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04/07/2020

07:24

Tuesday's Political Agenda: Sejm to Discuss Another Anti-Crisis Shield

The Sejm will resume its proceedings at 3:00 PM with the first reading of the government's draft law on special support instruments in connection with the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as the first reading of the PSL's proposed law establishing a genuine Anti-Crisis Shield. A break is scheduled for 4:45 PM until Wednesday, when a three-hour block of votes will take place at 10:00 AM. The government's solution is expected to be adopted then.


07:45

PiS Club Submits Draft Amendment to Sejm Rules on Shortening Second Reading Period for Constitutional Amendment Bills

Members of the PiS club have submitted a draft amendment to the Sejm's rules of procedure, introducing the possibility of shortening the second reading period for bills amending the Constitution.

The proposal stipulates that in addition to the article stating that "the second reading of a bill amending the Constitution may not take place earlier than the fourteenth day from the day the Members of Parliament are delivered the report of the Committee considering the bill amending the Constitution," it should be added that in particularly justified cases, the Marshal of the Sejm – after consulting the Presidium of the Sejm – may shorten this period.

The representative of the initiators is Kamil Bortniczuk from the Agreement party.


07:59

Bortniczuk:

In responsibility for government stability, we voted responsibly, sometimes against our conscience
- The vote that took place yesterday and the distribution of votes among the Agreement's MPs were strictly determined by Jarosław Gowin. Those individuals whose conscience particularly did not allow them to vote otherwise were given the green light collectively by us to behave differently. Simultaneously, out of responsibility for government stability, because we cannot allow ourselves to have a political crisis, a government paralysis, in a time of health crisis and on the eve of an economic crisis, we voted responsibly, sometimes against our own conscience, often against our own declarations, as I did personally. This was so that the government would have a stable majority and stable support in the Sejm, and to avoid a political crisis - stated Kamil Bortniczuk in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

08:05

Bortniczuk:

Today, 72 Opposition Votes Are Needed to Change the Constitution and Postpone the May 10th Election; This is Our Only Tool
- [From Friday to Monday] what happened is that the opposition rejected our constitutional proposal, which we still stand by. Because thanks to our vote yesterday, and I remind you that this bill will still go to the Senate, and after 30 days it will likely return to us from the Senate and can still be rejected, thanks to the fact that we voted for this bill yesterday, often against our own conscience and against our declarations, we have received full support from PiS regarding the amendment to the Constitution. We also have the signatures of Jarosław Kaczyński and Mateusz Morawiecki personally, with a very clear signal and declaration that the PiS club will push for these changes in the Constitution, so today 72 votes are needed, responsible votes from the opposition, to change the Constitution, to ensure the elections are not on May 10th, and this is the only tool that we all have in our hands today - stated Kamil Bortniczuk in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

08:09

Bortniczuk:

Professor Maksymowicz is one of those individuals we gave permission to vote differently

- Professor Maksymowicz is indeed one of those individuals, [who] due to their conscience, their experience, their medical knowledge, received permission from us. All members of the Agreement, no one from our side has any complaints against him for voting differently, because he received permission from us, complete understanding to vote differently [yesterday regarding the PiS bill on postal voting] - stated Kamil Bortniczuk in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "One on One".


08:16

Bortniczuk:

I'm Considering Resigning as Deputy Minister Out of Loyalty to My Boss, Though He Currently Sees No Need

- I am considering whether not to resign from the position of deputy minister out of loyalty to my boss, although the boss sees no such need for now - stated Kamil Bortniczuk in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".


08:34

Emilewicz on Vice Prime Minister Nomination: 'Perhaps This Week, Perhaps Later'
- In politics, facts only matter when they are in the past perfect tense, so let's wait until this nomination is accepted, presented. Perhaps this week, perhaps later. We'll see. This is not the most important news of the day at the moment - said Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program 'Guest of Radio ZET'.

08:41

Emilewicz:

Do We Know the Consequences of Imposing a State of Emergency? Military on the Streets, Internet Portals Shut Down, Radio Stations

- Do we know the consequences of imposing a state of emergency? And I'm not talking about the financial ones. I'm talking about having the military on the streets, internet portals shut down... - Jadwiga Emilewicz said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the "Gość Radia ZET" program.

- It would have to be a state of emergency; a state of disaster doesn't foresee such restrictions - the journalist noted.

- ...So, under a state of emergency, radio stations shut down. Do we really want that? We have an epidemic and a state that is adequate to the epidemic has been introduced - the minister replied.


08:45

Emilewicz:

If elections cannot be held in May due to 30,000-40,000 infections, Porozumienie will not vote for the electoral law when it returns from the Senate to the Sejm

- If it is required, if the elections cannot be held in May because we will have 30,000-40,000 infections, we will have hospitals organized in convention halls, then I assure you that Porozumienie, on May 5th or 6th, I don't know when the law will return from the Senate to the Sejm, will not vote for the electoral law - Jadwiga Emilewicz said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program "Gość Radia ZET".


08:51

Emilewicz Questioned on the Basis for Porozumienie Opposing May Elections Amidst High Infection Rates: "We Would Then Have to Introduce a State of Natural Disaster"

- You say that if the situation is very tense, if there is a mass increase in infected individuals, then these elections will not take place. But on what grounds? Will you introduce a state of natural disaster? - Beata Lubecka asked Jadwiga Emilewicz on the "Guest of Radio ZET" program.

- Yes, then we would have to introduce a state of natural disaster, because there is no other constitutional procedure - replied Emilewicz.


08:54

Emilewicz:

Leading to a Minority Government Would Be Extreme Irresponsibility

- We made this decision and voted as you could see yesterday. Today, leading to a minority government would be extreme irresponsibility - Jadwiga Emilewicz said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the "Gość Radia ZET" program.


09:01

Dworczyk:

Work is Nearing Completion; We Can Expect an Announcement on Expanded Anti-Crisis Shield 'Any Moment Now'

- The government is continuously working on expanding the adopted anti-crisis shield. It contains a number of solutions that are important for companies, also important concerning liquidity, which is and will be very, very significant for enterprises and businesses today. This work is nearing completion, and we can truly expect the announcement of the expanded anti-crisis shield any moment now - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Krzysztof Ziemiec on TVP1's "Political Quarter of an Hour".


09:07

Dworczyk:

We Do Not Foresee Suspension of Solidarity Benefits

- No, in all these programs and preparations that we are undertaking, we do not foresee the suspension of these solidarity benefits. They have provided a very significant impetus, also a pro-development impetus for the economy in recent years, and we do not foresee suspending the benefits you are referring to [such as 500+] - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Krzysztof Ziemiec on TVP1's "Political Quarter of an Hour".


09:09

Emilewicz Asked About Jail Time for Hiding Ballot: Let the Senators Handle It, Let Them Fix the Law
I think the Senate now has the time to address the correction of this law, because that's what it's for… - Jadwiga Emilewicz said in a conversation with Beata Lubecka on the program 'Gość Radia ZET'. - But do you understand that this is a bad provision in your opinion? - the journalist pressed. - If there is such a will and it will be improved, just as with the anti-crisis shield, I cooperated with the opposition, I accepted amendments from the opposition, so now it is time for the opposition - replied the minister. - But this is a very pertinent question. If I don't vote, if I leave the ballot at home, will I go to jail or not go to jail? - There should certainly be criminal sanctions, and we included those in this law, we as Porozumienie, criminal sanctions for falsifying the certificate, this ballot that we will put into an envelope with our name and surname, PESEL number. For that, there should undoubtedly be criminal sanctions, and we included those. This provision, as I said, let the senators handle it, let them fix the law, because as I said, we need provisions for postal voting, because perhaps in the next two years we will not be able to conduct them in another way.

