Today marks the end of Małgorzata Gersdorf's term as First President of the Supreme Court. Due to the ongoing pandemic, candidates for her successor were not elected by the General Assembly of the Supreme Court. However, as we reported on 300POLITYKA, the President will immediately entrust the duties of the First President of the Supreme Court to a judge of the Supreme Court designated by him, who will convene the aforementioned General Assembly. As we reported on 300POLITYKA, around 11:00 AM, President Andrzej Duda will make an appointment for a so-called "commissioner" at the Supreme Court, meaning he will entrust one of the Supreme Court judges with the performance of the duties of the First President of the Supreme Court, as permitted by Article 13a of the Act on the Supreme Court. At 10:15 AM, near Poniatowski Bridge in Warsaw, a press conference will be held by Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, the Civic Coalition's candidate for president. Thursday is also the second day of the Sejm's deliberations. At 9:00 AM, current affairs questions are scheduled, and at 11:00 AM – a current information session regarding the drought in Poland, submitted by the PSL-Kukiz'15 parliamentary club to the Prime Minister. At 12:15 PM, the second reading of the parliamentary bill amending the Act on Public Roads will take place, followed by a two-hour voting block at 1:30 PM.

- If the ruling party does not listen to voices of reason, then I hope we will stop them in the Sejm if a vote on the Senate's amendment regarding postal voting occurs, and then they will be forced to postpone the election date from May 10th. I will not leave the battlefield, I will not cede Poland by walkover, because that would be falling into Jarosław Kaczyński's plan and helping Andrzej Duda, and I believe that this government, if it acts this way today, will act even worse for 5 years, and everything must be done to remove them from power, because they jeopardize lives and health, the well-being of citizens, meaning they are not fulfilling what they were elected for and what they were sworn into. For example, President Duda is not fulfilling the commitments made in his oath before the National Assembly - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- The [presidential] elections should be postponed, and I have no doubts about that. If we leave the rulers alone with the elections and Andrzej Duda in comfortable conditions, we are only facilitating his rule for another 5 years. He will then be president for the next 5 years. And what do you, Mr. Editor, think, that it will be better then, that they will come to their senses and behave differently than today? - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a conversation with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- In my opinion, the May 10th elections are physically unworkable, and it seems the ruling camp is starting to realize this and is looking for other solutions. In the Sejm corridors, one hears that May 10th is an impossible date, even if the bill is passed and PiS wins the vote in the Sejm and it comes into effect on May 8th, because it's too short a period of time to even physically deliver these electoral packages. There are so many unknowns, after all, this law hasn't come into effect, it's not functioning, there's no confirmation of receipt – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- Without the votes of Jarosław Gowin and Porozumienie, we will not stop the madness of postal voting on May 10th. If there is a larger faction of common sense in parliament, and today it is already considerable but does not have a majority, because I include Konfederacja, Koalicja Polska, Koalicja Obywatelska, and Lewica in the faction of common sense regarding postal elections, and the MPs from Porozumienie, who have already voted in part, if they vote to reject postal voting, it will probably mean a permanent parting of ways, at least for some of these politicians, with the United Right camp - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a conversation with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- We will always cooperate with those who have a common-sense approach and will act for the common good, rather than being driven by party interests above all else – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I think for Jarosław Gowin, who resigned from the position of Deputy Prime Minister, giving up the comfort of governing peacefully for several more years, it's not about positions. We can disagree, as we've also had different moments in our political activities, not always seeing eye to eye, but I don't believe that someone who resigns from the position of Deputy Prime Minister and the influence to govern peacefully for the next 3 years, for whom any such high position as Marshal of the Sejm is important – he continued.

- A question for the rulers and President Duda: why did he allow the retirement age for farmers to be raised overnight, from December 31, 2017, to January 1, 2018, when Andrzej Duda was president, by 5 years. Why have the ruling party, with a monopoly in parliament and their president who signs everything, failed to present any program over the last 5 years to reduce burdens for younger generations, incentivize longer professional activity, show any program in this area, and done nothing. This is now their responsibility - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- I would very much like to distance myself from commenting on these matters, because we truly have more important things to comment on and do today than what Grzegorz Schetyna said. He said it ungracefully, let that be clear, but there are more important things - Joanna Mucha said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program "Gość Radia ZET".

- [I will not participate] because these are not elections. Any participation in this vote would legitimize a process that is certainly not an electoral procedure - Joanna Mucha said in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program “Gość Radia ZET”.

- These are not elections. We are not guaranteed the secrecy of the ballot, equality, or that everyone will be able to vote. Polish expatriates have been completely abandoned. They won't be able to vote at all. A large portion of these people. And then what? We'll just move on from some sort of a stump of an election, rather than an election, and accept that this is the president who is supposed to be? - said Joanna Mucha in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the "Gość Radia ZET" program.

- We have a situation today with candidates who have decided to legitimize these elections. With other candidates from other political groups. I'm thinking about those candidates who have remained in the race. Each of them seems to believe they are David, who will defeat Goliath. The problem is, they are strengthening Goliath instead of defeating him - she added.

- In my opinion, the possibility of large-scale forgery in these elections does not exist. The ballots are printed by the State Printing Works precisely to have security features that prevent forgery - said Adam Bielan in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on Polskie Radio Trójka's "Political Salon".

- A political dispute is underway in Porozumienie, and this is clear to any observer of the political scene. On the one hand, I think this is the option supported by the vast majority of Porozumienie politicians, local activists, and also parliamentarians; this option is to remain within the United Right. On the other hand, we have politicians who would like to move closer to PSL, but this means breaking up the government majority - Adam Bielan said in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on Radio Trójka's "Political Salon." - There are admirers of PSL or Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz within Porozumienie - he added.

