At 9:00 AM, the Senate's Committee on National Economy and Innovation will review two acts from the so-called Anti-Crisis Shield. At 10:00 AM, the Senate's Committee on Health will consider one act, and at 10:30 AM, the Senate's Committee on Budget and Public Finance will review two acts. The Senate will consider all three government proposals at a plenary session at 3:00 PM.

- Regardless of the Senate's decision, whether it's a scenario where an amendment removes changes to the Electoral Code, or if it's a new bill, the Sejm will have to convene anyway. I hope, I appealed to the Marshal for this, that the Senate is convening, and for that we are grateful, it is convening earlier than the Marshal initially announced, so as to finish its work on the bill today. Then, I believe, the Sejm will convene, and here the responsibility of the Marshal and the Presidium of the Sejm will be high enough that the Sejm will simply convene tomorrow - said Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on the "Political Salon" program on Polish Radio Trójka.

- My perspective is indeed specific, because I may have a bit more knowledge and a bit more common sense. It would be very good to hold the elections on May 10th, and therefore I also understand my colleagues who tried to enable these elections for all those who might still be suspected of infection or in quarantine, or more exposed, in that age group, because 65 is already lowering that more exposed group. However, nature rules here. I have no doubt, unfortunately, that the arguments are about something that won't happen at all. There are no possibilities, precisely for natural reasons - stated Wojciech Maksymowicz in an interview with Monika Olejnik on "Jeden na jeden" TVN24.

- It cannot be denied that Prime Minister Gowin's suggestions are probably correct and worthy of attention. I'm thinking about the elections in a year - the Deputy Minister of Science emphasized.

„The election on May 10th cannot take place. It is not only contrary to basic ethical principles, but also to common sense. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska is speaking clearly. Together, we should put pressure on this government so that it bends under the pressure of citizens. This is an appeal to the other candidates, who very often say that these elections cannot take place, but when it comes to concrete actions, they are not unambiguous. I am convinced that each of the candidates is a responsible person for whom the health and life of voters is the most important thing. Today, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska calls for joint action, joint pressure, and civil disobedience” - said PO leader Borys Budka in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on TOK FM Radio's Morning Program.

„It seems no one besides President Duda is running an election campaign right now. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska only emphasized this. I'm surprised by some reactions. I am convinced that only joint action by candidates can lead to citizens, voters, also engaging in this form of pressure” – said PO (Civic Platform) leader Borys Budka in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on Radio TOK FM's Poranek.

- We agree, I think everyone agrees on this, that the anti-crisis shield should be adopted as quickly as possible and should start working as quickly as possible. So that it can help both entrepreneurs and employees. Proposing new legislation now, a completely new project, is irresponsible, because what can be done today is to enact the bill that has passed through the Sejm as quickly as possible, so that the President can sign it and so that this act can come into force from tomorrow, and then we can discuss potential changes - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska in "Sygnały dnia" on Polish Radio's Jedynka.

„Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska is ready and is in discussions with the other candidates. I am convinced that such a joint stance from all candidates is needed. This is not a matter of politics. This is a matter of something most important – people's health and lives” – said Civic Platform leader Borys Budka in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on TOK FM Radio's Morning Show.

- We have nothing to discuss. Unfortunately, we have entirely different concerns than preparing for elections anytime in the near future. My analyses and knowledge from publications, discussions with experts, and even research from many academics, including those at Oxford, indicate that autumn is still an absolutely dangerous time due to the possibility of a resurgence, even if we manage to overcome this epidemic by summer – stated Wojciech Maksymowicz in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- Regarding remote voting, I am surprised to this extent, as we should all care about having a mechanism that facilitates voting. We have a peculiar situation today. Perhaps there will be a need to use such a mechanism, and I see no grounds that would cause increased criticism of this solution - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Polish Radio One.

"There is no such option [to change the presidential candidate], and we are not discussing it at all. I spoke with Grzegorz Schetyna after his interview [on RMF FM], and that was absolutely not his intention. He declared that everything would be open again regarding election deadlines, if there were a state of natural disaster, and then a normal procedure would begin. We are not talking about changing the candidate, we are not talking about elections at all. Today, we say that it should be beyond any discussion that these elections should not happen" - said PO chairman Borys Budka in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on Radio TOK FM's Poranek.

We can discuss changes, we can discuss improving this draft, this law, but today our determination should be to adopt this law so that it takes effect as of tomorrow. This law is needed by employees. The economic situation is worsening, it can be said without exaggeration, by the hour. We can then discuss various details – Michał Dworczyk said in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Jedynka radio.

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- We will certainly need to enforce the decisions that have already been made more strictly. Prime Minister Sasin has already mentioned that police patrols will be reinforced, and in some cases, soldiers will join them, in order to enforce these regulations for the safety of us all. The second direction is to continue analyzing and, if necessary, make a decision within the next few dozen hours to introduce additional restrictions - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Radio Jedynka.

"For me, Prime Minister Morawiecki's omissions and the failure to introduce a state of natural disaster constitute a constitutional offense, and sooner or later this should be accounted for. Of course [the Prime Minister should stand before the State Tribunal]. They already have a whole group of people there who will answer before the State Tribunal, but I don't want to talk today about what will be a matter of political reckoning. I am not involved in politics today" – said PO Chairman Borys Budka in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on TOK FM Radio's "Poranek".

„It would harm the United Right camp if the public widely believed that the issue of presidential elections is more important than the health of citizens, and that political interest in this matter triumphs over common sense and issues related to the health security of Poles. This would be very dangerous for the United Right camp, and therefore I hope appropriate analyses are underway and decisions will be made quickly” – said PiS Senator Jan Maria Jackowski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. 

„Nobody will force elections, and I share the view of the majority of public opinion in Poland, which considers it would be strange, given that on the one hand we have restrictions regarding the possibility of gatherings, the functioning of schools, universities, and workplaces, and on the other hand, elections are organized under some heightened sanitary regime. That would be a strange affair” - said PiS senator Jan Maria Jackowski in a conversation with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. 

“It should definitely [the Senate rules regarding remote voting should change] change due to the safety not only of senators but also of Senate Chancellery employees, who must participate in this session and organize its proceedings. Therefore, it would be advisable to make such a change. I signaled this at the beginning of March, during a meeting of the Legislative Committee, of which I am a member. Everyone nodded, but no further work occurred at that time” – stated PiS senator Jan Maria Jackowski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. 

- Today, first and foremost, we are talking about the fact that the most important thing is the safety, health, and lives of our compatriots, and this is the benchmark that will determine whether the elections on May 10 can be held or not. However, as I said, there are still 1.5 months left, and the decision regarding whether the elections should be held or not should probably be made after Easter, because then we will have more information about how the coronavirus is spreading in Poland, whether this spread is dynamic or whether, thanks to our actions, we will manage to stop this disease quite quickly - stated Błażej Spychalski in an interview with Marek Pyza on "Political Quarter Hour" on TVP1.

