The Vice-President of the European Commission will be visiting Warsaw today. Vera Jourová will meet with the Marshal of the Sejm, Elżbieta Witek, at 9:00 AM, with the Marshal of the Senate, Tomasz Grodzki, at 9:40 AM, and with the Ombudsman, Adam Bodnar, at 10:20 AM. Meetings are also scheduled with the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paweł Jabłoński, and the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Julia Przyłębska.

The Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas will also visit the Polish parliament. At 10:00 AM, he will hold talks with Marshal Elżbieta Witek, and at 11:00 AM, with Marshal Tomasz Grodzki. The Speaker of the second chamber of the parliament will also meet with the Apostolic Nuncio (at 11:40 AM) and the diplomatic corps (at 12:00 PM).

At 1:00 PM, Marshal Elżbieta Witek will deliver a statement on the 80th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre. Among the attendees at the meeting will be the Minister of the Interior and Administration, Mariusz Kamiński, the Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, the Minister of National Education, Dariusz Piontkowski, and the President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Jarosław Szarek. At 3:30 PM, President Andrzej Duda will meet with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg. Earlier, at 11:00 AM, he will, together with the President of Austria, open the General Consulate of the Republic in Krakow.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will continue his visit to the Federal Republic of Germany. In the German capital, he will have a working breakfast with Chancellor Angela Merkel at 8:30 AM. Also today, a four-day session of the National Council of the Judiciary will commence, focusing on evaluating further candidates for judges of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will be visiting the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL) will meet with seniors in Słupsk at 10:00 AM, followed by a press conference at 11:15 AM. At 1:30 PM, he will visit the Drutex production plant in Bytów, with a press conference at 2:15 PM. At 3:30 PM, he will meet with local government officials in Miastko, and at 5:30 PM, with residents of the Człuchów County.

- I disagree with Prime Minister Gowin. These changes are necessary. We need to have even greater determination and be even more firm. I hear such voices, I meet with residents, with Poles - said Stanisław Karczewski in an interview with Piotr Goćka on Polskie Radio Jedynka's "Sygnały dnia" program.

I interpret it this way [as a political signal]. It is very unfortunate that the Vice-President is not meeting with all interested parties. I know she will meet at 9 a.m. with Madam Marshal Elżbieta Witek - said Stanisław Karczewski in an interview with Piotr Gocek on "Sygnały dnia" on Polskie Radio Jedynka.

– Regarding this [Supreme Court] resolution, there is indeed a certain problem, and PiS holds the position – which is also worth emphasizing, PiS holds the position, as I had the opportunity to follow several discussions over the weekend where not everyone, I have the impression, had full knowledge of the role of a spokesperson for an institution or political party. PiS holds the position that at the moment when Marshal Witek turned to the Constitutional Tribunal to examine the competence dispute between the Sejm and the Supreme Court, Article [X] of the act on proceedings before the Constitutional Tribunal begins to apply, which states that all other procedures and proceedings in a given matter are suspended – stated Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego". – The problem is that the Supreme Court, through its rulings, has unfortunately begun to encroach on legislative matters. That is, to change laws. This is not within the competence of the Supreme Court. Potentially, the Constitutional Tribunal can demand changes to laws if it deems them inconsistent with the Constitution. There is no such possibility in the Supreme Court – continued the Deputy Spokesperson for PiS.

- It is not without reason that the disciplinary structures are the main target of attacks. This is precisely an element of this reform, and I unfortunately see a desire for the judicial community to remain beyond control and beyond any accountability - stated Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- In our opinion, there is a competence dispute, and why do we negate the very essence of this resolution? Because, according to the regulation on proceedings before the Constitutional Tribunal, all other proceedings should be suspended. Within the scope of this suspension, this resolution [by the Supreme Court] should not have been adopted at all – stated Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Conversation".

- As far as I know, [Commissioner Jourová] is meeting with Marshal Witek and representatives of the Ministry of Justice. We are not boycotting any body. Because the formula for Commissioner Jourová's visit is different from the formula for the members of the Venice Commission. Commissioner Jourová is here at the invitation of the Polish government; this is an official visit. I hope that a basis for compromise can be built, perhaps in such a way that Commissioner Jourová, in conversation, in dialogue, will perhaps show greater understanding of the essence of the [justice system] reform and will accept Poland's arguments that the judiciary does not fall within the EU's competence. If she does not accept them, we will strive to continue this dialogue and explain our reasoning to the best of our ability – stated Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

• There is also a law stating that disciplinary spokespersons are appointed by the Minister of Justice. And here, there is indeed a legal dispute. I specifically read several opinions on this matter last night, and there are lawyers who take the position that, for example, the analogy with presidential appointments does not apply here, that it is indeed perhaps a certain imperfection of the law, but since this law granting these prerogatives to the Minister of Justice is newer in the legal circulation, it functions, and the Minister of Justice has the right to appoint without a resolution from the National Judicial Council (KRS) – stated Radosław Fogiel in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".
• They [the laws] are not contradictory. The legislator assumed that the law adopted most recently simply introduces the binding norm – continued the Deputy Spokesperson for Law and Justice (PiS). – However, in accordance with the principles of legal interpretation, and this is also the opinion of lawyers, the, let's say colloquially, newer law is the one that is binding – Fogiel emphasized.

