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A parliamentary voting session, which began yesterday at 11 PM, dragged on until the early morning hours. At the last minute, in the dead of night, Law and Justice proposed amendments to the anti-crisis package, which, as a consequence, revised the Electoral Code.

According to the proposed change, individuals in quarantine and isolation, as well as those over 60 years of age, would have the option of correspondence voting in elections.  

The opposition pointed out that such a procedure for amending the Electoral Code violates the Sejm's regulations governing changes to electoral law, as well as rulings by the Constitutional Tribunal, which years ago determined that significant changes to the Electoral Code must be made no later than six months before elections.

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Law and Justice also amended the provisions concerning the Tripartite Labour Council (Rada Dialogu Społecznego). These changes grant the Prime Minister the authority to dismiss members of the Tripartite Labour Council – representatives of employers and employees – during a state of epidemic threat and epidemic. One of the grounds for dismissal can be the fact of cooperation with PRL security services.

Ultimately, MPs from PiS and KO voted in favor of the government's anti-crisis package, while Lewica and Koalicja Polska voted against it, and Confederation abstained.

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For its provisions to take effect for citizens and Polish companies as early as April 1st, the Senate must also provide its opinion. Hence my appeal to Marshal Tomasz Grodzki to reschedule Tuesday's Senate session to an earlier date. The Senate could, after all, deliberate today or tomorrow, or even on Monday. Mr. Marshal, this is not a time for ordinary work from session to session; this is a time of epidemic, an exceptional time. And therefore, I ask you for an exceptional, swift date for the deliberations of the chamber you lead - Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on social media.

- PiS has proven that it is not interested in fighting the coronavirus, it is not interested in Polish employees, employers, or all companies that are struggling with enormous problems. At a time when these companies are fighting for survival, employees are wondering if they will receive their salaries. At a time when farmers are thinking about whether they will have a place to sell their products, PiS is engaged in political infighting. It is setting up presidential elections and is carrying out an attack on the National Labour Council. This is an expression of far-reaching irresponsibility. I cooperated at every meeting, I sought agreement. We strove, as the Polish Coalition, to work out the best possible solutions. I am surprised by our colleagues from Civic Platform, who yesterday wore Constitution t-shirts, shouted 'coup d'état' at night, and then voted hand-in-hand with PiS. Today, we do not have a titanium shield, we still have a paper shield, which does not meet the expectations of employees, employers, and farmers. It does not meet the expectations of Polish business, industry, it does not meet the expectations of all those who tremble for their future. Our amendments were not adopted, the issue related to the liquidity fund, which would enable the financial stabilization of companies, was not taken into account. Support for employees at the level of minimum wage was not provided. Again, there is a division of companies into better and worse, into those with up to 9 employees and larger ones. There is no equal support for them, nor a voluntary social security system. Solutions for farmers enabling them to receive sickness benefits from the first day of illness at the rate of PLN 50 per day were not introduced, and many other amendments were simply not adopted. We approached cooperation with the best will and with the greatest diligence. I personally attended every meeting with the Prime Minister and ministers, and it seemed that everything could truly be agreed upon. We could reach a far-reaching consensus, but unfortunately, it turned out that politics triumphed over common sense, prudence, cooperation, and solidarity – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference in front of the Sejm.

- This [anti-crisis] shield is a paper shield. It fails to meet expectations and won't protect Polish companies from bankruptcy, from layoffs, or Polish workers from unemployment. We warned against this. If our amendments had been adopted, the chance for a quick return to vitality for the Polish economy would have been much, much greater. We will prepare further projects, work, we are ready to work at all times, but the principle of mutual trust, of prudently caring for the common good, must come first. Unfortunately, this was lacking on the part of those in power - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference in front of the Sejm.

- I believe the Senate should convene as soon as possible because there is a need to rectify this law [the anti-crisis shield], and I am counting on amendments being proposed. We will work on such amendments in the Senate, seeking the broadest possible consensus – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference in front of the Sejm.

