- According to the act, after April 30th, the President of the Republic of Poland has the authority to appoint the First President of the Supreme Court. I remind you that today this 'ball' is in the Supreme Court's court. It is the Supreme Court and the General Assembly of Supreme Court Judges that should present candidates for the First President of the Supreme Court to the President of the Republic of Poland, and from among these candidates, the president should designate the First President of the Supreme Court. I remind you, based on the currently binding provisions of law. The Supreme Court Act provides for a situation where the General Assembly of the Supreme Court does not present candidates, and in light of this, it grants the president the authority to appoint the First President of the Supreme Court - said Błażej Spychalski in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

- As a professor of medicine, it is difficult for me to agree with this. Closing forests and parks was an ill-advised decision from the start. I would remind you that just a month and a half ago, masks were unnecessary, and it was unclear why we even needed tests. There's a certain decision-making chaos, and Minister Szumowski should know, because it's already appearing in medical literature, that this virus is mutating in at least three directions: A, B, and C, and it may turn out that a vaccine for one subtype will be insufficient. Therefore, in my opinion, conjuring up such grim scenarios is unfounded and indicative of a certain chaos, because this conference was held under the slogan of isolation, identification, computerization. Forgive me, but it reminded me of ignorance, surveillance of all of us, and a certain indolence, especially all the more painful because in the camp of the United Right, even the health expert Andrzej Sośnierz is proposing a logical plan and a change in tactics for overcoming the coronavirus, similar to what many countries are implementing - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- I decidedly identify more with this four-point program presented by Mr. Sośnierz, because it is more modern, secondly more selective, and thirdly, as other countries have shown, effective, and fourthly, it is indeed a certain loosening of restrictions, enabling the stimulation and awakening of the economy, which can have very positive effects for Poland. Therefore, I repeat, I am surprised that the Ministry of Health, having an outstanding specialist in its ranks, disregards his opinions – stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

I will remind you that just a few days ago, Minister Szumowski applauded medics, yet rejected an amendment that speaks of financial bonuses for those who are on the front lines and, in our name, risking their health and lives, are fighting the coronavirus pandemic. This is after just a few days; I thought it would take longer. Again, the medics, from those they applauded, have become those who are infecting themselves. Soon, there will be even worse insults. This is not how one behaves. I think voters will assess this in due time – stated Tomasz Grodzki in a conversation with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden" (One on One).

- On the one hand, opposition circles say that yes, the elections in May should not take place, providing a number of arguments. Then, when Jarosław Gowin presents a specific proposal, saying 'here you go, let's all do this together, let's extend the term of the President of the Republic of Poland,' suddenly the opposition circles say: 'well no, we won't change the constitution.' The question is very simple. What do the representatives of the opposition circles expect - said Błażej Spychalski in a conversation with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- As the example of Bavaria increasingly teaches us, and I already have data concerning those districts and towns where there was a second round of voting, generally across all of Bavaria after the first round, the number of infections shot up. However, to a slightly lesser extent, in those towns, municipalities, and districts where there was a second round, supposedly safe, there are even more infections compared to other cities and districts in Bavaria. Therefore, the saying 'deadly envelope' or the claim that by going to vote, attempting to vote, working in election commissions, or serving in the honorable role of a mail carrier, we are endangering our health and lives, is not a baseless assertion - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- I would like to ask Minister Sasin by what right he is engaging public funds while preparing for elections that are not yet law. Because the bill is in the Senate and is still far from being approved or rejected. This is subject to the State Tribunal. One must not spend public money with impunity, because as Article 7 of the Constitution states, authority acts within the limits of the law. There is not yet a law concerning the election - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "One on One".

I am opposed, as Marshal, as a doctor, as someone who has a family, loved ones, to elections taking place in the midst of an epidemic. Because I will remind you that there was talk that the peak would be at Easter, now there is talk that it will be at the end of April, perhaps the beginning of May. One cannot endanger the health and lives of Poles due to a lust for power, an unchecked lust for power, and I have no moral or ethical doubts about this, and I firmly believe that these elections should not take place in May. They should be postponed to a time when the virus is either under control, weakened, or defeated, and I have no doubts about that - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "One on One".

- We are diligently performing legislative work. We are gathering opinions from the Commissioner for Human Rights, the National Electoral Commission, which, as the youth say, has been excluded from this electoral process that the government and the postal service are meant to manage. We are asking the Supreme Court, we have received information from European institutions, and we will consult epidemiologists, and only then will senators make a decision by vote. But as of today, if I were to gauge the mood of the democratic majority, this bill [on postal voting] should be rejected - stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden" program.

“We are making every effort to ensure that the actions taken by the government are primarily driven by concern for the safety of citizens. They are consulted with experts, epidemiologists, and virologists, and we adopt the plan for these subsequent actions very cautiously. The changes we are introducing are being implemented very slowly and cautiously. We want the economy to start functioning as quickly as possible” - said the Head of the Prime Minister's Office, Minister Michał Dworczyk, in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on Polish Radio's Trójka.

