As we reported on 300POLITYCE, a solemn address by the President, which Andrzej Duda will deliver at 8:00 PM, will be the main part of the commemorations of the tenth anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe. Furthermore, at 8:41 AM, PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński will lay wreaths and pay tribute at the monuments of the late President Lech Kaczyński and the victims of the catastrophe, followed by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

A ceremony of laying wreaths will take place in the Sejm at 8:00 AM before the plaques commemorating the late President Lech Kaczyński, the Marshal of the Sejm of the III term, Maciej Płażyński, and the tragically deceased MPs and senators in the Smolensk catastrophe.

After the Sejm part of the commemorations concludes, at 8:41 AM, Marshal of the Sejm Elżbieta Witek will lay flowers at the monument of the late President Lech Kaczyński and at the monument of the victims of the Smolensk catastrophe at 8:50 AM. Subsequently, at 9:30 AM, the Marshal of the Sejm will honor the memory of the victims of the tragedy from a decade ago at Powązki Military Cemetery, where she will lay a wreath at the monument to the victims of the Smolensk catastrophe.

Marshal of the Senate Tomasz Grodzki will lay flowers in the Sejm at the plaques dedicated to the victims of this catastrophe. At 9:05 AM at the plaque commemorating President Lech Kaczyński, at 9:09 AM at the plaque commemorating Maciej Płażyński, and at 9:14 AM at the plaque commemorating MPs and senators.

Additionally, at 8:40 AM in Tarnów, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will lay flowers before the plaque commemorating the victims of the catastrophe and under the plaque dedicated to the memory of the late Wiesław Woda, and at 11:30 AM a delegation from The Left club will lay flowers in the Sejm before the plaque commemorating the victims of the Smolensk catastrophe.

We must want to be a large, influential European nation and we must reject inferiority complexes. We must implement such a policy, conduct such a policy, which is conducted precisely from such a position. Only this yields any results. Only this leads to others respecting us, because to conduct such a policy, one must have self-respect. Unfortunately, many Polish politicians lack this self-respect – Jarosław Kaczyński said in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Jedynka radio.

- We can respond as we always do at the moment, I'm speaking here about the government's stance, that we will adapt our decisions to the developing situation. From the beginning, we have tried to make decisions flexibly depending on how the disease is developing in Poland. Of course, we would like some restrictions to be lifted after the holidays. This is naturally connected with the economy returning to functioning. Many countries are planning such actions, including our neighbors. We, if it is possible for safety and epidemiological reasons, would certainly also like to move in this direction - stated Michał Dworczyk in a conversation with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- All these decisions are ahead of us and we will make them depending on the dynamics of the increase in infections and the number of cases, based on the opinion of experts and doctors. But please note that countries that are talking about such plans very concretely, like Denmark or Austria, have a higher daily number of infections. What is important here is that thanks to responsible policy and gradually introduced regulations, including restrictions, we have managed to ensure that in this first phase of the epidemic's development, the increase in infections was not as dynamic as, say, among our neighbours, and that what happened in other countries, such as Spain or Italy, did not occur. But I repeat: all decisions will depend on the situation after the holidays. For now, we have an extension of a series of restrictions, whether until April 26th or even until the beginning of May - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

„Today, we very often speak of Bavaria for very specific reasons. It is an example of immense, unprecedented success, precisely based on the principle [that the greatest successes are achieved by those who can modernize, but with respect for tradition]. I am not claiming that these principles are still observed there today, but they were for many decades. The poorest German state has become one of the two wealthiest. It is simultaneously one of the two, three, perhaps four, wealthiest regions in Europe, if you count Luxembourg or southern London. In short, it pays off. It pays off on a smaller scale, because a state is not a sovereign country, but part of a country. However, in this case, we are dealing with a country [state] that is larger than many European countries, with 13 million inhabitants and an area roughly the size of the Czech Republic, around 70,000 square kilometers. In short, there is something to refer to, especially since it is also a traditionally Catholic country. Discussions can be held on this matter today, but the Bavarian tradition is certainly a Catholic tradition, just like in our country. This is the best path. My late brother wanted to follow it and was deeply convinced that it was right. He not only wanted to, but he did it” - said Jarosław Kaczyński, the Law and Justice party leader, on Radio Jedynka.

- It is untrue that this birch tree destroyed the plane. If anything, it did not happen that way, but if the plane had hit a birch tree at all, there is no doubt that the wing would have cut through the birch, and the birch would have cut the wing. We possess highly accurate, meticulous research, experiments, and simulations that were conducted on this matter. There was no armored birch tree – stated Antoni Macierewicz in an interview with Adrian Klarenbach on Polish Radio 24.