- As of today, the elections planned for May 10 must take place because the Constitution says so. It is not the case that elections can be freely postponed, because that would indicate that we are dealing not with a democratic system, but with some kind of oligarchic system. In accordance with the Polish Constitution, the elections were called by the Marshal of the Sejm, and the date of May 10 was set for holding the elections, so this follows directly and explicitly from the Constitution. I also remind you that there is no such thing as postponing the date of presidential elections. Presidential elections, if there is an order from the Marshal of the Sejm, and there is, must take place within the constitutionally prescribed timeframe - the President's spokesperson continued.

- Today, we have such a situation: all state bodies are functioning. Of course, under very specific, difficult conditions, but they are functioning nonetheless. So, today we do not have grounds that would justify introducing a state of emergency in Poland, in accordance with the Constitution - he emphasized.

- I would say this: many opposition candidates, who were perhaps subtly suggesting that it's a good idea to suspend Marshal Kidawa-Błońska's election campaign, then applauded and were probably very pleased with such a decision, and very quickly distanced themselves from it, these other candidates from the opposition side. It seems they simply took advantage of the situation, and indeed, Marshal Kidawa-Błońska's decision is a good one for other opposition candidates. Certainly, it's the decision they were expecting – stated Błażej Spychalski in a conversation with Marek Pyza on TVP1's "Kwadrans polityczny".

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- I have not withdrawn from running in the election. I am saying what we are seeing. Let's not create fiction. The May 10th election cannot take place. For several reasons. Primarily because at this moment we should be focusing on improving the law to help Poles, all Poles, who are waiting for it. Poles who are losing their jobs, those who run businesses, need it. Doctors and nurses need this support. And this should be our main goal. The election cannot be conducted because we are in a state of epidemic, unannounced, but after all, we cannot leave our homes, go for walks, children are not going to school. Is there an extraordinary state? Yes - stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

Yes. There is no doubt here [that if the presidential elections are held 90 days later, I will still be a candidate]. I have the full support of the party and the support of those people who, in large numbers, cast their votes so that I could register my committee. These are thousands of Poles, and I cannot let them down - Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska stated in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- It would be very good [if the acts from the so-called anti-crisis shield reached the president's desk still in March]. I hope the Senate will behave responsibly, and above all, in line with the expectations of thousands, if not millions, of Poles, and that it will be processed very quickly. However, seeing what is happening on the opposition, this hysteria and, on the other hand, the inclination towards bickering instead of substantive discussion, as well as the media shows by the Marshal of the Senate, I fear that it might take some time. Of course, we are prepared for this. If there are any changes, amendments, or if something is struck from our acts, then Parliament is prepared to convene on Tuesday or Wednesday and immediately re-process it once the Senate finishes - stated Ryszard Terlecki in an interview with Radio Kraków.

- Of course, these are good solutions. They are solutions for those who will still have difficulties in May or will be afraid to go to the polling station. We don't know what the situation will be. We are counting on the elections to take place only if the scale of the pandemic decreases. However, even if it decreases significantly and the number of infections drops considerably, there will be people who, either by being in the highest risk group or being in quarantine, will not be able to fulfill their civic duties. The aim is to enable them to do so. This is a technical change. Of course, those who are now trying to deceive public opinion by claiming that we broke the law because we changed the election rules are wrong. Nothing of the sort. These are technical changes related to extraordinary circumstances and are, of course, entirely legitimate. Neither the decisions or rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal nor Polish law preclude such a possibility. It seems that technical changes can be made up to 5 days before the elections – stated Ryszard Terlecki in an interview with Radio Kraków.

- No, no. Of course, I agree [with what President Duda said about the elections] and I repeat it every time. Elections will be possible when optimistic forecasts prove true and the epidemic begins to subside, and not when the scale of infections continues to grow. Then, of course, appropriate decisions will have to be made, but these are not decisions for today. I consider declarations calling for a boycott of the elections, which Platforma seems to be announcing, to be idiocy, as well as a completely undemocratic action. It's a part of Platforma, I think, because I hear Ms. Kidawa-Błońska is calling for not going to the polls, and her press spokesman, Mr. Szłapka, says Ms. Kidawa is not withdrawing from the elections and will run. A candidate who is running and simultaneously calls for a boycott of the elections is a political aberration. It's clear how Platforma is getting entangled in its own squabbles that it provokes - stated Ryszard Terlecki in an interview with Radio Kraków.

- I assume not, because that would be completely unserious. But of course, there are such examples in European countries where elections were held without the opposition, and nothing happened. We would prefer, I personally would prefer, that such foolish decisions not be made. But we will see what happens. Unfortunately, the results of the polls weigh on the opposition's decisions. These polls indicate that opposition representatives, candidates, do not have a great chance, practically no chance. Hence this hysteria to cancel the elections at all costs, even at the price of introducing a state of emergency, which would significantly limit civil rights and also complicate public life - stated Ryszard Terlecki in an interview with Radio Kraków.

- We must also remember the Platforma's game here, which has realized that Ms. Kidawa-Błońska is a hopelessly weak candidate and is considering changing the candidate if the elections are postponed to autumn, or perhaps even longer. Various ideas are being heard. The PSL says that Platforma would gladly shift votes to Mr. Kosiniak-Kamysz then. This seems very unlikely to me, but they will certainly put forward someone else. There are many willing candidates in Platforma, although their chances are rather similar to Ms. Kidawa-Błońska's. It is also being said that Tusk could appear as a candidate in the autumn. Everything is possible, of course, if the elections do not take place now - stated Ryszard Terlecki in an interview with Radio Kraków.

- Local governments are also part of state authority. It is not the case that a local government can operate outside the law in force in Poland. It is obvious that there are appropriate regulations that allow for proceedings against individuals who wish to place themselves above the law or outside the law, including the possibility of appointing commissioners. So, let those local officials who are now boldly announcing that they will break the law and prevent elections be prepared to lose their positions. For example, [because commissioners will be appointed] - stated Ryszard Terlecki in an interview with Radio Kraków.

The Senate will ensure that no one loses their job, no one suffers economic losses, and everyone has the right to testing, so that the economic, health, and social security of Poles is preserved. This is the most crucial time. The entire organizational, financial, intellectual, and legislative potential of the state should be focused on overcoming the coronavirus. And therefore, in the Senate, we want to transform the imperfect anti-crisis shield into a better, solid, real dam that will stop the spread of the pandemic and the negative phenomena accompanying it, such as economic collapse, the threat of job loss, and the threat of a decline in families' financial status. We cannot allow this. From a medical standpoint, every Pole has the right to check if they are an asymptomatic carrier, which is most important in breaking the epidemiological chain. We must absolutely ensure that every member of the medical staff, broadly understood, including pharmacists, has the certainty that by risking and working on the front lines, coming into contact with the sick, they can be tested weekly to see if they are infected. So that we do not face a tragedy where over 30% of medical personnel have to be taken out of service. We must look after these millions of hard-working cashiers, shop assistants, and petrol station employees. All those who, due to their work, come into contact with large numbers of people. They also have the right to testing. We must provide this for them. This is key to breaking epidemiological chains - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