This week I will present the draft amendment to the act. It will contain three elements. Firstly, a clause on freedom. A general clause indicating that the spirit of freedom in lectures and scientific research should guide all university activities. I want to state clearly that this applies to everyone. A few weeks ago, I was heavily criticized by some right-wing circles for saying that I would also ensure the freedom to conduct gender studies – Jarosław Gowin said in an interview with Paweł Lisicki on the "Political Salon" program on Radio Trójka. Secondly, a commitment from rectors – and I would like to remind you that the new act grants rectors broader competences – a clear commitment that they will stand guard over this academic freedom. Thirdly, I want to propose to the academic community the creation, not within the ministry, but within the Main Council for Science and Higher Education, therefore a body elected from the ground up, democratically, by academic communities, of a special commission that will stand guard over this freedom – Gowin added.

- If you ask me in which direction we should seek solutions, I still say dialogue. It is impossible to permanently reform the justice system if solutions are introduced that are actively opposed by ninety-something percent of common court judges. I believe those are the proportions. This does not mean we should engage in poorly conceived compromises. The justice system must be reformed, but I am counting heavily on the fact that after the President, I believe, signs this amendment, the time for dialogue will come - said Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Paweł Lisicki on Polskie Radio Trójka's "Political Salon".

"There is no doubt that the current government is gradually introducing regulations that are absolutely not regulations from democratic states. For instance, in the judiciary. [Marian Turski's speech in Auschwitz] was addressed to all those who should take it to heart. If the President is watching, he should consider these words. I will remind you that he is the guardian of the constitution. He should, against the political interests of one party or another, rise above divisions and ensure that we do not create anti-democratic, exclusionary laws in Poland," said the President-elect of Civic Platform, Borys Budka, in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

“This is precisely the level of a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. When one lacks substantive arguments, resorting to such comparisons [to Gomułka] is something I don't wish to comment on. I would prefer Minister Waszczykowski not to stoop to such a level, but it only speaks volumes about him. I am not offended. I would be offended if this were said by a person who has any successes or achievements in politics, but besides creating the country of San Escobar, Mr. Waszczykowski is known for being an exceptionally ineffective politician when it comes to the international arena” – stated the President-elect of Civic Platform, Borys Budka, in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

„We need very effective management of our structures. There is a lot to be done here. I have been to every region during the internal election campaign, and before that too, and I know how much our party needs a strong general secretariat. Marcin Kierwiński is being seriously considered by me. I have seen how effectively he manages structures in Warsaw, how it is done” – said the President-elect of Civic Platform, Borys Budka, in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.

„I want to open a new chapter of dialogue between the Polish authorities and the European Commission. I have high expectations that I will better understand the situation in Poland. I see this as a good start to opening a dialogue in search of long-term solutions” - said the Vice-President of the European Commission, Vera Jourová, before her meeting with the Marshal of the Sejm.

Sławomir Nitras suggested on Twitter that the delay in the formal announcement of the presidential elections by the Marshal of the Sejm might stem from PiS's plans to replace its presidential candidate.

https://twitter.com/SlawomirNitras/status/1222076928330555393

- We have truly begun the fight against VAT mafias. I would like to remind you that it was the Ministry of Justice that initiated the project concerning the prohibition of VAT fraud and accountability, imposing the highest penalty in Europe: 25 years of imprisonment. Often, pensioners and recipients of disability benefits ask us where the money for social programs comes from, such as the 13th pension, the 13th benefit. I want to tell you that, among other sources, it comes from our success in acquiring these funds from gangsters, from those in organized criminal groups who have been robbing us for years. I want to remind you that tens of billions of zlotys have flowed into the state budget thanks to the functioning of this very law. I also want to recall the law on pharmaceutical mafias, the so-called reversed supply chain. It was the opposition, and Borys Budka, now the new leader of Civic Platform, should answer for this, who, a few months before we took power, changed the regulations to combat pharmaceutical mafias using administrative penalties. They laughed about it; for them, it was an eldorado, one might say, for years, thanks to these changes, this gift they received from our predecessors, from the opposition. We changed the regulations, and today I want to say that it is yielding results. Medicines are finally reaching pensioners, recipients of disability benefits, and people in need. There is a ban on the reversed supply chain; medicine no longer travels from pharmacies to wholesalers and abroad, but from wholesalers to pharmacies and to the person in need - stated Michał Wójcik at a briefing in Katowice.

- We have implemented many changes, but there is also an extremely significant one concerning the Supreme Court, common courts, and disciplinary proceedings. This is what we truly promised 4 years ago: that we would be reforming the justice system, including disciplinary proceedings. Consider situations that everyone can observe and which inspire dread, for example, the case of 50 zlotys taken at a gas station, where a judge who took those 50 zlotys was not convicted. Each of you, because there are many journalists here, would have been convicted, I would have been convicted, everyone standing behind me would have been convicted. The judge was acquitted because he did it absent-mindedly. This greatly pains society. I want to say that there are many such situations. These are not isolated incidents. The opposition claims they are isolated cases when judges commit unworthy acts, but we already know that in 2019 alone, there were 260 disciplinary proceedings. Before this court for judges primarily, but also for other legal professions. This concerns the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court. What hurts most those who today talk about the gag law is that they do not want this chamber, this court. This is not a court for the state; it is a court for judges. And there were 90 such proceedings involving judges. Due to a Supreme Court resolution passed a few days ago, a judge who was caught with 2 per mille of alcohol in her blood and is now able to return to the profession, according to this resolution. A judge who hid abroad, accepted a 200,000 zloty bribe and 4 cars, and hid from the Polish justice system will likely be able to return to the profession, but the Supreme Court adopted a resolution that effectively renders all rulings of the Disciplinary Chamber, and thus this one too, as non-existent, as essentially invalid - continued the Deputy Minister of Justice.