09:30

Sejm to Address Citizen-Initiated Bills Next Week, Including Stricter Abortion Laws, Hunting, and "Anti-447"

During its next session, scheduled for April 15-17, the Sejm is set to consider five citizen-initiated bills. In practice, this is the last possible date without convening additional sessions, as, according to the law, for projects submitted by citizens in the previous term, the first reading must take place in the new term no later than six months from the date of the first sitting. The Sejm first convened for this term on November 12th, meaning the deadline is May 12th. The next Sejm session is only planned for the end of May.

One of the projects, spearheaded by Kaja Godek, proposes stricter abortion laws by repealing the admissibility of eugenic abortions. Another project – submitted specifically in this term – concerns "the protection of property in the Republic of Poland against claims related to so-called ownerless property, raised in connection with, among others, the American Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act 447, aimed at providing prompt justice to Holocaust survivors whose losses have not been compensated."

The next proposal – backed by Sławomir Broniarz from ZNP (National Teachers' Union) – involves changing the financing of teachers' salaries from the educational subsidy formula to a targeted grant. Another project concerns amending regulations to "ensure legal protection for children and youth against sexual depravity and demoralization." The last bill, an amendment to the Hunting Law, introduces the possibility of conducting hunts in the presence or with the participation of children under 18 years of age, with the consent of parents or legal guardians.


09:37

Kierwiński:

Where's the Logic in Closing Forests but Telling People 'Go Vote'?

"To be precise, [Kidawa-Błońska] called on Poles to take care of their own health. If all epidemiologists, people who know about this, but also the government, say 'stay home,' close forests, public places, then where is the logic in closing forests but telling people 'go vote.' You have to be not all there mentally not to maintain elementary logic and discipline when it comes to protecting Poles from the threat of coronavirus" - said the Secretary General of Civic Platform, Marcin Kierwiński, in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.


09:38

Kierwiński:

We Will Not Agree to Constitutional Changes with Kaczyński, as He Has Repeatedly Proven Himself a Deceiver Regarding Constitutional Adherence This Term

“We will not agree to constitutional changes with Jarosław Kaczyński. Do you know why? Because Jarosław Kaczyński has repeatedly proven himself a simple, regular deceiver this term when it comes to respecting the constitution,” said PO Secretary-General Marcin Kierwiński in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.


10:03

Polish President Discusses Coronavirus Response and Economic Cooperation with South Korean Counterpart
President Andrzej Duda held a half-hour phone conversation with the President of the Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-In. The discussion focused on the cooperation between the two states in combating the coronavirus pandemic and the prospects for economic collaboration in overcoming the pandemic's economic consequences – Krzysztof Szczerski, Head of the Presidential Office, informed 300POLITYKĘ. The presidents agreed on a course of action for both countries concerning Poland's purchase of modern coronavirus tests produced in Korea, as well as orders for the delivery of personal protective equipment for medical services. Cooperation between medical experts from both states was also agreed upon, with Polish specialists set to participate in an upcoming international online seminar concerning the experiences and knowledge gained by their Korean partners. The Presidents of Poland and Korea also discussed the prospects for the rapid renewal of trade and investment cooperation after the pandemic subsides, aiming to mitigate its negative economic impacts as much as possible. They established regular contact on this matter and mutual favorability towards actions supporting economic cooperation.

10:08

Ministry of Health: 119 New Coronavirus Infections in Poland, 4 More Deaths

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1247434115399462912

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1247434117723160576


12:24

Trzaskowski:

Warsaw's Revenue Shortfall Will Be Significant, Potentially Reaching 2 Billion Zloty

"The situation of local governments is very difficult. We are currently on the front lines. Regarding local government finances, they were already in a tough spot before the coronavirus due to government reforms implemented using local government funds, and also because of the rising costs of waste management, as this market was severely disrupted by government laws. However, we currently estimate that for Warsaw, the revenue shortfall will be very significant, potentially reaching 2 billion zloty," said the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, at a press conference.


12:25

Trzaskowski:

We Asked the Government to Loosen the Budgetary Rule for Local Governments

"As part of the Union of Polish Metropolises, the Union of Polish Cities has turned to the government for help. We calculated the support for local governments through an increase in the general subsidy in Poland to be approximately PLN 11 billion, but this support can take many forms. Firstly, of course, some form of supplementing our revenues, as we are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus. These are issues of not including costs incurred for the coronavirus in the spending rule, but most importantly, it is the loosening of the budgetary rule," said Rafał Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw, at a press conference.


12:25

Trzaskowski:

We propose suspending 'janosikowe' for at least two years or changing its calculation method

This is also a matter of 'janosikowe'. We proposed that this 'janosikowe' be suspended for at least two years or that its calculation method be changed. There are several demands for the government. First and foremost, we should strive for the cuts in investment programs to be as small as possible, because thanks to this, the economic collapse that will occur will be shallower” - said the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, at a press conference.


12:34

Trzaskowski:

We are turning to the National Electoral Commission, but also to the government for clear guidelines on what exactly we should do, whether the situation is safe enough to prepare for elections.

"We are turning to the National Electoral Commission, but also to the government for clear guidelines on what exactly we should do, whether the situation is safe enough to prepare for elections. Under current law, postal voting has not yet come into effect. The Senate must agree. The entire legislative procedure must be carried out. In our assessment, elections cannot be conducted safely. If the government is absolutely convinced that preparations for elections can be made, that people can be trained, and takes responsibility for it by issuing clear recommendations, then we will adhere to those recommendations. We are waiting" - said the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, at a press conference.


12:41

For Days, the Opposition Has Demanded the Government Introduce One of the States of Emergency. Does the Constitution Really Require Its Declaration? - Analysis by the Director of the Regulatory Impact Assessment Department at the Prime Minister's Chancelle
Text by Piotr Patkowski - Director of the Department of Regulatory Impact Assessment at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

Legal Analysis: What Makes States of Emergency Unique?

For several years, a persistent legal dispute has been observed in Poland. It is waged between those who read the Constitution literally and those who see the basic law as an instrument subject to dynamic interpretation. This has led to a situation where individual provisions of the Constitution are taken out of their systemic context. This is particularly evident in the current dispute over whether the government is obliged to introduce a state of emergency in Poland based on the provisions of the Constitution. The arguments suggesting that the government or parliament should immediately introduce a state of emergency or a natural disaster state boil down to two issues.

When an Emergency State Can Be Declared

The first is the assertion that the occurrence of exceptional circumstances during the functioning of the state, coupled with the state's implementation of protective measures, is a sufficient basis, and one that leaves no room for governmental discretion, for declaring the actual existence of a state of emergency.

The second line of argument is to present a state of emergency as a constitutional way to postpone election deadlines, thus reducing it to the role of an instrument in current political games.

The first argument, which boils down to the assertion that the decision of the executive power and, potentially, the parliament regarding a state of emergency is merely a confirmation of a de facto existing state of emergency or a natural disaster state, is inconsistent with the constitutional principle of proportionality. According to this principle, state bodies, before resorting to the harshest measures provided by law, should use milder competences that interfere with the normal functioning of the state to the least possible extent. The Constitution, in Article 32(3), allows for the restriction of rights and freedoms when it is necessary to protect the most important principles such as public safety and order, environmental protection, health and public morals, or the freedoms and rights of others. However, there is no exhaustive list of situations in which such restrictions should be introduced.

In the Commentary to the Constitution, edited by prof. Safjan and Bosek, it is stated that "an appropriate state of emergency may be introduced in situations of particular threats if ordinary constitutional measures are insufficient, and these conditions must be met cumulatively." A situation where ordinary constitutional measures are insufficient occurs when it is impossible to counteract the threat without deviating from the constitutional norms applicable in a "normal situation."