- If we are talking about the future, that we will return to normality or reality, but it will be a new reality, somewhat different from that before the outbreak of the epidemic or pandemic. As for when this will happen, what these changes will be, as I said, we will make decisions after the holidays. For now, we are making a very strong appeal, we very clearly want to emphasize and ask Poles to maintain, as they have so far, self-discipline, to act responsibly during the holidays, just as they have so far. To limit trips and meetings as much as possible, so that these holidays are primarily experienced spiritually, and to limit the mobility that usually accompanies holidays as much as possible. Because large gatherings, spending long periods together can lead to an increase in infections. We want to avoid this, and that is why we are very much asking you to stay at home during the holidays - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Konrad Piasecki in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

- There was explosive material, there was an explosion in the wing, there was an explosion in the center section. The plane was destroyed by an explosion - Antoni Macierewicz stated in an interview with Adrian Klarenbach on Polish Radio 24.

The prosecutor's office will have to answer that question. We primarily focused on investigating the circumstances and direct causes of this tragedy. Regarding personnel matters, although our report certainly contains a vast amount of evidence that also allows for the formulation of personal conclusions, our report does not formulate these personal conclusions. However, as a Member of Parliament and a citizen, I will likely also submit requests to the prosecutor's office to initiate prosecution of individuals who contributed to this tragedy – said Antoni Macierewicz in an interview with Adrian Klarenbach on Polish Radio 24.

As is known, the Russians are unlawfully detaining it [the wreckage]. Not only unlawfully from the perspective of the procedure they themselves imposed on Donald Tusk, and which he accepted, namely the investigation of this tragedy based on Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, which unequivocally states that after the completion and writing of the report, the wreckage and all its parts should be returned to the owner state. They are brazenly holding onto it in violation of the law - Antoni Macierewicz said in an interview with Adrian Klarenbach on Polish Radio 24.

- Mr. Donald Tusk is the author and co-author of the Smolensk lie and actions that were intended to permanently hide what truly happened over Smolensk. He did not succeed. Fortunately - said Antoni Macierewicz in an interview with Adrian Klarenbach on Polish Radio 24.

- In reality, the fundamental elements of this stage, or rather the expansion, of the anti-crisis shield do not require legislative changes. As early as April, entrepreneurs will be able to apply for these subsidies, which may be partially waived depending on whether it's a small, medium, or large company. The process will be slightly different, but one thing will be common: the procedures will be maximally simplified. Smaller entrepreneurs will be able to report directly to banks cooperating with the Polish Development Fund (PFR). Larger companies will handle formalities through the PFR, but I emphasize that all these actions are intended to be digitized. Filling out forms will be done online, and the procedures are to be maximally simplified - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

„We must consider various scenarios. The latest decision to extend the restrictions on classes in schools until April 26 stems from concern for the safety and health of students and teachers. We did not want to expose them and prevent the spread of the epidemic, because this and other prohibitions currently in place are primarily intended to prevent a large number of infections. For now, at least, it is yielding results. Poland is a country where the number of sick people is significantly lower than in other European countries,” said Minister Dariusz Piontkowski in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on Radio Jedynka.

"Completing education remotely is possible. Regulations are in place that allow teachers not only to assign grades but also to classify students, and this will be the case for students taking their final exams. For them, the school year ends on April 24th, and remotely, taking into account what has happened in school previously, teachers can issue final grades" - said Minister Dariusz Piontkowski in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on Radio Jedynka.

"We didn't want students to take exams under the influence of stress and threat. As mentioned, we want students to know about the new exam dates well in advance. This applies not only to high school graduates but also to eighth-graders and vocational exams. Vocational exams are scheduled to take place at the end of June. We will try to adapt the other exams to their schedule. We still don't know in what situation or at what moment we will make this decision, but safety measures will certainly need to be observed," said Minister Dariusz Piontkowski in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on Radio Jedynka.

“

Two days ago, the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities sent us a letter in which they clearly suggested that they would adjust their admission deadlines to the date of the Matura exam and that any postponement of the exam, as has now occurred, will not impact the possibility of admission. Rectors are also aware that the situation is extraordinary. Distance learning is currently also functioning at universities. They believe that the best method for admissions, an objective one that allows for the comparison of students' achievements based on the same parameters, is the Matura exam. The admission schedule will, of course, change,” said Minister Dariusz Piontkowski in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on Radio Jedynka.

- Unfortunately, it's hard to resist the impression that the fundamental argument or reason for the hysteria that some opposition politicians are trying to stir up is fear of the election results, or rather, the opposition candidates themselves, who have scant political support, rather than genuine concerns about the electoral process itself. Let's repeat once more: in many countries around the world, where no one questions democracy, as the opposition would like to do today, completely without grounds, incidentally, postal elections are held in Poland, and such elections can also take place – stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

https://twitter.com/pisorgpl/status/1248501513887965190

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Michał Dworczyk, head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, laid flowers before the plaques commemorating the victims of the Smolensk catastrophe. The event took place on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.

Premier @MorawieckiM wraz z @michaldworczyk złożyli kwiaty przed tablicami upamiętniającymi ofiary katastrofy smoleńskiej. pic.twitter.com/hE2T4Y0w8W

— Premier RP (@PremierRP) April 10, 2020

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed a note to the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, demanding the immediate return of the wreckage of the Polish Tu-154M aircraft. The plane crashed near Smolensk, Russia, in April 2010, killing all 96 people on board, including President Lech Kaczyński and many high-ranking Polish officials.