This is not a time for thinking about elections. The entire strength of our nation, our state, must be directed towards fighting the coronavirus. In the Sejm, they tried to introduce strange amendments at night, completely unrelated to fighting the coronavirus. In the Senate, we must fix this. Therefore, we will replace the leaky shield with a solid anti-crisis dam, which will be cleansed of everything that does not concern the fight against the coronavirus – stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- I appeal to Marshal Witek to convene a session of the Sejm immediately, because the Sejm has wasted two weeks without debating the first anti-crisis package, which we sent from the Senate as a legislative initiative. I appeal to the Sejm, to seriously consider our amendments that will come from the Senate, because they will allow us to transform the imperfect shield into a better, more solid dam, which will put an end to and halt the spread of the crisis - stated Tomasz Grodzki during a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- We will propose changes to this anti-crisis package, a leaky package, which we want to turn into a dam, precisely so that the state finances 75% of employee salaries, in order to maintain jobs and salary levels, and entrepreneurs will pay only 25%, employers. Additionally, we will introduce an amendment under which entrepreneurs will have up to PLN 50,000 of fixed monthly costs reimbursed, such as rent, leasing, and energy fees, so that these companies can sustain themselves and not be auctioned off. We will also remember local governments, acknowledging that they will also suffer losses because revenue from PIT and CIT will not be as it was in previous years. Therefore, we propose an amendment that will reimburse 50% of lost tax revenues from the state budget in relation to the previous year - stated Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- We will eliminate provisions such as the vetting of RDS members and the possibility of their removal for any reason, under any pretext. These amendments are key, and we believe that without them, these laws are simply, this economic law in particular, is flawed and does not fulfill its purpose, which is to save Polish employers and Polish employees - she continued.

- The fundamental sin of this, as Marshal Grodzki aptly put it, 'leaky shield' presented by the government, is the lack of any common philosophy in the fight against the problem that is coronavirus. And what we are trying to do in the Senate, through the joint substantive efforts of senators, is an attempt to impose a certain philosophy for combating the effects of the coronavirus, and this philosophy of ours, which we are presenting in the Senate, is primarily directed towards immediate assistance today, here and now, for entrepreneurs. That is why all these amendments, which Marshal [Morawska-Stanecka] spoke about, everything we are doing in the Senate, is aimed at ensuring people feel real state assistance here and now. Because, in our opinion, this type of philosophy, that assistance should be directed primarily to those who need it here and now, was missing - stated Michał Kamiński at a briefing before the Sejm.

We hope that the Sejm and the parliamentary majority in this Sejm, which signifies the ruling majority, will understand that fighting the virus and its consequences is a common task for the entire Polish political class, and that pursuing any political interests on this occasion is simply and above all profoundly immoral. Therefore, in the Senate today, we will certainly, and first and foremost, reject what is most outrageous in this anti-crisis shield, namely the attempt to grossly alter the Polish system under the guise of fighting the coronavirus – stated Michał Kamiński at a briefing before the Sejm.

“You don’t leave the battlefield during a war, and we are essentially in two wars. The first is the war against coronavirus. In this war, we need unity, solidarity, and all people of good will. The second war is a war against Kaczyński and his crazy ideas for Poland. In both of these wars, we cannot leave people alone, we cannot leave our voters feeling isolated. We cannot show any weakness. In both of these wars, we must be strong, we must be in the fray, because that is what Poles expect from us,” said the Left candidate for President and MEP Robert Biedroń at a press conference. “I have the strength and power to face these two important challenges. Firstly, to be with Poles in these difficult times, when we must fight the coronavirus, and secondly – to stand by our voters,” he added. 

„[We must] stand with Poles and not give up. Show our strength. Look Kaczyński straight in the eye every day and say that organizing the May 10th election is the greatest villainy one can perpetrate against Poles, the greatest villainy one can do to one's homeland. We must have the strength to look Kaczyński straight in the eye and tell him about this villainy he committed under the cover of night” – said the Left candidate for president and Member of the European Parliament, Robert Biedroń, at a press conference.

- We all remember the words of John Paul II that human life is priceless. And it is with this most precious thing, the life, health, and dignity of people, that we want to deal. Therefore, in the course of its work and many hours of analysis of all projects that have been sent to us, the Senate will want to remove from these projects all matters unrelated to preventing, counteracting, and combating the coronavirus pandemic. We want to focus on what is most important. Today, the most important provisions concern the safety of healthcare workers, and through them, our safety as patients, provisions related to the future functioning of companies and thus the possibility for employees to receive wages, as well as provisions related to matters we want to remove, which do not concern these issues. It is not the place to include provisions related to electoral matters in a project connected with fighting the pandemic. This is not the place and not the time. Therefore, we believe these provisions must be removed. Provisions related to the devastation of the social dialogue system must be removed. The Tripartite Labour Council (RDS) is a place for dialogue, as the name suggests, between the government, employers, and employees. And no one has the right to remove anyone from this body by their own decision, because it is a place where, in the course of discussion, the most important decisions for the state and citizens are to be made. And we should not include changes to the Code of Petty Offences, criminal procedure, or the competencies of court presidents in these projects. There will be time for all of that, but today Poles expect us to deal with one thing. Their health security, the future functioning of Polish companies, the possibility of paying their wages, and this is what we promise you: that the senators will focus exclusively on this in their work, and we will want to pass on such a project to the Sejm that will only concern these issues - stated Krzysztof Kwiatkowski at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- These are five points that should be on the agenda of every politician responsible for the state of the economy, and for the state itself. We are not talking about money, about spreadsheets, about budget positions. We are talking about the self-preservation instinct of this state - said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference. - First, a fair wage for everyone during the crisis. So, we are not scheming or wondering what criteria to introduce and whether the state will cover 40% or maybe a little more, but we are clearly saying: for six months, because this package should be in effect for this period, the state will subsidize the full amount of the minimum wage for every employer who hires people and is not generating income - he said. - The second point is 2080 PLN for the unemployed. This anti-crisis shield does not show concern for those who are currently employed, not on commission contracts, not self-employed, but work full-time and will lose their jobs in the coming days. We propose to increase unemployment benefits from 823 PLN to 2080 PLN for six months - he added. - Third, half a year without taxes. This is something that should have been obvious from the very beginning. We are not canceling ZUS for three months, but we are canceling or deferring all public dues for six months - he stated. - Fourth, easy credit. Access to quick money that entrepreneurs need today to avoid laying off employees from April 1st, to be able to pay fixed costs, to be able to pay installments. They don't need promises now, they need cash. BGK should guarantee these loans, thus taking on the risk of their repayment - he continued. - Finally, the fifth, also extremely important point. Emergency support. Intensive financial therapy for local governments. These are the units managing our lives today, carrying enormous responsibility and an immense burden. They are on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus. Local governments maintain schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and many other public services that are essential to us. The state should increase the general subsidy for local governments - Hołownia assessed. - Discussing these five points is not a matter of wishful thinking or a thought that can be put aside with fairy tales, to be promised like everyone else promises. This is a very concrete program for the next six months, which Poland faces and which will be the most difficult in its entire modern history - stated the presidential candidate.