The assessment of the degree of threat is left to the bodies authorized to introduce a state of emergency, which is often forgotten in public debate.

Constitutional or Merely Statutory State of Emergency

Therefore, the key to the current situation is to answer the question of whether the current regulations effectively allow the government to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether the restrictions on rights and freedoms are proportionate to the degree of threat, and whether they are made based on and within the limits of an appropriate law.

The government bases most of its actions on the Act of December 5, 2008, on the prevention and combating of infections and infectious diseases in humans. For over 11 years of its validity, no one has raised objections to its constitutionality. Therefore, it is unjustified to claim that the regulation on the state of epidemic threat or the state of epidemic introduces unconstitutional restrictions on rights and freedoms. These restrictions stem from the act, and the regulations of the Minister of Health are a detailed elaboration of its provisions.

It is also worth recalling that the Act on the State of Natural Disaster and the Act on the State of Emergency also provide for the specification of types of restrictions on human and citizen rights and freedoms through regulations. The government and the Minister of Health are exercising their powers arising from the provisions of the laws defining their duties and competences.

It is worth emphasizing again – a state of emergency is introduced when the state ceases to function normally and ordinary, applicable statutory measures are insufficient to overcome the crisis situation.

Of course, the scale of restrictions on rights and freedoms seems broad, but it essentially boils down to two aspects – movement and the freedom to conduct business activities. This is justified because strict restrictions on movement are the only effective way to halt the spread of the epidemic. The absence of such measures would lead to catastrophic consequences, including an unavoidable restriction of the right to life, health, or good healthcare.

It is also worth noting that a state of natural disaster would empower the authorities to take actions such as using employees of private companies, emptying premises, or using real estate and movable property without the consent of their owners. These could be the next steps in the government's actions.

The development of the epidemic may necessitate adjustments to actions, including the introduction of a state of emergency. However, at present, it must be agreed that this radical step is not necessary. The scale of infections and their proportional increase over time in Poland is smaller than in other EU countries.

Why Does the State Need States of Emergency?

The premise for introducing a state of emergency is to grant the state special efficiency, not to make organizational changes, even on such an important issue as presidential elections. Other institutional instruments serve this purpose. Professor Karol Dobrzeniecki already pointed this out in his article for Rzeczpospolita on March 31.

A state of emergency, as such, will not stop the epidemic. Effective actions by the administration and healthcare services will do so. Their primary function is to ensure the greatest possible safety and stability for citizens and the economy.

Some constitutionalists, so focused on isolated provisions of the basic law torn from their context, fail to notice the logic of systemic and functional state actions derived from statutes.

Perceiving the current situation in a fragmented, rather than a holistic, manner leads to a distortion not only of aid for businesses and families affected by the consequences of the pandemic but also of the Constitution itself. States are not equal, and it is worth using them proportionally, not in advance.


12:46

Pekao S.A. Partners with Krystyna Czubówna to Build a Virtual Community for Seniors, Encouraging Online Banking

"Stay home. Get a grip on the Internet. Let's be together online." – with these slogans, Pekao is encouraging seniors to actively use the Internet, including for "online banking." The idea behind the campaign is to build a virtual community, say bank representatives. This will be possible, among other things, thanks to the "Senior Zone" platform and a discussion group on Facebook: "Let's Get a Grip on the Internet with Intergenerational Dancing." Additionally, the bank will undertake educational and informational activities with the participation of, among others, Krystyna Czubówna.

Bank Pekao's "Get a Grip on the Internet" campaign targets both seniors who are already active online and those who are just taking their first steps in the digital world. The functioning of the latter in the environment of new technologies has become crucial in the current situation, where the #stayathome initiative, especially for older individuals, is no longer just a recommendation but a necessity.

Pekao aims to build a safe, virtual space for seniors who need support in their daily activities, as well as for entertainment, leisure, and a sense of belonging to a wider community.

The campaign is a result of our social commitment. We are providing older people with a new, additional environment for building social relationships. At the same time, we want to respond to the needs of seniors active online by providing them with interesting content. As a bank actively implementing a digital transformation strategy, we also provide solutions that allow everyone to handle many matters online while maintaining online security – says Marek Lusztyn, CEO of Pekao S.A.

Bank Pekao, a leader in the digital transformation of the banking sector, wants to help build a new, virtual dimension of social relations. It shows that being alone at home doesn't have to mean loneliness. To this end, along with the launch of the new educational campaign "Get a Grip on the Internet," a special virtual platform and a social media discussion group have been launched. "Senior Zone" and "Let's Get a Grip on the Internet with Intergenerational Dancing" are not only educational and informational content but also a place for intergenerational exchange of experiences, mutual help, and building relationships – both among seniors themselves, and between older and younger generations.

On the dedicated "Senior Zone" platform, located at pekao.com.pl/StrefaSeniora, packages of materials will be published, from which seniors will learn how to safely handle daily matters without leaving home, along with practical articles and interesting facts about new technologies.

Krystyna Czubówna, Jacek Kawalec, Marta Manowska, as well as influencers such as Eliza_betka and the popular online personality Reżyser Życia (Director of Life), are among those participating in Bank Pekao's initiative aimed at seniors.


13:05

Grodzki on PiS's Bill on Postal Voting: "We Will Have to Do the Work That, to Put It Mildly, Wasn't Done in the Sejm. That Is, to Seek the Opinions of the Ombudsman, the National Election Commission, the Supreme Court, and Other Authorities."

- The legislative act concerning total postal voting has reached the Senate, and as has happened many times before, we will have to do the work that, to put it mildly, wasn't done in the Sejm. That is, to seek the opinions of the Ombudsman, the National Election Commission, the Supreme Court, and other authorities, in order to form an opinion on how this legislative act aligns with constitutional requirements, how it aligns with the provisions stating that voting must be direct, secret, etc. All these attributes, and only then, after remotely consulting and conducting public consultations, will the senators perhaps decide. The legislative and human rights committees will then be able to proceed with the plenary debates - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing in the Sejm.

- We intend to also ask for the opinions of epidemiologists and infectious disease doctors on how they relate to this, because let us remember that in the background there is a gigantic, dangerous, deadly pandemic. And what motivated many MPs and senators was the concern for the health and lives of those who will participate in this entire process. Both voters, postal workers, members of the election commissions, and everyone else who will be involved. Let us remember this, because it is fundamental. If the fulfillment of the democratic act of election is to be associated with endangering one's own and others' health and lives, then one must ask a fundamental question, especially in our Mediterranean, Christian culture: what is more important, human life and health, or the act of election - the Marshal of the Senate continued.


13:12

Szumowski Thanks Doctors and Healthcare Workers as Part of #ApplauseForYou Campaign

To all medics, to all those fighting on the front lines, not just those who directly care for Covid patients, but all medics, because the rest have also shouldered a huge burden and pressure. I also wanted to convey thanks from Professor Marian Zembala, with whom I spoke a moment ago. He asked me to add his warm words to these thanks. I thank the nurses, paramedics, orderlies, doctors, medical secretaries, but I also thank those who are not always seen, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, whom we meet every day, and often these thanks do not reach them directly. I would like to thank the drivers, everyone who works in hospitals, including those in professions not directly related to the patient” - said the Minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski, after the #ApplauseForYou thanks.


13:12

Szumowski to Healthcare Workers: I also know that today the best thank you for all of you is simply personal protective equipment. This week we will distribute another 20 million masks.

"The time of the epidemic is a time when everyone works in more difficult conditions, which shows how important this area is, this profession, whatever the profession may be, be it physiotherapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, doctors, nurses, paramedics, orderlies, or administration. It shows that these are professions that people trust, because they help in suffering. I also know that today the best thank you for all of you is simply personal protective equipment. As I said last week, we distributed those 7 million masks. This week we will distribute another 20 million masks. As soon as they arrive, these planes land in Poland. I hope that this equipment will be increasingly available, that you will be equipped with it" - said the Minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski, after the #BrawadlaWas (Applause for You) acknowledgments.