- What is happening today in the media, in the public sphere, in discourse, is an attempt at manipulation. This is not a gag law that the Sejm and Senate pushed through; it has essentially gone through the entire legislative process. It is a gag removed from society. For the first time in 30 years, we are successfully carrying out thorough justice reforms. If today someone accuses us of protracted proceedings and asks what we have done, we must pose a question to these judicial assemblies of appellate and district courts, which have blocked over 770 people, young individuals who should have joined the judiciary. They simply decided not to opine on these candidates. In a situation where there are 15% more cases year to year, around 16 million cases, should these people be ruling today, and yet they have been blocked. Please ask the judicial community why they did this. I don't want to say that the entire judicial community is truly saturated with pathology, because that is not true. There are many very honest judges who diligently perform their work, who are not politicians, celebrity judges; they do what they were called to do. They perform their duties, their mission on behalf of the entire Republic of Poland, all of us, and we want such judges, good judges, those who understand what justice is, not judges who lack impartiality, who, for example, protest alongside individuals whom they then adjudicate. This is unacceptable – stated Michał Wójcik at a briefing in Katowice.

- Commissioner Jourová has arrived, and various meetings will take place today; they have been ongoing since this morning. There will also be a meeting with the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General, one of the most important today. I think this is an excellent opportunity to present our case, our arguments, to truly show what this law is about, that it is not some muzzle law, but rather a concretization of all matters that are already in the law today. It cannot be the case that a judge undermines the status of another judge, because undermining the status of another judge means undermining all of us, the entire nation, because when the President signs an appointment act, he does not sign it as Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, but signs the appointment act on behalf of all of us, the nation, therefore, it must not be done, and this is included, among other things, in this document - stated Michał Wójcik at a briefing in Katowice.

- What the Supreme Court did is incomprehensible, just a few days ago. In our opinion, this resolution is void and can be very surprising, for example, it adopted the statute of a judge who does not adjudicate. I don't know if you know. There will be judges who are judges, they come to court, take money, but do not adjudicate. Well, each of us would want such a job, journalists and us and everyone. To simply take money for nothing until retirement, and this follows from this resolution - stated Michał Wójcik at a briefing in Katowice.

„The Commissioner said that an international body will be established, with one representative from each country, which will have to review the adherence to the rule of law in all member states. This body will ultimately have to prepare a document that will form the basis for further budgetary decisions. This is the risk that President Jourová sees” – said Marshal of the Senate Tomasz Grodzki after meeting with the Vice-President of the European Commission, Věra Jourová.

- I want to say very clearly, referring to the visit of Commissioner Jourová today, we are open to dialogue; we were, we are, and we will be open. We want to present our case. The first, fundamental point is that the organization of the judiciary, the determination of its operating principles, is the exclusive competence of an EU Member State. That is the starting point. Secondly, when we discuss individual systems, let's remember: we are accused of the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) being established contrary to the spirit of the rule of law and EU law. But what about countries where there are no judicial councils? We are told that politicians decide who becomes a judge. This is not true. In Poland, judges decide who becomes a judge. For example, in Germany, politicians decide; in the Czech Republic, the President, but it requires the counter-signature of politicians, the government. Therefore, these accusations are absolutely unfounded, but we want to present our case. Perhaps there was a lack of communication. We want to present our case and convince others of our arguments. We are confident in our position - stated Michał Wójcik at a briefing in Katowice.

Yesterday, we marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. A moment that also serves as a day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust, the victims of a terrible German crime during World War II, a crime against Jews and Poles. The extermination camps were sites of unimaginable atrocity, of unimaginable genocide. Yesterday, I also had the opportunity to visit the memorial site in Berlin where the Wannsee Conference took place on January 20, 1942. It was a moment when the machinery of death gained momentum, and the industrial-scale death apparatus was fully implemented across the territories of the Third Reich. Poles experienced this particularly cruelly, and at this very location where the conference was held, the terrible prelude to annihilation, the extermination actions against the Polish intelligentsia from the very beginning of World War II, from 1939 onwards in the occupied territories, were also showcased – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a conversation with journalists in Berlin. All these topics are very important because they build a platform for understanding with Germany, an understanding based on truth. Only in this way can understanding and reconciliation be achieved, and this is important because there are those today who try to falsify history. That is why yesterday, during the concert to which Chancellor Merkel invited me, I spoke, of course, about the terrible genocide that was the Holocaust, but I also mentioned what the Gulag was – a system of concentration camps, extermination in a different way, through hunger, frost, disease, but also, of course, executions and death in countless ways on the 'inhumane land,' as Józef Czapski wrote. And it is necessary to remind about this as well, because millions of Poles perished there precisely in Siberia, Kazakhstan, Kolyma, Vorkuta, and hundreds of other places in the territory of the Soviet Union, today's Russia. And the fact that the Red Army later captured Berlin in 1945 does not change the earlier years of history – PMM continued to say.

Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, the Civic Platform's presidential candidate, shared a photo on Twitter with Borys Budka and Tomasz Siemoniak. The caption read, "Ready for action." The image, posted on January 29, 2020, shows the three politicians together, presumably discussing their political strategy.

The tweet, which links to a Twitter post by @m_k_blonska, was shared with the hashtag #gotowido_dzialania, further emphasizing their readiness to engage in political activities. The photo likely aims to project an image of unity and preparedness within the Civic Platform as they gear up for upcoming elections.

"The entire meeting was dedicated to the issue of the rule of law in Poland, the issue of the Supreme Court's resolution of January 23, and the reaction to this resolution. We talked about current events and events of recent months. We answered our guests' questions, which showed that they were well-informed about Polish realities. Their knowledge of what is happening in Poland – in the legislative, media, or political spheres – is very good" – said the Supreme Court spokesperson, Michał Laskowski.