“The decision has been made. It will be announced today within a few hours. From May 1st, in accordance with the provisions of the Act on the Supreme Court, specifically Article 13a of this Act, a judge appointed by the President will head the Supreme Court. The public announcement of this delegation of duties, effective from tomorrow, will be made today” - said the Presidential Minister Paweł Mucha on TVP1's "Political Quarter of an Hour". 

“Many directly political activities, many political statements violating constitutional principles, attempts to interfere with the competencies of the Constitutional Tribunal or actions taken to question, for example, the President’s prerogative regarding the appointment of judges – these are actions that absolutely do not deserve approval and cannot be considered actions that fall within the regime of proper performance of duties by individuals undertaking such activities” – said presidential minister Paweł Mucha in the program “Kwadrans polityczny” on TVP1. 

- I am one of Porozumienie's leaders. I repeat, I am the chairman of Porozumienie's national convention, and as a leader, one of the leaders, I am a loyal member of the United Right. Porozumienie has been part of the United Right from the very beginning, and I cannot imagine someone quietly, slowly, through a fait accompli, creating a rift between us and our coalition partners, PiS and SP, and leading us out of government - said Adam Bielan in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on the "Political Salon" program on Radio Trójka.

„I miss [Gowin in the government] a bit. We cooperated to some extent, but this is Jarosław Gowin's decision. I am not afraid [of Gowin's absence from the coalition]. I have known Jarosław Gowin for 6 years; previously, we had contacts as people working in science, and I know that he is a politician interested in the public good, in Poland, not in some personal individual goals. I hope that responsibility will prevail in his decisions” - said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and National Heritage Piotr Gliński in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM.

„This OSCE position is not the OSCE's position, but that of a part, a department, an office. I regret that various completely absurd opinions and stances regarding Poland sometimes flow from Western Europe. We also see, as we see the German press” - said Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

- It is not my role. It is not to determine whether I will participate in an election boycott or not, how I will behave. My role is to point out all the imperfections, shortcomings, and problems that may arise in the context of holding the elections in May this year. And I have already done so this week in joint Senate committees, and I will continue to do so until the act is perhaps adopted. So, I think next week will be very intensive - stated Adam Bodnar in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- The biggest weakness is that you cannot implement changes to voting so close to the scheduled election date. The elections were announced on February 5th, and essentially from that moment on, all technical regulations concerning the conduct of elections should have remained unchanged. If difficulties arose in the meantime due to the epidemic situation, an extraordinary measure in the form of a state of natural disaster should have been applied, and the elections simply postponed - stated Adam Bodnar in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- There was a long discussion on this subject. Doctors unequivocally pointed out that due to the nature of services performed in hair salons, meaning very close physical contact between the hairdresser and the client, there is a serious risk of infection. If it turned out that the hairdresser was ill, they could infect many people in a single day, who in turn would become carriers of the coronavirus and people who would then spread the disease further. Hence, doctors issued such a recommendation. As I said, we rely on the recommendations and guidelines of experts - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski in "Sedno sprawy" on Radio Plus.

- Many opposition representatives seem to operate by the 'the worse, the better' principle. The potentially greater the political crisis during this economically and health-challenging time, the better it will be for the opposition. But this is, of course, flawed logic, and I'm not referring to an ethical judgment here, but simply that Poles see that such a lack of constructive dialogue on this matter, concerning elections, simply does not bring political profits - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's "Sedno Sprawy" (The Heart of the Matter).

- For me, this is an unbelievable situation because some time ago we could hear on „Russia Today” [currently RT] various untrue information about equipment being transported to Poland, I'm talking about medical protective equipment. Today, „Gazeta Wyborcza” is conducting such a campaign of fake news and spreading anxiety, in a way replicating the false or manipulated information that previously appeared in „Russia Today” or other media - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's „Sedno Sprawy”.

- The [medical] materials imported by the Polish government meet the standards defined for personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. I am referring to both Polish and European standards. Additionally, when these reports began to emerge, further tests were conducted on the materials imported from China in Polish laboratories. The equipment reaching hospitals and healthcare facilities meets all requirements - he added.

In my deepest conviction, I have been repeating this for many weeks and the facts prove me right, the May 10th election by mail cannot be organized. Today, probably no one truly believes it anymore - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on the Morning program Siódma9.

- In my opinion, these elections cannot be prepared by correspondence, not even by May 17. I wouldn't want to comment on May 23. Prime Minister Sasin undertook a series of very radical actions, but he failed to foresee something that was obvious to me from the very beginning, namely the negative stance of local governments, which simply are not making voter lists available to Poczta Polska - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on the Poranek Siódma9 program.

- However, returning to the May 23rd date, because it is perhaps the first date, but I say so with a big question mark, the first date when elections by mail could take place. There is a question about constitutionality - stated Jarosław Gowin in a conversation with Marcin Fijołek on Poranek Siódma9.

- I also sought many opinions and the vast majority of them, although it's true, not all, say something else. In this matter, decisions should not be made by the opinions of individual constitutionalists, but by the stance of bodies such as the Constitutional Tribunal and the Supreme Court - the leader of Porozumienie continued.