The note, shared via the Ministry's official Twitter account (https://twitter.com/MSZ_RP/status/1248519037736419328), underscores Poland's persistent efforts to regain possession of the wreckage. Polish authorities have repeatedly argued that the wreckage is crucial for a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the disaster and for honoring the memory of the victims.

The issue of the wreckage's return has been a contentious point in Polish-Russian relations for years. Despite numerous requests and diplomatic overtures from Poland, Russia has so far refused to hand over the wreckage, citing ongoing investigations or other reasons. This latest diplomatic action signals Poland's continued determination to resolve this matter.

As of Sunday, April 12, 2020, at 10:30 AM, the Ministry of Health reported 167 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland. One person has died.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed that a total of 5,364 people have been infected with the coronavirus in Poland so far, and 172 people have died.

More information can be found on the official Ministry of Health Twitter account:

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1248521753837658112

"He will announce his decision. I think it will happen soon, but not tomorrow. By the end of spring, for sure" – said Władysław Stasiak, head of President Lech Kaczyński's Chancellery, in an interview with Fakt on March 31, 2010. Ten days later, the President was no longer alive. This is what the last week of the President of the Republic and the First Lady's life looked like – according to official communiqués from the Chancellery. Good Friday, April 2, 2010 Several thousand people participated in a Way of the Cross through the streets of Warsaw on Friday evening. They were joined by President Lech Kaczyński and his wife, as well as the head of the Presidential Chancellery, Władysław Stasiak. This Good Friday coincided with the fifth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II; the Way of the Cross alluded to the Pope's teachings. The procession passed through Krakowskie Przedmieście, and the area around Piłsudski Square was filled with lit candles. Exactly the same place would look eerily similar in 8 days. In an interview with Fakt that day, the President recalled John Paul II on the fifth anniversary of his death: "When I learned of His passing, I ordered sirens to be sounded throughout the city. I remember the spontaneous reaction of the Varsovians, a huge row of candles along Jana Pawła II Avenue, on Piłsudski Square, and many, many other places associated with the Holy Father's pilgrimages. I was deeply moved by a photograph in one of the newspapers, taken on the still empty Piłsudski Square before the Mass for the Pope's Soul, which showed a young man praying alone. He came to pray because he could not attend the Mass. I instructed my colleagues to find him and invited him to join the delegation of Varsovians traveling to the funeral ceremonies in Rome." Also on this Friday, President Lech Kaczyński, in accordance with the constitutional procedure, requested the Marshal of the Sejm, Bronisław Komorowski, to provide an opinion on the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling regarding an amendment to the law on political parties. After consulting the Marshal of the Sejm, the President of the Republic will sign the law, omitting the provision deemed unconstitutional, or return the law to the Sejm for correction of the inconsistency. The previous day, April 1, PLK signed 11 laws and approved Deputy Prosecutors General, sending the decisions for counter-signature by the Prime Minister. Saturday, April 3, 2010 Easter Wishes from the Presidential Couple: "May joy and peace fill Polish homes during this special time. May the Republic and its citizens experience all good and prosperity. May this special moment of the year, when life symbolically renews and nature awakens from its winter slumber, also bring a new beginning to all our endeavors, offer encouragement and hope. We wish you a beautiful, happy, and family-filled Easter. President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczyński and his Wife" Wednesday, April 7, 2010 On April 7, 2010, at the invitation of the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Bogdan Borusewicz, Maria Kaczyńska attended a solemn concert performed by the Sinfonietta Cracovia orchestra on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre. President Lech Kaczyński awarded General David Petraeus, commander of the United States Central Command and the overall commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq in 2007, the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for outstanding contributions to the development of cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and the United States. The General also received the Star of Iraq from the President for his cooperation with the Polish Military Contingent. According to the President, Petraeus showed that "knowledge, wisely created doctrine, can be effective not only as brilliant intellectual constructs but also in reality." "Poland participated in the Iraq war for quite a long time, though not as long as I would have wished. Poland is participating in the operation in Afghanistan, and I would like that participation to be as effective as possible," the President added. He recalled that he supports increasing the Polish contingent and made the appropriate decision at the government's request. He assured that Poland can be counted on as an ally of NATO and the United States. Lech Kaczyński said he would like a world where peace reigns supreme. "But I doubt it will be the experience of my generation," the President qualified. On the same day, in an interview with PAP, Minister Stasiak said: "It is good that Prime Minister Putin was in Katyn, that Prime Minister Tusk was there, that they paid tribute to the victims of Katyn. There is talk of embarking on the path of reconciliation – it is important to follow this path. But it is also important that there are clear, distinct signs on this path, such as archives, research, and the disclosure of materials related to the discontinued investigation." Thursday, April 8, 2010 At the invitation of Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lech Kaczyński arrived in Vilnius on Thursday for a working visit lasting several hours. Thursday's meeting was a continuation of discussions initiated during his last visit in March of that year, during the celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of Lithuania's Independence. "I would like to emphasize that I am a proponent of very close cooperation between our countries. I am convinced that it serves our common interest, as well as the interest of the entire region," Lech Kaczyński said at a press conference after the meeting. He added that they discussed matters related to energy, the refinery in Mažeikiai, as well as cooperation with Russia and the United States. Maria Kaczyńska participated in the first meeting of the Program Council of Radio IN, the first internet radio station in Poland run by people with disabilities. In an interview with Konrad Piasecki on RMF, Władysław Stasiak spoke that day about the effects of Donald Tusk's and Vladimir Putin's visit to Katyn: "It is good that Prime Minister Putin was in Katyn, because every tribute paid to the victims of Katyn counts. However, a breakthrough? Definitely not a breakthrough." Friday, April 9, 2010 On Thursday in Prague, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a treaty on strategic arms reduction. The head of the National Security Bureau, Aleksander Szczygło, who was a guest of Radio Zet, commented on this event: "I think the most important thing for us is that nothing follows this agreement that would diminish our security or the position of this Europe, this part of Europe, in relations, both within NATO and with the United States." At a briefing, presidential ministers provided information about the visit to Katyn, scheduled for the next day: According to the head of the Presidential Chancellery, Władysław Stasiak, this is a very important visit not only for Lech Kaczyński but for all of us. "Its symbolic dimension is very important for Poland, for Poles, for our identity," said Minister Stasiak. "By participating in the ceremonies in Katyn, the President intends to pay tribute to the Polish officers and prisoners of war murdered by the Soviet communist regime, as well as to remind the world of this tragedy," emphasized Minister Mariusz Handzlik. The President's return to the country is planned for Saturday evening. (PAP) On Friday, April 9, Maria Kaczyńska met with Poles from the East who, thanks to the "Easter in Poland" initiative organized by the Lublin Association "Wspólne Korzenie," were spending Easter in Poland. Poles from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Ukraine were hosted by families in and around Lublin during the holidays. Saturday, April 10, 2010 On the website Prezydent.pl: "On April 10, 2010, en route to the ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre, the President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczyński, the President's Spouse Maria Kaczyńska, members of the Polish delegation, and the aircraft crew perished. May their souls rest in eternal peace, O Lord! ...a bird flies by, a cloud drifts a leaf falls, a mallow sprouts and there is silence in the heights and smoke rises from the Smolensk forest..." Zbigniew Herbert "Buttons" Based on the archives of prezydent.pl and publicly available PAP, photos are from the sources of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland. This text was first published on April 5, 2012.

