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02/15/2020

09:28

Saturday's Political Schedule: Dudek and Biedroń Conventions, Kidawa-Błońska in Podkarpacie, WKK on the Road

At 10:00 AM in Warsaw, a press conference will be held with the participation of Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz and Rafał Grupiński. The topic: We demand an apology from Andrzej Duda.

Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska will be visiting Podkarpacie. At 9:00 AM in Ustrzyki Dolne, a press briefing with midwives will take place, and at 10:30 AM another press briefing in Sanok. At 1:30 PM, the Civic Coalition (KO) presidential candidate will meet with residents of Krosno, at 4:00 PM with residents of Sanok, and at 6:30 PM with residents of Ustrzyki Dolne.

At 12:00 PM in Warsaw, Andrzej Duda's election convention will be held. According to PiS campaign staff, with whom 300POLITYKA spoke, this is intended to be the largest election convention since 1989. "We hear that unprecedented crowds of supporters are expected at such an event, which is meant to illustrate the campaign's strategic intention that people stand behind the president."

At 11:00 AM in Warsaw, experts collaborating with Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will be presented. At 1:30 PM in Świdnica, Robert Biedroń's election convention will take place, focusing on defense, security policy, and international issues, where key advisors in these areas will be presented.

At 4:40 PM in Częstochowa, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will hold a press conference, and at 5:00 PM, the PSL candidate for president will meet with local government officials and residents of Częstochowa.


10:37

Okła-Drewnowicz:

We Demand Kaczyński Apologize for Lichocka's Behavior
This behavior has deeply affected thousands of Polish families facing immense tragedy. Very often, it is their children, their loved ones, who suffer from cancer. They are dying, lying in hospital wards. Since yesterday, you have been able to see these parents, standing by the bedsides of their very sick, often dying children, highlighting the behavior of MP Lichocka. This is deeply painful because MP Lichocka displayed behavior that, on one hand, has hurt many Poles, especially Polish families touched by great tragedy, but also showed that for her and her camp in power, propaganda is more important – propaganda that will serve efficiently in President Duda's election campaign. Meanwhile, for this money, 2 billion PLN, many human lives could be saved. Every year, around 30,000 people in Poland die from cancer. They could be saved if there were more funds to save their lives. This 2 billion is not a system, it's not money thrown into the NFZ (National Health Fund) bag. It's money that could save a specific person, a child. So that there wouldn't be such drama in so many families, and for this, we cannot forgive MP Lichocka and her camp in power today. Therefore, we demand that President Kaczyński apologize for the behavior of MP Lichocka, because in this way, she has shown where the entire ruling camp truly stands on the lives and health of Poles - Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz stated at a press briefing.

10:39

Grupiński:

We expect President Duda to veto the bill for 2 billion PLN for public media

- We expect, and I think the entire public opinion expects, that President Duda will veto the bill transferring 2 billion PLN to Public Television, to public media. He will veto it not only because the informal, I would say criminal, support for his campaign is unacceptable, but primarily with the intention that these funds should go to sick children, for cancer treatment, where they are most needed - said Rafał Grupiński at a press briefing.


10:41

On PiS Convention Day, Kidawa in Podkarpacie Links President to TVP Funding Over Oncology and Lichocka's Gesture: 'We Are Where Real Problems Are. I Appeal to the President for Courage to Veto the Bill.'

From the morning, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska has been meeting with healthcare workers in Podkarpacie. At 8:00 AM, she met with midwives at the hospital in Ustrzyki Dolne. Another meeting is also dedicated to healthcare – at the SP ZOZ in Sanok. The Civic Platform strategists decided that on the day of the PiS convention, Kidawa would challenge the incumbent president on a topic troublesome for PiS, following Thursday's votes and the gesture of MP Lichocka: funding for TVP at the expense of oncology, as passed by the Senate.

- Today in Warsaw is President Duda's big convention. The President will talk about some strange matters at a closed convention, about roads that don't exist, he will present a Poland he doesn't know. We are here where people's real problems are, true problems. We are in front of a hospital that struggles with huge problems, and the people working here have problems not because they work poorly, because they give their all, but because the whole system works poorly. Here, at the end of February, the gynecology and obstetrics ward will be closed, which is very important for the women living here. So much is said about the family being most important, that women should receive care and support, and here such a ward is being closed.