Today, Poland must incur debt; there is no other way. We couldn't afford to save sensibly in the fat years, so unfortunately, we have to borrow in the lean years. All countries are doing this now. This program [Hołownia's economic program] must be financed by corona-bonds that everyone will be issuing. This program must be financed by savings. If you look at the growth of the budget of central institutions over the last few years, they reach a billion zlotys all together. Is it really necessary for us to pay 100 million more than in 2015 for the Prime Minister's Chancellery? These are things that need to be cut immediately. Collectively. Central institutions, the IPN, which has been extremely well-funded in recent years. These two billion for public media. All that state-owned companies transfer to the PFR. There are many holes from which water is leaking from the bucket. In this situation, they must finally be plugged – said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.

- This is a time for resuscitation, for intensive care. This is a time for emergency action, and I hope that today, here in this building in the Senate, but also in the Sejm and in all the Warsaw palaces, there will be enough responsible people to meet this challenge. If they are not found, then I have the impression that we, the citizens, will remind them of it and hold them accountable with full determination precisely for how they managed Poland in bad times, not just in good times. In good times, anyone can be loud-mouthed, but when bad and crisis times come, that's when you see a person's class, responsibility, and caliber - said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.

“We were working on a bill to counteract the economic effects of the coronavirus spread. An amendment regarding electoral law appeared, it was a parliamentary initiative. I would not want to comment on the doubts as to whether this is the right time and place for its introduction. I will allow myself a comment that goes beyond this amendment. Considering the state of the epidemic's development and the subsequent measures undertaken by the government based on the recommendations of the Minister of Health and the Chief Sanitary Inspector, as well as the data that are emerging and are also variable. The situation on Friday and the situation on Monday differ. There is new, changing data. The weekend was supposed to look a bit different. Ultimately, the effect of the weekend is different. It was a warm Saturday. There are more infections than we expected. The additional measures that will be applied and the additional data being presented support the belief that conducting elections, and I say this without referring to the amendment, within the timeframe set by the constitution is currently very difficult to imagine” - said Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz during the work of the Senate committee.

- President Jarosław Kaczyński has no idea what crisis we are facing. If I now hear from his circle that he doesn't want to concede on the election issue, because it's a matter of respect for the law, because it might be a violation of the constitution, and he is such a holy defender of that constitution, it makes me burst out laughing. People who have broken the law, the constitution, who have disregarded all social agreements in this country, are now suddenly adorning themselves in the attire of holy virgins and will tell us how they will defend the constitution. Focus on preventing Poland from collapsing right now – said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.

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- I certainly wouldn't have made such a decision [regarding Kidawa-Błońska's decision to suspend the campaign]. I have decided to suspend electoral agitation, meaning the printing of posters, hanging banners, buying ad spots, or their production, but I have not withdrawn from the campaign. Ms. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska has decided to suspend her campaign; that is her decision – said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.

The Ministry of Health has reported 79 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 1984.

This information was shared via the official Twitter account of the Ministry of Health, @MZ_GOV_PL.

For further details, please refer to the following tweets:

• https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1244607171213565953
• https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1244607174761996288

– [Local government officials] drew attention to certain regulations and the standardization of regulations that should function throughout the country in connection with the coronavirus epidemic. These postulates have been taken for analysis and certainly some of them will be used in the next set of regulations, which the Prime Minister will announce tomorrow. A set of regulations concerning further restrictions related to the development and fight against coronavirus – said Michał Dworczyk after the Prime Minister's video conference with local government officials.

- I wanted to inform you that the [Senate] deliberations will begin an hour later, for purely procedural reasons. This is because the senators have worked very diligently, both in the committees, and the Senate's resources, its administrative forces, need a little time to prepare the committee reports. And a report is a necessary condition to be able to commence proceedings on the three bills that are currently in the Senate - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing before the Sejm.

A topic of elections has emerged. This is, of course, no surprise to anyone. We have a clear position here. Despite this pandemic that we must face, it is our common duty to ensure that the state functions wherever possible. Just as we are striving and preparing to conduct the 8th-grade exams or the matura exams, so too are we preparing for the presidential elections. Of course, the situation today is very dynamic and can change in various ways in the coming weeks - said Michał Dworczyk during a press conference following the Prime Minister's video conference with local government officials. The Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister was also asked about the positions of Deputy Minister Maksymowicz and Minister Emilewicz on this matter. - I can say only one thing. Neither the Deputy Minister [Maksymowicz] nor the Minister [Emilewicz] represent the government's position on this matter. I am also not familiar with these statements, so I would not want to comment on them further. At the moment, we are doing everything to ensure the state functions as normally as possible - Dworczyk replied.

- Should the need arise, in a special situation, if the moment requires it, the Senate will be organizationally, logistically, and technically ready to conduct deliberations remotely, should the need arise. However, it must be unequivocally emphasized that the primary mode of deliberation was, is, and will remain plenary meetings - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing in front of the Sejm.

- We will strive to replace this leaky shield, this unequal shield, with a true anti-crisis dam. We will submit amendments aimed at the equal treatment of employees. It cannot be like now, where larger employers will not be able to count on real help, unlike micro-entrepreneurs. We will submit an amendment that ensures a minimum benefit for all employees who cannot provide work due to the economic crisis, regardless of whether they work in a sole proprietorship or a large establishment. It is important that no one is left without state aid. We will also submit an amendment guaranteeing so-called credit and leasing holidays, to provide even a momentary relief to those who are currently struggling with the crisis. We will also submit an exemption from both advance payments of PIT and CIT taxes, as well as social insurance contributions, regardless of the employer's size and type of employment. And finally, what is very important and what we emphasize, we will demand the creation of appropriate security measures in a fund that will be a rescue fund for all entrepreneurs - stated Borys Budka during a briefing in front of the Sejm.

“Thanks to the actions we have implemented, thanks to the behavior of Poles, thanks to quarantine, thanks to the closure of various institutions and shops, we have a chance to limit the sudden influx of patients into infectious disease hospitals in such a way that we can treat them. You see images from Spain, Italy. There, there are dramatic decisions, dramatic appeals to stay at home, because the number of sick people ending up in hospitals exceeds the capacity of the healthcare system, the strength of the medical staff. We are still at the beginning of this path, but to a large extent, how this path will look also depends on us – whether there will be hundreds of newly infected people daily, or ultimately thousands of infected people and hundreds of deaths” – said the Minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski, at a press conference.

- There are many ideas on how to prevent the crisis. There are also many ideas on how the Senate should work. But the most important thing today is for the proposed changes to come into effect this month. Therefore, the Senate will introduce amendments directly to the bill, without indulging in convoluted legal constructions that are indeed interesting, but there is no time for them. It is important that the Marshal of the Sejm convenes a session of the Sejm today, so that we can address the Senate's amendments as quickly as possible, and I believe that finally, from the ruling camp, there will be reflection and these amendments guaranteeing equality for employees and employers, and real state aid for all those who find themselves in crisis, will be accepted by the high chamber - stated Borys Budka at a briefing before the Sejm.

"We have decided to distribute personal protective equipment not only to infectious and single-purpose hospitals, but also to other hospitals, primary care facilities, pharmacies, emergency medical services, and agencies that protect our security – the police, and the border guard," said Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski at a press conference.

"The growth in the coming weeks will be exponential. It will be a very sharp increase, and we expect very sharp increases in infected individuals. This is linked to the capabilities of confirming infections, and to the fact that we have changed the definition of a high-risk person. Currently, such a person is any patient with respiratory failure who is in the ICU" – said the Minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski, at a press conference.