Donald Tusk, former Prime Minister of Poland and current President of the European People's Party, has called for an end to the political divisions surrounding the 2010 Smolensk air disaster.

In a post on his Twitter account, Tusk stated, "Ten years of the Smolensk civil war is enough. Renouncing bad emotions and starting to rebuild community together would be the best tribute to all victims of the disaster. Let's try."

The Smolensk disaster, which claimed the lives of President Lech Kaczyński and 95 other prominent Polish figures, has been a highly contentious issue in Polish politics for over a decade. The exact causes of the crash have been the subject of numerous investigations and competing narratives, leading to deep divisions and accusations between political factions.

Tusk's appeal suggests a desire to move beyond the politicization of the tragedy and foster national unity. He implies that the ongoing conflict and bitterness surrounding the event are not a fitting way to honor those who perished.

The call for reconciliation comes at a time when Poland is navigating complex domestic and international challenges. Tusk's message, originating from his European platform, also carries implications for Poland's relationship with the European Union and its role within the wider European community.

It remains to be seen how this appeal will be received by various political actors and the wider Polish society, but it marks a significant statement from a prominent figure in Polish politics advocating for healing and unity.

This latest conference and the proposal by Prime Minister Morawiecki with the President of the National Bank of Poland is essentially the fulfillment of our expectation, which I expressed two weeks ago to Minister Emilewicz, where we presented the entire Liquidity Fund project - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Tarnów. It's good that there's reflection. It's just a pity that it's so late. I believe this is the most serious announcement among all of them. It's good that it's happening. This is a cash injection for businesses, an effectively unlimited credit line from BGK is necessary for us to maintain the operational efficiency of larger and smaller enterprises - added the leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL).

The President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, paid tribute to President Lech Kaczyński and the First Lady, Maria Kaczyńska, who rest in the crypt of Wawel Cathedral on the 10th anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe.

On behalf of the President, wreaths were laid today across Poland at the graves of the catastrophe's victims.

The official presidential Twitter account, @prezydentpl, shared a link to a tweet on this occasion: https://twitter.com/prezydentpl/status/1248518968756842496

- When I recall the moment I first heard the news, there was disbelief, a complete incomprehension of what had happened. It was so unreal that it seemed untrue. Then came the moments when I had to inform Wiesław Woda's wife that her husband had died, was no longer alive. And many subsequent moments, difficult funerals of our acquaintances. At that time, everyone perished regardless of party or political affiliations, clergy, the academic world. All those who were involved in preparing that event. For a moment, Poland was united. Around President Lech Kaczyński's coffin. Around all the victims. But that lasted only a moment. These 10 years since the catastrophe have also seen a gigantic social division that has occurred. We have drawn no lessons as a society. We are also deeply divided by these events, which should unite us. This is the second drama of the Smoleńsk catastrophe. The death of President Lech Kaczyński, President Kaczorowski, and all who accompanied them on that delegation. And that is a tragedy. The second tragedy is the social division that took place as a result of the Smoleńsk catastrophe. These 10 years, instead of building social community, we have become increasingly divided. I believe that reflection will come eventually, that there will be an opportunity for normal cooperation, normal functioning, and the rejection of these emotions that are destroying us - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Tarnów. 