- The Constitution clearly states that everyone must have equal access to medical care, and we should especially take care of women, children, and disabled and elderly people. Behind me stand midwives who perform their profession with passion and are now facing the dilemma of what they will do with their lives now, where they will work next. But you won't find out about this from public television, because there are only beautiful pictures there, and two billion was lightheartedly transferred for spreading hatred. I appeal to the president to have the courage and veto this bill, so that this money goes where it is most needed. Mr. President, please have the courage and say at the convention that you will veto this bill - said Kidawa.


12:17

Kaczyński:

PiS Political Council Unanimously Endorses PAD's Candidacy

I have the honor to present the decision of the PiS Political Council regarding a matter that is most important to us today, to our formation, the entire United Right, but also to Poland. This concerns the matter of support for the presidential candidate. The Political Council unanimously, by acclamation, supported the candidacy of Andrzej Duda - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the PiS convention.


12:23

Kaczyński:

Andrzej Duda is certainly not an opportunist. He did not seek honors, nor did he focus on his career. He followed a straightforward path as he grew up.

- Andrzej Duda is certainly not an opportunist. He did not seek honors, nor did he focus on his career. He followed a straightforward path as he grew up. He was involved in scouting, he finished his studies, he worked at the university, he also took on other jobs, and he married the here-present Ms. Agata Duda. Others noticed his potential, and thanks to that, he found himself in the Presidential Chancellery at a young age, immediately as a minister, where he collaborated with the late President Kaczyński. He had to experience a dramatic and difficult period after the Smolensk tragedy. In those short and hard weeks, when Lech Kaczyński's team was still partially operating in the Palace. It was then that he refused to release documents that would attest to Lech Kaczyński's death at a time when his body had not yet been found and there was no definitive proof that he had perished - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the PiS convention.


12:32

Kaczyński:

There was no honeymoon period. Immediately a fight, a very difficult fight with those who brazenly violated the Constitution and perfidiously told others that we were violating it

- This truly extraordinary victory [of Andrzej Duda in 2015] arrived. And a new attempt; there was no honeymoon period. Immediately a fight, a very difficult fight with those who brazenly violated the Constitution and perfidiously told others that we were violating it - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the PiS convention.

- The President, even as president-elect, warned about this, but these warnings were not heeded, and he undertook this immensely difficult task, opposing a great front that extended beyond our country's borders as well, and he won. He won because he knew we were right, because he knew it had to be done this way, because he knew a trap had been set for us and this plan had to be neutralized. He played a truly great role in the entire operation, leading to the neutralization of the plan - the PiS chairman continued.


12:33

Civic Platform MP: The First Trailer with the 'Lichocka Gesture' Has Appeared

12:33

Kaczyński:

Our Opponents Have Not Accepted Their Double Defeat. There Were Even Attempts at Coups, Carried Out Incompetently

- Unfortunately, our opponents have not come to terms with the double victory [of PiS], they did not accept Andrzej Duda and Beata Szydło. They undertook various kinds of initiatives, both here in Poland and abroad. There were even attempts at coups, carried out in a highly incompetent manner. But throughout this time, Andrzej Duda was the bulwark of this order, public order, the Constitution, and the law - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the PiS convention.

- Further problems arose. The judicial reform and another issue. How difficult the path to achieving our goals is, which are not some whim or fancy, but rather a condition for the full implementation of our plan to change our country, for the good change. So, the problem of maintaining social peace arose, which required new decisions. Sometimes difficult to understand even for our camp, and he also made these decisions. This was perhaps the most difficult moment of his presidency - the PiS chairman continued.


12:37

Kaczyński:

It's Obvious We Don't Need to Search; We Have a Dream Candidate with Clear Support

- I believe that the President [Duda] has proven that his connection to our idea, the idea of a strong, lawful, and just Poland, is a very deep one, and a connection that translates into a readiness to act, even to take risks, to break down obstacles, including the most difficult ones - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the PiS convention.

- It is completely obvious that this time we don't need to search; we have a candidate, one might say, a dream candidate, whose support is evident. He also has other advantages: a wife. A daughter, already an adult despite his young age. He has a professorial couple [as parents], parents who are very likeable, a mother and a father. It is truly rare for one person to have so many assets - the PiS chairman continued.


12:39

Kaczyński:

We Have a Wonderful Candidate, We Will Win

- This is bad news for those, I hope few, though vocal, who want things to stay as they were. We have a wonderful candidate, we will win - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at the PiS convention.


12:42

Morawiecki:

Thanks to this Great Change Initiated by Andrzej Duda, Poland Has Moved Forward, Progressed
It is said that in politics one can go more to the right, to the left, more right-wing, left-wing politics, but in reality, in politics, one can either move forward, or stand still, or even go backward. And thanks to this great change initiated by Andrzej Duda, Poland has moved forward, progressed - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention.