I maintain my opinion that postal voting is the best possible way to conduct these [presidential] elections if they are to take place sooner than in two years, provided that everything complies with the Constitution, meaning the ballots must be delivered with confirmation. It would be a truly extremely difficult challenge [to conduct postal elections on May 23]. Whether it is even possible, I cannot decide. It seems to me that it is rather a hypothetical scenario - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Poranek Siódma9.

- The closer May 10th gets, the more obvious it will be to everyone that mail-in elections cannot be carried out by that date. I would even venture to say that everyone already knows this - stated Jarosław Gowin in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Poranek Siódma9.

The Ministry of Health announced on Twitter that there have been 141 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland, with 4 fatalities reported.

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“Drought has become a permanent feature of our lives. We remember the drought of 2019, but in reality, we have always known that there is little water, no rain, and the situation looks truly serious. This is the time when we should stop talking about drought and take action. Poland has the least drinking water in Europe. We must respect water, and the government must prepare a plan for the immediate future. We need to seriously consider what we are doing with river regulation, we must make decisions about planting vegetation, and we must start building small-scale water retention. This cannot be postponed until after the pandemic. This decision must be made immediately. I appeal for the government to prepare and present a plan to Poles so they know how to act,” said KO candidate for president, Deputy Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska at a press conference.

“There is no water in our rivers. This is the result of hydrological drought. We are accompanied by agricultural and meteorological drought. The government is planning large hydrotechnical projects on our rivers, on these rivers where there is no water. Projects aimed at making Polish rivers navigable. Our rivers are neither the Yangtze nor the Rhine. There is no water in them,” added Gabriela Lenartowicz from KO. 

„I am not participating in the elections on May 10th, in elections that are dangerous for Poles and conducted by a pseudo-postal service. These elections are not elections. No decent person participates in such elections” - stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, KO's presidential candidate and Deputy Marshal, at a press conference.

„I will decide on May 7th whether to be on the [election] list or not, because I cannot make these decisions now, given that the election date will be changed and they will be held, for example, in the autumn” - she added.

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"The decision by the Prime Minister, who commissions PWPW and the Ministry of Interior and Administration to print ballot papers. A very interesting decision, because it was issued absolutely in violation of Polish law, dated April 16, 2020, while the National Electoral Commission (PKW) was only excluded from printing ballot papers by an act that entered into force on April 18. This decision to print 30 million ballot papers is an absolutely illegal decision, issued without legislation and cannot be applied" - said Cezary Tomczyk of Civic Coalition at a press conference.

"This decision is a blatant violation of the law by Prime Minister Morawiecki. Ordering the printing of ballot papers according to an unspecified design by one of the state-owned companies is an evident manifestation of a violation of both the Polish constitution and the Penal Code, with regard to crimes against elections" - added the Secretary-General of Civic Platform, Marcin Kierwiński.

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- Today, the term of office of President Gersdorf as the First President of the Supreme Court concludes. President Duda has already informed us that he has appointed, in what I would call an authoritarian manner, Judge Kamil Zaradkiewicz as a commissioner, manager, and acting First President of the Supreme Court on a temporary basis. This is undoubtedly a political decision, because Judge Zaradkiewicz is known for what happened in the Constitutional Tribunal in 2016, for that, one might say, betrayal of the Constitutional Tribunal that took place then. He is also a close associate of Minister Ziobro. We all remember that when he applied for a position in the Supreme Court, a Member of Parliament, and today a Constitutional Tribunal Judge, Krystyna Pawłowicz, protested against it. Minister Ziobro personally intervened at the time, supporting Zaradkiewicz. Thus, Minister Ziobro now has an acting First President of the Supreme Court among his close acquaintances. The question is what will happen next. We don't know. We will have to think about this further. President Duda may wait until the General Assembly of Supreme Court Judges can be convened, or, if he deems it so, he can completely unilaterally appoint his own First President. In that case, I would like to announce that if I become President, I will certainly ensure that the General Assembly of Supreme Court Judges is convened so that it can elect an independent candidate for the First President of the Supreme Court. What we are observing today, of course, fits into the narrative that PiS has been pursuing for a long time towards the Polish judiciary - stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing in front of the Supreme Court.

- In 2018, President Gersdorf resisted an attempt to send her into unconstitutional retirement. She decided to continue fighting, and for that, I believe, she deserves a state order from the Republic of Poland. She is a person who has served our republic well, who has wonderfully served Polish rule of law and should today be surrounded by respect, which should be expressed not only by words and flowers, but above all by Poland continuing to be a state of law, having a Supreme Court that is the Supreme Court of the Republic of Poland, not of PiS, and never having to be suspected of being ruled by some party clique - stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing in front of the Supreme Court.

- During this election campaign, President Duda has not presented any program. He has no election program. Oh, I apologize. He has one point - to stay in the Presidential Palace at all costs and keep Jarosław Kaczyński's PiS in power. The President is once again refusing to participate in debates. Tomorrow, there is another presidential candidates' debate. Andrzej Duda will not be present at this debate, which is a shame, because it would be a good opportunity to remind him of all the promises he made in the previous election campaign and which he has not fulfilled. Today, as his campaign staff, we will remind Andrzej Duda of what he has forgotten - stated Magdalena Sobkowiak at a press briefing.

Among the unfulfilled promises, PSL politicians listed equalizing subsidies for farmers, zero VAT on children's clothing, assistance for 'frankowiczs' (those with Swiss franc mortgages), a higher tax-free allowance, the liquidation of the National Health Fund (NFZ), dental surgeries in every school, and the creation of a medical fund.