- In the history of post-war Poland, there has been no greater tragedy in which a sitting President, along with his spouse, the last president-in-exile, the generals of the Polish Army, politicians from various parties, and individuals holding public office perished. They will remain forever in our memory. It is worth asking ourselves two questions today, remembering those we so miss in our social and political life: What path have we taken as a community since then? Have we lived up to the testament left to us by President Lech Kaczyński and the victims of the catastrophe? While remembering the victims of the Smolensk catastrophe, let us keep them in our memory - wrote Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Facebook.

https://twitter.com/Jaroslaw_Gowin/status/1248568766394490880

As we wrote yesterday on 300POLITYKA, the solemn address by the President, which Andrzej Duda will deliver at 8 PM on Friday, April 10th, will be the main part of the observances for the tenth anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe.

https://twitter.com/spychalski_b/status/1248554581283479552

On Thursday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki appointed Jacek Żalek as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy. The new deputy minister will take over the duties of Kamil Bortniczuk, who resigned and was dismissed by the Prime Minister from his previous role as Deputy Minister of Funds and Regional Policy.

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1248627562349088768

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1248627565201215491

- We are all in a dramatic situation together. This is compounded by the constitutional deadline for elections, and we don't have much influence over that. But, the constitution must be respected, and a way must be found to conduct elections safely - said Marek Jakubiak in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program 'Gość Wydarzeń' on Polsat News.

Together with Paweł Kukiz, for a good few years now, we have been urging the ruling party and others, including Civic Platform (PO) at one time, to build lobbying for e-voting. Until now, it has found no recognition. Here it would be a perfect fit for this occasion - said Marek Jakubiak in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events) on Polsat News.

This is not a normal situation, where people are dying from illnesses, and we are discussing elections. This is not a normal situation. This is an extraordinary situation. For this situation, for the resolution of this situation, the government bears absolute responsibility, because the decision lies with them - said Marek Jakubiak in a conversation with Dorota Gawryluk on the program 'Gość Wydarzeń' (Guest of Events) on Polsat News.

- The Constitution demands a certain determination from us on this matter. Only a state of emergency can resolve this, not any boycott or rebellion. I appeal to the rulers, especially Prime Minister Morawiecki and President Andrzej Duda, to consider the possibility of postponing the elections, for example, to July, because such an option exists - Marek Jakubiak said in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

- It has been 10 years since this investigation began. Many mistakes were made at the beginning of this process, even when the chief military prosecutor was overseeing it. Many actions had to be repeated. Today, I can say that we are entering a final phase. As I said yesterday, I will repeat it today, meaning there will be a report prepared by an international commission. It will be based primarily on opinions that the national prosecutor's office already has. These are about 100 opinions presented by doctors from various fields, forensic doctors, specialists from various fields, and from different countries - stated Michał Wójcik in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

I never imagined such an attack on multiple fronts would be directed at me. Of course, I don't have a powerful organization behind me that would bravely take every blow. It's all on me. I don't know anything about this, the National Electoral Commission (PKW) hasn't informed me of any developments in this matter. I have been registered, meaning my signatures were verified and I was, so to speak, given a vote of confidence, enabling me to run for president with the appropriate protocol, and I am very proud of that. If the prosecutor's office has this, they will likely clarify it, and that's that - said Marek Jakubiak in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program “Gość Wydarzeń” (Guest of Events) on Polsat News. - Personally, I don't know Mr. Jarosław Kaczyński; I've never exchanged a single word with him. This isn't about signatures; it's about a deal that was made between five candidates, and this deal suddenly collapsed, the whole plan. I won't quote a classic here, but it simply collapsed. It's not about signatures; it's about a plan for rebellion, a simple boycotting of democracy in Poland - he added. 