President Andrzej Duda has invited representatives of parliamentary clubs and circles to the Presidential Palace for tomorrow.

The invitation was announced by Marcin Kędryna on Twitter:

Prezydent RP Andrzej Duda zaprasza na jutro do Pałacu przedstawicieli klubów i kół poselskich. pic.twitter.com/v8IysP7E0q

— Marcin Kędryna (@marcin_kedryna) January 28, 2020

The Council of Europe has adopted a resolution concerning Poland. The provided links offer further details:

• https://twitter.com/barbaraanowacka/status/1222186122316525568
• https://twitter.com/DorotaBawolek/status/1222185213670952961

A resolution of the Supreme Court, which we all know about, is a resolution of, let's call it, fundamental significance. Please note that the Supreme Court has probably never convened with such a large panel before. So many entities, wise minds, from professors, judges, as well as officials, and other bodies – one can say that these views are diverse. I would like to emphatically stress to you all that a resolution is not a source of law. It only binds chambers of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court judges, one could say, did not even mention administrative courts in their resolution, but in such a critical area, namely the common courts, which would interest every citizen, here I would compare this situation to the institution of the so-called 'iudex suspectus', meaning if a judge themselves feels that it might raise certain doubts, then the decision rests with them, but I would like to conclude this with a statement. Judges have rights and obligations, and these rights should be defended, and judicial duties should be performed – stated Maciej Mitera at a press briefing. In our assessment, the position of the Supreme Court in no way binds the judges of the common courts. It only binds chambers of the Supreme Court, while this judicial independence, the independence of the court… Please note that the Supreme Court is speaking about the courts, not individual judges, because the status of judges has also not been questioned – continued the KRS spokesperson.

As a gesture of goodwill, I proposed a compromise to the Commissioner [Jourová] that is achievable within the framework of judge selection in Poland. I believed it was worthwhile to come up with such an initiative and declared my readiness to persuade my colleagues from the ruling camp to consider developing a new model for selecting judges. Specifically, this involves directly adopting solutions well-known in the European system, as they function in the largest European country. Namely, in Germany. There, judges are chosen exclusively by politicians, exclusively by representatives of the Bundestag and the justice ministers of the Länder, so it is essentially a fifty-fifty division between the executive and parliamentary branches. Only the votes of these two bodies have significance in deciding who becomes a judge of German federal courts, the equivalent of our Supreme Court. So, such a proposal was made by me. At the same time, I stipulated that I see no possibility of returning to the corporate model in any form, because it was harmful, dysfunctional, and also critically assessed by various political circles previously. Therefore, based on the principle that the solution functioning in Poland is much better than the one that existed before, namely the election of the KRS by the Sejm with a qualified majority, in which council judges still constitute a vast majority, I proposed a solution that does not include judges' representatives, i.e., the German solution, where only political factors, meaning the democratic factors of that state, have the decisive vote – stated Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.

- I have stated very clearly that Poland will never agree, the Polish government will never agree, and in any case, the Minister of Justice of this government, in which I have the honor to serve, will certainly never agree to the introduction of segregation of EU member states and citizens of EU member states. It cannot be that in some EU member states and the EC agree to judges being indirectly elected by citizens through a democratic mechanism, as is the case in Germany, while in another state like Poland, where we are introducing a very indirect mechanism of democratic control to the process of selecting judges, by introducing an intermediary body, the National Council of the Judiciary, in which judges selected by a 3/5 majority, meaning a qualified majority of the Polish Parliament, the Sejm, still play a leading role. Therefore, we will never agree to be told that we are not allowed to, that Poles are not allowed to, while others are allowed. We will not agree to be told that we are civilizationally or culturally backward, especially when such patronizing tones are expressed by representatives of states that have much more complicated histories and dramas, not only of their own nations but also of other nations that have experienced the consequences of democracy, for example, since 1933. We will not agree to be treated in this manner. We are in favor of friendship between all states and citizens of all states, but we are in favor of everyone being treated equally. And since Article 5 of the European Treaties stipulates that competences expressly provided for the EU fall within its remit, while all others, including the organization of the judiciary, are the responsibility of individual states, we want to build a mechanism for the democratic election of judges and reform the Polish judiciary on this principle of sovereignty, just like other states, because Polish democracy allows us to do so and we will not allow it to be restricted in any way - stated Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.

I did not perceive it as a proposed compromise. We discussed the differences, which are very well known and concern, for example, EU procedures. We also talked about political impact, about the cumulative effect of various changes appearing in different judicial laws. We agreed to continue the debate on both technical and political platforms. As I have said before, this meeting was not for negotiations for me, but it was very important. It was important for me to be able to listen and understand the motives behind the ongoing reform. I think it was also important for Minister Ziobro that he heard the Commission's position from me, as well as our openness to dialogue [simultaneous translation TVN24] - said Vera Jourová during a press briefing.

„I addressed the Commissioner’s statements, who in her public appearances expressed concern about media actions aimed at undermining trust in judges, including a campaign intended to expose irregularities in the judicial community that does not reflect reality. I took the liberty to provide the Commissioner with two documents, materials that document a certain process of critically evaluating what is happening in the Polish judiciary. One of these materials is an interview, an article, that Prof. Rzepliński authored for „Gazeta Wyborcza” in 2004, in which he spoke – the Commissioner read with great interest and attention – that even then, the media were reporting on numerous corruption scandals for a profession of people with impeccable character, on drunk judges in court buildings, drunk judges behind the wheel of cars, and judges who were perpetrators of common crimes” – said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.