13:39

Grodzki on PiS's Bill and Presidential Election Date: "As Far As I Know, May 23rd is Also a Possibility"
The Senate will not employ any blocking tactics, but rather will ensure the most thorough legislative process possible under pandemic conditions. We have 30 days for this, and you will see there will be a lot of work during this period. As for whether the date will be postponed by a week or two, because as far as I know, May 23rd is also a possibility, for me these are not, I don't want to call them constitutional acrobatics, because that's not the point. Epidemiologists and medical statisticians say that in an optimistic scenario of the pandemic, we will have 40,000 infections by May 10th. The pessimistic version, meaning a faster spread of the pandemic, means we will have half a million infected by then. Who will be thinking about elections then? Besides, even now, when the number of infected is lower, although the number of deaths exceeding 100 is a serious issue, who is thinking about elections right now? People are deeply disappointed that the Sejm, essentially for the entire day yesterday, was preoccupied with itself, rather than thinking about how to alleviate the burden on mothers caring for children who are not attending school, on employers who fear their businesses will go bankrupt, on employees who fear losing their jobs and not receiving their salaries, or finally on women who worry whether their children and grandchildren, or parents and grandparents, will not get sick or will survive. These are the concerns of people that preoccupy all of us. Irritation is growing among the public that parliament, instead of dealing with these vital life matters, effective combat against the pandemic, is dealing with elections. A celebration held in mourning for, I hope, the fewest possible deaths will be a spoiled holiday. It will not be a celebration of democracy, but rather a lust for power, pushing those who want to hold onto power at all costs towards elections, with the threat of an epidemic outbreak - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing in the Sejm.

13:59

Hołownia:

25,000 Postal Workers Will Have to Deliver 30 Million Packages in the First Round. The Second Round Will Be the Same. Those Who Don't Perish in the First Epidemic Will Be Finished Off by Kaczyński and His Companions in Two Weeks

- What will happen to all these thousands of Poles, especially the elderly, the at-risk group, who on the day imagined by Marshal Witek, after she consults on what she thinks with the de facto ruler of this country, as one can no longer say the Head of State, but with the monarch, with the Emperor of Poland, Jarosław Kaczyński, what will happen to these thousands of people who on that day will have to go to the mailboxes, into which the voting envelopes will be dropped, which on that day will be visited by hundreds, perhaps thousands of people. And the virus will transmit as it pleases - said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.

- 25,000 postal workers will have to deliver 30 million packages to us in the first round of elections. In the second round, which nobody is talking about, it will be the same. Have you noticed that here, those who do not even perish in the first epidemic will be finished off by Jarosław Kaczyński and his companions in two weeks, when the second round of elections will need to be carried out - added Hołownia.


14:02

Grodzki:

If we have to write our PESEL and full name, what about the secrecy of these elections?

- We are not talking about the fact that such ad hoc preparations of this procedure will certainly be conducive and will threaten abuses, I don't want to use the word electoral fraud, but a gigantic mess that will cause perhaps not every vote to reach the election commission, not every vote to be considered valid. Because if we have to write our PESEL and full name, what about the secrecy of these elections? There are a huge number of such doubts, which at one time were also shared by MPs and senators from PiS. Not to mention, for example, President Trump's opinion - stated Tomasz Grodzki at a briefing in the Sejm.


14:08

Hołownia:

If Duda Wins These Elections, He Won't Be President of Poland. He'll Be a Coward Who Feared Fair Competition and Clung to Power Over Polish Lives.
This law [correspondence voting] is not just Joanna Lichocka's middle finger, but Jarosław Kaczyński's, shown today to Polish women and men. President Andrzej Duda, if he is elected in these elections, which I understand PiS is counting on, will not be the President of Poland at all. He will be a common coward who feared to stand in fair competition. He will be a man who kept power over the corpses, in the literal sense, of Poles. This is our heroic leader. Where is he now, when we need him? When he wasn't needed, he traveled the country, creating an epidemiological threat – said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.

14:17

Hołownia on May Elections: This is Banditry. In a Situation Where Our House is Burning, They Are Carrying Away Our Family Silver, Our Heritage, Everything That is Called the Republic, Just to Stay at the Trough Longer

- Where is the [President] today? He's sitting in one of his residences, waiting for his father, Jarosław Kaczyński, to pass a law that will sufficiently tie down his opponents, confine a certain number of Poles to their homes, and lead to him being able to win without difficulty in the first round. In unfair, lied, falsified elections. You, those who voted for this law, are the ones dismantling the Republic today. What you are doing is cowardice, banditry, theft; it is such an ethical obscenity that it's hard to comprehend, in a situation where our house is burning, they are carrying away our family silver, our heritage, everything that is called the Republic, just to stay at the trough a little longer – said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.


14:22

Hołownia:

"The Last Walls Seem to Have Broken Yesterday." "The Last Decent People in This Government, Minister Szumowski, Minister Emilewicz, Have Dived Headfirst into This Swamp. Into This Lie Up to Their Ears."

- Yesterday, it seems the last walls finally crumbled. The last decent people one could observe in this government, Minister Szumowski, Minister Emilewicz, have plunged into this swamp. They've dived headfirst into this lie, and what's more, they've tried to justify it in some way - said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.


14:22

Sejm Resumes Session at 4:30 PM

Members of Parliament will resume their session at 4:30 PM, not at 3:00 PM as previously planned. The agenda includes, among other items, the first reading of the government's bill on special support instruments in connection with the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.


14:28

Hołownia:

Gowin Has Likely Tied His Political Spine in a Knot, and Nothing Can Be Expected of Him Regarding Responsibility for the Country

- I don't want to refer once again to the stance of Deputy Prime Minister Gowin himself, to whom we will owe our own Polish neologism: 'gowinować' (to Gowinize). Not 'hamletize.' This is a man who has likely tied his political spine in a knot, and nothing more can be expected of him when it comes to responsibility for the country - said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.


14:58

Schreiber on New Anti-Crisis Shield: Layoff Exemptions for Employers with up to 49 Employees, Benefits for Farmers Under Quarantine

The first assumption of this supplement to the anti-crisis shield is the extension of aid and ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) exemptions for entrepreneurs, employers who hire between 10 and 49 employees. Secondly, the issue of individuals on civil law contracts – here, too, an extension from a one-time payment to a threefold payment, meaning this aid will be in effect for three months. Thirdly, a benefit for farmers placed under quarantine amounting to 50% of the national minimum wage. Fourthly, we have secured financial resources intended for combating Covid-19 from bailiff enforcement, for funds transferred as part of the anti-crisis shield. We have unlimited internet access to gov.pl websites, and online medical services. This is also important in the context of e-learning. The extension of job protection benefits to NGOs, and support for e-services in healthcare” – said Minister Łukasz Schreiber at a press conference.


15:06

Emilewicz Unveils New Shield: 50% Social Security Contribution Relief and BGK Loans for Larger Firms, ARP Loan Guarantees for Smaller Businesses
We have listened to the voices and appeals of those slightly larger companies, employing up to 40-50 people. Today, like micro-enterprises, they will be able to benefit from a three-month exemption from social insurance contributions. The terms will be slightly different than for micro-enterprises, because these larger ones have a broader offer, a palette of benefits that we propose. Therefore, an entrepreneur employing between 10 and 49 employees will be able to count on a 50% relief on social insurance contributions. This relief will be granted based on a very simple declaration, which ZUS is already working on, and we hope that if the Senate works just as quickly and these solutions come into effect before Easter holidays, ZUS will be ready to provide these benefits simultaneously with the president's signature – Jadwiga Emiliewicz stated during a press conference. The second important liquidity element appearing in this act is a new fund to be launched by BGK. It will be the Liquidity Guarantee Fund. This is an instrument aimed at medium and large companies. It allows for drawing a loan with up to an 80% guarantee. The total value of the loan can reach PLN 250 million. Interest for borrowers can also be financed from this fund – she continued. We also propose changes concerning the Polish Development Fund. It will also provide loan guarantees. It will primarily focus on smaller companies. There, assistance will involve granting companies loans with a fifteen-month grace period on repayment – she added. 