We could not support this bill because it does not meet our expectations. The expectations of employees and employers have not been met. There is no real help. Unfortunately, this shield is paper-thin, it's cardboard, not a titanium shield. It will not protect the Polish economy, jobs, or help companies. It divides companies into better and worse ones. It does not offer an equal chance for employee funding, it does not help farmers, it does not meet all the expectations that our compatriots have, not politicians. We also could not support it due to the submitted amendment, which was not announced in any way, an amendment concerning the Electoral Code, which cannot be changed six months before elections - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference in front of the Sejm, when asked about the amendment introducing a change to the Electoral Code. - This is not only inconsistent with principles and values, but it completely breaks any principle of trust and prudent care for the common good. There is no prudence in this amendment - he continued. - This bill has given very little to employees and employers, and to the Polish economy. But it has given a lot to the ruling camp. That is why we could not support it - emphasized the leader of the PSL.

- Unfortunately, I say this with regret. My colleagues from Civic Platform unfortunately voted hand in hand for these changes. No one forced them to do so. They could have participated in the session here in the Sejm if they wanted to stay, some of them did stay, but a large part were absent. But they all could have voted against these changes. Not even all of them voted against the amendment introducing the Electoral Code. I say this with regret, because it's a shame. I will repeat again: when yesterday you ran around with a t-shirt saying 'Constitution', at night you shout 'coup d'état', and then you vote hand in hand with PiS, then I don't understand it - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference in front of the Sejm.

- And what if PiS had written into this [anti-crisis shield] law that Jarosław Kaczyński becomes the King of Poland, would Civic Coalition also have voted for it? - WKK continued, asked about the argumentation of KO politicians that they voted against the amendment regarding the Electoral Code, but for the entire shield, because although imperfect, it is something that can somehow help.

“The Senate will address the anti-crisis package as swiftly as possible. Even in special circumstances – or perhaps especially in such circumstances – it is required that voters can familiarize themselves with what they will be voting on. To date, we have no trace of documents from the Sejm, and from the information reaching me, it appears that these several hundred pages of documents are not even ready to be transmitted to the Senate yet,” wrote Senate Marshal Tomasz Grodzki in a statement.

“Treating the Senate as a voting machine demonstrates a lack of respect not only for the rules of democracy and parliamentary principles, but also for our fellow citizens, whom these solutions are intended to affect. They are waiting for good law, not for law passed hastily,” he wrote in the statement.

“I remind you that the Senate’s anti-crisis package bill has been lying in the Sejm for two weeks – the Senate adopted it on March 13th and immediately sent it to the Sejm. This time has been wasted instead of helping entrepreneurs, parents, and healthcare, for whom we proposed concrete solutions,” Grodzki added.

"Yesterday, for the first time, we experienced remote voting in the Polish Sejm. We warned against this mode. We warned against a mode that completely eliminates discussion, that allows the ruling party to introduce last-minute amendments, that allows the legal procedure and law-making system to be unclear, non-transparent, and opaque. We managed to ensure that the Sejm session took place on Thursday because we knew that the remote voting mode would be used by PiS for nefarious purposes" - said PO Secretary General Marcin Kierwiński at a press conference.

"We submitted an amendment [to the Sejm's rules of procedure] stating that in this [remote] mode, no electoral provision, Polish constitution, or fundamental legal acts could be changed. This amendment failed. We were left alone on the battlefield. All other parliamentary clubs, except for one circle, supported this solution. This voting system is a great threat to Polish democracy" - he added.

"It was a classic trap set by Jarosław Kaczyński, one we must not fall into now either. This trap consists of Jarosław Kaczyński calculating that the opposition would vote against aid for Poles. Billions of zlotys, which are to go into the accounts of Polish entrepreneurs starting next week, are meant to be marked with the stigma of a 'no' vote by the Polish opposition. Everyone has seen through Jarosław Kaczyński's game. We must not fall into this trap" - said Cezary Tomczyk of Civic Coalition at a press conference.

“Jarosław Kaczyński knows perfectly well that we will reject the amendment to the Electoral Code in the Senate. But he watches the conferences of opposition leaders, who try to blame each other, like a rodeo. Today, Jarosław Kaczyński is playing the Polish opposition” - said Cezary Tomczyk of the Civic Coalition at a press conference.

„We want to say very clearly today. Anyone who decides to organize presidential elections in May will have blood on their hands. It is as clear as day that in the Senate we will reject the amendment to the Electoral Code. We will never agree to it. We also did not agree to it yesterday in the Sejm, but aid to people, to employees, to entrepreneurs must be delivered immediately” - said Cezary Tomczyk from Civic Coalition at a press conference.