- The facts are that Marshal Kidawa-Błońska does not want to legitimize elections in May, in the midst of a dramatically dangerous epidemic. These are, of course, Marshal Kidawa-Błońska's decisions, but the Marshal wants to run in normal, democratic elections, which are direct, secret, universal, and equal. Meanwhile, the May 10th elections do not fulfill these four constitutional attributes because they are not direct. In the conditions of the May elections, which I hope will not happen, I do not think Marshal Kidawa-Błońska would participate. What happens next – please ask her campaign. I don't know [if she will resign], I'm not inside the Marshal's head, but I repeat: her decisions are entirely rational. She does not want to legitimize something that is only elections in name, and in reality is a farce and a parody, but she still wants to run for the office of president in elections that will take place under normal, constitutionally described conditions – stated Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- If [the presidential elections] were to take place on May 10th, it would be difficult to withdraw from something that would only be elections in name – the Marshal of the Senate continued to say.

„We didn't conduct such estimations, analyses as ensuring masks for everyone. In my opinion, that would be quite difficult. When we did the calculations, if anyone wanted to supply disposable masks for all people, the majority of citizens within a month, that would be a billion masks. Organizing the logistics, central control, in our opinion, is not justified” - said the Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Minister Michał Dworczyk, in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on Polskie Radio Trójka.

Our rivals are very active. While not conducting this election campaign, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, her team aired, as far as I know, several hundred election commercials during the recent Easter holidays. While not conducting an election campaign, Szymon Hołownia flooded the internet with his election advertisements, promoting himself very intensively, for example on Facebook. Without conducting an election campaign, we have press conferences from Mr. Kosiniak-Kamysz or Mr. Bosak practically every day, so our competitors are significantly more active in this campaign than the incumbent president, who by necessity has many other duties than campaign ones, because he is the head of state and especially during a crisis must attend to other matters, but I think from the beginning of next week this campaign will gain momentum. As I said, also on public media, we will have free airtime. This is a moment when the campaign is entering its next phase, and on May 6th, we will have a debate - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Michał Rachoń on TVP Info's program 'Jedziemy'.

- I believe we should have this campaign, and above all, the elections, behind us as soon as possible. What pleases me is 3.5 years without elections. After these presidential elections, we will have the longest period, perhaps since 1989, without any elections. I am pleased about this because the economic crisis, which many consider the largest in the world since the Great Depression of the 1930s, will be a time when many difficult decisions will have to be made. Some political stabilization will be needed, and we cannot add a political crisis to the health crisis and the economic crisis - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Michał Rachoń on the TVP Info program “Jedziemy”.

Jarosław Gowin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, Labour and Technology, announced on Twitter that he will be urging the leaders of the United Right to a faster economic defrosting.

Gowin published a tweet on his official profile, in which he wrote: "I will be urging the leaders of the United Right to a faster economic defrosting. The pandemic has made us confront the economic reality that we are facing. We need to accelerate the process of returning to normality.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who also heads the Agreement party, stated that "the Polish economy must get back on its feet as soon as possible." He stressed that "we must take bold decisions to support Polish entrepreneurs and employees, and to ensure that Polish companies are competitive on the international market."

Gowin's statement comes amid ongoing discussions within the government about the pace of lifting anti-pandemic restrictions. Some voices within the United Right coalition call for a faster return to normality, while others advocate for a more cautious approach, citing concerns about a potential increase in COVID-19 cases.

The Deputy Prime Minister's appeal is likely to intensify the debate within the ruling coalition and put pressure on the government to make decisive steps towards economic recovery.

- Considering the number of deaths, because the mortality rate is roughly 1%, so if we have perhaps 300 deaths, and that is to be 1%, it means we have approximately 30,000 infected individuals, and only 8,000 detected. So, about 20,000 infected or those who have recovered are circulating in society, because we are not conducting tests... Not just tests, because tests also need to be targeted, not done blindly on anyone, but detected as I said earlier. We probably have at least several thousand infected individuals who have not been discovered and they have been spreading this epidemic. And they may still be spreading it - stated Andrzej Sośnierz in an interview with Łukasz Rogojsz in the Morning Conversation Gazeta.pl.

„Extending the school year, in my opinion, will not serve to broaden students' knowledge and skills at all, because students also need rest. Merely implementing the core curriculum isn't the most important goal to which all other elements should be devoted. Students' health and safety are paramount. For now, we have no plans to extend classes during the school year” - said Minister Dariusz Piontkowski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

„Safety and health considerations are the most important. Students, thanks to the postponed deadline, have an additional few weeks to prepare for the exams they have chosen” - he added. 

The Ministry of Health (MZ) has announced that there are 296 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland. Sadly, 4 individuals have died as a result of the virus.

Source: Twitter

Source: Twitter

- We would like to call on Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to dismiss the Mazovian Voivode, Mr. Konstanty Radziwiłł. With voivodes like Mr. Radziwiłł, Poland will truly struggle with the coronavirus for years, not months as it could be. Let's recall that the Mazovian Voivode from PiS, Mr. Konstanty Radziwiłł, wanted to forcibly send employees over 60 years old, thus people belonging to the highest risk group, to the Social Welfare Home in Tomczyce, where dozens of people have contracted the coronavirus - said Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz during a press conference.

- Most likely, at the beginning of next week, we will file a notification of a potential crime committed by the Mazovian Voivode, Mr. Konstanty Radziwiłł, and officials subordinate to him, in connection with endangering people's health and lives - added the MP.