15:37

Emilewicz:

Every nation that has locked down its economy is preparing exit strategies; epidemic conditions will dictate the timing.
  • Today, every country is preparing, a country that has locked down, frozen its economy, is already preparing for exit scenarios. The epidemic conditions will decide when this will happen, and these conditions are referenced and further tightenings or relaxations are reported and proposed by the Minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski. And it is under his direction that we are preparing our actions. The Ministry of Development has already taken steps today for scenarios of exiting and thawing the economy. We are not talking about any specific date, of course. We are talking about variants of the order in which they should occur. For this purpose, we are using best practices, already from the experiences of countries where the epidemic began 2-3 months earlier, i.e., from Asian solutions. We are also looking at documents that Germany and Austria are already preparing. Austria announced yesterday, May 1st, as the day when it will begin to bring the economy back to life. The Czech Republic and Slovakia are also preparing for a thaw. We know that a return to normality will not happen overnight. It's not like we will return to all our habits from before the pandemic in one day. Perhaps some of them will remain with us forever. We know that exiting requires the adoption of special safety protocols in workplaces, in production facilities, in schools, in all places where we spend time collectively. We are therefore preparing such scenarios. The Council of Ministers will decide when this will happen, based on the recommendations of the Minister of Health – stated Jadwiga Emilewicz at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

16:41

Gowin:

I am initiating consultations to build cross-party, government-opposition support for the constitutional project

- As Porozumienie, we submitted a proposal to postpone the elections by one year. PiS did not accept this proposal. Therefore, we submitted a second proposal, to amend the Constitution and postpone the elections by two years. PiS supported this project, the opposition does not. In connection with this, as a responsible politician, I resigned - as you know - and I am initiating consultations to build cross-party, government-opposition support for this constitutional project. I have authorized Minister Kamil Botniczuk to conduct talks with representatives of the opposition, along with me - stated Jarosław Gowin at a briefing in the Sejm.


16:47

Bortniczuk Resigns from Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy Role

- Today, undoubtedly, the most important issues that concern Poles are related to their health and their livelihoods. That is, they primarily concern health policy pursued by the Minister of Health and economic policy pursued by Minister Emilewicz. The ministry where I currently work, combined with my scope of responsibilities, does not play a significant role in solving these problems that are currently the most important. In third place in this hierarchy of values is the issue of the elections, whether Poles will be forced to go to the polls on May 10, or if this date will be postponed in accordance with the law and the will of the Sejm. The only tool that MPs have at the moment is to change the Constitution. All other tools related to the introduction of any state of emergency are in the hands of the Council of Ministers. This was one of the reasons, the main reason for the resignation of President Gowin, until recently Prime Minister Gowin, from his position, as he, as Deputy Prime Minister, could not be fully credible in conducting political talks with MPs, given that the Council of Ministers had alternative solutions. Today, I wanted to inform you that I am also resigning from my ministerial function in the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, in order to be similarly credible as the Prime Minister in the talks to which the Prime Minister has authorized me, and in the next 30 days we will be engaged in talks with opposition politicians, because we have the support of the PiS club, confirmed by a signature on this project submitted personally by Jarosław Kaczyński, but also by Prime Minister Morawiecki - stated Kamil Bortniczuk at a briefing in the Sejm.


16:54

Gowin:

The Second Stage of the Fight Against Coronavirus Must Not Involve Freezing All Social and Economic Life. In the Coming Weeks, I Will Refine the Details of This Plan and We Will Gradually Present Them to You.

- I was the first Polish politician to announce the need to prepare for the second phase, the second stage of the fight against coronavirus. This second stage cannot, as it is today, involve freezing all social, and above all economic, life, because Poland, like other countries in Europe and the world, would simply be threatened with total bankruptcy. In the coming weeks, I will refine the details of this second-phase plan, and we will gradually present them to you. Porozumienie's first proposals regarding exiting the epidemic will be presented this week - stated Jarosław Gowin at a briefing in the Sejm.


17:33

Kosiniak-Kamysz on ZUS Exemption: Good That You're Changing Rules After Our Appeals. If a Company with 250 Employees Lays Everyone Off, Not Only That Company Collapses, But Also Companies Cooperating With It

- Companies should not be differentiated into a better and worse kind. Even now, it's good that you're changing these rules after our appeals, you're already talking about 49 employees, but even there you're only taking half. If a company employing 250 people lays everyone off, not only does that company collapse, not only are those employees dismissed, but also companies that cooperate with it collapse, so exemption from ZUS, CIT, and PIT, that's what a real anti-crisis shield contains - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm.


17:34

Maląg:

So Far, 340,000 Applications Received: 247,000 for Social Security Contribution Exemptions, 56,000 for Wage Subsidies, 31,000 for Micro-Loans

So far, a total of 340,000 applications have been received. The largest number of applications, over 247,000, have been submitted to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) for exemption from ZUS contributions. Until now, this exemption applied only to micro-enterprises. In the new shield [economic support package], we will be expanding this support to companies employing up to 49 people – they will be exempted from 50% of their ZUS contributions. We have received approximately 56,000 applications for wage subsidies for individuals running their own businesses and for civil law contracts. Currently, around 31,000 applications for micro-loans have been submitted nationwide” - said the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg, in the Sejm.

Today, we have applications submitted for over PLN 700 million. We are aware that a stream of support is needed” - she added.


18:04

Ministry of Health: 134 New Coronavirus Cases in Poland, Another 18 Deaths. Total of 4666 Cases in Poland

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1247552670258397192

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1247552672401698832

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1247552675073478656

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1247552678785437696


18:09

Terlecki Halts Kosiniak-Kamysz's Speech Citing Sejm Rules Change; PSL Leader: "We're Wasting Loads of Time on Nonsense Debates in This Chamber, Mr. Speaker." Terlecki: "You're the ones having these nonsense debates, so have yourselves to blame."

- Sir, please proceed to your conclusion - said Deputy Speaker Ryszard Terlecki, interrupting Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz's speech.

- I still have at least 5 minutes. 15 minutes are allocated for justification - replied the leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL).

- 5 minutes, I've already extended yours by 100%.

- There are 15 minutes for justification.

- Unfortunately, the situation has changed due to remote voting.

- There are no such changes in the regulations - argued Chairman Borys Budka from the parliamentary benches.

- There are no such changes in the regulations. Is it 7 minutes for discussion and 5 for presenting a project? - Kosiniak-Kamysz asked.

- Unfortunately, that's how it is, but I've added you another half. Speeches - 5 minutes - Terlecki responded.

- We're wasting loads of time in this chamber, Mr. Speaker, on nonsense debates, when we're now talking about specifics.

- You're the ones having these nonsense debates, so have yourselves to blame. Please conclude. Mr. Budka will sit down quietly. 5 minutes for the speech. I've already extended it by 5 and will extend it by a few more, but please conclude.

According to the Sejm Regulations, speeches during the consideration of agenda items cannot exceed 15 minutes. However, an amendment to the Regulations passed at the end of March stipulated that for sittings conducted remotely, this time is reduced to 5 minutes.