- Today it is worth asking: what is the purpose of such a politician in the political system who, despite having such capabilities, is unable to deliver? I believe that in the current political circumstances, Poles need Andrzej Duda like a fish needs a bicycle - said Dariusz Klimczak. - Until the end of the campaign, we will remind President Duda of what he promised Poles 5 years ago. We will even examine him, because he said a lot about credibility as well - he stated.

„Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that children can return to kindergartens and nurseries. He made this decision without consulting local governments. We don't know what opinions he based it on, because doctors are questioning this decision. It concerns the safety of our children. If such a decision is made, the facilities must have time to prepare for it and know what procedures are necessary to ensure the safety of children and staff. I demand the Prime Minister explain to Poles why he made this decision, why the initial reopening of institutions concerns children, and they are the most important to us” – said Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Civic Coalition’s presidential candidate and Deputy Marshal of the Sejm, at a press conference in the Sejm.

„Ms. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska was very strongly supported by me even before I became the leader of Civic Coalition. Yes, and now I clearly declare my full support. I am convinced that in normal, safe, and fair elections, this is the best candidacy. I am convinced and I believe that when we postpone the elections and they are held in a fair format, Kidawa-Błońska will win these elections” – said the leader of PO, Borys Budka, at a press conference in the Sejm.

“Anyone undermining our joint decision at this moment is acting to our detriment. I appeal for us to focus on joint work instead of statements. We were together, we are, and we will be, because Civic Coalition, PO, is a cohesive, good team” - said PO chairman Borys Budka at a press conference in the Sejm.

„Of course, Schetyna isn't the father of [my candidacy]. I won the primaries. My colleagues in the Civic Platform voted for me. We made this decision together, and that's our strength – that it's not one person deciding who should be a candidate, but everyone together” – said Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, the Civic Coalition's presidential candidate and Deputy Marshal of the Sejm, at a press conference in the Sejm.

"I am impressed by the President's decision. Many judges who have found themselves in the new chambers of the Supreme Court may be more connected in their life paths to our broader milieu, in terms of their sphere of values. Judge Zaradkiewicz has a very significant professional track record. He has been associated with the University of Warsaw for 20 years. He was one of the closest academic collaborators of individuals like President Safjan or President Rzepliński," said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference. 

„The decision is an attempt to find a candidate who is a person who transcends all divisions within the judiciary, who, with his views, has often expressed dissenting opinions from the dominant ones in this sphere of politics and values that I share. However, Professor Zaradkiewicz is a top-class scholar, an expert, a person valued by numerous academic bodies. Like no one else, he guarantees an impartial, secure transition for the Supreme Court on the path to selecting a new president,” said Minister Zbigniew Ziobro at a press conference.  

- I would like to strongly emphasize that this is somewhat a requirement of the moment, of the epidemic, but also of the fact that some people must return to work. Or they must work, like medical professionals. Therefore, ensuring childcare for these individuals is simply essential. Not everyone can stay home with their child, not everyone can be at home. Of course, there is a benefit, but some people simply have to go to work. Therefore, we would like to launch these childcare facilities right now, but I emphasize: this is not a duty, it is not the full reopening of kindergartens, nor partial preschool education. This is a place where our children can receive care for the time when an adult must leave home for work - stated Łukasz Szumowski at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

- Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that from May 6th, we are also opening kindergartens. Therefore, we have published the appropriate regulations on the ministry's website, and even earlier we posted guidelines mentioned by the Minister of Health. These guidelines will be elaborated upon, and it is solely based on these guidelines that we are actually able to answer at least some of the questions posed by President Trzaskowski, over a dozen questions. It is evident that his officials, and certainly he himself, have not reviewed what the Ministry of Education, as well as families, have presented on their websites. But if Mr. President needs them, we will respond to each of his questions individually so he knows what to do, though we thought local governments are autonomous precisely because they can derive detailed procedures from general provisions - stated Dariusz Piontkowski at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM).

- Many questions have already arisen, not only from Mr. Trzaskowski, which is why we have posted several-page answers to the most frequently asked questions. Among these questions are some that President Trzaskowski asked. Thus, I have the impression that before Trzaskowski takes any action, the first thing he does is ask, among others, the Ministry of National Education (MEN) what to do, completely forgetting that local government should make decisions on its own - the head of MEN continued.

- Today, for the umpteenth time, we are discussing the anti-crisis shield in the Sejm. If the first shield had been a true, titanium, not a paper shield, a shield that helps and protects Polish employees and employers, we probably wouldn't have to submit amendments. But on behalf of the Polish Coalition, and as a presidential candidate, I am once again presenting three main amendments. Their adoption guarantees the protection of jobs, help for employees, and help for employers. It guarantees a quick exit from the crisis, quick and effective help for everyone who needs it. The main assumptions of our program, the Plan for Poland, are based on job protection, not on these proposals that have appeared in the public sphere to dismiss an employee via email. This is unacceptable. I expect a declaration from President Duda that he will never sign such a law. And it should have been made a few days ago. We haven't heard it yet - claimed Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a briefing in the Sejm.

“In light of the very high interest in this topic, the abundance of new information that has reached us, and the positive social resonance regarding the proposal to halt Poland's contribution to the World Health Organization, we want to further develop this issue by increasing pressure on the government and intensifying social mobilization to replicate the decision made by Donald Trump. We want to halt Poland's contribution to the WHO. Every year, the Polish government unconditionally transfers 17 million Polish zlotys to this unnecessary, bureaucratic, left-wing, globalist, and corporation-dependent organization. This is money that should go towards Polish healthcare, not towards financing globalists, bureaucrats, and people on corporate payrolls,” stated Krzysztof Bosak, the Confederation candidate for president, at a press conference. 

