At 10:00 AM, President Andrzej Duda will deliver a statement. As we wrote on 300POLITYKA, this will be a programmatic event where President Andrzej Duda will present his agenda. Our sources indicate it will be in a new format, adapted to the current situation related to the coronavirus pandemic.

- The President is pursuing a responsible policy, and today, in the context of election platforms, Poles do not expect fireworks, but credibility and wise care for the future - one of Andrzej Duda's key campaign strategists told 300POLITYKA.

At 9:30 AM, a press conference will be held in Ryki by the PSL presidential candidate, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. At 10:30 AM, in front of the Supreme Court in Warsaw, a press conference will be held by the Civic Coalition presidential candidate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

Also today, May Day events organized by Lewica will take place across the country. Due to the pandemic state and the ban on gatherings, traditional May Day marches will not occur this year. Instead, a series of symbolic, non-mass events are planned.

At 11:00 AM, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the ramparts of the Warsaw Citadel, and at 12:00 PM, a wreath-laying and a briefing will be held at the monument to Ignacy Daszyński in Warsaw. Speeches by Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Robert Biedroń, and Adrian Zandberg are planned here. The final event is the laying of flowers at the monument commemorating the first PPS strike on Grzybowski Square in Warsaw at 5:00 PM.

- The brand, and what is particularly characteristic of Andrzej Duda's presidency, is credibility and responsibility. This will be the program of a credible and responsible presidency for the second term, for the next 5 years. These are not election promises, as other candidates say, throwing out various slogans. These are very thoughtful and carefully constructed proposals for concrete actions, appropriate for our times, that the president will want to undertake both domestically and internationally in his second term, should the voters grant him that mandate in the May elections. Indeed, this will be a program adapted to contemporary demands and challenges, and we know that new times are coming. Therefore, it is a very current, credible, and responsible program. It's not about wielding slogans today, as is the custom of candidates who have never borne responsibility for the state. For 5 years, the President has carried the responsibility for Polish affairs in a very credible manner. He has fulfilled everything that were his themes and electoral commitments in the previous term, in the 5 years that are now passing. Consequently, he wishes to extend this responsible, credible care for Polish affairs for the next 5 years, if, as I said, the voters grant him that mandate. So, this will be a very concrete program, speaking of very concrete matters that the president will undertake in the next 5 years – stated Krzysztof Szczerski in a conversation with Katarzyna Gójska-Hejke on PR1's "Sygnały dnia".

- Of course, the changes to the electoral law implement the Constitutional Tribunal's rulings and are not contradictory to them. This is the paradox of this argumentation, the falsity of this argumentation, that it is precisely as the Constitutional Tribunal ruled. That changes [6 months before elections] are not allowed, unless extraordinary, objective circumstances necessitate them to promote democracy in Poland, and this change, which is intended to popularize postal voting, so that everyone, including those in quarantine, has the possibility to exercise their electoral rights, stems from an objective situation and promotes the exercise of electoral rights in Poland. Therefore, it precisely implements what the tribunal stated in its rulings, namely not to introduce changes detrimental to electoral rights, and secondly, not to do so unless an extraordinary and objective situation requires it, and that is precisely what these changes to the electoral law are implementing today. They precisely implement the rulings and are consistent with the entire line of jurisprudence of the Constitutional Tribunal over all years since 1989 - stated Krzysztof Szczerski in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska-Hejke on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) PR1.

- Today marks the anniversary of Poland's accession to the European Union. 16 years in the Union. 16 years in which Poland has been jointly building a zone of security and development. Unfortunately, the last five years under the presidency of Andrzej Duda have meant weakening Poland's position in the EU, not strengthening it, but radically weakening it - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a press conference in Ryki.