We will launch another tranche. We have already spent millions of zlotys from a special reserve on purchasing equipment, but another contract worth PLN 13 million has just been finalized to enable the purchase of more equipment - masks, suits, visors, gloves. All of this goes to those on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus, to city hospitals, as well as to Social Welfare Homes (DPS-y), volunteers, and individuals who I would like to sincerely thank for their support during these difficult times. We are also helping the homeless. In addition to providing food for the homeless, we are also distributing masks to them so they can comply with regulations” - said the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, at a press conference.

„For many weeks, we have been saying that there should be as many tests as possible, especially for those on the front line. We are saying that the data provided by the government regarding infected individuals and those dying from coronavirus is very important. The accurate reporting of data is incredibly significant because we make decisions based on this data. City hospitals are managing well when it comes to tests. We have signed agreements. We test doctors and nurses when it is necessary. The National Health Fund reimburses these costs. We also support outpatient clinics” - said the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, at a press conference.

- Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki spoke with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday. The discussion concerned the fight against coronavirus and the purchase of medical equipment, as well as agreeing on procedures and verifying the quality of purchases – the Government Information Centre informed 300POLITYKA.

The heads of government of Poland and China confirmed their readiness for further cooperation in the face of a common threat. They agreed that the pandemic causes not only public health problems but also generates entirely new economic challenges.

- Poland and China face common challenges. Therefore, the exchange of experiences is very important. Poland is keen on improving methods for controlling the pandemic’s development while simultaneously resuming economic activity – the Chancellery of the Prime Minister argues.

The heads of government expressed hope for the maintenance and development of expert contacts until the end of the fight against the pandemic. Poland recognizes the need for dialogue with China regarding risk analysis and supply chain management. Prime Minister Morawiecki expressed his readiness to increase Poland's participation in a two-way economic exchange beneficial to both sides.

„All our production capabilities in workshops operating within correctional facilities will be directed towards helping those in need as part of the pandemic response. After a month, we can announce that one million masks have been produced in prison workshops, which are being used in many places, especially where the need is greatest and most urgent, by various rescue and medical services. The fact that prison production facilities are operational is a result of our previous actions, namely the 'Work for Prisoners' program, an initiative that met with unfair criticism, mistaken and missing the point” – said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.

- The matter concerns a motion I have filed with the Chairman of the National Election Commission, with Mr. Chairman Sylwester Marciniak. This motion concerns a scandalous situation that occurred in April of this year, meaning the month in which the Minister of Agriculture sent 1.3 million letters to individuals receiving KRUS benefits, along with the promotion of one of the presidential candidates. Of course, I don't need to tell you who. The letter promotes President Andrzej Duda. There are special thanks directed both to the president and from the president, who is a candidate in this election. This is, of course, overt electioneering. What the Minister of Agriculture did is a clear violation of the Electoral Code. I am curious and I ask the Chairman whether President Duda's committee paid for this promotion - said Robert Biedroń during a press conference.

"If we want to extend the president's term and carry it beyond the duration of the pandemic, then the only way is to amend the constitution. If the opposition on the one hand says 'let's not hold elections now,' but does not want to change the constitution to extend the term duration, then they are acting deceitfully, extremely irresponsibly, and are deceiving Poles. Under the guise of beautiful slogans speaking of responsibility for the health and lives of Poles, in reality, they couldn't care less about this health and life, because if that were the case, they would agree to the proposal to extend the president's term by 2 years," stated Minister Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.

„The Supreme Court Act clearly states that there is no possibility of assigning the duties of acting as interim president to another judge, as Mrs. Gersdorf would wish. The provision to which she refers speaks of substitution, thus assuming that a president exists at the given moment and functions, but for some reasons needs to be replaced. Here we are talking about a different situation, where there will be no president because the president's term is ending. The Act anticipates such a situation, but entrusts the competence to the President of the Republic” - said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.

- We will have the opportunity to show that we are proud citizens of the Republic of Poland, that there are truly more of us than those who now want to steal the Republic of Poland, our rights, our democracy, simply under the guise of an epidemic. To turn us into Dudastan, where Andrzej Duda will win rigged elections, or if this unfortunate amendment to the Constitution is pushed through Parliament, he will rule in Poland for 14 years. This is because the amendment is constructed in such a way that it will extend President Duda's term by 2 years, but if he takes it to the Constitutional Tribunal and demands the right to re-election on the grounds that, as a president elected for the first time, he had this right to re-election, it was his acquired right, he might find himself in office for 14 years. These are things that we must firmly protest against today. I repeat again and appeal: listen, my dear fellow citizens. It is not true, as we tell ourselves, that Jarosław Kaczyński is capable of ruling all of Poland, that he is capable of bewitching all of us, the government and the opposition, that the government will blindly carry out his will, and that the opposition will constantly live under the overwhelming magnetism of his gaze and will only ever say: well yes, he thought of this, now we have to react. Those of us who want a free Poland, who want a Poland well-managed in times of peace and during crises, are definitely more numerous. We just don't feel like acting, gathering. We just think we have no influence on anything. I cannot do more as a presidential candidate than by using precisely these tools, by acting in accordance with the law, against lawlessness, to restore these tools, this agency to us. There are truly more of us, and we are capable of leaving our children the kind of Poland we want – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing in front of the Sejm.