- Today, millions of Poles have only one date on their minds. Monday. Because on Monday, they will find out when they go to work if they still have their jobs. Entrepreneurs, to whom the state has not provided timely assistance, will be able to continue to maintain their jobs. Then there's another date - April 1st, when it will become clear if they will receive their salaries. April 10th - another date for receiving salaries and paying social security contributions. These are further dates concerning subsequent duties, installments, loans, installments for concessions, leasing. This is what Poles are concerned about today. What is our government concerned about, what is PiS concerned about? Well, it's about introducing unconstitutional, illegal amendments concerning electoral law, changes in electoral law, under the guise of an anti-crisis package in the middle of the night, which have only one goal. To extend Andrzej Duda's term. There is no other goal in this. If there were, elections for people over 60 via postal voting, the expansion of this postal voting package would have happened much earlier, but it is happening today, after the polls PiS conducted, but also after what was recently seen in the Sejm, namely the complete incompetence of the opposition, which is currently preoccupied with whether Kosiniak will manage to overtake Platforma and unseat Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, in the complete helplessness of Platforma, which I don't know if it has already adapted to reality or is still lost. In Włodzimierz Czarzasty's fight with Robert Biedroń for leadership on the left, in the unclear declarations of Konfederacja, and PiS does what it wants. PiS is privatizing the Republic of Poland, turning it into a private state for its electorate. How much longer will we, the citizens of the Republic of Poland, watch this? Doesn't it seem to you simply not only illegal, but morally disgusting? - stated Szymon Hołownia at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

Today I have a question for President Duda: has he really dug in his heels and so desperately wants to be a president from quarantine, elected in quarantine elections? Does he really want to be remembered by history as a coward who was afraid to stand for normal, honest elections, in which all candidates could compete fairly, on equal terms? Does he want to be remembered as the one who came to power over corpses? Because we know perfectly well what participation in not only postal voting entails, PiS has forgotten to change that yet, but still a few nights ahead, with participation in electoral commissions – whom will you force into these commissions? How, by blackmailing, by making people want to risk their lives, so that you can rule Poland for another 5 or 6 years or 3 years. This is a question for you, Mr. President, whether you have within you not so much a sense of entitlement, but a sense of honor, to stand up today and honestly say: these elections will not be in accordance with the Constitution, they will not be equal, they will not be free – stated Szymon Hołownia at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- I have a question for Minister Szumowski. What more must happen for you to stop the madness of your PiS colleagues? You are a doctor, you bear a much greater responsibility than that band of people who have never honestly earned a living, but have only fed on the money from the state salaries of MPs or senators. Do you truly not feel this responsibility for the life and health of Poles? For those you will soon send to the polling stations? What more must happen? What more do you need to see? This is a time when we should absolutely forget about all party rivalries, about all your party interests, which are related to whether someone will become president now or become prime minister in 2023. All of this is uninteresting to Poles today. Look at what people are doing today. What are they living for. They are sewing masks for hospitals, cooking dinners, supporting entrepreneurs, to whom the state has now offered 2 thousand [zloty], once for this entire system of rescuing the economy, and it's unknown what will happen next. It has graciously offered a microcredit of 5 thousand. What can be done in a company employing 9 people for 5 thousand, which will have to be returned later anyway? These are the questions Poles are living with today. The solidarity that they have awakened within themselves - stated Szymon Hołownia at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- This is the moment to reunite Poland, for all of us to come to our senses, for you to come to your reason. I was never in politics, I always observed it from the outside. Now that I'm entering it, I tell you: come to your senses. For God's sake, come to your senses. Look at what's happening. People are getting sick, dying. Soon we'll be sending them to the slaughter because you must rule, because PiS must rule, and you can't reconcile, unite? - stated Szymon Hołownia at a briefing before the Sejm.

- Today I appeal to all opposition candidates. Let's unite, let's unite on the side that is not Andrzej Duda. I will stand with you. An apolitical, independent candidate. Let's appeal for the introduction of a state of natural disaster, an extraordinary state in Poland, because it has long been in place in Poland - stated Szymon Hołownia at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- Let's say it clearly: now is not the time for us to ponder what kind of deceit to perpetrate overnight, what next law to push through. It's time to act in solidarity. To clean up the country together after this disaster, and then we will start worrying about elections, about the position of political parties, and about who should lead them. This is what society is telling you today. This is the social emotion you should listen to today - he continued.