„This fragment, and another one I quoted to the Commissioner, clearly shows that criticism regarding the situation in the Polish judiciary is not only being voiced now, when the United Right is in power. It was not being voiced this way in 2015, when we first won parliamentary elections, but this kind of diagnosis was being made, and it was made on the pages of „GW” in 2004, and it was made by a person who can be accused of anything, but not of being a sympathizer of the PiS government or an emanation of our government. Therefore, what Mrs. Jourová was saying is not true. I believe she was misled, and it is worth correcting the Commissioner’s mistake” – he added.

- I wanted to hear different standpoints. So as not to hear only one side. I spoke very decisively that we will stand guard over the Treaties, and that is how I perceive my role as a Commissioner. If the principles applied in Member States are not in line with EU law, then we must act in such a way as to initiate procedures that rectify this situation, that serve the observance of the Treaties. I told our partners that we are open to dialogue and that we cannot reach any compromise on values, on fundamental principles. But it is obvious that we will cooperate to better define what these fundamental values of the rule of law are, what the main parameters of an independent judiciary are, and what the obligations of Member States are, so that they are partners that European judiciaries can trust, because in European judiciaries, we fully rely on equivalence, on mutual recognition of justice - said Vera Jourová during a press briefing.

- Another principle, or rather a red line that I do not want to cross, is that I do not want to engage in internal, national political debate. That is not my role. Taking these criteria into account, I must say that the discussions I held were successful. I reiterated that I came here to listen and to try to understand. I clearly stated that I am looking for a way forward. The Commission will continue to fulfill its role as the guardian of the Treaties, and this will also apply to the Polish judicial reform. We want to open a new chapter of dialogue. I have asked Minister Ziobro to create a technical platform with us where we will define the steps that need to be taken, and I think we have agreed on the general principle that no further surprises will occur. We must be aware of what we are planning on both sides. So that the dialogue is fair and sincere. And this dialogue with Mr. Ziobro was indeed open and sincere. This does not mean that we agreed on all the things we talked about. Of course, there are differences, there is a whole list of things that the Commission would like to change [simultaneous translation by TVN24] - added the Vice-President of the European Commission.

"Commissioner Jourová learned that her colleagues from Civic Platform saw the solution to the problem in Parliament electing members of the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS), which is exactly what we did. It's interesting if they also considered it contrary to European law at the time. This is also puzzling, and I think the Commissioner will reflect on it. Civic Platform went even further with these solutions, proposing that judges not sit on this body at all, but rather representatives of corporations, so that they could effectively control judges" - said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.

This is not the first meeting dedicated to the issues of justice system reform. Such meetings have been represented in the palace. This is the style of a presidency that is open. Open to conversation and dialogue. Such a request emerged from some parliamentary factions. However, the President decided that if such a meeting were to take place, it should be in a format involving everyone, meaning representation from all parliamentary clubs that are currently in the Polish parliament. Such an invitation has been extended – said Paweł Mucha in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

- Meetings are taking place in various formats, I don't see any competition here. I see more of a comprehensive approach, a mutual complementing. It is a decision that the President will make [regarding participation in the Polish Academy of Sciences roundtable], however, this is an initiative that is known to us, that was presented to us, and I think it is highly probable that the President's Chancellery will be represented at this meeting - said Paweł Mucha in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

- When the President speaks of eliminating certain pathologies in the functioning of the justice system, he speaks with a voice that has broad social approval, because certain phenomena should be removed. There are black sheep in every environment - said Paweł Mucha in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

- I'd hope that the [parliamentary parties at tomorrow's meeting with President Duda] convince the president to veto this dangerous bill, which many call a muzzle. If the president intends to sign it, then attempts to persuade the opposition parties to agree to it are probably a bit of a waste of time, but I adhere to the simple principle that dialogue is always better than its absence, so this in itself is quite important, and it's good that the president has started inviting people from the opposition, as I also had the opportunity to speak with him one-on-one. No significant effects are visible yet, but perhaps they will come - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