Even after 10 years, I feel this tragedy deeply and see a void in our nation left by those who perished. In Smolensk, the best of us died. I say this with full conviction. I am certain Poland would be different, better today, had they lived - stated President Andrzej Duda in his address. Today, it is our duty to do everything we can to meet the challenges that serving Poland presents. To worthily replace those outstanding representatives whom we lost 10 years ago. To develop our country, to care for our homeland. To rebuild our community, despite the mistakes we make daily, so that it can face the most difficult challenges. We owe this to all those wonderful people whom we lost on April 10, 2010. I warmly ask you all, my compatriots, I appeal to you, on this tenth anniversary, on this Good Friday, in this difficult time - PAD continued. Below is the full text of the address. ***** Dear Compatriots, Ladies and Gentlemen! Many of us remember exactly what we were doing 10 years ago - on April 10, 2010. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I hadn't even managed to turn on the television to watch the broadcast of the ceremonies in Katyn when the phone rang. Our acquaintance, a family friend, was calling. She said: "Andrzej…", and asked: "Where are you? Didn't you fly to Katyn?", and then she burst into tears. I remember, surprised, I replied that I was at home, in Krakow, and asked what had happened, and she, sobbing, said: "The plane with the President has crashed, it crashed upon landing." Shock, despair, disbelief, a glimmer of hope that perhaps not everyone had died, that someone had survived. Unfortunately. We faced an unimaginable tragedy – 96 wonderful Poles perished, led by the President of the Republic of Poland, Professor Lech Kaczyński, and his wife. Our homeland suffered a great loss. It was the greatest tragedy in Poland's post-war history. Today, on the 10th anniversary of that tragedy, we could not gather to commemorate together, by participating in memorial marches and other public events, those whom we lost then. There were no assemblies or speeches. This anniversary falls at a special time, a time when all of Poland and the world are grappling with the coronavirus epidemic. It also falls on a particularly symbolic day for Christians – Good Friday. A day that, like no other day of the year, is marked by suffering, a day when we devote ourselves to contemplation, reflection, and prayer. Let us take a moment to remember those whom we lost in the Smolensk disaster. Let us also remember those whom our representatives were flying to commemorate. The Polish elites murdered 80 years ago in Katyn by the treacherous bullets of Soviet executioners. The great Poles who gave their lives for their homeland during its greatest trial. Their sacrifice was not in vain, and that genocide, committed on Stalin's orders, will never be forgotten. For despite the Katyn lie and communist persecution, truth has prevailed. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Compatriots! 10 years ago, all of Poland was cloaked in mourning. In many Polish families, this pain was connected with the loss of someone dearest: a mother or father, brother or sister, husband, wife, son or daughter. At that time, I was a minister in the chancellery of the late President Professor Lech Kaczyński. It was also a personal tragedy for me. I lost my president, a wonderful boss and teacher, the wonderful First Lady Maria Kaczyńska. I lost friends, colleagues with whom I worked daily. We all lost. Representatives of the entire political class perished in the crash. Every participant in that delegation, regardless of their views, was on it for patriotic reasons. They loved Poland. They wanted to pay tribute to our murdered compatriots. Members of parliament and senators, clergy of various denominations, heads of many central offices, representatives of Katyń families, generals, officers of the Government Protection Bureau, pilots, and the entire aircraft crew. Wonderful people. Each of us has some personal memory associated with those exceptional days that followed the Smolensk disaster. For me, such a moment was a visit to Moscow a few days after the crash. I was taken to a hall where the bodies of almost all the victims were, including my friends, with whom I had said goodbye then. Afterward, we were with Madam President and present at the closing of her coffin. We prayed. I will never forget it. In those days, as Poles, we showed that in difficult times, we can be a wonderful community, we can be in solidarity. We witnessed many acts of human solidarity during the arrival of the coffins carrying the bodies of the Presidential Couple. Hundreds of thousands of people stood in a queue stretching for kilometers to the Presidential Palace to pay tribute to the Presidential Couple. Thousands of tulips laid out on Krakowskie Przedmieście in tribute to Madam President. Hundreds of thousands of candles. Crowds participating in the farewells of all those who perished. Experiencing grief then became our great national retreat. Today, too, community is extremely necessary for us in the face of completely different challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic. We need it to overcome this threat together, to survive this difficult time for Poland, Europe, and the world together. To emerge from it victorious. And we must once again show that we can pass such a difficult test. Dear Compatriots, Ladies and Gentlemen! Even after 10 years, I feel this tragedy deeply and see a void in our nation left by those who perished. In Smolensk, the best of us died. I say this with full conviction. I am certain Poland would be different, better today, had they lived. Today, it is our duty to do everything we can to meet the challenges that serving Poland presents. To worthily replace those outstanding representatives whom we lost 10 years ago. To develop our country, to care for our homeland. To rebuild our community, despite the mistakes we make daily, so that it can face the most difficult challenges. We owe this to all those wonderful people whom we lost on April 10, 2010. I warmly ask you all, my compatriots, I appeal to you, on this tenth anniversary, on this Good Friday, in this difficult time. Photo. Grzegorz Jakubowski/KPRP

- A regulation has a specific provision that allows, if someone, within the scope of their professional activity, which I perform – I'm talking about the function I hold, I'm not here in a private capacity. It would be different if I were laying flowers privately, but I did not lay flowers privately today. I was also there. We tried, of course, to maintain the distance, those two meters, but I want to say that everything was done in accordance with the law. I regret that unfortunately today the media is once again circulating discussions precisely on this matter. Completely unnecessarily. Just like the journalists, the photojournalists who were there, it would never have occurred to me to accuse them of violating the regulation. They are simply performing their profession. They provide information to the public. Otherwise, we would not see what we saw on your station, nor would anyone have laid flowers. You must admit, this is somewhat unserious - stated Michał Wójcik in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on the program “Wydarzenia i opinie” on Polsat News.