- I've had enough of this opposition's impotence, which is only concerned with itself. Let's finally get to work, for God's sake. People won't forgive us for this soon. Each of us who today has the responsibility and the courage to stand before you and speak to you directly, straight in the eye. They won't forgive us for this. How will we look our children in the face? President Duda, Minister Szumowski, opposition leaders - stated Szymon Hołownia at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

“We all feel very strong emotions today after the country we woke up to following the night’s votes. Disappointment is not enough to describe the situation the Polish government has put Poles in. We all hoped this government would rise above party and political divisions, that the slogan the government promoted for weeks, when everyone expected real action, that the slogan ‘all hands on deck’ would finally be realized. We had such hope that the government would rise to the occasion,” stated Robert Biedroń, a candidate for the presidency from The Left and a Member of the European Parliament, at a press conference.

„There is no longer any doubt that Kaczyński is determined to hold the elections on May 10th. They will take place on May 10th. Kaczyński will organize these elections, but we, Polish women and men, will pay the price with our health and safety. When Kaczyński speaks of urns, I fear he is not referring to ballot boxes. He's talking about other urns. This is a symbol of Kaczyński's rule. To power over corpses” – stated Robert Biedroń, candidate of Lewica for president and Member of the European Parliament, during a press conference.

„As Lewica, we want to appeal to all opposition forces. I've listened to all the press conferences, and it's bad that the opposition is now beating itself up to Kaczyński's glee. Kaczyński is applauding these squabbles within the opposition today. The more divided the opposition, the stronger Kaczyński becomes. This cannot continue. I invite Madam Marshal Kidawa-Błońska and Mr. Chairman Kosiniak-Kamysz, as representatives of parliamentary forces, to meet this evening as three opposition forces in parliament and discuss the future, specific proposals related to the anti-crisis shield, and real solutions” - said Lewica's presidential candidate and MEP Robert Biedroń at a press conference. 

- I wanted to say that in the Senate, we are determined to enact good law as quickly as possible, which will help Polish employees, employers, mothers on benefits, local government officials, and, at the end, perhaps most importantly, healthcare. I would like to state that we do not yet have the documents from the Sejm. They will likely, I hope, reach us earliest this evening. We need to analyze them and pass them on for committee work, even if it's maximally shortened. However, one must realize that this document is divided into several parts and it is enormous. We understand that everyone is waiting for good solutions for Poles, but the essence of the matter is to ensure these solutions are the best possible. Therefore, I have decided that we will expedite work in the Senate to the maximum extent possible. Specifically, if we receive the documents this evening, committee meetings will be held on Monday morning, and the plenary Senate session will take place in the afternoon - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

I want to state unequivocally that senators negatively assess the inclusion of electoral issues in the anti-crisis package. Because I will remind you that at this moment, a certain urgency weighs upon us, but let us realize that the Senate's anti-crisis package was adopted on March 13 and was immediately sent to the Sejm, where it languished. We lost almost two weeks. This should be remembered. We would be in a completely different place. Poles are interested in this package coming into effect quickly, even if it is imperfect. But it is important for employees, employers, healthcare, local government officials, teachers, mothers caring for children, and this is obvious and understandable. And I wanted to strongly declare that the Senate will take appropriate action as soon as possible, on Monday. However, one must also realize, and I say this more as a doctor than as a Speaker, that people are currently expecting help in fighting the epidemic, while they fear the elections. They do not want these elections. They want them postponed, they want to focus on fighting the epidemic, not on elections. Elections without a campaign, which have been suspended. Elections that even the ruling party's coalition partners want to postpone, even for a year. At this moment, all forces, all resources that the state possesses should be directed towards fighting the coronavirus pandemic, which is circulating around the world. There is no other option. I say this as a doctor, because we do not know in which direction this epidemic will go, and I also appeal to Minister Szumowski to convince the government members that holding elections during an epidemic, which everyone in the world is postponing, the Olympic Games are postponed, elections in other countries, conducting the first round of elections in France resulted in the infection of electoral commissions. Gathering 300,000 people for electoral commissions in Poland, as mayors, town heads, and city presidents are signaling, will be practically impossible. Therefore, let's focus on fighting the coronavirus pandemic, on alleviating the burdens of Poles in all areas. Local government, healthcare, economy, and social affairs. This is a task that no one can shirk, and this is a task that we can do as quickly as possible, despite the delays that occurred not through the fault of the Senate, and I do not want to analyze whose fault it was, but it should be remembered – stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing before the Sejm.