According to sources for 300POLITYKA, a programmatic event will take place tomorrow where President Andrzej Duda will present his program. Our interlocutors state that this will be in a new format, adapted to the current situation related to the coronavirus pandemic.

- The President is pursuing responsible policy, and today too, in the context of election programs, Poles do not expect fireworks, but rather credibility and wise care for the future - one of Andrzej Duda's most important campaign strategists tells 300POLITYCE.

- Today, President Andrzej Duda has once again proven that he is not mature enough for the office he holds. Today, we have seen another party nominee in the role of the highest judge in our country. Judge Kamil Zaradkiewicz is a symbol of cynical opportunism, a symbol of the state to which a country can be brought when party nominees, loyal servants of their master, take over the judiciary – said Robert Biedroń during a press conference in front of the Supreme Court.

- This is a sad day, because Jarosław Kaczyński has been gradually consolidating this system. First, he consolidated it in the legislative sphere, then he took over the executive power. Today, he has consolidated the last element of this system. He has taken over the judiciary. Today, democracy in Poland has effectively ended. Today, effectively, with the departure of the steadfast First President of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Gersdorf, an important chapter of Polish democracy has closed – added the presidential candidate. ​

- We know that PiS doesn't close any doors. Perhaps, if this law on postal voting doesn't pass, PiS will encourage us to vote in person. But both are an electoral farce. And we, as the Left, state this clearly and unequivocally. We cannot surrender to Kaczyński, because that's exactly what he's counting on. He's counting on destabilization, chaos, and mess so that we won't have evidence of his blasphemies and indignities. We must gather dossiers on Kaczynski, Duda, Morawiecki, and all those scoundrels destroying our country - stated Robert Biedroń in an interview with Justyna Dobrosz-Oracz on Wyborcza.pl.

Trwa rozmowa telefoniczna Prezydenta RP Andrzeja Dudy z Papieżem Franciszkiem. Szczegóły w komunikacie po jej zakończeniu pic.twitter.com/JcxLWS2DAK

— Krzysztof Szczerski (@KSzczerski) April 30, 2020

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- I have very good news for all employees and students who work or study in our neighboring countries, namely Germany, Lithuania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. From May 4th, they will be able to return to work and study. They will not have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Following epidemiological analyses and in cooperation with the governments of the aforementioned countries, and after consultations with local authorities, we have jointly made this important decision, which has been awaited by cross-border workers and their families – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Facebook.

- The increase in new infections is relatively low and stable. We have not defeated the epidemic, but we have it increasingly under control. Therefore, we can act more decisively so that economic life can begin to pick up pace again – emphasized the PM.

“If the ruling party intended to hold elections at a safer date, then declaring a state of natural disaster, a 90-day election grace period, and holding elections immediately afterward would not violate anything and is the simplest solution, as written by former presidents and prime ministers in their letter to the ruling party,” said Senate Marshal Tomasz Grodzki in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on “Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

- We know when these elections must be held. We know that the term of office of the incumbent president, Andrzej Duda, expires on August 6th, and we know that the Constitution states that elections must be organized between the 100th and 75th day before the expiry of this term, meaning by May 23rd. These elections must be held by May 23rd. I want to emphasize this very clearly so that our viewers understand. This is not stubbornness from PiS or United Right, let's hold them in May despite the epidemic and the fact that Poles are thinking about something completely different. The Constitution clearly states so. The only way to change this date, to postpone the elections to the future, was Jarosław Gowin's proposal to change the Constitution, extend the term by two years, and hold elections in 2022. But the groups led by Marshal Grodzki immediately rejected this proposal when it was put forward, showing the intentions of Platforma. These intentions are linked to Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska's poor poll ratings. Platforma simply wants to restart the election procedure to put forward a different candidate - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" on Polsat News.

This is a proposal for the introduction of a temporary or longer state of natural disaster, which is raised very often. So let's analyze it. As I said, President Duda's term ends on August 6, and the elections must be held by May 23. Secondly, imposing a state of natural disaster solely to postpone elections is, in the opinion of many lawyers, a violation of the Constitution, because a state of natural disaster or any other state – we have three states of emergency in Poland – should only be introduced when the situation forces us to do so. In other words, when problems that have arisen in the country cannot be resolved without introducing one of the states of emergency – stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" on Polsat News.

If today we use such a trick, such a legal loophole, which according to many lawyers is unconstitutional, but let's assume such a trick is used, meaning we introduce a temporary state of natural disaster in order to postpone elections, then this is a very dangerous precedent for the future. Then, when in a few, a dozen or so years, politicians much less responsible than us will be governing Poland, politicians who, when upcoming parliamentary or presidential elections approach, will use the same pretext from 2020 in order to postpone elections at a time when they fear verification – stated Adam Bielan in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski in the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

"Personally, I believe it is possible [May 23 postal elections], but that is Speaker Witek's decision. It is the Marshal of the Sejm who schedules elections within the timeframe we discussed a few minutes ago, meaning between the 100th and 75th day before the end of the term, which is until May 23. These elections are currently scheduled for May 10, but if the postal election bill, which is currently maliciously being held back by the previous guest, Marshal Grodzki, who has a profound disregard for the political situation and the constitutional crisis looming on the horizon and waits until the last possible moment to vote on this bill, but if the Sejm re-enacts this bill on May 7, then within that postal election bill, there is a possibility to postpone the election date" - stated Adam Bielan in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News's "Wydarzenia i opinie" program.