-- 300POLITYKI LIVEBLOG: MUCHA ON THE PRESIDENT'S REPRESENTATIVE AT THE ROUND TABLE ZIOBRO ON SHOWING JOUROVÁ RZEPLIŃSKI'S TEXTS ON JUDICIAL AFFAIRS https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/01/28/ ***** POLSAT NEWS -- IT WAS AN OPEN AND HONEST DIALOGUE, WHICH DOES NOT MEAN WE AGREED WITH EACH OTHER - THIS IS HOW JOUROVÁ SUMMED UP HER MEETING WITH MINISTER ZIOBRO - announcement: The Commissioner held a series of meetings in Warsaw. -- REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VENICE COMMISSION AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ARE REGULAR VISITORS TO POLISH INSTITUTIONS - Dariusz Ociepa. -- THE COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCED THAT THE MECHANISM OF LINKING EU FUNDS TO THE RULE OF LAW IS BEING CONSIDERED - Ociepa. -- JOUROVÁ WAS ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION A DOZEN YEARS AGO. THE CHARGES TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE - Ociepa. -- NO ONE FROM THE DISCIPLINARY CHAMBER WAS PRESENT IN THE SUPREME COURT DELEGATION DURING THE MEETING WITH JOUROVÁ. NEITHER WAS THERE A MEETING WITH THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL - Ociepa. -- ZIOBRO PROPOSED A COMPROMISE - THE GERMAN MODEL OF JUDGE APPOINTMENTS - Ociepa. -- THE CJEU DECISION REGARDING THE DISCIPLINARY CHAMBER MAY COME ANY DAY NOW - Ociepa. -- TOMORROW AT 5 PM, THE PRESIDENT WILL MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF PARLIAMENTARY CLUBS AND GROUPS - Ociepa. -- THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE SESSION ON THE RULE OF LAW ENDED UNFAVORABLY FOR POLAND. THE COUNCIL ADOPTED A RESOLUTION ON MONITORING POLAND. -- MARIUSZ KAMIŃSKI REFUSES TO DISCUSS KACMAREK'S ALLEGATIONS - Grzegorz Kępka. -- THE OPPOSITION TAKES THE FORMER AGENT'S ALLEGATIONS SERIOUSLY - Kępka. ***** FAKTY TVN -- VERA JOUROVÁ HAD A DAY FULL OF MEETINGS; SHE ASKED BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION, SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, AND CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL JUDGES ABOUT THE SITUATION IN THE COURTS, AND SHE ADMITS SHE IS CONCERNED - announcement. -- MINISTER ZIOBRO SPEAKS OF COMPROMISE, BUT THE EU COMMISSIONER DOES NOT SEE IT - Justyna Pochanke. -- THIS IS NOT A COURTESY VISIT; THE EU COMMISSIONER FOR THE RULE OF LAW FLEW TO POLAND FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND WITH A SERIOUS PROPOSITION - Arleta Zalewska. -- JOUROVÁ WANTED TO OBTAIN EXPLANATIONS REGARDING THE ACT PASSED BY THE LAW AND JUSTICE PARTY (PiS) DISCIPLINING JUDGES - Zalewska continues. -- THE ACT IS NOW AWAITING THE PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE, AND IT WAS PRECISELY THIS COMMISSIONER WHO DEMANDED THAT WORK ON IT BE SUSPENDED - Zalewska. -- IN THE AFTERNOON, THE PRESIDENT'S INVITATION TO PARTY LEADERS FOR PARLIAMENTARY CLUBS REGARDING JUDICIAL ACTS APPEARED - Zalewska continues. -- IN RESPONSE, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, AT LEAST IN WHAT WAS OPEN TO SOME MEDIA, SHOWED WHAT HE HAD PREPARED FOR THIS MEETING - Zalewska. -- HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT AN AMENDMENT TO ANY OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PIŚ ACTS, BUT A PROJECT FROM THE OPPOSITION'S CIVIC PLATFORM FROM 13 YEARS AGO - Zalewska continues. -- AS PARTICIPANTS OF THE MEETINGS CONFIRM, THE CZECH COMMISSIONER IS VERY WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE SITUATION OF JUDGES IN POLAND - Zalewska. -- REGARDLESS OF THE FINAL AGREEMENTS REGARDING THE LINKING OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS TO COMPLIANCE WITH EU LAW, SUCH A VISIT IS NOT GOOD NEWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, AND TODAY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE JOINS THE CRITICS WITH ITS REPORT ON POLAND - Zalewska continues. -- DESPITE THE SUPREME COURT RESOLUTION AND EXACTLY DURING THE VISIT OF THE EU COMMISSIONER, THE NEW NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL IS NOT SLOWING DOWN, PRODUCING FURTHER JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS CLEARLY RECOGNIZED AS FLAWED BY THE SUPREME COURT - announcement. -- MEMBERS OF THE NEW NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL BEGAN THE DAY WITH MASS, AFTER WHICH THEY PROCEEDED TO WORK, AND THERE ARE FURTHER JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS PLANNED, INCLUDING FOR THE DISCIPLINARY CHAMBER - Maciej Knapik. -- ALTHOUGH THE JOINT CHAMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT CLEARLY RULED: JUDGES APPOINTED BY THE NEW NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL SHOULD NOT PRESIDE, AND THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL ITSELF HAS A DOUBTFUL STATUS - Knapik continues. -- THE REASON IS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE INABILITY TO CHECK THE LISTS OF SUPPORT FOR THE NEW NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL'S JUDGES, WHICH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR MONTHS, BUT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS DO NOT CARE ABOUT IT AND DO NOT STOP WORKING - Knapik. -- TWO LEGAL ORDERS ARE STARTING TO APPLY IN POLAND, SO THE NEW NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL CONTINUES TO WORK AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED - Knapik continues. -- QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AGENT TOMEK, BECAUSE HE INCULPATED THE HEADS OF THE CBA, THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE WANTS TO CHECK IF HE DID NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY - announcement. -- THE MARSHAL OF THE SEJM WAS OUTRAGED BY THIS QUESTION IN THE MUSEUM [ABOUT MARIUSZ KAMIŃSKI'S RESIGNATION]; KAMIŃSKI HIMSELF WAS OUTRAGED BY THE QUESTIONS EVEN BEFORE THE KATYN MUSEUM - Jakub Sobieniowski. -- THE MINISTER REFERS TO YESTERDAY'S STATEMENT, IN WHICH HE QUESTIONS TOMASZ KACMAREK'S CREDIBILITY, AND THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS BECAUSE THIS WAS HIS FAVORITE AGENT AND - AS IT TURNS OUT - A FRIEND, WHO SPOKE ABOUT THE FALSIFICATION OF THAT ONE CASE, AND HE STATES THAT IRREGULARITIES OCCURRED NOT ONLY IN THE ACTIONS AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT - Sobieniowski continues. -- FOR 4 YEARS, THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THE VILLA AGAIN; DURING THIS TIME, THE CBA ESCAPED THE GETBACK FINANCIAL SCANDAL, IN WHICH POLES LOST PLN 2.5 BILLION; MARIUSZ KAMIŃSKI CONGRATULATED MARIAN BANAS WHEN HE ALREADY KNEW ABOUT DOUBTS REGARDING HIS ASSET DECLARATIONS, WHICH AS IT TURNED OUT AFTER THE ELECTIONS, WERE JUSTIFIED - Sobieniowski. -- THE PRIME MINISTER DEFENDS MARIUSZ KAMIŃSKI, JUST AS PIŚ ONCE SPOKE ABOUT THE IMMACULATE MARIAN BANAS AND THE IMMACULATE JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI IN THE MATTER OF THE TWO TOWERS - Sobieniowski continues. -- AUSCHWITZ DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY; IT CAME TO US IN SMALL STEPS - SAYS MARIAN TURSKI, AND HE LISTS THESE SMALL STEPS: VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, MINORITY RIGHTS, WORDS THAT EXCLUDE AND STIGMATIZE - announcement. -- HE IS A WITNESS TO HISTORY, NOT ONLY THE HISTORY THAT ENDS IN THOSE BARRACKS, NOT ONLY THE HOLOCAUST, NOT ONLY THE 1968 ANTI-SEMITIC CAMPAIGN - Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska. -- HE WAS A WITNESS TO THE STRUGGLE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS FOR THE RIGHT TO BE FULL CITIZENS, FOR THE RIGHT TO BE HUMAN BEINGS - Kolenda-Zaleska continues. -- HIS OWN EXPERIENCES ALLOW HIM TO UNDERSTAND THE MECHANISMS OF THE GROWTH OF EVIL, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT FAILED DURING THE HOLOCAUST, AND EVERYTHING FAILED: CHRISTIANITY, DEMOCRACY, NORMS OF CIVILIZATION - Kolenda-Zaleska. -- IT STARTS WITH WORDS, WITH HATRED, WITH EXCLUSION, AND WITH INDIFFERENCE - Kolenda-Zaleska continues. -- PEOPLE'S INDIFFERENCE LED TO THE HOLOCAUST; NOW IT'S ABOUT RESISTING, SO THAT IT DOESN'T TURN OUT THAT THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST DIED IN VAIN - Kolenda-Zaleska. -- AND IF WE LOOK AT THE MODERN WORLD, RACISM, XENOPHOBIA, FEAR OF THE OTHER AND THE FOREIGN ARE THRIVING, AND SO IS INDIFFERENCE - Kolenda-Zaleska continues. -- THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF AUSCHWITZ BECAME A GREAT LESSON, AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT REPEATING 'NEVER AGAIN,' AS MARIAN TURSKI SAID - Kolenda-Zaleska. -- REJECTING INDIFFERENCE IS THE BEGINNING; SOMETHING MORE IS NEEDED, AND THE COMPLETION CAN BE FOUND IN ANOTHER GREAT SPEECH ABOUT THE MODERN WORLD [BY OLGA TOKARCZUK] - Kolenda-Zaleska continues. -- THESE TWO SPEECHES ARE LIKE SIGNPOSTS FOR THE FUTURE, SO THAT THE CONTEMPT THAT LED TO THE HOLOCAUST WILL TRULY NEVER BE REPEATED - Kolenda-Zaleska. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP -- BRUSSELS' CRITICISM IS NOW ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE KREMLIN - Edyta Lewandowska on the Wiadomości opening. -- PUTIN SUPPORTS THE POLISH OPPOSITION - banner. -- THE OPPOSITION HAS GAINED A STRONG ALLY IN THE KREMLIN AND VOTED WITH RUSSIA AGAINST POLAND IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE - in the preview. -- JOUROVÁ SPOKE THE LANGUAGE OF THE OPPOSITION - Damian Diaz. -- THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER WERE INTERESTED IN THE MEETING, BUT THE COMMISSIONER REFUSED - -- IT IS DIFFICULT TO SPEAK OF GOOD WILL IF ONE REFUSES TO HEAR THE SIDE AGAINST WHICH ACCUSATIONS ARE MADE - Diaz. -- DEFINING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS THE EXCLUSIVE COMPETENCE OF MEMBER STATES; HENCE, THE COMMISSION'S INTEREST IS SURPRISING - Diaz. -- THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE PROPOSED A COMPROMISE TO DISPEL ALL DOUBTS - Diaz. -- THIS IS THE REMOVAL OF A MUZZLE FROM SOCIETY - Michał Wójcik. -- THE OPPOSITION PREFERS TO DISCUSS ABROAD; IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, IT GAINED A NEW ALLY AND ATTACKED THE POLISH GOVERNMENT TOGETHER WITH RUSSIA - Diaz. -- AN ATTACK ON POLISH SOVEREIGNTY - banner. -- THE POLISH ECONOMY IS ACCELERATING, WHICH DISPLEASES SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES - in the preview. -- THE JUDICIAL REFORM IS BEING USED FOR THESE PURPOSES, BUT IT DOES NOT NOTICE THE BRUTAL SUPPRESSION OF PROTESTS IN FRANCE, OR EVEN IN SPAIN; IN