"The Senate will convene with the highest possible sanitary and epidemiological safety standards in three separate rooms, while maintaining appropriate distancing. Whether subsequent sessions will be held remotely or not, I cannot decide at this moment" – stated Senate Marshal Tomasz Grodzki at a press conference.

- I appeal to Prime Minister Morawiecki to stop hesitating and to stop gambling with electoral interests over the health of citizens, and to declare a state of natural disaster, because the regulations concerning this state of natural disaster clearly state that they apply to situations where an infectious disease is raging among people. There are many other premises such as border closures, movement restrictions, but it is explicitly written there: an infectious disease devastating the Polish population is an indication to declare a state of natural disaster - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing before the Sejm.

- I invite Prime Minister Morawiecki, even before Monday's session, to try to improve this anti-crisis shield on a working basis. We are available. We were available on March 13th, we sent a very good project. We all have to work together, but there must be symmetry. It is not the case that the rulers say: accept everything we bring you without reflection, and the opposition's amendments no, no, we will deliberately not consider them. This cannot be. The situation is too serious, and we must all join forces in the fight against the virus for the good of Polish women and men, and this is the message and this is the communiqué. We are ready for talks, to improve this anti-crisis shield on a working basis - the Marshal of the Senate continued to say.

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I had a good conversation with Senator Grodzki. I appealed for the swift processing in the Senate of the so-called anti-crisis shield. We both agreed that the bill should reach my desk for signature before April 1st. This is important. Every day counts.

„It's not such a serious decision. Besides, please don't preemptively decide, and I appeal to you on this matter. It's not the case that adopting changes to the Electoral Code automatically means the elections will be held on May 10th. Please trust in our common sense. Today, in accordance with constitutional provisions, expiring terms, and effectively scheduled elections, the binding deadline is May 10th, and we have an obligation to do everything to ensure these elections take place undisturbed and that no one's electoral rights are limited” - said Kamil Bortniczuk from Porozumienie in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on „Wybory w TOK-u” on TOK FM.

The Polish Ministry of Health has reported 45 new cases of coronavirus infection. Tragically, another person has died in a hospital in Lublin, bringing the total number of fatalities to [number, if provided in original text].

The Ministry of Health regularly updates the public on the epidemiological situation through its official channels. The latest data indicates a continued spread of the virus, emphasizing the importance of adherence to preventative measures.

The individuals confirmed with new infections are undergoing appropriate medical care. The Ministry of Health urges citizens to follow guidelines issued by health authorities to help curb the transmission of COVID-19.

[Note: The original text provided only links to Twitter. The translation assumes the Twitter links would contain specific numerical data and updates related to the reported cases and deaths. For a complete translation, the content of those links would be necessary. The bracketed text above indicates where specific numbers would typically be inserted if available.]

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- I can't understand why an article amending the electoral code is being introduced in the Sejm at night. I can't deal with this. I want to tell the Chairman about this - stated Jacek Sutryk during a live broadcast on Facebook. - The true intention emerged last night: to stay in power. I hope this will only lead to the ballot boxes, and not any other kind - he added.

The Mayor of Wrocław recalled that during the epidemic, it will be very difficult to form electoral commissions. In Wrocław alone, 3,000 people are needed to work in them, and so far, there are practically no volunteers. - Should I twist people's arms, break their backs, to get them to come to the commissions? - Sutryk asked.

- This is a joke, I won't stand for it, and neither should you. The opposition is so pathetic in all of this, it's utter madness. We live in a strange country - he emphasized.