- Ryki is not a coincidental location for our meeting today. Five years ago, in this very spot, Andrzej Duda, during his campaign, spoke of the need to equalize Polish farmers' subsidies to French and German levels. Here is his exact quote from his speech in Ryki. That we are entitled to equal subsidies with German and French levels. What has been the effect of Andrzej Duda's presidency? What has been the effect of words spoken during the election campaign? He achieved his electoral goal. He exploited the Polish countryside, he exploited Polish farmers for votes, but he did not fulfill his promise. He did not send a request to increase subsidies, he did not fight for equal subsidies. He did not fulfill his promise to the Polish countryside and Polish farmers. He deceived them – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a press conference in Ryki.

- The small retention program and for that we can use 8 billion PLN, unused due to the rulers' incompetence, from the rural development program for farm modernization. This can be used to build small reservoirs up to half a hectare. If we assume an average, we can even create five such reservoirs per village - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a press conference in Ryki.

- I will do everything to postpone these elections. But if they are held, I will also go to debates and fight to the very end. I will not surrender Poland by walkover. We cannot waste another five years – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a press conference in Ryki. 

"We will absolutely not back down, and as President of Poland, I will never allow the Polish state to withdraw from the 500+ program. Today, in a time of many anxieties, when we talk about material security, this program for families raising children is a cornerstone. This is money that will certainly come. You can rest assured. 500 zloty as an allowance from the Polish state for raising children will be provided," said President Andrzej Duda during a convention.

„Other social programs will also be maintained. Will the 13th pension be paid? Yes, it will be, because we have established it by law. Retirees can rest assured. The 13th pension was paid this year and will be paid next year too. These benefits will be paid” - said President Andrzej Duda during a convention.

"I am speaking unequivocally. The unemployment benefit must be raised to 1300 PLN and must be paid to all those who are losing and will lose their jobs, especially due to the crisis caused by the coronavirus, but an additional support formula must also be introduced, something I call a solidarity allowance. This allowance is 1200 PLN for every unemployed person who lost their job as a result of this crisis for 3 months, so they have additional security during the period when they are looking for work," said President Andrzej Duda during a convention.

- I will also oblige Polish banks to provide these credit holidays. I am perfectly aware of how important they are, especially for families who have bought an apartment with a loan, for whom repaying that loan and having a home is a matter of survival, an "either/or" situation. This is a fundamental issue. It is also a matter of honor for the Polish banking sector. I do not hesitate to say so. The Polish banking sector knows what I think about Swiss franc loans and what I think about that situation. The Polish banking sector is achieving excellent financial results. Today, the Polish banking sector must look at its client in a special way, extend a hand to that client, and offer that client relief for the period when that relief is needed. Some banks have complied with this call. With some, there are problems. But apart from continuing to act in this matter, mobilizing both ZNP [Teachers' Union] and the head of KNF [Financial Supervision Authority], and mobilizing representatives of the banking sector, I very much ask you, as bank clients: look at your banks. Look at how they treat you. Compare how one bank behaves versus another. Ask your friends and acquaintances. Perhaps it's worth saying to the people at the bank: thank you very much, I am moving my account to another bank, I am no longer interested in keeping my money with you. Of course, I will keep what I must with you, I know I have a loan with you, but what I don't have to, I will no longer keep with you from today, and you will not profit from my work and money, because you are not worthy of it, because you have no honor and you left me in the lurch in a difficult situation – stated President Andrzej Duda during a program event.

- I spoke with Prime Minister Emilewicz, who, along with Prime Minister Morawiecki and her colleagues, is preparing further solutions regarding the anti-crisis shield. To introduce regulations that will force banks to offer so-called credit holidays. Of course, there is a struggle underway there; the banking sector is defending itself with all its might. No one needs to be told how strong and influential it is, but I ask you to listen to this appeal. It is important. Either Poland and strong companies in Poland respect their clients, or they don't, but then they will have to start respecting them. Sooner or later. I have no doubt about that - stated President Andrzej Duda during a program event.

- I am returning to what was intended, because I deeply believe that Polish healthcare will get through this difficult time, and we will need to continue to look at it, as it also requires many efforts from the Polish state. We have launched, and I believe we will implement in the next 10 years, 2020-2030, a national program to combat cancer, which is the fulfillment of the national oncology strategy. Additional money to treat cancer - stated President Andrzej Duda during a program event.