People who write to us, and also from my own experience, as this is a topic I've been dealing with for a long time, are pointing out that in the shadow of the epidemic, a second disaster is now approaching Poland, in fact, it is already with us, which will undoubtedly significantly add to the disaster of the epidemic. This is drought. Drought that farmers are already seeing right now, which will probably cause food prices this year to be even higher than they were last year. This is drought caused by the fact that we have the warmest winter in 150 years, that for 3 years, in reality, it hasn't rained enough in Poland, that we still don't know how to retain this water. The consequences of this can be truly tragic, and with the government's indolence, which is doing next to nothing or very little compared to what it should be doing, we might find ourselves in the autumn not only with problems with Polish democracy but with a much larger catalog of problems. This problem needs to be solved – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing in front of the Sejm.

- The Minister of Agriculture is giving permission for KRUS to print millions of [letters] and send them to farmers using KRUS funds to praise President Duda. This is electoral fraud. President Duda should apologize for this, and the president of KRUS should lose his position for this, as it is unbecoming of an official. The Minister of Agriculture should also clearly explain why he is actively participating in Andrzej Duda's campaign and financing it with Ministry of Agriculture funds, which is illegal. We are filing a complaint with the National Electoral Commission (PKW) on this matter and expect them to take a stance and indicate that these actions are illegal - said Robert Kropiwnicki during a press conference. 

- Polish farms are truly on the brink of solvency and viability. Where will we get food in the autumn? The President should convene a Cabinet Council on the water crisis as soon as possible. Poland has worse hydrological conditions than Egypt. In the Sieradz and Sokółka districts, the amount of rainfall last year was comparable to Morocco or Greece. This is the scale of the problem we are facing. The program for small retention, supporting small retention, has been cut by PLN 3 billion. Today, we must do everything we can in a situation where we cannot induce rainfall, to retain as much water as possible, to bind it as much as possible. We should do everything to support farmers not only within the framework of this government program supporting irrigation but also to encourage them through a system of subsidies, a system of agri-environmental-water payments, to store water. Without water, we will not cope, and it doesn't matter what views the President and the PiS [Law and Justice] environment hold on this matter, which are quite resistant to science and the theses it expresses, and which wants to concrete over rivers so that this water flows into the Baltic Sea as quickly as possible and turns into saltwater, thereby expanding inland waterway transport instead of expanding the national railway program, in which local governments often support 'concrete-ization' in cities. This is not just PiS, but unfortunately, many other people have a negative contribution here - stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing before the Sejm.

- There were boastful announcements about unfreezing the economy. For many employees, for many companies, this was a hope for a relatively quick, efficient return to a new normal, because this phrase must be agreed upon. However, what was presented by both the Prime Minister and the Minister has nothing to do with a real roadmap for unfreezing the economy. Because the decision on whether parks or forests will be open and accessible is not related to unfreezing the economy. These were foolish rules, which should not have been introduced. It's good that they have been lifted, but a clear, explicit plan for Poland for the coming weeks and months is needed. The more optimistic one and the more difficult one, but with specified dates, and here we only have one date concerning the nearest event, the main message of which was the opening of parks. So, we propose the following, because it's not enough to just say that someone did something wrong. There appears to be a complete lack of strategy from the government. A lack of a precisely defined schedule. In other countries, when a regulation for returning to economic activity was presented, it was very precise. Here, it is very vague - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a briefing in the Sejm.

- We propose, as the Koalicja Polska, as a presidential candidate, I propose the following. Firstly, securing hospitals, ensuring the functioning of healthcare. Hospitals must be kept alive to save lives. Yet, protective equipment is still lacking, precise information is still lacking. There is more and more bureaucracy in hospitals, and this is also an appeal to the government. Less bureaucracy, do not impose further bureaucratic burdens. Maintaining the efficiency of healthcare also means better salaries for those who have been working hard for a long time. Maintaining the efficiency of healthcare, or keeping hospitals alive, also means admitting patients who are not suspected of being infected with coronavirus or of contracting Covid-19. They are just suffering from other illnesses. For a month now, many hospitals have not been performing planned procedures, there is no rehabilitation, and there are no actions conducted in the normal mode of medical procedures and treatment protocols, and we need to return to these. The second issue is a clear statement about schools, whether this year will be completed or if children will not return to school. This must be said directly, to set dates for the matriculation exam in the autumn, for the final exam in primary school, not to say that we will inform about the matriculation exam three weeks before it. This is irresponsible action. Without childcare, without the operation of educational and care facilities, there can be no talk of unfreezing the economy. The third matter is the approach to isolation, to quarantine of specific groups of people who are at risk, suspected of being carriers or having had contact with infected individuals. Isolation of people in risk groups, meaning not only the elderly but also those with chronic diseases of various types, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and testing these individuals as quickly as possible. Then the rest can freely engage in economic activities. Such dates should be set - he continued.

- I call on the government to outline a real roadmap for exiting and unfreezing the economy, not just opening parks. Opening parks is not unfreezing the economy - emphasized the leader of PSL.