- I have such hope and such faith because it is extremely important [that the Senate protects Poles from elections during the pandemic]. Now, all the nation's forces, financial and organizational – and it must be said that the nation is passing a great exam, as we saw just now on the broadcast; the government is doing worse – but all forces should be thrown into the fight against the epidemic and into securing the health of Poles, their economic and social status, and protecting our economy. This is not the time to think about elections; therefore, in the Senate, we will do everything to ensure the anti-crisis shield is passed as quickly as possible, even if imperfect. However, there is no agreement among senators on discussing electoral law – stated Tomasz Grodzki in a conversation with Justyna Pochanke on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I say this not as the Marshal, but as a doctor: holding elections in the throes of an epidemic, when the whole world is postponing elections, the Olympic Games are being moved, when the French experiment, where the first round of elections ended with an increase in infections among election workers, when medical communities and authorities unequivocally state: let's fight this epidemic with all our might, and once we secure the health, economic, and social interests of Poles, we'll consider elections - stated Tomasz Grodzki in a conversation with Justyna Pochanke on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I spoke with President Duda. I invite Prime Minister Morawiecki to a conversation. However, we want to find a legal, lawful way to reject the points concerning the electoral law and this irrational push for elections on May 10th, while quickly passing the entire shield so that Poles can benefit from it. Especially in the context of what Minister Emilewicz announced, that there will be further modifications, further improvements so that this shield becomes better and better, so that it transforms from a shield made of plywood into a shield made of steel, which will protect us from the fire of this epidemic - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Justyna Pochanke on "Fakty po faktach" TVN24.

I spoke with President Duda and promised him that the Senate would do everything to ensure the health, economic, social, and local government elements of the shield reach his desk in March. However, I clearly told him that we firmly believe we should not, at the present moment, be dealing with any aspects of the election campaign or the elections themselves, because there are numerous medical, organizational, and health-related reasons to postpone these elections. It was a good conversation, and the President accepted my arguments for consideration, because, among other things, his circle, Prime Minister Gowin, also advocates that we consider postponing these elections. I will limit myself to stating: it was a good conversation – stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Justyna Pochanke on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- From a health perspective, from an epidemiological perspective, the elections should not take place on May 10th, and many medical authorities are saying this, an increasing number every day. This wave is growing because the safety of Poles is paramount – stated Tomasz Grodzki in a conversation with Justyna Pochanke on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

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“We introduced safety measures very early, if we look at Europe. In our country, the first measures began 6 days after the first reported case. After just 8 days, children stopped attending school. Compared to other countries, like Spain, where precautionary measures were taken after 44 days, or Italy, where such measures were implemented after 30 days, our fairly radical precautionary measures, especially the closure of schools, which were initially assessed as radical, were implemented very early. Looking at the growth of infections in our country, these radical measures have worked. Perhaps thanks to this, the epidemic here will be significantly smaller than in other European countries, I hope” - said President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on “Gość Wiadomości” on TVP Info. 