Today, the presentation of the government's anti-crisis shield lasted a total of 16 minutes (9 minutes for Minister Łukasz Schreiber's speech and 7 minutes for Minister Marlena Maląg). The speeches were not interrupted by Deputy Speaker Terlecki. Kosiniak-Kamysz, like the ministers, presented his party's bill. Ultimately, however, the PSL leader spoke for a total of 15 minutes.


18:29

Maląg:

Unemployment Hasn't Increased by 500,000 Currently, But It Might. If Support is Needed, We Have a Draft Ready to Increase Unemployment Benefits
Regarding the mentioned increase in unemployment, I've already heard about 500,000. Ladies and gentlemen, let's be precise and use data. As of today, unemployment has not increased by 500,000. It might indeed increase by that amount at some point. Today, there is no such data. We collect this data daily, as I said. We collect it within the system; we do not fabricate this data ourselves. Concerning further support, which will be included in the next or subsequent shield (anti-crisis shield), we are analyzing the market situation. We will not leave our families without support. If the analysis indicates a need for support, an increase in unemployment benefits, we already have this draft ready. We will introduce it at the appropriate time – said Marlena Maląg in the Sejm.

18:52

Sejm Adopts Resolution Expressing Gratitude to Healthcare Workers

Deputies unanimously adopted a resolution expressing gratitude to healthcare workers.


19:00

Ministry of Health Updates Data: 182 Coronavirus Cases in Mazovia, 4848 Infected in Poland Total

The Ministry of Health has updated its data, reporting 182 new cases of coronavirus infection in the Mazovia region, bringing the total number of infected individuals in Poland to 4848. This update was shared via the official Ministry of Health Twitter account: https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1247569463823732739


19:30

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

I Call on PiS to Adopt Our Genuine Anti-Crisis Shield Bill, as This is an Issue We Must Resolve as Quickly as Possible

"I call on PiS to adopt our genuine anti-crisis shield bill, as this is an issue we must resolve as quickly as possible. Aid for employees, employers, farmers, local government officials, the transport industry, tourism, for everyone who is worried about how they will make a living" - said the leader of PSL, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


19:31

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

I will seek elections to be held at a safe time, and I have greater leverage as a presidential candidate than as someone who gives up their candidacy or announces a boycott

I will seek elections to be held at a safe time, and I have greater leverage as a presidential candidate than as someone who gives up their candidacy or announces a boycott. I like politics that achieves its goals, not just plays theatre and performs theatrical gestures. I want politics to be for the people” - said the leader of PSL, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


19:47

Gowin:

The election date should have been postponed long ago. I couldn't convince our coalition partners or the opposition, so I resigned. However, I emphasize this is part of a plan.

- My and the MPs of Porozumienie remain in the governing coalition. However, because I disagree with what the Polish political class is doing, I disagree with the fact that it is constantly preoccupied with the election issue, this election date should have been postponed long ago. I could not convince our coalition partners from Law and Justice, I could not convince the opposition, and as a consequence, I resigned. However, I emphasize that this is an element of a certain plan, which I will develop in the coming days, weeks, and months - said Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on "Fakty po faktach" TVN24.


19:50

Gowin Responds to Hołownia: 'This Guy, This Big Boy, He Simply Doesn't Understand Politics At All'

- I smile at the thought of Szymon Hołownia being the President of the Republic of Poland. This guy, this big boy, he simply doesn't understand politics at all - Jarosław Gowin said in a conversation with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".


19:54

Bielan:

We Must Do Everything to Avoid Adding a Political Crisis to Health and Economic Woes

- We must do everything to avoid adding a political crisis to the health and economic crises, and such a crisis would certainly have occurred if the Marshal of the Sejm had not adhered to the Constitution. The same Constitution that President Kosiniak-Kamysz so often invokes, and if the incumbent president, Andrzej Duda, had his term unlawfully extended. President Kosiniak-Kamysz, immediately after August 6, when President Duda's term ends, would begin to question the president's mandate. Therefore, we must do everything to maintain political stability, despite the difficult situation we find ourselves in, and to elect a president for the next 5 years - stated Adam Bielan in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program 'Wydarzenia i opinie' (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.


19:55

Gowin on the Situation in Porozumienie: I Faced No Rebellion. An Overwhelming Majority of MPs Supported My Position

- I faced no rebellion. An overwhelming majority of MPs supported my position. They voted the way they did on my recommendation. All MPs who are ministers, from Minister Emilewicz down to the Secretaries of State, offered their resignation, but I asked them to remain in their positions where they are carrying out a very important mission. Minister Kamil Bortniczuk asked for my consent to resign, as I had proposed that he join me in talks with opposition parties – Jarosław Gowin said in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".


19:58

Gowin:

The Alternative to My Resignation Was a Minority Government. I Met with My MPs, I Had to Persuade Them for a Long Time to Agree to My Resignation

- I resigned so that the government would not become a minority government. The alternative to my resignation was a minority government. I met with my MPs, I had to persuade them for a long time to agree to my resignation, because I did indeed make my decision dependent on their consent, but they trusted me - said Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.


20:01

Bielan:

I have no illusions that a large part of the opposition wants to bring about a political crisis and elections at a time most advantageous for them, when their electoral chances are highest.
All opposition leaders, including President Kosiniak-Kamysz, although he reportedly assured in private conversations with President Gowin that he would behave differently, rejected this proposal. I have no illusions that today the opposition, or a large part of the opposition, the PSL, and Civic Platform, are interested in bringing about a political crisis and holding elections at a time most advantageous for them, meaning when their electoral chances are highest - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

20:05

Gowin on Constitutional Amendment: Had the elections taken place on May 10th, Duda would have been president for five years. In this sense, it's also a gesture of sacrifice on his part, as the president conditionally supported this solution.

- I am trying to give an extra two years, as you put it, but without a chance for re-election. Andrzej Duda is the favorite and would likely, if the elections were to take place, and certainly if they were to happen, knock on wood, on May 10th, have been president for five years. In this sense, it is also a gesture of sacrifice, of resignation on his part, because the president supported this solution. Of course, he supported it conditionally - said Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach" (Facts After Facts).


20:15

Sasin on Postal Voting: We Will Do Everything to Minimize Contact with the Recipient of the Ballot. There Will Be No Possibility of Infection.
- I am not the main postman. The body organizing the elections is the National Electoral Commission (PKW), and as the minister overseeing Poczta Polska (the Polish Post), I am responsible for ensuring it carries out the task assigned to it by law, which is to deliver postal voting ballots to Poles. I do not foresee any possibility of this failing. I have been working with the management of Poczta Polska for several days. These elections can be conducted very efficiently in this manner, ensuring Poles their constitutional right to participate in elections - said Jacek Sasin on Kropka nad I. When pressed by Monika Olejnik whether he would be prepared to resign in the event of a logistical failure in conducting the vote, Sasin stated: - I can resign if it is necessary for you or anyone else, I can declare that, but such a situation simply will not happen. The Post is ready to carry out this task, they are working continuously despite the epidemic, delivering parcels to homes, and this market has even flourished in recent weeks due to a significant increase in online sales. To say that this is something dangerous that threatens postal workers or postmen is a misunderstanding. We will do everything to minimize contact with the person to whom this ballot is to be delivered. There will be absolutely no possibility of infection here - Sasin said.

20:20

Bielan:

I am a patriot of the United Right. I cannot imagine leaving the governing coalition. I am convinced this will not happen.

- Porozumienie is a member of the United Right. I am a patriot of the United Right. I cannot imagine leaving the governing coalition. I am convinced this will not happen. The MPs from Porozumienie voted for amendments to the electoral law last Saturday, then on Monday when they returned from the Senate, and also voted yesterday in a decisive majority - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program 'Wydarzenia i opinie' on Polsat News.