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1251171400213303300

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1251171402390142982

I have today conveyed my recommendations regarding the presidential elections to the Prime Minister, and as I promised, I am also informing you of this fact. The coronavirus epidemic will accompany us for the coming months, likely for a year and a half, until a vaccine appears. We know that this vaccine could be developed within several months, according to all data from various groups researching and analyzing this situation. Therefore, my recommendations for conducting the presidential elections in their traditional form, where we all go to the ballot box and meet at polling stations, are possible in a safe manner in two years at the earliest. And this is my recommendation - stated Łukasz Szumowski at a press briefing.

- If, however, political groupings do not agree to such a formula, to such a solution, then the only safe way to conduct the presidential elections is through postal voting. And here, all medical data indicates that there are no better or worse times, no better or worse months for conducting postal elections. From a medical point of view. I will be able to inform the Prime Minister about all the details, about the formula, about the specific recommendations regarding the conduct of postal elections, and to convey my recommendations to him at the moment when the law on postal elections is fully shaped and returns in its final form to parliament - stated Łukasz Szumowski at a press briefing.

- The only form I can recommend as Minister of Health, from a medical point of view, is postal voting, because it minimizes human contact and the risk associated with virus transmission. However, regarding the legal formula, I am not a specialist, so it is difficult for me to comment here. From a medical perspective, the only date when a major act like the presidential election will be safe is when a vaccine is available. That will be in at least a year and a half to two years - Łukasz Szumowski stated at a press briefing.

- Among other reasons, this is why our meeting here on Facebook today, this Q&A series, was delayed – because these bills, including those related to the anti-crisis shield, have just arrived. I wanted these bills to be signed as quickly as possible so they could enter into force as soon as possible. Of course, this required my analysis, hence the delay. I can inform you, you are the first to learn this, that the bills have been signed, and I hope they will be able to enter into force as soon as possible – said President Andrzej Duda in an online Q&A.

https://twitter.com/M_K_Blonska/status/1251191858249846784

- Minister Szumowski said exactly what Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska said a few weeks ago. These [May] elections cannot take place. Here we see that if someone looks at this matter coolly, and not in a purely political way, they know perfectly well that these elections cannot happen in May. It is a shame that so much time was lost trying to push a very bad concept. It is also a shame that so much time was lost to downplay the results of surveys. Here, we should all focus on what is most important. Namely, economic and health issues. I emphasize once again. Elections in May cannot take place due to the safety, health, and lives of Poles - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- First and foremost, the vast majority of Poles fear elections where their data could be exposed. The overwhelming majority of Poles do not want the government to organize elections. That is the PKW's (National Election Commission) role. Poles must have certainty that they can freely express their will, but these elections must also be universal. It cannot be the case, as the current government proposes, that hundreds of thousands of people residing abroad will be excluded. It cannot be the case that elderly people who cannot reach, for example, distant mailboxes will be excluded. But above all, elections must be fair. This means no one should be deprived of the fundamental trust in the state that their vote will be counted, and under the formula proposed by PiS under the cover of night, these elections are absolutely illegitimate - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

– Jarosław Gowin stated weeks after Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska did so, that the elections in May could not be held. I'm holding him to his word. Elections in a correspondence format, which was adopted in this parliament, is a mockery. These are not elections. You rightly said, Mr. Editor, that it will be a postal service. No one will be sure who the ballot packages will reach. The post office does not have up-to-date data of all Poles. There is no confirmation of receipt of the ballot package, but above all, in each municipality, there is to be one polling station. Imagine, for example, Szczecin, 420,000 inhabitants, I'm thinking, for instance, of 100,000 cast votes and 45 people who are to count them. Additionally, everyone will have to enter their first name, last name, and PESEL number. It may turn out that someone will want to spite someone and enter the PESEL number of their neighbor, which is available in the National Court Register, in other places, and then that neighbor will be criminally liable for casting two votes – stated Borys Budka in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- On Monday, I will propose a very comprehensive solution, which also concerns the election formula. I will conduct consultations, because I know perfectly well that Poles are very afraid that this right to vote will not turn into a mockery of elections – stated Borys Budka in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I will first consult [the plan] with leaders of other parties, among others. I will also talk to Jarosław Gowin, because today is a real test of whether politicians, or the political class, want elections, want a fair process, and for these elections to be in accordance with democratic principles, or, like Jarosław Kaczyński, they want a plebiscite where Sasin prints the ballots, the post collects the votes, and the state deals with everything, not an independent election commission. Later, a chamber composed of nominees of this government will approve the validity of these elections. In this formula, these elections cannot take place – continued the Civic Platform leader.

- I will do everything, and Civic Coalition, but I also think other opposition parties will, to prevent electoral mockery. We will propose solutions that are acceptable. And as of today, Minister Szumowski has only confirmed that we are right in saying that Poland is in a state of emergency, and the current government refuses to introduce it solely for political reasons - stated Borys Budka in a conversation with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

We know that this autumn we will face a challenge with the coexistence of influenza, which is present in the northern hemisphere during the autumn-winter season, and coronavirus combined. This was raised today at a meeting of health ministers and the WHO, that we must prepare for an increase in cases, for a second wave of the epidemic in the autumn. Therefore, it is difficult for me to say today whether, for example, May is better than July or vice versa – said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on Polsat News's program "Gość Wydarzeń".