-- 300POLITYKA LIVEBLOG: EVEN AN IMPERFECT SHIELD WILL BE PASSED, THERE IS NO AGREEMENT ON CHANGES TO THE ELECTORAL CODE - GRODZKI SUTRYK ON THE DUMB OPPOSITION KIDAWA INVITES DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES TO A MEETING https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/03/28/ ***** POLSAT NEWS -- THE SEJM (PARLIAMENT) PASSED THE SO-CALLED ANTICRISIS SHIELD PACKAGE OF LAWS, INTENDED TO SUPPORT COMPANIES AND EMPLOYEES DURING THE EPIDEMIC, BUT THE BIGGEST EMOTIONS WERE CAUSED BY THE PIS AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL CODE. -- THIS VOTE AT 4:20 AM INTRODUCING CHANGES TO THE ELECTORAL CODE CAUSED A REAL POLITICAL STORM - Grzegorz Kępka. -- THE AMENDMENT, WHICH IS MEANT TO FACILITATE THE MAY ELECTIONS, WAS UNEXPECTEDLY ADDED BY PIS MPS - Kępka continues. -- THE MAIN RESERVATIONS CONCERN THE MANNER OF INTRODUCING THE CHANGE, AS AN AMENDMENT DURING THE WORKS ON THE LAW AND 42 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS - Kępka. -- THE CIVIC COALITION, HOWEVER, SUPPORTED THE ANTICRISIS SHIELD PROJECT, TO WHICH THESE CONTROVERSIAL CHANGES TO THE ELECTORAL CODE WERE APPENDED - Kępka continues. -- APART FROM THE PEASANTS' PARTY, THE LEFT ALSO VOTED AGAINST THE SHIELD, BUT CRITICISM IN THE CHAMBER CONCERNED THE AID PACKAGE FOR THE ECONOMY - Kępka. -- THE SENATE IS TO MEET ON MONDAY, NOT TUESDAY AS PLANNED - Kępka continues. ***** TVN FAKTY -- THE AID PACKAGE FOR POLES TURNED INTO AN AID PACKAGE FOR PIS - in the preview. -- REGARDLESS OF LIFE, HEALTH, AND THE CONSTITUTION, PIS AMENDED THE ELECTORAL CODE SO THAT DESPITE THE RAGING PANDEMIC, ELECTIONS COULD TAKE PLACE AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED, GAMBLING WITH HUMAN FATE - Pochanke. -- IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, NON-CRISIS, BUT ELECTORAL PROVISIONS SUDDENLY APPEAR - Maciej Knapik. -- IF SOMEONE DOESN'T LIKE IT, THEY SHOULD KEEP QUIET - Knapik. -- WITHOUT PROCEDURE AND WITHOUT DISCUSSION - Knapik. -- WHY IS PIS PUSHING FOR ELECTIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EPIDEMIC? DUDAS'S OPPONENT CANDIDATES ASK AND DO NOT AGREE TO THIS - Knapik. -- THE OPPOSITION SHOULD SUPPORT US SO THAT THE LARGEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF VOTERS CAN PARTICIPATE - Jan Kanthak. -- THE SENATE DOES NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - Knapik on Grodzki's briefing. -- TWO YEARS AGO, PIS WAS COMPLETELY AGAINST CORRESPONDENCE VOTING - Knapik. -- SOMEONE WHO IS IN QUARANTINE WILL HAVE TO, AGAINST QUARANTINE RULES, HAVE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE FROM THE OUTSIDE - A MEMBER OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION - Marzanna Zielińska. -- WILL THIS BE SIMPLE, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO LOOK FOR ACCOUNTANTS? - in the preview. -- THE QUESTION IS WHETHER TAX COLLECTION SHOULD ALSO BE HALTED - Witold Orłowski. -- COMPANIES ARE ALREADY LAYING OFF STAFF - Tacik. -- THE PACKAGE MAY SLOW DOWN LAYOFFS IF IT IS IMPLEMENTED QUICKLY - Tacik. -- THE CASE OF KASIA KOWALSKA'S DAUGHTER. ***** TVP WIADOMOŚCI -- MOBILIZATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE EPIDEMIC - banner. -- BUT THE PACE IS SLOWER THAN IN WESTERN EUROPE - in the preview. -- WE ARE POSTPONING WHAT IS NOT DIRECTLY NECESSARY - GIS (Chief Sanitary Inspectorate) on seasonal vaccinations... -- THERE IS A GREEN LIGHT FOR THE SHIELD, THE GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENT DUDA WORKED ON THE PACKAGE IN RECENT WEEKS - in the preview. -- IN THE REPORT: PRESIDENT AT THE MEETING OF THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL. -- THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE CAN AFFORD SUCH ACTIONS BECAUSE THE TAX SYSTEM HAS BEEN LEAK-PROOFED - Dominik Cierpioł. -- QUICKLY, EFFICIENTLY, AND SOLIDARILY, THAT'S THE THEORY, THE OPPOSITION SUBMITTED 260 AMENDMENTS, THE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNMENT CALL FOR QUICK PASSAGE, BUT THE SENATE WILL ONLY MEET ON MONDAY AFTERNOON - in the preview. -- AS A RESULT OF THE SUBMITTED AMENDMENTS, THE DEBATES LASTED UNTIL MORNING - Karol Jałtuszewski. -- THE SEJM INTRODUCED CORRESPONDENCE VOTING - Jałtuszewski. -- AN ADDITIONAL OPTION, NO ONE'S RIGHT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY - Marcin Horała. -- THE OPPOSITION CLAIMS THESE ARE ILLEGAL CHANGES - Jałtuszewski. -- THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL RULING CONCERNS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE ELECTORAL CODE - Jałtuszewski. -- THIS IS A TECHNICAL CHANGE - Horała. -- IN 2009, VOTING WAS EXTENDED TO 2 DAYS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS - Jałtuszewski. -- THE OPPOSITION ANNOUNCES THE BLOCKING OF CHANGES IN THE SENATE - Jałtuszewski. -- THE PRESIDENT SPOKE WITH THE MARSHAL OF THE SENATE - Jałtuszewski. -- EVERY HOUR IS PRICELESS, SAY FARMERS AND ENTREPRENEURS TOO - Jałtuszewski. -- GRODZKI CONVENED A SESSION FOR MONDAY AND ADVOCATES FOR A MULTI-DAY DEBATE - Jałtuszewski. -- THE OPPOSITION IS HELPLESS IN THE FACE OF THE CRISIS - banner. -- THE OPPOSITION DOES NOT LIKE SOLUTIONS ON A SCALE UNPRECEDENTED SO FAR - in the preview. -- A WAVE OF CRITICISM FROM THE OPPOSITION, ESPECIALLY FROM CIVIC PLATFORM - Marcin Szypszak. -- CIVIC PLATFORM PUSHED FOR PROJECTS HARMFUL TO THE ECONOMY AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REALIZE BY THE BUDGET - Szypszak. -- THEY DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER HOW THEY MANAGED CRISES DURING THEIR GOVERNMENT - Szypszak. -- CIVIC PLATFORM PROPOSED SHIPYARD WORKERS RETRAINING, FOR EXAMPLE, INTO DOG GROOMERS - Szypszak. -- IN THE REPORT ABOUT CRISES DURING THE CIVIC PLATFORM GOVERNMENT: SHIPYARDS, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. -- PRIME MINISTER TUSK HELPLESSLY THREW UP HIS HANDS - Szypszak. -- THE PURCHASE PRICE DURING THE RUSSIAN EMBARGO DID NOT EVEN COVER THE COSTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION - Szypszak. -- FARMERS ARE SUCKERS, I RESPECT BUSINESSMEN, NOT SUCKERS - archival statement by Marek Sawicki. -- WATER HAS THIS QUALITY - Komorowski. -- REPORT ON FAKE NEWS INSPIRED BY RUSSIA. -- THE PRESIDENT IS URGING PEOPLE TO STAY HOME, SHE READ STORIES BY ZAPOLSKA - in one of the reports.