- Additional funds for the implementation of this strategy. Nearly PLN 6 billion alongside the normal funds that are already being spent on oncology today - PAD continued.

“

I have decided that it will be created and is already being created, because the act is currently being written both in the Chancellery of the President, under my supervision within the framework of the National Development Council (NRR), and in the Ministry of Health. The project is nearing completion. It will be a Medical Fund – something I committed to a few months ago, even before we thought an epidemic would occur. This Medical Fund is necessary so that parents do not have to beg for money for their children, so that public fundraisers do not have to be organized, so that rare diseases can be treated, including abroad

“

This is PLN 3 billion. An astronomical sum that the fund will have at its disposal, which will be distributed by a commission after examining and verifying each individual case

„I will not agree to the privatization of healthcare, to the privatization of those healthcare facilities that are public today, to their commercialization and privatization. What is needed is a well-functioning healthcare system, universally accessible to everyone” – said President Andrzej Duda during a convention.

It all began with a challenge from Joachim Brudziński, who responded to a comment by Hołownia's campaign chief, Michał Kobosko, who called Duda's speech "boring":

Szefie sztabu Pana Hołowni,niech Pana kandydat(TVN-owski celebryta)zmierzy się z #Duda2020 na merytoryczne argumenty i programy. Niech Pan Hołownia stanie przed kamerą i zamiast złośliwostek i dowcipów które wymieniał z Panem Prokopem, przedstawi z głowy swój program tak jak #PAD https://t.co/X02bXJld8T

— Joachim Brudziński (@jbrudzinski) May 1, 2020

Pojedynek 1:1 z PAD na programy przed kamerami? Kandydat Duda wreszcie nie ucieka, chce rozmawiać? Wyzwanie @jbrudzinski - przyjęte. Kiedy i gdzie? Najbliższy wtorek? Sztaby dograją szczegóły. https://t.co/rkk3ie8rmB

— Szymon Hołownia Oficjalny (@szymon_holownia) May 1, 2020

„Yesterday, a commissioner was installed in the Supreme Court, a commissioner who is to serve as the First President. We are witnessing PiS completing its coup d'état against our democracy, against our freedoms. I wanted to thank Professor Gersdorf and all the judges who stand guard over the law, the constitution, and show us the way to act so that we feel like free citizens in a free country where the separation of powers exists. All of this would not have been possible without the citizens who, some daily, some monthly, stood before the courts, went to marches, to protests” – said Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, candidate for President from Civic Coalition (KO) and Deputy Marshal of the Sejm, at a press conference.

„I wanted to tell Mr. Kaczyński that you won't intimidate all Poles, you won't buy all Poles. Poles are a proud, free nation and will fight for their rights and for the constitution to be respected in our country” - said KO's presidential candidate, Deputy Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, at a press conference.

- I want to assure Polish farmers that I am fighting for direct subsidies for Polish farmers to be at the EU average level - stated President Andrzej Duda during a program event.

- I believe that with our actions, we will manage to bring these direct subsidies to that level. I have already spoken with the Minister of Agriculture about having direct subsidies paid out earlier this year. They will be paid out earlier, I assure Polish farmers of this - PAD continued.

"The fact that President Duda is holding a convention as if nothing has happened means he doesn't know the real problems of Poles, because he didn't address them. He didn't address the tests for doctors, the problems in social welfare homes (DPS-ów), or the [situation] of residents in border zones. He doesn't talk about the problems of young people whose learning process has been interrupted, or about the fact that Polish schools are not prepared for online education. He didn't speak about any of this. He spoke about promises. It's easy to make promises, but we already know that this budget doesn't add up," said Civic Coalition's presidential candidate and Deputy Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska at a press conference.

- To a great extent, this money [from the sealing of the tax system] was taken from thieves. Those who simply robbed us in previous years. The previous government allowed us to be robbed of this money. This money should have been in the budget long ago, supporting Polish families, Polish children. Today, it supports them - stated President Andrzej Duda during a program event.