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: BIELAN ON THE FACT THAT ELECTIONS MUST BE HELD BY MAY 23 GRODZKI ON THE STATE OF CATASTROPHE THE PRIME MINISTER CUTS THE MATTER OF TRANSNATIONAL TRANSFERS https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/04/30/ ***** POLSAT EVENTS -- FORMER PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE MAY 10 ELECTIONS TODAY, BUT THE OPPOSITION IS DIVIDED - PROF. BARTOSZEWSKI'S SON IS AGAINST THE BOYCOTT. -- THE CHANCELLERY OF THE PRIME MINISTER IS INVESTIGATING IF AND HOW THE ALREADY PRINTED BALLOTS COULD HAVE BEEN LEAKED, AND AMIDST THE ELECTORAL TURMOIL, THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT IS ENDING. -- PROFESSOR GERSDORF IS RETIRING AS A JUDGE; KAMIL ZARADKIEWICZ HAS BEEN APPOINTED ACTING PRESIDENT UNTIL A NEW ONE IS SELECTED - Mira Skórka. -- KAMIL ZARADKIEWICZ HAS REPEATEDLY CRITICIZED THE ACTIONS OF PROF. GERSDORF AND THE SO-CALLED OLD JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT - Skórka continues. -- THE OPPOSITION REMINDS THAT IT IS THE SUPREME COURT THAT WILL ASSESS THE VALIDITY OF THE ELECTIONS - Skórka. -- THERE ARE 10 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE ELECTIONS, AND IT IS STILL UNKNOWN IN WHAT FORM THEY WILL BE HELD - Skórka continues. -- SEJM DEPUTIES OF PLATFORMA CONVINCE THAT THE PRIME MINISTER UNLAWFULLY ORDERED THE PRINTING OF BALLOTS, BUT THIS TIME A PARLIAMENTARY CONTROL AT PWPW, WHICH SUPERVISES THE PRINTING OF BALLOTS, YIELDED NO RESULTS - Skórka. -- MAŁGORZATA KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA IS CALLING FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE ELECTIONS, EVEN NOT RULING OUT WITHDRAWING HER CANDIDACY - Skórka continues. -- YESTERDAY, THE PRIME MINISTER SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ELECTION DATES THAN MAY 10 [MAY 17 OR 23] - Skórka. -- ANDRZEJ DUDA'S PROGRAMMATIC CONVENTION IS TOMORROW - Skórka continues. -- LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE DIVIDED AFTER THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT DAYCARE CENTERS AND KINDERGARTENS WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN AS EARLY AS MAY 6. -- THE AUTHORITIES OF WARSAW, GDAŃSK, AND ŁÓDŹ CLAIM THAT THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO SHIFT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HEALTH OF THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN ONTO THEM. -- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH REPLIES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN OPEN KINDERGARTENS, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO AT ALL. -- ON MAY 4, CROSS-BORDER WORKERS WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO UNDERGO QUARANTINE; ON THE SAME DAY, SHOPPING MALLS WILL ALSO REOPEN. -- UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MID-MAY FOR A HAIRCUT OR A VISIT TO THE BEAUTICIAN, ALTHOUGH THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT POLES MISS THE MOST RIGHT NOW - Bogdan Rymanowski. -- PRESIDENT DUDA IS SENDING A LETTER TO EUROPEAN LEADERS, ENCOURAGING EU LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC. ***** FAKTY TVN -- GERSDORF IS LEAVING IN THE MIDST OF A DISPUTE OVER THE VALIDITY OF ELECTIONS AND THE FUTURE OF THE JUDICIARY - in the preview. -- NEVER BEFORE HAS THE DEPARTURE OF A SUPREME COURT PRESIDENT CAUSED SO MUCH EMOTION - Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska. -- DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, GERSDORF'S FAREWELL WAS SMALL; FOR THIS LOYALTY, THEY PAID A PRICE: BEING LOGGED BY THE POLICE AND FINED - KKZ. -- THEY COUNTED ON FINES, BUT THEY CAME TO THANK THE PRESIDENT - KKZ. -- JULY 4, 2018, WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF HER TERM; SHE REFUSED PIS'S ASSAULT ON THE COURT AND CAME TO WORK AS USUAL - KKZ. -- HER RESISTANCE PREVENTED THE SUPREME COURT FROM BEING SUBORDINATED TO THE AUTHORITIES - KKZ. -- THE PRESIDENT FAILED TO REMOVE GERSDORF, BUT WITH THE HELP OF THE NEW NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE JUDICIARY, HE FILLED JUDICIAL POSITIONS WITH HIS NOMINEES, AND ONE OF THEM BECAME ACTING PRESIDENT TODAY - KKZ. -- HE IS AN OUTSTANDING CIVIL LAWYER AND JURIST, YOU CAN'T DENY HIM THAT, BUT THEN HE SUDDENLY SENSED WHICH WAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING AND STARTED QUESTIONING THE COMPETENCIES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL - Stanisław Biernat. -- THE GOOD CHANGE TOOK CARE OF HIM - KKZ on Zaradkiewicz's path. -- A PROVOCATION FROM THE PRESIDENT, AN INSULT TO THE JUDICIARY - Biernat. -- GERSDORF DOWNPLAYS THIS NOMINATION - KKZ. -- AND THIS IS ONLY FOR A MOMENT - Gersdorf. -- MANY ELECTORAL