- We had these American models that said we had already passed the peak, that we were already on a downward trend. With all due respect, I think these are very detrimental models, not entirely reliable. Those that I have available say that we are pushing this wave forward every day. When it will happen depends largely on how much we isolate ourselves, that's one thing, and how quickly a patient gets to the hospital after diagnosis, that's two – said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events) on Polsat News.

- If there is no consensus in parliament regarding changing the election date by two years, then only postal voting remains, and let's not delude ourselves that traditional elections will be able to take place for the next year and a half to two years. If it's postal voting, then I, as the Minister of Health, will naturally examine every element of this phase of the elections and then I will provide recommendations on how many collection points there should be, how the envelopes should be secured, and how the people who have access to them should be protected - said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on Polsat News's 'Gość Wydarzeń' program.

- If someone is pregnant, with all due respect, the Mazovian Voivode has no idea that person is pregnant. A phone call would have sufficed, informing us. Then, the Minister of Health has the right to revoke such a decision. Moreover, if these are individuals mentioned in the law, then such an order is legally ineffective. However, I also asked the Voivode and the office, and generally all voivodes, to firstly, ask people of good will to come forward and offer their help. Because such people exist – said Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Dorota Gawryluk on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

The Constitution has already provided for this. A state of natural disaster, elections postponed by 90 days. And if a cataclysm, epidemic, hurricane, or something else happens then, we'll worry about it. For now, we are following the path laid out by the law, not weaving fantasies based on a minister saying he doesn't actually know when the epidemic's peak will be. Jarosław Kaczyński wants elections now, right now, because that is the only way Andrzej Duda has a chance to win in the first round, before people realize the effectiveness of the PiS government's response to this epidemic – Szymon Hołownia said in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on the program „Wydarzenia i Opinie” (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

It's not that because Polish Television has suddenly woken up to the fact that there's an election campaign and Andrzej Duda has suddenly woken up wanting to debate with other candidates, I will now fly like a lackey to the enlightened lords and thank them for being gracious enough to include me in their magnanimity. We will consider it, we'll see - said Szymon Hołownia in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" on Polsat News. - I generally really like talking to people, but I would really like that conversation to have clear conditions, and the letter we received from Polish Television today states clearly: First you agree, then we'll give you the conditions. That means first we will announce our success, that we managed to organize a debate and they came, thus there are elections because there is a normal campaign and you confirmed it by your participation, and only then will we tell you whether, for example, Andrzej Duda will be able to speak for 50 minutes, and each of you for one minute - added the presidential candidate. 