“I don’t expect an ‘apology’ from them. I expect them to leave. I don’t want apologies from anyone. Sooner or later, all those responsible for this 5-year period of plunder in Poland will bear the responsibility they should for what they are doing today, even in the face of the pandemic tragedy and another attempt to gain power over corpses. The Smolensk lie and the disgraceful exploitation of the Smolensk lie by the current ruling team served them to gain power. Today, it is clear that nothing from the theories that were proclaimed about an alleged assassination attempt, about armored birches – it’s even shameful to recall them now, as it offends decency and intelligence – all of that has turned out to be a blatant lie. Unfortunately, it was paid for with gigantic taxpayer money” – said the Deputy Marshal of the Senate, Michał Kamiński of PSL-Koalicja Polska, in an interview with Monika Olejnik on “Kropka nad i” on TVN24.

“This is not a deviation from the norm of this party of lords. Jarosław Kaczyński said from the Sejm tribune that he is a human lord. They look at each other like a party of lords. They are allowed more than us. This is deeply embedded in the logic of their thinking. Comparing, attempting to regret that Jarosław Kaczyński does not behave like Pope Francis is similar to regretting that someone cannot fly because they have no wings” - said Deputy Speaker of the Senate Michał Kamiński from PSL-Koalicja Polska in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the program „Kropka nad i” on TVN24.