„Today, despite the beautiful weather, I hope that most of my compatriots have indeed stayed at home. I know it's terrible and exhausting, but we are fighting, and I am immensely grateful for this nationwide mobilization. We need it. I believe that thanks to this, we will soon see that the peak has passed and that the number of infections in Poland is decreasing. I hope that thanks to discipline and responsibility, we will avoid a long epidemic and be able to return to normal life. I would very much like us to be able to return to normal life as soon as possible. I hope this will be possible after the holidays, although in the end, nobody knows for sure. The Minister of Health doesn't know, the best specialists don't know what will happen” – said President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on TVP Info’s “Gość Wiadomości”. 

"I hope that this slow pace of increase in the number of infections will continue and that it will decrease, and that there will be fewer and fewer cases, because percentagewise, it is decreasing. This is an important element. The percentage of sick individuals is decreasing almost from day to day. This is very good, because it was said that a widespread epidemic means a daily increase of 40%. Poland is far, far, far from that" - said President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on "Gość Wiadomości" on TVP Info. 

„[The Senate session] should proceed faster and more efficiently. I would very much like for everything to happen as quickly and efficiently as possible, because these are matters of Poles' security, life and health, i.e., epidemic security. That is the first matter, but immediately alongside it, the second matter is the issue of economic security, the Polish economy, jobs, the security of entrepreneurs, and the functioning of the economy” – said President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on „Gość Wiadomości” on TVP Info. 

„I spoke with Marshal Grodzki today, I appealed for the Senate to commence its work as soon as possible. I am pleased that the Marshal agrees with me on at least one point, that this package of bills should go for presidential signature before April 1st. I would very much like for this to happen” – he added. 

„Elections are a very important element. Elections ensure the continuity of state power, they are very significant. The Constitution defines the presidential term. It clearly and plainly states that the term is five years. The elections have been scheduled. None of us know what will happen on May 10th, which is in a month and a half. No one can determine that. I hope that after the holidays the situation here will calm down and we will be able to return to normal life. I hope conditions for elections will exist, but if it turns out that the epidemic is raging and we have to maintain discipline and restrictions as they are now all the time, then I think this election date may prove untenable. I am counting on these elections being conducted calmly. I think it is important for the situation to be stable regarding the functioning of the state, the issue of power and the system” - said President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on „Gość Wiadomości” on TVP Info.

„Every such change that enables a person who, without an additional form of voting, would be unable to participate in the elections at all, clearly contributes to the realization of the principle of universal suffrage. I generally believe that a broader catalogue of voting options exists in many countries and improves turnout and voting opportunities. Any actions that lead to an increase in turnout are good actions” – said President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".