration and strong local government. The excellent cooperation of the voivodes in the previous term with local governments of various kinds, one could say, shows their state-oriented, pro-state approach. We need such patriots, voivodes who have regional, supra-regional, and national imagination. Thank you very much for deciding to take on this challenge and, together with all other voivodes, the 14 of you, we are hereby completing the appointment of the entire corps of voivodes, which is a very important part of the entire public administration. I am convinced that with such excellent specialists, experience, people who have outstanding achievements, and at the same time had an excellent electoral result, meaning they have been verified by the citizens, the residents of their voivodeships, that with such voivodes, we will be able to develop the Podkarpacie and Lubusz regions even better – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM).

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“We argued that this law needs to be looked at holistically here, not just focusing on the disciplinary provisions, but broadly, concerning collegiums, judicial assemblies, holistically. We don't hide the fact that members of the [Venice] Commission asked about these threats or disciplinary provisions. We tried to explain our position and our view on the proposed law. As judges, we do not like these solutions, because arguably no community or members of a community are interested in, or approve of, or welcome, something that would concern them. We stated that we were also asked why the Polish legislator is introducing such solutions. We stated that we are not politicians. We are judges, and one should ask the body that makes the law” - said the spokesperson for the National Council of the Judiciary, Maciej Mitera.

- The meeting of the National Board, which recommended Robert Biedroń, is, according to the statute, the National Board does not have such authority. A convention is scheduled for the 19th, and we'll see what happens at that convention. I will primarily be listening to what Robert Biedroń has to offer. In a word, to what will signify the flavor of his presidency - Leszek Miller said in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

- Robert Biedroń, I wish him luck. I know he wasn't the only candidate; for example, Marek Belka was approached to run. Well, when it comes to economic, financial experience, he would certainly have been significantly better. He refused, which is a shame. He would have been a very interesting and promising candidate for Polish president - Leszek Miller said in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

- I believe that Andrzej Duda still has the biggest chances, and if there were presidential elections next Sunday, Andrzej Duda would win without much effort. Perhaps even in the first round - said Leszek Miller in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

I agree with the president that he did the right thing. It would have been a very uncomfortable situation for him, and by extension for Poland, for its dignity, where Andrzej Duda would have been seated among the invited guests, with no chance of speaking at such an important moment - said Leszek Miller in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of the Events) on Polsat News.

– He invited [the Venice Commission] as the Marshal of the Senate, the third person in the state. For talks, for consultations. I emphasize that this is not conducting state foreign policy – said Anna Maria Żukowska in an interview with Danuta Holecka on the TVP Info program “Gość Wiadomości”.

- Speaker Grodzki absolutely violated the regulations in force in Poland. Two articles of the constitution, Art. 133, 146, which state that such actions can be undertaken by the government in consultation with the President of Poland. However, the Venice Commission also appeared here by violating its own regulations, its statute, which can be found online. Only parliament, the head of state, the government, or an international organization can issue an invitation. Speaker Grodzki issued the invitation - stated Michał Wójcik in a conversation with Danuta Holecka on the program 'Gość Wiadomości' on TVP Info.

– Ms. Jourová comes from the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has a very interesting system. They do not have a judicial council. What are we supposed to discuss? How the National Council of the Judiciary, among others, functions. So, a worthy successor to Mr. Timmermans, who spoke about how a tribunal should function, yet came from a country where there is no constitutional tribunal – said Michał Wójcik in an interview with Danuta Holecka on the TVP Info program "Gość Wiadomości".

LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: Wójcik on Grodzki breaking regulations in Poland. According to Żukowska, Grodzki invited the commission for talks and consultations, which is not conducting state foreign policy. Miller on Biedroń not being the only candidate, as Belka was approached and refused. Mitera after the meeting of the National Council of the Judiciary with the Venice Commission. Szynkowski vel Sęk publishes correspondence from the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to Marshal Grodzki with a recommendation. https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/01/10/ ***** WYDARZENIA POLSATU (POLSAT EVENTS) -- TODAY'S NUMBER ONE QUESTION: WAS THE UKRAINIAN PLANE HIT BY AN IRANIAN MISSILE? -- COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS FOR WITHDRAWAL OF JUDICIAL LAWS. -- THESE ARE THE LAST THREE MEETINGS WITHIN THE TWO-DAY VISIT OF THE VENICE COMMISSION TO POLAND - Dariusz Ociepa: With the Commissioner for Human Rights, the President of the Supreme Court and other judges, and quite unexpectedly, with representatives of the National Council of the Judiciary. -- BASED ON THIS SERIES OF MEETINGS AND TALKS, THE COMMISSION IS TO ISSUE AN OPINION ON THE LAW DISCIPLINING JUDGES. THE OPINION WILL BE READY NEXT WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY - Ociepa continued. -- HOWEVER, THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IS ALREADY QUESTIONING IT TODAY, DUE TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THIS LETTER IN WHICH THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS APPEALS TO THE SENATE TO REJECT THE LAW IN ITS ENTIRETY - Ociepa. -- THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IS WONDERING WHY THE VENICE COMMISSION, AN ORGAN OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, IS VISITING, WHEN THE COUNCIL'S COMMISSIONER ALREADY HAS A FORMED OPINION ON THE LAW - Ociepa continued. -- THE VENICE COMMISSION'S OPINION WILL THEREFORE BE PARALLEL TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OPINION - Ociepa. -- THE LETTER WAS ADDRESSED TO THE MARSHAL OF THE SENATE; THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WAS MERELY INTENDED TO BE AN INTERMEDIARY - Ociepa continued. -- THE LETTER, ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSIONER'S INTENTION, WAS NOT TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY UNTIL MONDAY - Ociepa. -- NONE OF THE POLISH GOVERNMENT MINISTERS MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMISSION IN WARSAW - Ociepa continued. -- THE GATE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CHANCELLERY ON WIEJSKA STREET HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED. ***** FAKTY TVN (TVN FACTS) -- A LONG LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR IRANIAN AUTHORITIES AFTER THE PLANE CRASH. -- SUPPORT FROM FRANCE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE; TOMORROW JUDGES IN ROBES WILL TAKE TO THE STREETS, AND EUROPEAN JUDGES UNDERSTAND WHY - in the preview. -- THE ROBES ARE MEANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION - Judge Laskowski. -- Maciej Knapik on the letter from European judicial organizations: There will also be a Turkish judge, where judges are subjected to particular repression. -- THEY ARE COMING TO A COUNTRY WHERE THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO COME - Marcin Warchoł on the Venice Commission. -- THERE IS SUCH A PROCEDURE THAT THE VENICE COMMISSION CAN EXPRESS AN OPINION BEFORE A LAW IS PASSED - Adam Bodnar. -- THERE HAS BEEN NO REFORM OF THE JUDICIARY, AND THERE IS NONE - Borys Budka. -- THIS IS HOW THE ENTIRE STATE APPARATUS WORKS AGAINST THE SENATE MARSHAL, THE THIRD PERSON IN THE STATE - Sobieniowski. -- WANTED ALIVE OR DEAD, AS THE MARSHAL HIMSELF PUT IT - Sobieniowski. -- THE CBA SPOKESPERSON SPEAKS OF A PRACTICE, AND NO PRACTICE HAS BEEN PROVEN; THE CBA SPOKESPERSON ISSUES A STATEMENT REGARDING A HOSPITAL IN A CASE WHERE NO ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED, AND WHERE