“For years [Tomasz Kaczmarek] said something completely different, and suddenly, when perhaps 6 charges were brought, and the matter is very serious because it concerns participation in an organized crime group, suddenly the narrative completely changes, and the talk is that this is a very political matter. This is a strange story. The state is functioning. In this particular case, there are no doubts. An investigation is underway at the prosecutor's office in Katowice, where all circumstances will be clarified” - said Deputy Minister Michał Wójcik on TVN24's 'Kawa na ławę' (Coffee on the Table).

„PiS is a ruling formation with rights ingrained in their genes. You did this already in 2005 and 2007. Messrs. Kamiński and Wąsik, who should not hold any positions whatsoever, today have special services in their hands, having been pardoned by President Duda. The thesis that CBA and ABW, supervised by Mr. Kamiński, concealed Marian Banaś's contacts with the criminal world and his acquisition of real estate under dubious circumstances for several years is becoming very probable” - said Izabela Leszczyna from Civic Coalition on TVN24's "Kawa na ławę". 

- It is a great success for the Civic Platform that these [internal] elections took place in such a way, a very interesting way. The campaign was interesting, all candidates traveled around Poland, met with structures. There was an interesting, substantive discussion, showing ways in which they imagine our party functioning. Borys Budka won with a large mandate, with very strong support. This also gives him a strong mandate to do what we have dreamed of for a long time. To start a new chapter, a step forward in the lives of both the Civic Platform and our country. I believe that this choice will lead to a campaign which, I hope, will begin shortly, will be very good, substantive, and that all my colleagues, together, will work towards this success. This is a new beginning for the Civic Platform, which I am very happy about - stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska at a briefing in Szczecinek.

„I approach what Agent Tomek says with extreme caution, because he has an interest today in saying things that will arouse public interest or the engagement of politicians who will say in the media that he told the truth, that we support him, because they have such a political interest” – said presidential minister Paweł Mucha in „Kawa na ławę” on TVN24. 

Ryszard Terlecki, the parliamentary leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, has suggested that a change in the presidential candidate for the opposition Civic Platform (PO) is probable in the coming weeks. He made this statement in response to a tweet, the content of which is not provided here but can be inferred from the context of Polish political discourse.

Terlecki's remark comes at a time of significant political maneuvering in Poland, as parties prepare for upcoming elections. The Civic Platform, a major opposition party, has faced internal challenges and external pressure regarding its strategy and leadership. The potential for a candidate change could be a response to opinion polls, internal party dynamics, or a strategic decision to present a fresh face to the electorate.

While the specific reasons for Terlecki's prediction remain unelaborated in the provided information, such statements from a prominent government figure often carry strategic weight. They can be aimed at influencing public perception, sowing discord within the opposition, or signaling a confident outlook for the ruling party.

The political landscape in Poland is dynamic, with frequent shifts in public opinion and party allegiances. The upcoming presidential election will be a crucial event, and any changes in candidate lineups are likely to be closely scrutinized and debated by the media and the public.

„He was a man [Tomasz Kaczmarek] from the highest circles of power, with access to the highest secrets, carrying out the most difficult operations. The moral assessment of these operations is a completely different matter” - said Artur Dziambor from Confederation on TVN24's "Kawa na ławę" (Coffee on the Bench).

„The question is which prosecutor's office would handle it, because today it would have to be a prosecutor's office subordinate to the ruling party, a party that has among its ranks those who are accused today. This will be very interesting. We are arriving at the conclusion that the separation of the prosecutor's office from the minister of justice should exist, and it's bad that it ended” - he added.

„It’s simply about revenge. The PiS state, to put it in quotation marks, reached his wife, and he, out of revenge, now wants to show how things really were in the CBA. Most mafias were dismantled because some repentant gangster, out of revenge, revealed what was happening inside. We are dealing with a leak in a system that has been sealed until now” – said Andrzej Rozenek from The Left in the TVN24 program „Kawa na ławę”. 