The entire potential of the state should now be directed towards fighting the epidemic. As for the elections, I don't know if they should be in autumn, I don't know if it's 90 days after the state of emergency is declared, although if I remember correctly, it's at least 90 days, meaning the period can be extended. However, from a medical perspective, the world of medicine has no doubt that holding presidential elections on May 10th is impossible – stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing before the Sejm.

"The crisis, which has such a peculiar characteristic, because it has already torn apart and unfortunately, with each passing day, like cancer, it increasingly erodes economic structures and rips apart supply chains, production chains, technological lines, destroying what entrepreneurs have laboriously built, connecting between individual actors of the global economic scene for years" - said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the Senate.

“That is why it is so important that the Senate's decision is made in the most constructive and swiftest manner possible, considering the reality that surrounds us. I can compare this reality to an illness that we don't yet know we are experiencing, but it is already affecting us very deeply. Every day, entrepreneurs are making decisions about whether to lay off employees. Every day – I dare to risk this hypothesis – at least 10,000 people could lose their jobs because the anti-crisis shield is or is not passed” – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the Senate.

- We submitted our ideas in the Sejm, we submitted our anti-crisis bill proposals. There was a lack of solidarity from the ruling party. They didn't want cooperation, they didn't want genuine collaboration. Today, if all MPs and Senators truly cared about the good of the Polish economy, and if they empathized with it being their own company, their own workplace. If it were about their jobs, they would throw this leaky anti-crisis shield in the bin. The Senate should adopt a new anti-crisis bill within an hour, one that includes voluntary ZUS contributions, exemption from PIT and CIT taxes, and a halt to contribution collection, not just for micro-entrepreneurs - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a press conference.

- All these amendments that Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz mentioned, his team in the Senate, Kosiniak's people in the Senate, will submit them. Senators from the Polish Coalition, the PSL, will submit these amendments, and I am convinced they will pass in the Senate - added Michał Kamiński.

“The next few weeks, a couple of months, I hope by summer, this crisis in many places around the world will continue to intensify. This is highly probable. It is always better for governments, for our government, to proceed with more pessimistic assumptions in their planned scenarios, and that is what we are doing” – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the Senate.

We are naturally taking into account the epidemiological situation and the state of public health in the country as our primary consideration today, but we must realize that if the blow to the Polish economy continues, if it becomes even deeper and stronger, if the blow to public finances persists, it will simultaneously mean a huge deficit in healthcare as well, and then it will translate even more negatively onto the entire healthcare system and the Polish state's ability to combat the repercussions of coronavirus, be it now, in the summer, or in the autumn. I hope a vaccine will be invented by winter, as most of my interlocutors – epidemiologists, virologists, and specialists in this industry, from this field – tell me – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the Senate.

- Every day, talking with entrepreneurs, trade unions, employers, today I spoke with local government officials, provincial governors, and city mayors, every day we try to adapt and implement new solutions, and such solutions we also intend to implement tomorrow, additional restrictions, sanitary, epidemiological rigors - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the Senate.

Wicemarszałek Sejmu Piotr Zgorzelski (PSL-Koalicja Polska) podczas briefingu prasowego po obradach Sejmu, komentując poprawki do ustawy o dodatku solidarnościowym, powiedział:
– Myślę, że będziemy mieli do czynienia z sytuacją, w której po raz kolejny Prawo i Sprawiedliwość próbuje poprawić swoją fatalną ustawę. Po co poprawiać fatalną ustawę, jak można przyjąć dobrą? – pytał retorycznie.

Dodał, że jego klub nie będzie brał udziału w poprawkach do ustawy, która jego zdaniem jest zła, ale „z aprobatą” zagłosuje za ustawą „dobrą”.

Podkreślił, że Prawo i Sprawiedliwość nie ma większości w parlamencie, a dlatego „musi szukać poparcia” np. wśród posłów PSL-Koalicja Polska.

Wicemarszałek Sejmu nawiązał też do tego, że jego ugrupowanie polityczne chce wprowadzić do prawa rozwiązania w zakresie ubezpieczeń społecznych. „Mamy propozycję, którą chcemy przedstawić i chcemy złożyć jako projekt ustawy, która rozwiązuje problemy osób pracujących, które mają problemy z dostępem do świadczeń z ubezpieczeń społecznych” – zaznaczył.

Zgorzelski dodał, że jego ugrupowanie polityczne ma również inne propozycje, w tym dotyczące ubezpieczeń, które mogłyby rozwiązać problemy pracujących, którzy mają trudności z dostępem do świadczeń z ubezpieczeń społecznych.

Przypomnijmy, że rząd Prawa i Sprawiedliwości wprowadził w połowie marca br. nową regulację, która ma ograniczyć wypłatę zasiłków i świadczeń, co budzi kontrowersje. Zgodnie z ustawą, niektóre świadczenia, np. zasiłki chorobowe, przestaną być wypłacane, jeśli były pobierane dłużej niż 182 dni w roku. Z tego powodu, zdaniem krytyków, ustawa ta ma ograniczyć wypłatę świadczeń przez sam fakt, że będą one wypłacane krócej, co według nich jest niezgodne z prawem.

„There are controversial provisions in this act that make one wonder if now is really the right time to introduce certain solutions, such as transferring PLN 500 million to the Medical Research Agency without a tender, at a time when we know that hospitals are struggling with a shortage of equipment and personal protective equipment” – said Beata Małecka-Libera from Civic Coalition in the Senate.

„Senators had many questions and many doubts, because the message from the government, the ministry, the minister, conveyed to us through the media – as there is no other way – stands in contrast to the information we receive daily via emails and phone calls from hospital directors and doctors who provide medical services directly. We asked questions about the Ministry of Health's cooperation and the implementation of WHO guidelines” - said Beata Małecka-Libera from Civic Coalition in the Senate.

- We need to ask ourselves if we know the truth about the scale of this virus today? Unfortunately, we do not know this truth, and for now, the government is not doing much to ensure the full truth about the coronavirus reaches the Polish public, because the core of the problem is the scale of testing. As long as we don't really know how many Poles are actually sick with coronavirus, we are not entirely able to develop a good map for fighting and limiting this pandemic - stated Michał Kamiński in the Senate.

I would like to say that I have the impression that, quite rightly, the Prime Minister in this chamber said that no one could have been prepared for the coronavirus pandemic. One must agree with that, but it is worth asking the question: was the Polish state, governed by PiS for five years, prepared for a crisis? And to this question, we must answer ourselves very brutally: no, the state, after five years of PiS rule and over two years of Mateusz Morawiecki's government, was not prepared for a crisis - stated Michał Kamiński in the Senate.

Of course, this crisis is related to the coronavirus; it is a kind of accident. The government certainly had no influence over this, but today, if the Prime Minister, surprisingly rightly, pragmatically, speaks to us about budget limitations and budgetary responsibility, it is worth asking the question: Mr. Prime Minister, but where were you for the last 5 years? After all, today, if there is a lack of money, you rightly say that there is no money for all that we should give to Poles, for Poles who need this money, starting with healthcare, to people who fear losing their jobs tomorrow and not getting paid, there is a lack of this money for them, because this money is not in the budget, because it was spent by this team - he continued.