THE SENATE MARSHAL IS EMPLOYED - Sobieniowski. -- THIS SERVICE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A PARTY ARM AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE POLISH STATE - Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz. -- DOCTORS SAY: FIND THE CRIME AND THEN WITNESSES, NOT PEOPLE, AND THEN THE CRIME WILL BE FOUND - Sobieniowski. -- A REPORTER FROM GOVERNMENT TELEVISION ASKED ABOUT VISITS TO THE OFFICE, WHO PAYS FOR THE LAWYER, AND FINALLY ASKED ABOUT A MEETING WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR - Sobieniowski. -- THE STATE APPARATUS IS INVOLVED IN UNDERMINING THE SENATE MARSHAL'S AUTHORITY - Adam Bodnar. -- THE ENTRANCE GATE TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CHANCELLERY ON WIEJSKA STREET IS DAMAGED. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP (TVP NEWS) -- IT IS INCREASINGLY PROBABLE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PLANE CRASH IN IRAN WAS A ROCKET ATTACK. -- THE USA IS IMPOSING NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN. -- RUSSIAN TRAP - preview: Pro-Kremlin media attack the President of Poland. "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" wrote that Andrzej Duda - quote - "has no right to be at Yad Vashem because Poland is considered an accomplice to the Holocaust in Israel." There are also indications that the Russian side presented an ultimatum in Israel that either President Andrzej Duda or Vladimir Putin would speak at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem. -- POLAND, FEARING FURTHER PROVOCATIONS AND HISTORICAL LIES FROM THE RUSSIAN SIDE, WOULD LIKE ANDRZEJ DUDA TO SPEAK IN JERUSALEM - Konrad Wąż. -- HOWEVER, THE CEREMONIES WERE PLANNED WITHOUT THE POLISH PRESIDENT'S SPEECH, OFFICIALLY DUE TO LACK OF TIME, WHICH IS WHY DUDA WILL NOT FLY TO JERUSALEM - Wąż continued. -- RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA, HOWEVER, DOES NOT CEASE ITS ATTACKS AND CONTINUES ITS FALSE HISTORICAL NARRATIVE - Wąż. -- JEWISH COMMUNITIES ALSO CRITICIZE THE RUSSIANS' LIES - Wąż continued. -- THE POLISH AMBASSADOR IN KYIV WAS SUMMONED TO THE UKRAINIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AS A REACTION TO HIS STATEMENT OPPOSING THE GLORIFICATION OF ANTI-POLISH CRIMINALS BY UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES. -- UKRAINE HONORS WAR CRIMINALS - Belka. -- PRIME MINISTER MORAWIECKI PRESENTED NOMINATIONS TO NEW VOIVODES. -- WITH AN UNOFFICIAL VISIT - preview: Is the Senate operating based on instructions from external institutions? According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this would be a dangerous precedent. That is why the government considers the Venice Commission's visit to be unofficial. In turn, tomorrow - officially, in robes, judges involved in the dispute with the government will protest on the streets of Warsaw. -- THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT MEET WITH THE COMMISSION; RECOGNIZING THE DELEGATION AS OFFICIAL WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF THE POLISH CONSTITUTION - EXPLAINED THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF JUSTICE IN AN OPEN LETTER - Bartłomiej Graczak. -- THE MINISTRY INVITED THE DELEGATION TO THE MUSEUM OF CURSED SOLDIERS AND POLITICAL PRISONERS OF THE PRL - Graczak continued. -- NO ONE CAME FOR THE HISTORY LESSON; THE VENICE COMMISSION CAME TO POLAND AT THE INVITATION OF THE MARSHAL OF THE SENATE - Graczak. -- DESPITE THE VISIT STILL BEING UNDERWAY, THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS HAS ALREADY PREPARED A NEGATIVE OPINION ON THE DRAFT - Graczak continued. -- JAN W., SON OF CIVIC COALITION MP MARIUSZ WITCZAK, WAS ARRESTED IN WARSAW FOR POSSESSING DRUGS. -- KOLEJ PLUS PROGRAM - preview: The government is fighting communication exclusion and restoring railway connections eliminated by its predecessors. The Sejm adopted an amendment to the law supporting the Kolej Plus program. Simultaneously, discussions are underway with politicians on improving road safety in Poland.