12:44

Prime Minister Recalls Zofia Konopacka's Victories: Mr. President, I am convinced that the small white and red flag you carry in your heart will once again fly on the highest mast, as no one is as motivated to win as you are.

- I am convinced that this small white and red flag, the banner you carry in your heart, will soon fly on the highest mast once again, because no one is as motivated to win the upcoming elections as you are - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention, quoting the story of Zofia Konopacka.


12:50

Morawiecki:

President Duda Knows the Road Ahead is Long, But With Him We Will Rebuild Poland into a Happy, Proud Nation

- Poland would not have had a chance for the change it has experienced. Andrzej Duda was the spark that ignited the patriotic fire, which led to a profound change, a social rebuilding, to democratic social life. Andrzej Duda has ensured that the lives of Polish families today are truly significantly more dignified. He knows perfectly well that the road ahead is still long, that we have ambitious goals, that we will still have to overcome many obstacles and go uphill, but he has the strength for it, the willpower, the courage, the determination, and together with him we will rebuild Poland. Into a happy, proud country, a proud state - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention.


12:55

PMM:

President Duda is Fulfilling the Political Testament of Lech Kaczyński

- It must be clearly stated that President Duda is fulfilling the political testament of Lech Kaczyński. This long journey of the Third Republic, which has led us to this better time, when we can build strong, lasting foundations for entering this incredibly exciting, new era full of unknown phenomena – the fourth, fifth industrial revolution. This requires a president who understands this, who excellently recognizes the intricacies of economic development, and I can say that cooperation with the president is not just a true pleasure. These magnificent achievements would not have been possible without Mr. President – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention.


12:59

Prime Minister: A President Who Would Just Sit or Stand Under a Chandelier, Not Knowing What's Happening There, Wouldn't Achieve Even 10% of What We've Accomplished Thanks to Him. He is a President of Action.
- A president who would just sit or stand under a chandelier, not knowing what's happening there, wouldn't achieve even 10% of what we've accomplished thanks to him. A president is a president of action, and in one of his first speeches, he said he would fight to prevent Poland from sliding downhill and would fight against the scourge of the Second Republic – unemployment. The President, along with the government, has effectively managed to overcome this curse of the Third Republic, which was unemployment. Today, work seeks out people, not the other way around. Thanks to his signature on the law – the minimum wage is PLN 17, not PLN 5 as it was five years ago, just look at the huge difference. There is something in the president's character, in his broad set of competencies, which isn't written in any books – it's his love for his homeland and his meetings, his conversations with Poles – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

13:01

PMM:

PAD Can Veto Legislation, and We Admit Weeks or Months Later That He Did the Right Thing

- Starting with economic policy and his wonderful, constructive cooperation with the government, but also one where [Andrzej Duda] can veto legislation, and we admit weeks or months later that he did the right thing – he is a partner for discussion, for conversation, for social policy, for the justice system, in the area of security. He is the best possible candidate, who must win in May if Poland is to change and seize this epochal, historical chance, so that we don't again say: what if – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention.


13:02

PMM:

PAD Must Win. Without Him, Our Program Cannot Be Realized

- Andrzej Duda must win. Without him, our program cannot be realized – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the PiS convention.

- There are still 85 days left. That is not much time. This short period requires enormous effort from all activists, but above all from the supporters and voters of PiS. All voters who have Poland in their hearts, who want our beautiful white and red flag, our sacred symbol, to fly high on the tallest mast, we must all give our last drop of sweat. All efforts are now most essential to bet on this one card, which is called Andrzej Duda – PMM continued.


13:12

Szydło:

Poland Deserves a Great Government and the Best Candidate as Head of State, Andrzej Duda

- We must do everything so that tomorrow is as beautiful as those moments [5 years ago], so that we win and can again say with our heads held high: yes, Poland deserves a great government, but also that the head of state be the best of candidates, Andrzej Duda - stated Beata Szydło at the PiS convention.


13:13

Szydło:

Poland is our common home, and we should all care for it. We can differ, have different views, opinions on various matters, but it is our common home, and we should collectively think about its future.

- Yes, Poland is our common home, and we should all care for it. We can differ, have different views, opinions on various matters, but it is our common home, and we should collectively think about its future, and this is precisely what presidential candidate Andrzej Duda told us 5 years ago – stated Beata Szydło at the PiS convention.