-- POLAND WOULD BE BETTER IF THEY WERE ALIVE - PRESIDENT ANDRZEJ DUDA IN A SOLEMN ADDRESS: “Although 10 years have passed since that tragedy, I experience it just as intensely and I see a void in our nation left by those who perished. The best of us died in Smolensk. I say this with full conviction. I am sure that Poland would be different, better today if they were alive,” stated President Andrzej Duda in his address. https://300polityka.pl/news/2020/04/10/pad-w-oredziu-chociaz-minelo-10-lat-od-tej-tragedii-to-przezywam-ja-rownie-mocno-i-widze-wyrwe-w-naszym-narodzie-jaka-zostala-po-tych-ktorzy-zgineli-w-smolensku-zgineli-najlepsi-z-nas-jestem-pewi/ -- 300LIVE: KAMIŃSKI ON KACZYŃSKI, WHO DIDN'T SHOW UP ALONE LIKE POPE FRANCIS JAKUBIAK ON BREAKING THE DEAL WITH 5 OPPOSITION CANDIDATES GOWIN ON THE POLISH TESTAMENT https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/04/10/ ***** POLSAT EVENTS -- LET'S STAY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE TODAY, AS THE PEAK OF INFECTIONS IS YET TO COME. -- THE DAILY REPORT ON THE FIGHT AGAINST THE EPIDEMIC CAN BE SUMMED UP BRIEFLY: IT'S BEEN BETTER, BUT LOOKING AT THE STATISTICS, IT'S HARD TO SEE IMPROVEMENT - Wojciech Dąbrowski. -- THE INCREASE IN INFECTED PERSONS AT THE LEVEL OF 300+ HAS BEEN THE NORM FOR SEVERAL DAYS - Dąbrowski continues. -- THE HOLIDAY PERIOD WILL BE KEY TO FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC - Dąbrowski. -- THERE IS ALSO GOOD NEWS IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES - THERE IS ALREADY THE FIRST POLISH TEST FOR CORONAVIRUS, CHEAPER THAN FOREIGN ONES, AND 100% EFFECTIVE. -- THE NUMBER OF RECOVERED PATIENTS IS GROWING, THERE ARE ALREADY 318 OF THEM IN POLAND. -- THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE. -- CONTROVERSY WAS CAUSED BY THE GATHERING OF PIS POLITICIANS DURING THE CEREMONY, THE GROUP WAS LARGE, AND THE TWO-METER DISTANCE WAS NOT OBSERVED - Grzegorz Kępka. -- AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, THE AUTHORITIES ARE PREPARING FOR THE SLOW OPENING OF THE ECONOMY, THE SCALE WILL OF COURSE DEPEND ON WHETHER WE FOLLOW THE ORDERS AND THERE IS NO INCREASE IN INFECTIONS. ***** FAKTY TVN -- A DECADE AGO IT WAS A SHOCK: THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE IS PASSING. A DECADE AGO IT WAS A SHOCK. ON A QUIET SATURDAY MORNING, WHEN COMMEMORATIONS WERE TO BE HELD IN KATYN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRIME, SUDDENLY CAME THE NEWS OF AN AIR DISASTER IN WHICH PRESIDENT LECH KACZYŃSKI, IMPORTANT POLITICIANS FROM VARIOUS PARTIES, COMMANDERS OF THE POLISH ARMY, AND MEMBERS OF KATYN FAMILIES PERISHED. -- IF I AM IN WARSAW, IT IS EVERY DAY - Małgorzata Szmajdzińska. -- I WAKE UP UNHAPPY THAT HE IS NOT NEXT TO ME - Magdalena Merta. -- IN THESE HOMES, THE WORLD IS DIVIDED INTO BEFORE AND AFTER - Arleta Zalewska. -- WE ARE USED TO THIS EMPTINESS, IT IS STILL THERE, BUT WE DON'T POKE IT WITH A FINGER EVERY DAY ANYMORE - Barbara Nowacka. -- I LACKED AN AUTHORITY, THE ONLY ONE I RESPECTED, IT IS DIFFICULT NOT TO HAVE ANYONE TO REFER TO - Prof. Jerzy Paweł Nowacki. -- GAZING AT THE NUMBER OF 96 NAMES, WE GRASPED THE SCALE OF THE TRAGEDY - Zalewska. -- TEN YEARS AND HE IS STILL IN MY HEART, NOTHING HAS CHANGED - Szmajdzińska. -- NO ONE EVEN PRETENDS TO PRETEND THAT AFTER 10 YEARS LESS IS MISSING - Zalewska. -- IT'S GOOD THAT, CONTRARY TO SUCH INITIAL RUMORS, HE IS NEVERTHELESS DISCREETLY POSITIONED - Jan Ołdakowski. -- THERE WAS A DISPUTE AROUND THEM, BUT THEY BECAME A PERMANENT ELEMENT OF PIŁSUDSKI SQUARE - Zalewska. -- MAY THIS MEMORY BE SHARED - Ołdakowski. -- NO ONE ORGANIZES SUCH GOVERNMENT CONFERENCES ANYMORE, THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FILED A NOTE - Zalewska. -- THE SITUATION IN NURSING HOMES. -- DRAMA IN THE HOSPITAL IN RADOM. -- COMMEMORATIONS DESPITE THE BAN ON GATHERINGS, THE AUTHORITIES MADE AN EXCEPTION FOR THEMSELVES: THIS SATURDAY, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AUTHORITIES MADE AN EXCEPTION FOR THEMSELVES. A CEREMONY MARKING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE TOOK PLACE ON MARSZAŁEK JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI SQUARE IN WARSAW. AMONG THOSE PRESENT WERE SEJM MARSHAL ELŻBIETA WITEK, PRIME MINISTER MATEUSZ MORAWIECKI, AND PIS CHAIRMAN JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI. THE POLICE CLAIMED IT WAS "PERFORMING REPRESENTATIVE FUNCTIONS". -- WHEN POLES SHOULD NOT MEET WITH FAMILY, THE AUTHORITIES GATHER LIKE THIS - Katarzyna Górniak. -- WHEN POLAND IS FIGHTING A PANDEMIC, SUCH PICTURES BRING THE QUESTION: CAN THIS BE DONE, SHOULD IT BE DONE, AND IS IT SIMPLY APPROPRIATE - Górniak. -- YESTERDAY, PRIME MINISTER MORAWIECKI APPEALED TO STAY HOME, TODAY WE SEE CHAIRMAN KACZYŃSKI AND SEVERAL DOZEN PEOPLE GATHERED DESPITE THE BAN ON GATHERINGS - Górniak. -- SERVICES WILL ISSUE FINES TO THOSE WHO WENT TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR THE DECEASED, IN THIS CASE THERE WILL BE NO FINES - Górniak. -- WHAT OFFICIAL DUTIES DID THE PRESIDENT'S COUSIN AND FORMER TVP CHAIRMAN PERFORM - Górniak. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP -- POLAND REMEMBERS. IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE. -- PRESIDENT ANDRZEJ DUDA LAID FLOWERS ON THE GRAVE OF LECH AND MARIA KACZYŃSKI AT WAWEL - Maksymilian Maszenda. -- THIS YEAR, THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE IS BEING EXPERIENCED UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES - Maszenda illustrates with a wreath laid by Jacek Kurski before the monument in Warsaw's Powązki cemetery. -- FRAGMENTS OF JAROSŁAW KACZYŃSKI'S INTERVIEW ON POLISH RADIO. -- 10 YEARS AGO, POLAND STOPPED FOR A MOMENT - THE PRIME MINISTER WROTE - Maszenda. -- A REMINDER OF FRAGMENTS OF THE SPEECH THAT PRESIDENT LECH KACZYŃSKI WAS TO DELIVER IN KATYN. -- HE ALWAYS ACTED IN THE INTEREST OF POLAND - Danuta Holecka on Lech Kaczyński's political testament. -- THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH INFORMED THAT WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 5955 PEOPLE INFECTED WITH COVID-19. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, 380 NEW CASES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED. THERE ARE ALSO 7 VICTIMS. IN TOTAL, 318 PEOPLE HAVE RECOVERED. -- A REMINDER OF THE POLITICIANS WHO DIED IN THE SMOLENSK CATASTROPHE.

- The rating agency S&P has announced its decision to maintain Poland's credit rating at A-/A-2 for long- and short-term foreign currency obligations, respectively, and A/A-1 for long- and short-term domestic currency obligations. The rating outlook remains stable - the Ministry of Finance announced in a statement.