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: HOŁOWNIA ON HOW PEOPLE WILL SEE THE PIS GOVERNMENT'S EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST THE EPIDEMIC, HENCE THE HASTE WITH ELECTIONS BUDKA ANNOUNCES A COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSAL ON ELECTIONS FOR MONDAY SZUMOWSKI ON THE WAVE OF INFECTIONS BEING PUSHED FORWARD DAILY KOSINIAK: OPENING PARKS IS NOT THE SAME AS OPENING THE ECONOMY https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/04/17/ ***** POLSAT NEWS -- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH HAS SUBMITTED HIS RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE ELECTIONS TO THE PRIME MINISTER. -- IN THE MINISTER'S OPINION, TRADITIONAL ELECTIONS WILL ONLY BE POSSIBLE IN TWO YEARS, AND THE ONLY SAFE OPTION NOW IS POSTAL ELECTIONS. -- THIS STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTER OF HEALTH HAS BEEN EXPECTED FOR WEEKS - Grzegorz Kępka. -- THIS MEANS SUPPORT FOR JAROSŁAW GOWIN'S PLAN, WHICH INVOLVES AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION, EXTENDING PRESIDENT DUDY'S TERM TO 7 YEARS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY LIMITING HIS TERM TO ONE - Kępka continues. -- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATION WAS ANNOUNCED 24 HOURS AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF REDUCED RESTRICTIONS - Kępka. -- THE OPPOSITION CRITICIZES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE FACT THAT SUBSEQUENT STAGES OF LIFTING RESTRICTIONS HAVE NO DATES - Kępka continues. -- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES THAT THE MANDATE TO WEAR MASKS MAY REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL A VACCINE IS INTRODUCED, WHICH COULD BE AS LONG AS A YEAR AND A HALF - Kępka. -- THE SEJM HAS ADOPTED THE ANTI-CRISIS SHIELD, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRESENTED A PLAN FOR REOPENING BUSINESSES. -- 461 CASES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS. -- THE SEJM HAS REJECTED THE SENATE'S AMENDMENT TO THE LAW ON COMBATING CORONAVIRUS, WHICH INTRODUCED PROPHYLACTIC, WEEKLY TESTS FOR MEDICAL STAFF. ***** FAKTY TVN -- DUE TO THE EPIDEMIC, TRADITIONAL ELECTIONS AT POLLING STATIONS CANNOT OCCUR EARLIEST THAN IN TWO YEARS – THIS IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY AN HOUR AGO. -- ŁUKASZ SZUMOWSKI CLAIMS THAT POSTAL ELECTIONS ARE POSSIBLE. -- THE FIRST STAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO REOPEN THE ECONOMY OFFERS VIRTUALLY NOTHING TO ENTREPRENEURS AND EMPLOYEES; SUBSEQUENT STAGES WILL OFFER MORE, BUT IT IS UNKNOWN HOW MANY DAYS, OR PERHAPS WEEKS, ONE WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEM – IT WILL DEPEND ON THE NUMBER OF INFECTIONS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EPIDEMIC. -- THE PROSPECT OF HOTELS AND PENSIONS APPEARS ON THE HORIZON; IT IS KNOWN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO THIS IN A SECOND WAVE, BUT IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN – Krzysztof Skórzyński. -- RESTAURANTS AND BARS WILL REOPEN ALONG WITH HAIRDRESSING SALONS ONLY IN THE THIRD STAGE – Skórzyński continues. -- YESTERDAY, HOPES THAT EVERYTHING WOULD SLOWLY BUT SYSTEMATICALLY RETURN TO NORMAL WERE DASHED – Skórzyński. -- ON MONDAY, NONE OF THE INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR WEEKS WILL REOPEN; THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DECIDED ON THIS – Skórzyński continues. -- ONLY SHOPPING WILL BE POSSIBLE A BIT FASTER, AS THE HUGE QUEUES WILL SHORTEN BY APPROXIMATELY HALF; MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO BE IN THE STORE AT THE SAME TIME, AND FOR NOW, THAT IS ALL REGARDING THE REOPENING OF THE ECONOMY – Skórzyński. -- EVERY WEEK OR TWO, THE GOVERNMENT WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT STAGE, NOT THAT HOTELS, FOR INSTANCE, WILL OPEN IN A WEEK OR TWO – Skórzyński continues. -- THE FINAL SHAPE OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES EMERGED ONLY TONIGHT – Skórzyński. -- THERE IS NO AGREEMENT FROM THE RULING PARTY, THEREFORE THERE WILL BE NO CORONAVIRUS TESTS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS – THEY ARE THE MOST -- EXPOSED TO INFECTION, SO THE OPPOSITION INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT IN THE SENATE TO TEST THEM ONCE A WEEK; LAST NIGHT IN THE SEJM, PIS REJECTED THE AMENDMENT. -- THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE SENATE SPEAKER IS ENDING, WHAT ABOUT A SUCCESSOR. -- VOIVODES ARE SENDING MANDATES OF WORK AND IMPOSING MULTI-THOUSAND ZŁOTY FINES, AND ZBIGNIEW ZIOBRO IS THREATENING WITH PROSECUTORS. -- PERHAPS THE LARGEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE PLANE IN THE WORLD WOULD NOT HAVE TO TRANSPORT MILLIONS OF MASKS, AND THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER WOULD NOT HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN A CARGO CEREMONY IF POLAND HAD PREPARED FOR THE EPIDEMIC. -- THE EPIDEMIC WAS ALREADY IN ITALY, AND THE MINISTER OF HEALTH SAID THAT WEARING MASKS MADE NO SENSE. -- THIS IS BEST SEEN AND EASIEST TO ASSESS IN THE GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH TO THE EPIDEMIC – NOW THE MINISTER OF HEALTH IS NOT JOKING ABOUT WEARING MASKS, HE DEMANDS THEM – Jakub Sobieniowski. -- A COLLECTION OF STATEMENTS BY ŁUKASZ SZUMOWSKI FROM YESTERDAY AND FEBRUARY 26TH REGARDING MASKS. -- AT THAT TIME [IN FEBRUARY], THERE WERE ALREADY VICTIMS IN ITALY, AND IN POLAND THERE WERE WARNINGS FROM THE SENATE MARSHAL'S DOCTOR AS WELL; HE ARGUED THAT MASKS WOULD BE