13:14

Prime Minister: No Other Candidate Has Visited All Districts, Met Hundreds of Thousands, and Returned as Many Smiles
- There is no other candidate who has visited all districts, met hundreds of thousands of people, and returned hundreds of thousands of smiles. There is no other president, and no better candidate – said the Prime Minister.

13:15

Szydło:

Over the Last 5 Years, Poles Have Seen that PAD, the Good Change, and the United Right Keep Their Word to Poles

- I have good news for you today. These last 8 years [of PO-PSL rule] have gone into oblivion, I hope forever, and are in the past. Today, with satisfaction and pride, I can say: over the last 5 years, Poles have seen that President Duda, the Good Change, and the United Right are keeping their word to Poles. - stated Beata Szydło at the PiS convention.


13:22

Szydło Questions: Which Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska is the Real One?

- Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, just a few days before the [2015] convention, became the spokesperson for the Civic Platform government. A government that became known for raising the retirement age over 8 years, allowing VAT mafias to plunder Poles by siphoning money from the budget, which, against the will of parents, ordered 6-year-olds to start school, and which did not care that Poland was divided into those with privileges and those without, who were dismantling Poland, and which finally had a philosophy of developing the Polish economy that can best be illustrated by the example of LOT, which was supposed to cease to exist - stated Beata Szydło at the PiS convention.

- I have a question. What is the real face of Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska? Is it the face from the poster currently being promoted in the campaign, or the face of Kidawa-Błońska who raised her hand in favor of raising the retirement age for Poles? - the former prime minister continued.


13:24

Szydło:

The Real Candidate is Not Photoshopped, But Listens to Ordinary Poles and Meets with Them

- Political Photoshop will be pushing various truths in this campaign, but the real candidate, the president, is not someone who is Photoshopped, but someone who listens to ordinary Poles and who meets with them, listens to their voice, who takes to heart what these Poles say - stated Beata Szydło at the PiS convention.


13:50

Duda:

Building a Poland Capable of Protecting the Weak and Fearless of the Strong, Where Honesty Prevails Over Cynicism and Meanness

- It is a great endeavor, building a Poland that is capable of protecting the weaker and does not have to fear the stronger, in which honesty triumphs, not cynicism and meanness. Yes, we are constantly realizing this, so that Poland is precisely like that. We strive for this every day. 5 years have passed, a long 4 years. And it seemed like it flew by in an instant, like a flick of a whip, that it was merely a moment, since that convention 5 years ago - stated President Andrzej Duda at the PiS convention.


14:02

President on Oncology Strategy: This is a Program for Years, Requiring Billions of Zlotys, and I Thank You for Securing These Billions
- There is also the possibility to tell me what is a concern, what is a worry, what is a problem today. I observe, clearly, over these last five years what has changed, because many of these problems have disappeared, but many of them - I repeat - are still happening all the time. Concern about healthcare, that there are still queues for specialist doctors, that not everything functions well there, this is a great task that must be accomplished. A modern state is a state where the health protection of its citizens is secured. This is a great task that still lies before us. Of course, much has been achieved, many queues have been shortened, but not all matters have been resolved yet. We are launching a great, national oncological strategy, we inaugurated it recently at the Presidential Palace, but this is a program for years that will require billions of zlotys, and I thank you that these billions are being found, and this program must be implemented. It is a matter of our future as a state and society, a great historical challenge for the future – the President said at the convention.

14:09

President Duda: Yes, I'm Continuing My Tour. The Dudabus Will Get Back on Track
Yes, I'm continuing my tour. The Dudabus will get back on track. This is the time. I invite everyone to these meetings, which will take place all over Poland. I will be enormously grateful for every presence, for every handshake, for every remark, and also for every criticism, which is important because it allows us to fix the Republic of Poland and do what is truly essential for the people – stated President Andrzej Duda at the PiS convention.

14:10

President:

So that we have honest and wise judges who are independent, also of their structures, their professional group, their superiors, who can think independently
- So that we have honest and wise judges who are independent, also of their structures, their professional group, their superiors, who can think independently. People also talk about this at my meetings; it is extremely important. A great challenge that awaits resolution, that needs to be solved - said President Duda.

14:12

PAD:

Your Support is Essential to Me, as No One Wins Elections Alone. Electoral Victory is the Act of the Majority

- Your support is essential to me, as no one wins elections alone. Electoral victory is the act of the majority. I am asking for your support so that we can achieve this great goal, which is the continued opportunity to repair the Republic of Poland and the daily lives of Poles - stated President Andrzej Duda at the PiS convention.