- This project [the anti-crisis shield] will be amended by us and sent to the Sejm. I fear that the parliamentary majority, as almost always until now, will mostly reject amendments adopted by this Senate. That is why I must say that I regret the fact that the opposition majority did not adopt our proposed tactic to present solutions beneficial for Poles as Senate legislative initiatives. I believe that then the chance that the current ruling camp would place politics above the interests of Poles would be much more difficult in the Sejm than it will be now, but we will see - stated Michał Kamiński in the Senate.

“At this moment, it appears that Poland is prepared for the coronavirus epidemic. Everything is in our hands. If we stay at home, we will break the epidemiological chains, and the Italian scenario will certainly not be repeated,” said Waldemar Kraska of PiS in the Senate.

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“Of course, mistakes happen, but I also consider it a kind of pettiness to bring up editorial units in the law for the tenth time here. And what if some provisions have editorial changes? These are truly third- or fourth-rate matters at this moment, and we shouldn't focus on them or dwell on the legislation of this law. We are currently dealing with an efficient, responsible state. I think that for many years Poles had a huge problem with a state that lacked social sensitivity and good communication with society. I would like to remind those from Civic Platform of the situation during the 2009 crisis, what were the communiques from ministers and prime ministers then, what public funds were allocated to help entrepreneurs. Of course, that crisis was different, but I am convinced that if Donald Tusk were at the head of the Polish government today, and Ms. Ewa Kopacz were the Minister of Health, we would have a much more difficult situation and a much worse response, so I would expect more humility from you” - Marek Pęk from PiS said in the Senate. 

- If conditions allow us to go to the store normally, they also allow us to go to the polling station. This is, of course, with appropriate precautions. Are there no conditions for conducting a campaign? Of course, you cannot organize public gatherings or assemble at the moment, but there are various other forms of conducting a campaign. When I look at the internet, I see that various presidential candidates are campaigning very intensely. Certainly, today there are different ways to conduct a campaign, and with absolute certainty, a wide range of campaign activities is currently available safely - said President Andrzej Duda during an online Q&A.

- The law was created from the very beginning to protect the Polish economic market to the greatest extent possible, but primarily to protect entrepreneurs, and therefore jobs, and therefore employees. To save us in this difficult situation. But because this matter is extremely complex, and the situation is dynamic, we can say that we assume from the outset that amendments will be needed, changes will be needed, that it may turn out that certain instruments may not function as they should. Then one needs to be flexible - said President Andrzej Duda during an online Q&A.

- Yesterday, Minister Łukasz Szumowski spoke with me. He called me saying it would be very justified for me to contact the President of South Korea and discuss the sale of tests with him. They have very modern tests there regarding the presence of coronavirus in the body. Tests that are fast and which have proven to be excellent there. The Minister asked me to speak with the President of Korea regarding Poland's purchase of these tests, and I am indeed arranging this conversation today. I hope it will take place in the coming days - said President Andrzej Duda during an online Q&A.

- In my opinion, there is no need at this moment to declare a state of natural disaster or a state of emergency. Of course, in each case, it is a decision of the Council of Ministers, because the state of natural disaster is declared by the Council of Ministers in general, and regarding the state of emergency, it is a proposal from the Council of Ministers directed to me – said President Andrzej Duda in an online Q&A.

- Mr. President, perhaps fines for breaking quarantine should go towards additional remuneration for those on the front lines, nurses, doctors, and paramedics - internautka Agnieszka asked Andrzej Duda during the presidential Q&A.

- Ms. Agnieszka, this isn't a question, it's a proposal. Okay. I accept this proposal. I will share it with the Prime Minister when we speak soon - said President Andrzej Duda.

- I believe this: currently, the Sejm is looking at this in light of the current situation. I said this, and I repeat it once more. If it turns out that the conditions for holding the presidential elections are not met, then I believe they should be postponed. However, one must observe how the situation unfolds - stated President Andrzej Duda during an online Q&A.

- I am against organizing such joint outings for walks or, as we have seen, joint bike trips. These May long weekends are disastrous now because contact is simply unlimited and naturally poses a huge threat. But above all, I want to say that I believe we should trust and build the accessibility of testing. Those who are in quarantine or are suspected of being carriers of the virus, those returning from abroad, or those with symptoms of illness, must be tested. If I hear that the number of tests performed has been decreasing over the last 3 days, it worries me. We need full information, a message that doesn't just create fear and intimidation, but builds the conviction that the government, the authorities, that the Ministry of Interior are in control of the situation. I think this is very important today. Poles can be disciplined. They just need to believe and know, be certain that the effective fight against the epidemic is being well coordinated. These are the keys. We need to know who is at risk of illness and who is ill - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on "Gość Wydarzeń" Polsat News.

- This is her decision [Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska], her decision to suspend the campaign. I will remind you that Szymon Hołownia made a similar decision earlier, but also that she very firmly stated, and I respect her greatly for it, that these elections [on May 10th] simply make no sense. They should not take place. Yes, and this should be [the decision], all candidates should make it. The first who should implement it is President Duda. He should be the author; it's my appeal to him to simply cease the campaign and call on all of us today to effectively fight the epidemic, the pandemic, and not to conduct an election campaign. These elections simply will not take place, and today all those who understand politics and what a threat the work of over 28,000 polling stations can be, and the possibility of the virus spreading will be so immense, the threat will be so immense, like in Italy or Spain. We cannot allow this. Today, all forces must be focused on fighting the virus, not on politics – stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".

- I wish, I pray, that we don't see growth like in Italy or Spain. We already have over two hundred people [infected] in recent days showing growth, therefore, looking at all epidemic models, we can expect an increase of over two hundred [cases], then over three hundred, then four hundred, and five hundred per day. This is how the epidemic spreads, where one person can infect hundreds of others - said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

We must introduce a state of natural disaster and postpone the presidential election. Anyone who doesn't understand this is practicing the worst kind of politics possible – politics on corpses. Because I want to say this very clearly. The number of deaths will increase, and those who say the campaign is in the best possible state, that nothing is happening, are simply lying – stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of the Events).

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Next week, I hope new tests will become available. This is also part of a dramatic race, a true technological sprint. Currently, we have available PCR genetic tests and immunoenzymatic tests, which some countries have withdrawn from use due to applications not entirely in line with their intended purpose. They are good tests. We will soon have almost 200,000 of them. 50,000 are in Poland, and another 150,000 are arriving shortly. They just need to be used appropriately, meaning we know if a patient has recovered from the illness and has immunity. However, we are all eagerly awaiting the so-called protein tests - said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach."

“I am counting on the anti-crisis shield to be actions beyond political considerations, and that on April 1st, the significant proposal presented by the government, adopted by the Senate, will come into effect. The President is ready to sign the bill. I call on the opposition for the Senate to proceed swiftly with this legislation” – stated Minister Marlena Maląg in an interview with Edyta Lewandowska on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości". 

- There will be amendments [in the Senate] that will improve this [anti-crisis] shield. I believe the PiS majority and the government will positively accept them at tomorrow's Sejm session, which starts at 1:00 PM - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".