CHALLENGES CAN BE EXPECTED; THE BALLOTS HAVE ALREADY LEAKED - KKZ. -- A LETTER FROM FORMER PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS. -- DUDA'S RIVALS FEAR THAT THE SUPREME COURT WILL RULE ON THE VALIDITY OF THE ELECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S WISHES - KKZ. -- ONLY 2 CANDIDATES THANKED HER TODAY - KKZ. -- WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS: What about the safety of children in the soon-to-be-opened daycare centers and kindergartens? The government is entrusting them to local governments, and local governments are raising the alarm that it is not that simple. The government wants parents of young children to be able to return to work as early as next week. At the same time, Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski assures that anyone who is afraid of epidemic risk can decide that their children will stay at home. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP -- ANOTHER 200 PATIENTS HAVE RECOVERED FROM COVID-19. -- THE PRESIDENT OF WARSAW ANNOUNCES THAT HE DOES NOT INTEND TO OPEN DAYCARE CENTERS AND KINDERGARTENS - Edyta Lewandowska. -- TRZASKOWSKI CLAIMS HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT - Karol Jałtuszewski. -- HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SUPPORT FOR THE NEEDY IN ROME, AND THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF KAROL WOJTYŁA'S BIRTH - THESE ARE THE TOPICS OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE POPE AND THE PRESIDENT OF POLAND - no material. -- THERE WAS AN INTERVIEW, A SHARP EXCHANGE OF WORDS, AND OFFENSIVE WORDS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BROADCAST. EVERYTHING WAS RECORDED AND HAS BEEN AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET FOR MONTHS - preview: Now it turns out that the journalist conducting the conversation is not him, and he allegedly never uttered his words - this is what RASP lawyers claim, who threaten journalists for revealing this absurd explanation. -- A FRAGMENT FROM THE ONET OPINIE PROGRAM FROM APRIL LAST YEAR. -- PIEBIAK DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM WĘGLARCZYK'S THESIS - Krzysztof Nowina-Konopka. -- THE DEFENSE LINE OF ONET'S LAWYERS, WHICH WPOLITYCE.PL HAS OBTAINED, IS ASTOUNDING - Nowina-Konopka. -- OBVIOUS FALSEHOODS ON TVN'S AIRWAVES - Nowina-Konopka. -- "GW" HAS NOT WITHDRAWN FROM FALSE OPINIONS ABOUT KGHM - Nowina-Konopka. -- SUPREME COURT JUDGE KAMIL ZARADKIEWICZ WILL PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THIS INSTITUTION - preview: He takes over the duties tomorrow. -- ZARADKIEWICZ WAS AWARDED BY THE PO-PSL TEAM. IN 2010, HE WAS HONORED WITH THE SILVER CROSS OF MERIT BY KOMOROWSKI. KOPACZ AWARDED HIM THE PRIME MINISTER'S AWARD FOR 2014 - Konrad Warzocha. -- 4 YEARS AGO, ZARADKIEWICZ INCURRED THE WRATH OF PO AND THE JUDICIAL CASTA, BECOMING THEIR ENEMY - Warzocha. -- FOR "GW," ZARADKIEWICZ IS A FORMER DIRECTOR UNDER ZIOBRO - Warzocha. -- MANY WILL REMEMBER GERSDORF'S TERM AS A TIME OF EXCEPTIONAL POLITICIZATION OF THE SUPREME COURT. GERSDORF, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE OPPOSITION, PROTESTED AGAINST THE JUDICIAL REFORM - preview. -- THE END OF GERSDORF'S TERM IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO END THE ERA OF A POLITICIZED SUPREME COURT - Konrad Wąż. -- THIS IS THE END OF ILLEGAL RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE SUPREME COURT - Wąż. -- GERSDORF WAS INVOLVED IN THE DEFENSE OF IWULSKI - Wąż. -- THE SUPREME COURT WAS WILLINGLY INVOLVED IN THE DEFENSE OF PATHOLOGIES IN THE POLISH JUSTICE SYSTEM - Wąż. -- GERSDORF'S DEPARTURE MAY BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE CASTA - Wąż. -- THE SUPREME COURT WAS CONSIDERED THE LAST BASTION OF POWER ESTABLISHED BEFORE 1989 - Wąż. -- KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA HAS STILL NOT GIVEN A DEFINITIVE ANSWER WHETHER SHE WILL STAND FOR THE ELECTIONS. IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE PRESIDENT WILL BE ELECTED, BECAUSE THE SENATE HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE LAW THAT ALLOWS FOR SAFE VOTING FOR THREE WEEKS - preview. -- GRODZKI IS TRYING TO SCARE POLES WITH THE CORONAVIRUS. HE SUGGESTS THAT POSTAL VOTING IS DANGEROUS, CONTRARY TO LOGIC AND EVEN WHO OPINIONS - Marcin Szypszak. -- THE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION ESTIMATES THAT CORRESPONDENCE VOTING IS THE EASIEST TO IMPLEMENT - Szypszak. -- KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA HAS NOT SAID IF SHE WILL ENTER THE POLITICAL RACE - Szypszak. -- SUCH A WEAK RESULT FOR KIDAWA AS IN THE POLLS COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR KO - Szypszak.