14:16

President:

It's Not Easy to Escape What Many People Laugh At, That Chandelier. There's the Presidential Palace, Security, Requirements, Protocols to Fulfill. That's Precisely Why These Trips Across the Country Are So Hugely Important to Me.
- The most important things for me are people's everyday concerns. That's what troubles me the most. It's not easy to avoid what many people laugh at, that chandelier. There's the Presidential Palace, there's security, there are requirements, protocols that need to be implemented. That's precisely why these trips across the country are so hugely important to me. Once, one of my competitors mocked me: Duda travels here to Wisła, there to Jurata. But I travel to the most remote places. I will travel, from Włodawa to Bogatynia, to Puńsk. There are Poles there too, Lithuanians, citizens of Poland, whom I need to meet. That's how I understand the presidency – said the president.

14:23

President Duda: It is Necessary to Conduct Politics in a Way That Everyone Feels Respected. We Sing: Poland Has Not Yet Perished as Long as We Live. We, Not I

- There is one more thing that people tell me very often. That there are many divisions in Poland, that there are disputes, sometimes too sharp. That these disputes spill over into homes, families, manifest themselves at family gatherings, name days, birthdays, sometimes at Christmas Eve tables. I ask you. It is necessary that we try to conduct politics in such a way that everyone feels respected in that politics. Political dispute is a natural matter, it is always there, it is the nature of democracy. If there were no dispute, one could not talk about democracy. What would be the point of elections if there were no disputes at all. People have different concepts, but my dears, after all, we all stand and sing: Poland has not yet perished as long as we live. We, not I. We. We all sing this, and I ask you, even when the emotions are highest, sometimes emotions are in politics, you know how it is, sometimes there are difficult moments, I experience it myself too, not everyone is satisfied with everything, not everyone is happy with everything - stated President Andrzej Duda at the PiS convention.


14:28

Duda:

Pensions Were Justifiably Reduced for Those Who Served a Foreign Power

- Some have had their pension benefits justifiably reduced. Because they simply and fairly did not deserve those thousands of zlotys they received for serving a foreign power, which was Moscow, for serving that authority and that regime. And very often for persecuting Poles, because it was a scandal that they had such benefits, while an ordinary person, who worked hard his entire life and very often fought for a free Poland, had very modest benefits. They simply did not deserve it. And they received what are average, ordinary average benefits, and this is probably justice, a just Poland. A Poland that does not allow for exceptional rewards for those who, at some point, proved simply unworthy, not to use a stronger word - stated President Andrzej Duda at the PiS convention.


14:32

President:

I Believe We Are Doing This for the Good of the Republic, and I Believe Our Compatriots Will Appreciate It. Most Will Appreciate It, Because This Policy is Being Pursued for Them
- Poland is our great mission. We have undertaken it, we are pursuing it, and I believe that we will continue to pursue it successfully in the coming years. I believe that we are doing this for the good of the Republic, and I believe that our compatriots will appreciate it. Most will appreciate it, because this policy is being pursued for them. I would like us to pursue precisely such a policy. I thank you immensely for supporting me in this. We must never forget that it is for our compatriots that we get up in the morning to work, and I am grateful that Poles help me remember this - said the President, concluding his speech.

14:35

President with Agata Duda on Stage: Long Live Poland!
- But what is most important, what must always be most important: Long live Poland! - this is how the president concluded his speech, accompanied by Agata Duda, who joined him on stage.

14:50

Civic Coalition Continues Its Message: 'The Question of PLN 2 Billion for TVP or Oncology Remains Relevant'

22:17

A New Tactic in the Campaign: Kidawa Releases Video from a Meeting in a Podkarpacie Hospital: 'It Robs People of Their Sense of Security. So Much is Said About the Polish Family, Yet the State Has Capitulated on These Crucial Matters'
- Now we're facing termination, I don't know what comes next - says a midwife in a mini-reportage from a visit to the Podkarpacie region, published by Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. PO strategists carefully crafted the message about healthcare, contrasting it with "Andrzej Duda's grand convention" - as Kidawa states in the video. - It robs people of their sense of security. So much is said about the Polish family, yet the state has capitulated on these crucial matters - says Kidawa, summarizing her meetings at the hospital in Ustrzyki Dolne. It is worth noting that similar videos are a constant feature of American campaigns. Even a longer, several-dozen-minute film-reportage, "When Mitt came to town", about Mitt Romney's past at the investment fund Bain Capital, was published during the American primaries and caused significant damage to the candidate in the southern states during the initial stages of the primary campaign.