20:28

Sasin:

For citizens not in quarantine, there will be no contact. This is nothing extraordinary, as postmen are also working today, delivering parcels
- Certainly, the postmen who will visit those individuals remaining in quarantine will be equipped with all these [personal protective] accessories. Furthermore, this was adopted much earlier, and the Civic Platform also voted for it, so that individuals remaining in quarantine would be visited by postmen and could vote by correspondence. In the case of all other citizens, there will be no such contact, and therefore no such need, because these ballots will be dropped into mailboxes. This is nothing extraordinary, as postmen are also working today, visiting Postal Service customers and delivering parcels – said Jacek Sasin in Kropka nad I.

20:38

Sasin:

The Number of Addresses to Visit is Lower Than a Postman Visits Today, Averaging 250 Addresses Daily, So the Operation Can Be Carried Out with a Buffer
- The vast majority of the 25,000 postmen are working today, and the Post's employees number 75,000. There are not 30 million addresses to visit, but 14 million. The assumption is that the operation to deliver the packages is to last three days. This is an amount that is on average lower than what a postman visits today while delivering mail, which is an average of 250 addresses per day. Therefore, the operation can be carried out with a certain buffer - said Jacek Sasin in 'Kropka nad I'.

20:43

Sasin:

Faced with the choice of whether these elections should be held by mail, i.e., entirely safe for Poles, I hope politicians from Porozumienie will choose the safe option.

- On May 7, when the bill returns from the Senate, and it will probably be necessary to reject the Senate's opposition, although I am looking ahead, but in reality, this seems to be the most probable scenario. Faced with this kind of alternative – whether these elections should be held by mail, which is entirely safe for Poles, and as today's polls indicate, also accepted by the majority of Poles as a safe way to conduct elections – versus solutions that are in force today, which would have to be applied, and which foresee that a significant or larger part of voters would have to go to polling stations – I hope that the politicians from Porozumienie, even those who have doubts today, will still choose the safe option. I am convinced that common sense is on our side here – said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:44

Sasin:

It's Marshal Grodzki's malice to obstruct the elections in such an unclean way. We will try to deliver the packages in two days in such a situation.
- One can assume that the Senate will hold onto the bill for 30 days, and this is a certain malice on the part of Marshal Grodzki and the majority in the Sejm that is in opposition, to prevent these elections from being held in such an unclean manner. However, of course, he has the right to hold onto the bill for 30 days, but at the same time, I would like to point out that there is a provision in this bill that allows the Marshal, within the framework of the current constitutional deadlines, to make a correction to May 17th, which will give even more time. We will try to deliver the packages in two days in such a situation, we will be prepared for it - said Jacek Sasin in Kropka nad I.

20:50

Sasin on Polish Diaspora Voting: "There Were Always Wars, Epidemics Around the World During Polish Elections, But No One Suggested Cancelling Them."
- In no case are we excluding anyone from participating in the elections; elections will also take place abroad. Just as before, they will be organized by consulates, and depending on the situation prevailing in a given country, decisions will be made regarding the form of these elections - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i". - The situation in various countries around the world cannot influence the decisions made in Poland. There were always wars, epidemics, and various kinds of events in different countries around the world during Polish elections that made it impossible to organize elections there, but that did not mean that anyone suggested cancelling elections in Poland because of it. There is no logic in that, Madam Editor - Sasin added.

20:54

Sasin:

'Today there are no elections in Poland, yet sadly, more people are contracting coronavirus and some are dying'

- Today there are no elections in Poland, today elections are not being held in Poland, yesterday, the day before yesterday, tomorrow, and yet, I say this with regret, more people are contracting coronavirus and unfortunately, there are also people whom this virus kills. Well, unfortunately, that's how it looks. It has nothing to do with the electoral process - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:59

Sasin on Mayors' Opinions Regarding Election Commission Organization Issues: "PO Mayors are Saying This Today to Support Their Colleagues in the Sejm Who Are Trying at All Costs to Prevent Elections"

- I understand that the PO mayors are saying this today to support their colleagues in the Sejm who are trying at all costs to prevent elections, because they see that their candidate has little chance of winning these elections, because she is weak, because she is running a terrible election campaign, because she is unable to convince Poles - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Monika Olejnik on "Kropka nad i" TVN24.


21:03

Sasin:

It is Great Wisdom to Combine Democracy with What Has Happened to Us, and We Are Doing It
I knew President Lech Kaczyński for many years, and he was a man full of empathy, and I don't think that if he had heard the words of virologists, epidemiologists, scientists like Professor Maksymowicz, who says that these May 10 elections are dangerous for citizens, Lech Kaczyński would have pursued them - said Monika Olejnik in an interview with Jacek Sasin on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" (Dot on the i). - Madam Editor, it is great wisdom to combine democracy with what has happened to us, and we are doing it - replied the Deputy Prime Minister.

21:05

Sasin:

No Extraordinary Measures Expected; Poczta Polska Will Handle Operations Internally
- We do not foresee any extraordinary measures. Poczta Polska is the operator here and will carry out this operation with its own forces. If it genuinely needs staff reinforcement, that will be a decision for the management of Poczta Polska, who will have to assess whether it is necessary. I want to state very clearly that Poczta will not suffer in any way from this, because this is an operation that, like all elections, must be financed from the budget. The costs are currently being calculated, and Poczta will receive such financing – said Jacek Sasin in the program 'Kropka nad I,' when asked by the host about the possibility of military support.