"I believe it's time for change. We showed this in Civic Platform, and we will show it in Poland. One of the first decisions I will make will be to form a professional campaign team for Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. A team that will operate not only at the central level, but most importantly, 16 regional teams and 100 district teams in the Senate constituencies. The most important goal for all of us is the presidential election" - said the President-elect of Civic Platform, Borys Budka, at a press conference.

"I am convinced that the presidential election is a great opportunity to return to normality, to our rightful place in the EU, to good, rational foreign policy, and finally, for us to feel proud of Poland again" - he added. 

Decisions regarding the appointment of the campaign team will be made in the coming week.

The upcoming week in politics will be dominated by the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a visit to Poland by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Věra Jourová, the official announcement of the results of the Civic Platform leadership election, likely the presentation of Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska's campaign staff, and the candidate's visit to the United Kingdom.

Auschwitz Liberation Anniversary Commemorations. On Monday, the official commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz will take place with the participation of President Andrzej Duda. The Polish President will meet with, among others, the Presidents of Israel and Ukraine. The main ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 PM, at which time the head of state will deliver a speech.

Jourová's Visit. On Tuesday, Vice-President of the European Commission Věra Jourová is expected to hold discussions on the rule of law in Poland. According to unofficial information, meetings are planned with, among others, the Speakers of the Sejm and Senate, Elżbieta Witek and Tomasz Grodzki, Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Paweł Jabłoński, and the First President of the Supreme Court, Małgorzata Gersdorf, and the Commissioner for Human Rights, Adam Bodnar.

Civic Platform Election Results and Kidawa-Błońska's Campaign Staff. In the coming days, the results of the Civic Platform leadership election will be announced – although this is a formality, as it is already known that Borys Budka will win. – "I believe it is time for change. We have shown this in Civic Platform and we will show it in Poland. One of the first decisions I will make will be to form a professional campaign staff for Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. A staff that will operate not only at the central level but primarily 16 regional staffs and 100 district staffs in Senate districts. The most important goal for all of us is the presidential election" – said the president-elect of Civic Platform at a press conference. Decisions regarding the appointment of the campaign staff will be made in the coming week.

Sejm Committees on Budget and OFE. On Wednesday at 2:00 PM, two Sejm committees: Public Finance and Social Policy and Family will consider the government's draft changes concerning reforms to the Open Pension Funds (OFE). On Thursday at 9:00 AM, the Public Finance Committee will continue its work on the draft state budget for 2020, voting on amendments. The Sejm is expected to consider the government's proposal at its next session in mid-February.

PAD with Austrian President and Luxembourg Prime Minister. On Tuesday at 11:00 AM, President Andrzej Duda and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen will participate in the inauguration ceremony of the Austrian Consulate General in Krakow. On the same day, at 3:30 PM, PAD will receive the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, at the Presidential Palace.

PAD's Meeting with Solidarity. On Wednesday at 12:00 PM at the Presidential Palace, President Andrzej Duda will meet with members of the National Commission of NSZZ "Solidarność" on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Union's founding. On Thursday, PAD will visit the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, where he will participate in the conference "Perspectives for the Development of the Internet of Things - Future Government" and the ceremony for signing a contract for the construction of two gas-steam units at the Dolna Odra Power Plant, and will also meet with residents of the Pyrzyce County.

Kidawa-Błońska in the United Kingdom. On Friday and Saturday, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska will be on a visit to the United Kingdom. The itinerary includes, among other things, a lesson on the Constitution for high school students at the Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński Polish School, participation in a panel "Polish Woman – A Woman of Success" at the Congress of Polish Student Associations at Cambridge University, a meeting with the Polish diaspora at the invitation of KOD UK, moderated by Bartosz Arłukowicz and Joanna Gos, as well as a meeting with the authorities of the Polish Social and Cultural Centre and a dinner with a Polish family.

Photo: Grzegorz Jakubowski/KPRP