- The disease is so rapid that in a moment these 10,000 beds could be saturated. Consequently, another 1000 ventilators have already been purchased and are being delivered to Poland - said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- This is a question the editor asked at the very beginning. When will the peak come and how long will it last. This really depends on one factor. On whether we, today, tomorrow, for the next two weeks, truly implement a regime, not like last weekend, where it was sunny, pleasant, and everyone went out onto the streets, but a regime that is truly monastic, or some other comparison comes to mind, to stay at home, not meet anyone. Literally no one. This is how the virus spreads. When we go to the store, for God's sake, we can go once every three days, not every day for fresh rolls - said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach". 

„The budget for 2020, which has been passed by the Sejm and signed by the President, is a balanced budget that allows us, on the one hand, to implement solutions like the anti-crisis shield, but also enables us to continue supporting families, families with young children, and our seniors. Both the 500+ program, Good Start, and the thirteenth pension are unthreatened programs” – stated Minister Marlena Maląg in an interview with Edyta Lewandowska on "Gość Wiadomości" on TVP Info. 

The Sejm (the lower house of the Polish parliament) will convene tomorrow at 1:00 PM. The second day of the session is scheduled for Friday.

Now is a situation where we don't yet know what will happen in May - said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach". - But potential committee members should stay at home, not go to training and not prepare anything. Yes or no? - the journalist pressed. - Of course. It's difficult for me to comment on this. I don't even know the process of training committee members. Mr. Editor, as I said. My opinion is simple and has been repeated for two weeks. Roughly after two weeks of April, I will be able to tell you what I think, what my opinion is on conducting the elections - Szumowski replied.