GERMANY, THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CONFIRMED THAT GERMAN LAW IS SUPREME OVER EUROPEAN LAW, BUT THE COMMISSION DID NOT REACT - Jakub Krzyżak. -- AS PAWEŁ PISKORSKI PROVED, TUSK'S PARTY - CIVIC PLATFORM WAS FINANCED BY THE CDU - Krzyżak. -- THE PIŚ GOVERNMENT BROKE UP TAX EVASION MAFIAS THAT TRANSFERRED FUNDS ABROAD; THE NEARLY BANKRUPT LOT AIRLINE WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE GERMAN CONDOR AIRLINES, AND SOME HAVE NOTICED THAT THE ATTACKS INTENSIFIED PRECISELY AFTER THIS TRANSACTION - Krzyżak. -- EXPERTS INDICATE THAT THE STRENGTH OF THE POLISH ECONOMY AND OUR STRONG ALLIANCE WITH THE USA MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTENSIFICATION OF ATTACKS - Krzyżak. -- THE WEST DOES NOT WANT A STRONG POLAND - banner. -- ACCORDING TO RMF FM INFORMATION, THE COMMISSION MAY CHALLENGE THE ACT ON THE CROSSING OF THE VISTULA SPIT TO THE CJEU - Dominik Cierpioł. -- IT WOULD BE STRANGE, BECAUSE EXPERT TALKS WITH THE COMMISSION ARE STILL ONGOING - Dominik Cosic. -- THE IMPORTANCE OF POMERANIA WOULD INCREASE, AND RUSSIA WOULD LOSE CONTROL OVER NAVIGATION ON THE VISTULA SPIT; THEREFORE, THE CROSSING IS AN INCREASE IN POLISH SOVEREIGNTY. -- IF NATURE WANTED THERE TO BE A CROSSING, THERE WOULD BE ONE - Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. -- AN ADDITIONAL BLOW TO RUSSIA IS THE PIPELINE FROM DENMARK - Cierpioł. -- IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND SIMILAR DOUBTS IN BRUSSELS ABOUT NORD STREAM 2, PROBABLY BECAUSE IT IS A RUSSIAN-GERMAN INVESTMENT - Cierpioł. -- POLAND HAS WON THE WAR FOR TRUTH - banner. -- THE KREMLIN REMAINS SILENT ABOUT THE HITLER-STALIN PACT AND THE MURDER OF THE POLISH ELITE IN KATYN - Jan Korab. -- FOREIGN MEDIA ARE FINALLY TALKING ABOUT CAPTAIN PILECKI - Korab. -- POLES SENT REPORTS TO THE WEST ABOUT THE MASS MURDER OF JEWS IN VAIN - Korab. -- THE OPPOSITION IS BEYOND REASON AND DECENCY - banner. -- THERE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT DRAWN CONCLUSIONS FROM THIS SITUATION; MARIAN TURSKI'S WORDS WERE USED BY THE OPPOSITION AND SYMPATHIZING JOURNALISTS TO ATTACK THE RULING PARTY - Konrad Wąż. -- THE USE OF GENOCIDE IN THE DISPUTE OVER REFORM HAS CAUSED WIDESPREAD OUTRAGE - Wąż. -- IT WAS PRECISELY AGAINST THE INSTRUMENTAL USE OF HISTORY THAT PROFESSOR TURSKI WARNED - Wąż. -- EVEN TRAGIC HISTORY IS, UNFORTUNATELY, RELATIVIZED; THE PO CANDIDATE, WHO IS BUILDING GOOD RELATIONS WITH BERLIN, DID NOT MENTION THAT GERMANS CARRIED OUT THE GENOCIDE - Wąż. -- ACCORDING TO KIDAWĄ, POLES ARE EVEN RESPONSIBLE FOR BREXIT - Wąż. -- POLES MASSIVELY STARTED WORKING IN GREAT BRITAIN - archival statement by MKB from Polish Radio. -- THE SCALE OF CONTEMPT IS SHOWN BY THE WORDS DURING A MEETING IN BIAŁOGARD; OPPOSITION POLITICIANS WERE OFFENDED BY POLES WHEN THEY LOST POWER IN 2015 - -- THE JUDICIAL CASTE IS DESTROYING THE RULE OF LAW - banner. -- JUDGE LENARCZYK IS ACCUSED OF LOAN SHARKING ACTIVITIES; JUDGES WARNED THE VICTIM THAT SHE WAS A JUDGE - Konrad Warzocha. -- WE SEE THE IMPUNITY OF THE JUDICIAL CASTE DAILY - Warzocha on Juszczyszyn exceeding the speed limit. -- THE IMPUNITY OF JUDGES REMINDS US OF THE NEUMANN DOCTRINE AND THE IMPUNITY OF OPPOSITION POLITICIANS - Warzocha on the Gawłowski case. -- OPPOSITION POLITICIANS COMMENT ON THE GRODZKI CASE IN THE SAME WAY; JOUROVÁ ALSO DOES NOT COMMENT ON THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM; THIS IS AN ATTITUDE CONSISTENT WITH THE NEUMANN DOCTRINE - Warzocha. -- THE CASTE WITH RECORD RATINGS ON POLISH NEWS STATIONS.

- Following the Supreme Court's resolution, the situation is such that we simply need to talk to each other. This resolution has introduced a state of uncertainty, a state of suspension for several hundred judges, and we simply need to talk to each other about what's next, in which direction, and how to do it so that the judiciary is not paralyzed - said Andrzej Dera in an interview with Monika Olejnik on "Kropka nad i" (Point by Point) on TVN24.

- Ms. Jourová came to Poland to see the situation and seek dialogue, but as she rightly emphasized, and very strongly at that, the rule of law and its observance are non-negotiable. I would strongly take this remark to heart if I were in the position of the Ministry of Justice or Prime Minister Morawiecki - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I am concerned that through a resolution of the Supreme Court, in a manner hitherto unknown in democratic states, the Supreme Court has essentially stated: these are judges, but they should not adjudicate. This is something that should not happen, because it is an assault on the fundamental principle that judges are irremovable - Andrzej Dera stated in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's 'Kropka nad i'.

- I will always say it, because I knew and know Mr. Marian Banaś, that he is an honest man. I have always thought so. I will remind you of the principle: for others, the principle is that if they are not convicted, they are innocent, but in Mr. Banaś's case, he must be guilty because he is from the other camp. Not for me - said Andrzej Dera in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".