USEFUL IN CONTAINING THE EPIDEMIA, BUT THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND THE INTERVIEWER JOKED ABOUT HIS WARNINGS AND OPINIONS ON MASKS – Sobieniowski. -- NOW POLES CAN FACE A MANDATE FOR NOT WEARING A MASK, EVEN HOMEMADE, BECAUSE WITHIN A MONTH THE MINISTER OF HEALTH HAS CHANGED HIS MIND, HE IS NO LONGER JOKING ABOUT MASKS – Sobieniowski continues. -- NOW ANDRZEJ DUDA IS ANNOUNCING A NATIONAL MASK PRODUCTION PROGRAM, AND THE PRIME MINISTER CELEBRATED THE ARRIVAL OF A PLANE FROM CHINA IN SUCH A WAY, ALSO WITH MASKS, WHICH THE MINISTER OF HEALTH JOKED ABOUT, ALSO IN A CHINESE CONTEXT – Sobieniowski. -- JAROSŁAW PINKAS RECOMMENDED FLYING TO CHINA WHEN INCREASINGLY MORE CARRIERS WERE RESIGNING FROM IT BECAUSE THEY SAW THE DANGER, AND PINKAS DID NOT SEE IT VERY WELL – Sobieniowski continues. -- STATEMENT FROM THE EDITORS OF FAKTY TVN: For several days, although there is no shortage of important topics, TVP has been dedicating a lot of time to attacks on our station and TVN journalists. We will not respond or comment on lies. But a few issues need clarification. Our mission and task is to inform about important matters, regardless of who is in power and what option the subjects of our reports represent. This is the essence of true journalism and media freedom. We understand that no one likes to be criticized, but we have not been and are not here to be liked by politicians or party leaders. Unlike state television, we are independent, including financially – our owner is the American company Discovery, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which protects freedom of speech as a fundamental value. The role of a journalist is to work honestly for the viewers, not for a political party – this is particularly important now, in such a difficult time when all Poles need reliable information. We do not work for politicians, but for our viewers, and it is you who assess our work daily. Fakty TVN is the most watched evening news program in Poland. During the pandemic, thousands of new viewers have trusted us. And for that, we thank you. We promise that we will always strive to show facts as they are. And to keep an eye on those in power, regardless of who is in power. We will be with you in your homes with Fakty tomorrow at 7 PM. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP -- PROF. SZUMOWSKI SAID THAT ELECTIONS CAN NORMALLY BE HELD IN TWO YEARS AND IN THIS SITUATION, THE ONLY SAFE OPTION IS POSTAL ELECTIONS – Danuta Holecka on the opening screen. -- PARTIAL LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS – banner. -- Report on lifting restrictions. -- THE ECONOMY MUST BE GRADUALLY REOPENED, ALTHOUGH THE STATISTICAL FAMILY IS NOW IN A BETTER SITUATION THANKS TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS – Cierpioł. -- WILL THE VIRUS BE WITH US FOR A LONG TIME? – banner. -- In a report by Szmagliński on the production of one million masks in prisons. -- THE OPPOSITION IS USING THE SITUATION IN SOCIAL WELFARE HOMES (DPS) TO FIGHT THE GOVERNMENT, ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD KNOW THAT MANY OF THEM ARE MANAGED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES; IN BYTOM, MANAGED BY PO, A DPS WAS EVACUATED – Krzyżak. -- LOCAL GOVERNMENTS GOVERNED BY KO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TOO MANY OF THESE FACILITIES – Krzyżak. -- ALL DPS CAN COUNT ON GOVERNMENT SUPPORT – Krzyżak. -- A MOMENT OF TRUTH FOR EUROPE – banner. -- THE EU IS NOT SOLIDARY; COUNTRIES CAN ONLY COUNT ON THEMSELVES – THE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE CONFIRMED WHAT THE ITALIANS SAID – Korab. -- BY POST, MEANING SAFELY – banner. -- THEY ARE OFFICIALLY SUSPENDING THEIR CAMPAIGN, ALTHOUGH THEY CONTINUE TO CONDUCT IT ONLINE – in the preview. -- THE FACTS ARE THAT FOR 11 DAYS NOW THE SENATE HAS NOT BEEN DEALING WITH THE LAW ON POSTAL VOTING – Nowina-Konopka. -- THE KO CANDIDATE IS STILL CAMPAIGNING, HER CAMPAIGN TEAM IS SHARING MORE MATERIALS, AND THE CAMPAIGN TEAM IS ASKING TVP TO GRANT FREE AIRTIME – Nowina-Konopka. -- LETTER FROM THE KO REPRESENTATIVE. -- MAY 6 IS THE DEBATE. -- HOŁOWNIA DOES NOT RULE OUT PARTICIPATING IN IT; KIDAWY'S CAMPAIGN TEAM HAS NOT DECIDED; BOSAK, BIEDROŃ, AND DUDA HAVE CONFIRMED – Nowina-Konopka. -- IN SZUMOWSKI'S OPINION, ELECTIONS IN THE SUMMER WOULD NOT BE SAFER – Nowina-Konopka. -- DOUBLE STANDARDS IN BRUSSELS – banner. -- INSTEAD OF WORKING ON THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF CORONAVIRUS, THEY ARE DEALING WITH POLAND AND HUNGARY – in the preview. -- BRUSSELS IS AGAIN FAR FROM THE PROBLEMS OF ORDINARY EUROPEANS – Szypszak. -- THIS IS NEITHER THE COMPETENCE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT NOR THE EU; THIS IS A GLARING EXAMPLE OF DOUBLE STANDARDS – Z. Krasnodębski. -- EXAMPLE OF BAVARIA. -- THE OPPOSITION, WHICH CALLED FOR A STATE OF EMERGENCY, SUPPORTED THE PUNISHMENT OF HUNGARY FOR INTRODUCING SUCH A STATE – Szypszak. -- INSTEAD OF AN ANSWER, A RACIST COMMENT – in the preview. -- QUESTIONS ABOUT GRODZKI'S BONUSES – banner. -- THE BONUSES WERE PAID IN DECEMBER, A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE START OF THE TERM – Wąż. -- INSTEAD OF A PRECISE ANSWER, THE CHANCELLERY DEMANDED THAT THE CITIZEN DEMONSTRATE A LEGAL INTEREST IN PUBLIC INFORMATION – Wąż. -- JAKUB STEFANIAK REACTED WITH A RACIST COMMENT – Wąż. -- GRODZKI IS USING PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION AS A SHIELD – Wąż. -- KARCZEWSKI PROMISED THAT HE WOULD SHARE THE ANSWER WITH THE PUBLIC – Wąż.