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: SZUMOWSKI ON THE MONASTIC REGIME TOMORROW AND FRIDAY THE SEJM (PARLIAMENT) PAD: IF YOU CAN GO TO THE STORE, YOU CAN GO TO THE ELECTIONS SCHETYNA ON KIDAWA'S DECISION https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/03/30/ ***** WYDARZENIA POLSATU -- HEATED SENATE DELIBERATIONS, THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT IS CURRENTLY ADDRESSING THE GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-CRISIS SHIELD. -- JOURNALISTS COULD ONLY REPORT ON THE DELIBERATIONS FROM A DISTANCE - Grzegorz Kępka. -- FOR THE RULING OPPOSITION, THE SENATE ISN'T ENOUGH [GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS] - Kępka continues. -- THE OPPOSITION WANTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO ABOLISH ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR PIT (PERSONAL INCOME TAX) AND CIT (CORPORATE INCOME TAX) ALLOWANCES, REDUCE RENTS IN SHOPPING MALLS FOR ALL COMPANIES, AND REIMBURSE ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENERGY AND RENT COSTS UP TO PLN 50 THOUSAND - Kępka. -- THE GOVERNMENT APPEALS FOR THE QUICK ADOPTION OF THE SHIELD; HUNDREDS OF AMENDMENTS WILL SLOW DOWN THIS WORK - Kępka continues. -- THE OPPOSITION WILL STRIKE OUT CONTROVERSIAL PROVISIONS ALLOWING CORRESPONDENT VOTING FOR PERSONS OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE AND THE PRIME MINISTER'S RIGHT TO DISMISS MEMBERS OF THE RDS (SOCIAL DIALOGUE COUNCIL) - Kępka. -- THE DISPUTE OVER POSTPONING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IS NOT SUBSIDING; A PART OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IS PROTESTING AGAINST THEIR ORGANIZATION - Kępka continues. -- THE PRIME MINISTER SPOKE TODAY DURING A TELECONFERENCE WITH VOIVODES, MARSHALS OF VOIVODESHIPS, AND PRESIDENTS OF LARGE CITIES; THE CONVERSATION CONCERNED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ELECTIONS - Kępka. -- A PART OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ANNOUNCES THEY WILL NOT ORGANIZE THE ELECTIONS IN MAY - Kępka continues. -- GOVERNMENT MEMBERS ALSO HAVE DOUBTS, INCLUDING THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF SCIENCE - Kępka. -- THE INTRODUCTION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY MEANS POSTPONING THE ELECTIONS - Kępka continues. -- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH HAS NO DOUBT THAT WE ARE FACING AN ACCELERATION OF THE EPIDEMIC. -- THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW RESTRICTIONS; THE PRIME MINISTER WILL ANNOUNCE THEM TOMORROW. ***** FAKTY TVN -- THE OPPOSITION DECLARES AN ANTI-CRISIS DAM -- in the preview: They want to introduce amendments beneficial to companies and employees, and remove changes to the election code introduced overnight without consultation. -- SITTING NEXT TO THE PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER JADWIGA EMILEWICZ, IN A CONVERSATION WITH FAKTY, IS THE FIRST TO STOP CHARMING REALITY - Krzysztof Skórzyński. -- IF THIS ECONOMIC FREEZE DOES NOT LAST MORE THAN ONE TO TWO MONTHS, WE CAN STILL SAY THAT WE WILL MAINTAIN POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH; IF IT LASTS LONGER, WE ARE ENTERING A RECESSIONARY PHASE - Jadwiga Emilewicz. -- NO ONE IS HIDING ANYMORE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO ESCAPE THE CRISIS ALTOGETHER - Krzysztof Skórzyński. -- A GLOBAL CRISIS IS BEGINNING, WHICH WILL RESHAPE THE ECONOMY, INCLUDING THE POLISH ONE - PMM (Prime Minister Morawiecki) in the Senate. -- THE SENATE IS NOT TRYING TO TURN THE LAW UPSIDE DOWN BUT WANTS TO ADD LIVE CASH - Skórzyński. -- Skórzyński lists the opposition's proposals, including the removal of "a provision introduced through the back door, which has nothing to do with the economic situation." -- THE SEJM'S AMENDED PROVISIONS MAY BUT DO NOT HAVE TO BE REJECTED - Skórzyński. -- SKÓRZYŃSKI ON DWORCZYK'S STATEMENT: FROM THIS STATEMENT IT FOLLOWS THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO ADD CASH. AT LEAST FOR NOW. -- SKÓRZYŃSKI ON MORAWIECKI'S AND TUSK'S OPINIONS ON ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES: PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE. -- THE FIRST SUCH DECISIVE VOICE FROM THE GOVERNMENT: IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE ON MAY 10 – THIS IS THE FIRST SUCH DECISIVE VOICE FROM THE RULING CAMP. FORMER MINISTER OF HEALTH, AND NOW DEPUTY MINISTER OF SCIENCE, WOJCIECH MAKSYMOWICZ. OFFICIALLY, THE RULING CAMP IS NOT CHANGING ITS OPINION, AND THE MINISTER OF HEALTH IS TELLING US TO WAIT FOR HIS RECOMMENDATION. -- THIS MINISTER SAYS: THE ELECTIONS ARE TO TAKE PLACE - Sobieniowski on Dworczyk's statement. -- THE DEPUTY MINISTER AND DOCTOR SAYS: THERE WILL BE NO ELECTIONS - Sobieniowski on Maksymowicz. -- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH COULD END SPECULATION WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, BUT HE DOES NOT - Sobieniowski on Szumowski. -- IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE, AS THE MINISTER OF HEALTH CONVINCES - Sobieniowski. -- WE ALREADY NEED TO LOOK FOR BRAVE PEOPLE FOR THE COMMISSIONS, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DON'T WANT TO DO IT - Sobieniowski. -- A POLITICIAN CLOSE TO THE PIS CHAIRMAN THREATENS LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS - Sobieniowski on Terlecki's statement for Radio Kraków. -- EVEN DISCUSSING THE ELECTIONS WEAKENS SOCIAL DISCIPLINE - Tusk. -- THE THREAT IS THE QUESTION ITSELF: IF I CAN GO TO COMMISSION TRAINING, WHY CAN'T I GO TO FRIENDS' OR TAKE MY CHILD TO THE PLAYGROUND - Sobieniowski. -- IN ONE SENTENCE, HOŁOWNIA CRITICIZED BOTH THE AUTHORITIES AND KIDAWA - Sobieniowski. -- KIDAWA INITIALLY AGREED TO EXPLAIN HER POSITION TO FAKTY, BUT LATER RESIGNED FROM THE CONVERSATION, WHICH WAS CLEARLY ABOUT A CONVERSATION THAT DID NOT CONSTITUTE AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL THREAT - Sobieniowski. -- THE WILL TO POSTPONE DECISIONS - Bosak on PiS. -- WATCH KACZYŃSKI'S HANDS - Biedroń. -- THERE IS NOTHING TO SUSPEND BECAUSE THIS CAMPAIGN SIMPLY DOES NOT EXIST - WKK. -- THE PRIME MINISTER HEARD THE OPPOSITION FROM THE CITY PRESIDENTS, BUT AFTER THE TELECONFERENCE, MINISTER DWORCZYK EMERGED AND ANNOUNCED THAT THE ELECTIONS ARE TO TAKE PLACE - Sobieniowski. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP -- THE NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS IN POLAND IS APPROACHING TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE. BY THE END OF THIS WEEK, WE WILL REACH SEVERAL THOUSAND – THE MINISTER OF HEALTH WARNS – preview. -- THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO PROVIDING PROTECTION MEANS TO PHARMACIES AND HOSPITALS OTHER THAN THOSE OF THE SAME NAME, BUT ALSO TO THE POLICE AND BORDER GUARD - Waldemar Stankiewicz. -- TO DATE, OVER 40 THOUSAND TESTS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED - Stankiewicz. -- THANKS TO THE ANTI-CRISIS SHIELD, IT WILL NOT BE PROFITABLE FOR COMPANIES AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS TO LAY OFF EMPLOYEES – CONVINCES THE PRESIDENT OF PFR (POLISH DEVELOPMENT FUND) – preview. -- THE OPPOSITION CLAIMS THAT THE AID COULD BE GREATER, BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE CALCULATIONS AND ANALYSES ON HOW TO FINANCE IT – Damian Diaz. -- THE SHIELD MAY BE EXPANDED IF THE EPIDEMIC IS PROLONGED – Diaz. -- POLITICAL SQUABBLES INSTEAD OF QUICK ACTIONS, MORE AMENDMENTS INSTEAD OF VOTING. THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE IS DEBATING THE ANTI-CRISIS SHIELD. THIS MEANS A DELAY IN FINANCIAL AID THAT MILLIONS OF POLES ARE WAITING FOR – preview. -- THE PRESIDENT WANTS THE SHIELD REGULATIONS TO COME INTO EFFECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – Maciej Sawicki. -- THE OPPOSITION IS CREATING DIFFICULTIES AND DOES NOT WANT TO QUICKLY SUPPORT THE AID PACKAGE WORTH OVER PLN 200 BILLION WITHOUT AMENDMENTS – Sawicki. -- KO (LAW AND JUSTICE) IS USING THE MATTER OF "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" FOR MILLIONS OF POLES POLITICALLY – Sawicki. -- PO (CIVIC PLATFORM) POLITICIANS ARE DELAYING THE WORK. INSTEAD OF VOTING, THEY ARE DEBATING, ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW PERFECTLY WELL WHAT SUCH A DELAYING TACTIC CAN LEAD TO – Sawicki. -- THE OPPOSITION HAS ALREADY SUBMITTED ALMOST 260 AMENDMENTS IN THE SEJM. THIS EXTENDED THE DELIBERATIONS BY SEVERAL HOURS – Sawicki: Today, nearly 1800 amendments in the Senate. -- THE OPPOSITION CANNOT AFFORD A NON-PARTISAN AGREEMENT, WHICH THE MINISTER OF HEALTH ASKED FOR – Sawicki. -- THERE IS, HOWEVER, THE ENDANGERING OF THE HEALTH AND LIVES OF POLES – Sawicki. -- THERE IS NO LACK OF OPINIONS THAT THE TACTIC OF PARALYZING THE POLISH GOVERNMENT IS A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE INCREASINGLY BAD POLLS FOR PO – Sawicki. -- OPPOSITION SENATORS HAD PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD TRY TO IMPOSE THEIR STANDARDS FOR FIGHTING CORONAVIRUS – Sawicki. -- DEPUTY MARSHAL KAMIŃSKI WANTS TO IMPOSE HIS WAY OF FIGHTING CORONAVIRUS ON OTHERS, WHILE HE HIMSELF DOES NOT KNOW HOW HE SHOULD BEHAVE – Sawicki. -- AT A CONFERENCE, KAMIŃSKI TOUCHED HIS FACE WITH A GLOVED HAND SEVERAL TIMES – Sawicki. -- KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA APPEALS FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO RESIST THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A NERVOUS MOVE AFTER A SERIES OF COMPROMISING STATEMENTS AND FALLING RATINGS – preview. -- THIS APPEAL HAS NOT MADE AN IMPRESSION ON OTHER CANDIDATES – Marcin Tulicki. -- ON THE ONE HAND, SLIPS OF THE TONGUE, ON THE OTHER, DANGEROUS DECLARATIONS SHOWING THE KO CANDIDATE'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS FIGHTING FOR THE HEALTH AND LIVES OF POLES – Tulicki on Kidawa's words in an exchange with Gosiewska. -- TULICKI USES A FRAGMENT FROM KIDAWA'S VIDEOCALL YESTERDAY. -- KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, DESPITE THE OPERATOR'S REMARKS, DOES NOT SHOW REFLECTION AND PERSISTS – Tulicki. -- THE POLLS ARE MERCILESS FOR KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA AFTER A SERIES OF COMPROMISING APPEARANCES AND THE UNLEASHING OF A WAR OVER THE ELECTION DATE – Tulicki. -- PAD'S LEAD IS CRUSHING; THE LEAD OVER THE LUDOWCY (PEASANT PARTY) LEADER IS MELTING – Tulicki. -- INFORMATION HAS LEAKED TO PUBLIC OPINION THAT A GROUP OF PROMINENT PO POLITICIANS, IN A CLOSED INTERNET GROUP ALONG WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF SOK Z BURAKA (a satirical website), WERE DEVELOPING AN ELECTION STRATEGY – Tulicki.