- I understand that whether the elections were held on the 17th or 23rd of May, they would have taken place according to the rules that were recently adopted. Also contrary to the constitution, as the principle that electoral rules should not be changed six months before elections was not respected. But then, as I understand it, they would be elections organized by the National Electoral Commission (PKW) with normal voting at polling stations and with consent for individuals aged 65 and over to use the postal voting option. This is a slightly different topic, which will be worth discussing once we know that something like this is realistic. But the fundamental question, which candidates should answer, is how effectively they could reach voters with their electoral message. In my opinion, in this sense, there is no fundamental difference between May 10th and 17th, or May 10th and 23rd – said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the program „Kropka nad i” (The Dot Above I) on TVN24.

- PiS is so determined that, regardless of whether their actions are constitutional, unlawful, or not based on a valid law, they want to forcefully push for these elections and the victory of their candidate to guarantee themselves a comfortable grip on power for several more years. After all, we know very well that the stakes are whether the president will be 'theirs' or not. If they are 'theirs', we have several more years of joint, hand-in-hand action between the president and PiS, and if they were not 'theirs', we would have some state of political equilibrium, which, as I understand it, is not to the liking of the ruling party - said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the TVN24 program "Kropka nad i".

- Elections held in this manner, that is, in violation of regulations, forcefully, will of course cause this political crisis to not only be prolonged but deepened. Secondly, the president's mandate will be weak. It will be forever infected with this coronavirus. Thirdly, numerous election protests can be expected. In Poland, to the Supreme Court, and abroad. And quite simply, we will remain in this crisis. As I understand it, the PiS leader believes that winners are not judged, and if we win the presidential elections, we shouldn't worry about anything else. But in my opinion, for the president himself, for his mandate, but also for Poland's prestige, this is the worst possible solution - said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the TVN24 program "Kropka nad i".

- From a soldier's perspective, I could grandiosely define patriotism. But I'll speak from a human perspective. For me, it's daily action. It's a collection of all the elements we do to ensure we all fare well – in the sense of our country, our nation. It's not just fighting for the homeland; it's living for the homeland. That's how I see it, and that's what we do in our work. We don't fly to die for our homeland – though if necessary, we will, of course. But rather to be the best possible people for it. I consider patriotism to be doing everything so that everyone who lives here has a place and can live peacefully and well – said Urszula Brzezińska-Hołownia.

During a livestream, which at that moment was attended by an average of 30,000 people, Szymon Hołownia commented:

"Regarding the pay gap – I don't experience it myself because in my profession it depends solely on rank and achievements, but I suspect it's a huge problem. It's incredibly upsetting to me. That a woman, who often gives 300% of what a man in the same position does, earns less simply because she is a woman. I hope this will change and we will reach a point where we don't have to discuss such obvious things as the pay gap, because it simply shouldn't exist. Women should speak clearly and openly, stating that we deserve it," said Urszula Brzezińska-Hołownia.

Today I can say: good evening, because we have managed to resolve an issue that should have been resolved a very, very long time ago. The fact that we adopted the law today is the result of the work of many women over many years. These are my colleagues in the Civic Coalition club, but also the Women's Rights Center, which has discussed with us many times, which has supported us, and we them, seeking good solutions, intervening when the government was withdrawing support from them. It also includes discussions with the Congress of Women and hundreds of meetings my colleagues have held on the matter of Polish women. I hope this law will be quickly processed in the Senate and we can say that this important problem, the safety of victims of violence, will be resolved. It is important afterwards that this law is not just a dead letter, but is implemented in life. That non-governmental organizations, all those who watch over safety, help the weaker, have full support from the government and that the government fulfills these promises - stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska at a press briefing in the Sejm. - This law is actually the implementation of one of the provisions of the Istanbul Convention, and I remind you that Poland would not have ratified the convention if not for the previous government, the PO-PSL government. In February 2015, the Sejm passed the ratifying law, and in April 2015, the then-serving President Komorowski signed it. Unfortunately, the next president, currently serving Andrzej Duda, when asked about this convention, replied: it's best not to apply it. We, I mean the Platform government, managed, I mean the PO-PSL government, during the work on the ratification of this convention, to bring about the prosecution of rape ex officio. The next step resulting from this convention is precisely the effective isolation of the perpetrator from the victim. We had to wait 5 years for the PiS government to be ready with this law. Non-governmental organizations, including the Women's Rights Center, appealed for it. The Ombudsman appealed for it, and today it has finally happened. It is truly too late, but better late than never, because today women, as they are mainly the victims of domestic violence, are confined with their abusers. Children are also often the silent victims. During the pandemic, they are confined under one roof with their abuser, the perpetrator of violence. Therefore, as the Civic Coalition, we requested an immediate move to the second reading, without sending this project to a committee. After our speech, an internal consultation was held, of course under the leadership of the most important leader. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that it succeeded and that these dramas in Polish families can be stopped sooner, and that is the most important thing and that's why we are in the Polish parliament - continued Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz.

- As a result of domestic violence, a minimum of 400-500 women die annually. They are murdered, they die from beatings, they commit suicide. This draft law will allow these women, these children to have hope that the cycle of violence they endure at night will end. That it won't be them who have to flee their homes, but the perpetrator who will be isolated from them and will have to leave the place of residence. Now we are waiting for quick work in the Senate, but there is still a lot to be done to genuinely help victims of domestic violence. This involves amending the law on combating domestic violence, changing the functioning of the blue card, introducing economic violence, and supporting non-governmental organizations that have been fighting for years to ensure victims feel safe, have hope, and receive help - stated Monika Rosa at a press briefing in the Sejm.

- I hope this is the first step to truly help women, victims of violence, and children. The pandemic is a time when isolation is even more burdensome, when you have no one to turn to, when you sometimes cannot make a phone call and say: something bad is happening. Therefore, this is the first step, but not the only one that needs to be taken. A huge amount of work lies ahead, and as a coalition, we will certainly do it - continued the Civic Coalition MP.