21:39

DAILY PICTURE: News: Tusk Called State of Natural Disaster a Paramilitary State, Sobieniowski's Report Features a Coronavirus Image Next to Kaczyński's Portrait
-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: SASIN ON THE FACT THAT THE ORDER FOR THE POST OFFICE IS FEASIBLE BIELAN ON NOT ADDING A POLITICAL CRISIS TO HEALTH AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS GOWIN ON HOŁOWNIA: THE BOY KOSINIAK ATTACKS KIDAWĘ AGAIN https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/04/07/ ***** POLSAT EVENTS -- IF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ARE HELD IN MAY, THEY WILL HAVE THE CHARACTER OF POSTAL VOTING. -- THE REGULATIONS PASSED THE SEJM IN EXPRESS TEMPO, 5 HOURS PASSED FROM THE SUBMISSION OF THE BILL TO ITS ADOPTION - Mira Skórka. -- THE POSTAL VOTING BILL WAS SUBMITTED AFTER THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS REJECTED BY THE VOTES OF MPS FROM JAROSŁAW GOWIN'S PARTY - Skórka further. -- THIS TIME AGAIN, NOT ALL DEPUTIES OF POROZUMIENIE VOTED FOR THE LAW SUBMITTED BY PIS - Skórka. -- JAROSŁAW GOWIN WAS NOT IN THE CHAMBER - Skórka further. -- THE MARSHAL OF THE SENATE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL USE THE MAXIMUM OF 30 DAYS - Skórka. -- THE OPPOSITION CLAIMS THAT THE ELECTIONS WILL BE ILLEGAL BECAUSE THE REGULATIONS CONTRADICT THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES OF EQUALITY AND SECRECY OF VOTING - Skórka further. -- JAROSŁAW GOWIN, WHO RESIGNED YESTERDAY, ARGUES THAT CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION AND HOLDING ELECTIONS IN 2 YEARS IS A BETTER SOLUTION - Skórka. -- PIS AGREES TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION AND EXTEND THE PRESIDENT'S TERM BY TWO YEARS. THE BILL HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE SEJM, BUT TO ADOPT SUCH CHANGES, THE OPPOSITION'S CONSENT IS NEEDED, AND IT IS ABSENT - Skórka further. -- POCZTA POLSKA (POLISH POST) IS PREPARING FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST OPERATIONS IN HISTORY. -- POSTMEN ARE TO DELIVER BALLOTS TO 14 MILLION ADDRESSES IN JUST A FEW DAYS. -- THERE WILL BE NEW RESCUE SOLUTIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS; THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLEMENTED ITS ANTI-CRISIS SHIELD WITH ANOTHER PLN 11 BILLION. -- ALTHOUGH THEY ARE DIVIDED IN PARLIAMENT, TODAY AT 13:00 THEY WERE UNITED LIKE NEVER BEFORE - ON ONE SIDE THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, ON THE OTHER THE MARSHAL OF THE SENATE. -- POLITICIANS OF ALL FACTIONS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ORDINARY PEOPLE, PAID HOMAGE TO THE MEDICAL STAFF FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC WITH APPLAUSE. -- WE HAVE MORE CORONAVIRUS VICTIMS, AND MORE HOSPITAL BEDS ARE BEING FILLED. ***** FAKTY TVN -- THERE WILL BE NO CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY, AND IF THE RULING PARTY PERSISTS AND INSISTS FOR WEEKS, WE MAY HAVE POSTAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. BUT CAN AMENDMENTS BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE ELECTIONS ARE UNIVERSAL, EQUAL, DIRECT, AND SECRET? -- THIS POLITICIAN HAS NOT HELD PRESS CONFERENCES FOR A LONG TIME, AND TODAY HE COULD ANNOUNCE THAT HE WON WHAT HE WANTED: THE VOTE ON ELECTIONS DURING THE EPIDEMIC - Jakub Sobieniowski. -- Sobieniowski on Bortniczuk's resignation. -- GOWINIZATION - Hołownia. -- 51 SECONDS AFTER THE VOTE, HE TRIED TO TALK TO JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI AND WAS TREATED LIKE THIS - Sobieniowski on the scene from the Sejm. -- GOWIN'S PARTY VOTED AS KACZYŃSKI WANTED - Sobieniowski. -- Sobieniowski on the 3 possible election dates, appearing in a circle with a virus icon next to Jarosław Kaczyński's photo. -- THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS, FEARS, AND THREATS THAT POLAND IS LIVING WITH, MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH - Sobieniowski. -- SUCH JUGGLING WILL LEAD TO CHALLENGING THE RESULTS, WHICH WILL BE DECIDED BY A NEW CHAMBER APPOINTED BY PIS - Sobieniowski. -- How to find millions of Poles who do not live at their registered address and those who are not registered anywhere? Who will deliver and collect ballot packages from Poles in quarantine. The parliamentary draft will accept any solution, but electoral reality is more complex. -- HERE THE DIFFICULTIES BEGIN - Krzysztof Skórzyński: They should be universal, meaning everyone who has the right to vote should have the opportunity to vote. The elections should be direct, meaning we ourselves (not someone for us) should decide who we want to vote for. And voting should be secret. Here the difficulties begin. -- SKÓRZYŃSKI ON THE CALENDAR: It is therefore very likely that these regulations will not come into force until May 6 or 7. Even assuming that the elections are postponed by a week – to May 17, we are still talking about a few days to formally organize them. To organize postal elections for the first time in history. -- JAROSŁAW FLIS: It's like setting off for Mont Blanc in sneakers. It might succeed with a certain level of determination, but it is still very unlikely. -- ANDRZEJ ZOLL: It is practically impossible for me to see these constitutional conditions for elections being met here. -- JACEK SUTRYK: You want to hold elections? You want to hold elections under these conditions? Then state the minimum boundary conditions under which all this should take place. We still have no such information. -- SKÓRZYŃSKI ON DOUBTS: A month before the elections, there is a whole litany of doubts. How and who will verify that Kowalski actually voted and not someone for Kowalski? What about Ms. Nowak, who is registered in Rzeszów but lives in Szczecin? Where will the envelope go? There can be millions of such citizens. -- JAN KANTHAK: No one hides that it is not an easy task, and we also do not hide that postal voting has its drawbacks. -- PIS CHANGED ITS MIND - Skórzyński: Three years ago, PiS wanted to completely eliminate the possibility of postal voting. Even for people with disabilities. Considering it a loophole for fraud. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP -- ANOTHER PLN 11 BILLION FOR AID TO ENTREPRENEURS AND EMPLOYEES. THIS IS HOW MUCH THE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES IN THE EXPANDED VERSION OF THE ANTI-CRISIS SHIELD ARE TO COST - announcement. -- 4848 CONFIRMED CASES OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION IN POLAND. 129 PEOPLE HAVE DIED. -- THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH APPEALS NOT TO ORGANIZE FAMILY GATHERINGS DURING THE HOLIDAYS. ON THURSDAY, FURTHER RESTRICTIONS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS - announcement. -- AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF DISCUSSION, THE SEJM ADOPTED THE DRAFT LAW ON POSTAL VOTING IN THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - announcement. -- THE LAW HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SENATE. GRODZKI ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHAMBER WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY USE THE 30-DAY PERIOD FOR WORK - Edyta Lewandowska further. -- THE MARSHAL OF THE SEJM WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE EARLIER ELECTION DATE - Marcin Szypszak. -- VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 6 AM AND 8 PM. EACH VOTER WILL HAVE TO PLACE THE ENVELOPE IN A SPECIAL BOX WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY - Szypszak. -- ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT, THE IDEA OF POSTAL VOTING IS INTERESTING - Szypszak. -- LAST WEEK, GOWIN'S PROPOSAL APPEARED TO POSTPONE THE ELECTIONS BY 2 YEARS, TO WHICH PIS AGREES - Szypszak. -- POROZUMIENIE REMAINED IN THE GOVERNMENT - Szypszak. -- THE OPPOSITION DOES NOT WANT TO AGREE TO CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES AND POSTAL VOTING, REPEATING THAT THE ELECTIONS SHOULD BE POSTPONED BY SEVERAL MONTHS - Szypszak. -- THE LAW WILL BE STUCK IN THE SENATE FOR 30 DAYS - Szypszak. -- SECRET AND SAFE - banner about postal voting. -- SIMILARLY, RESIDENTS OF DOZENS OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD VOTE. IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR 100 YEARS - announcement. -- THE OPPOSITION DEMANDS THE INTRODUCTION OF A STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER. IT IS SUPPORTED BY DONALD TUSK, WHO IN THE PAST, AS PRIME MINISTER, CALLED A STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER A PARAMILITARY SOLUTION AND DID NOT DECIDE TO INTRODUCE IT EVEN IN THE FACE OF A MAJOR FLOOD BEFORE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN 2010 - announcement. -- IMMEDIATELY AND REGARDLESS OF COSTS, THE OPPOSITION DEMANDS THE INTRODUCTION OF A STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER - Konrad Wąż. -- DONALD TUSK SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE POLISH GOVERNMENT FOR THE LACK OF SUCH A DECISION - Wąż. -- IN 2010, TUSK HAD A DIFFERENT OPINION ON THE STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER - Wąż. -- THERE WAS NO TALK OF POSTPONING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN 2010 EITHER. TUSK REPEATED THIS MANY TIMES - Wąż. -- ULTIMATELY, A STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER WAS NOT INTRODUCED, AND THE ELECTIONS WERE HELD - Wąż. -- A STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER CAN LEAD THE COUNTRY TO BANKRUPTCY - Wąż. -- THESE ARGUMENTS DO NOT CONVINCE THE CIVIC PLATFORM - Wąż. -- IN SUCH A CRISIS, THE OPPOSITION SEES ITS CHANCE - Wąż. -- THANKS TO THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AS PART OF THE #CLAPFORYOU CAMPAIGN.