- Weeks have passed, and after these few weeks, it is already clearly visible that the government has sided with the wealthiest, that the government has sided with the banks, that the government listens to big business, but the government does not listen to employees. The government has no real offer of support for employees. The government accepts mass layoffs, and what's more, it even encourages lowering employees' wages - said Adrian Zandberg during a press conference.

- On May 10th, there will be no election. I repeat. On May 10th, there will be no election. If someone says it's indecent to be active during an election, I want to say it's indecent not to react when a bandit steals your property. When a thief robs your house and your apartment, it is indecent not to react. When bandits spit on women, when they take away their civil rights, you say: I won't react. Because it's indecent. It is indecent at this moment not to react to all this filth that is happening - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty during a press conference.

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1256177174127816709

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1256177177143447552

- Today, in the near future, you will have the opportunity to hold me accountable for my responsibility over the last 5 years. I ask you to do so, to participate in these elections. I ask you to cast your vote, to show me your support, because I want to continue what I have been doing so far, but I will humbly submit to your judgment. Thank you for today's meeting, for listening to me. As I said. Poland has not yet perished while we live. We will emerge from this crisis, we will get through it, we will be stronger. We will draw conclusions from it. I believe that what is happening around us now is profoundly transitional, and we are a strong nation, a strong society, which has experienced many things and emerged from many, and today we are building a strong and efficient Poland. A Poland of smiling, happy people, a Poland of people with deeply rooted dignity, both state and national – stated President Andrzej Duda during a program event.

During Krzysztof Bosak's press conference, Radosław Sikorski, standing among the journalists, attempted to speak. After a brief exchange about the functioning of the European Union with Dobromir Sośnierz and Bosak's platitude that Sikorski "joined our conference," the former Marshal effectively joined the aforementioned conference, standing next to Krzysztof Bosak.

After the statement by the Confederation's presidential candidate, while journalists were asking Bosak questions, Sikorski was chatting about his earlier dispute with Sośnierz. Finally, when Bosak could no longer "break through" the surrounding conversations, Sikorski spoke.

- I appeal not to mislead Poles on the anniversary of our voluntary accession to the European Union, following a referendum, about how it works. Such lies, perpetrated by politicians and the media, led to Brexit, which is very unfavorable for Great Britain - he said, until Bosak interrupted him.

- Mr. Minister, I have a question for you. Since you've come to troll our conference, I assume as an envoy of my opponent Kidawa-Błońska, perhaps you haven't heard the whole thing, but please tell me, which of the things I said here today is a lie - Bosak asked.

- You said that the European Union imposes directives on member states. That is simply not true - Sikorski replied.

At that point, Sośnierz re-entered the discussion, defending the argument about "imposing directives." The discussion continued, but it was difficult to ascertain what its members were discussing, as they constantly interrupted each other. Finally, the visibly annoyed Sośnierz and the slightly less annoyed Sikorski were interrupted by the calmest of the three, Bosak.

- The phrasing of whether a directive is adopted by the European Union or by the member states, who have supplied the EU institutions with their representatives, is not a difference in facts, it is a difference in opinion - he stated, which Sikorski immediately denied.

Subsequently, the dispute between Bosak and Sikorski shifted to taxes, achievements within the European Union, Poland's recognition in the Community, and again, procedural systems. The discussions continued, even touching upon the authority of John Paul II, as Sikorski mentioned that the Pope supported Poland's accession to the EU. Bosak then stated that he "disagreed on this matter with John Paul II and a large part of the Polish Episcopate." He also added that he didn't know Sikorski was "such a clericalist."

Historical topics, the EU referendum, and taxes were discussed again, with Bosak criticizing the media. In the end, the gentlemen thanked each other for the debate, maintaining that they disagreed with each other. Finally, they parted cordially, due to the epidemic situation, with an elbow bump.

- Today, more than ever, we need a Europe of Solidarity – with an ambitious budget and a new, rebuilt balance. The functioning of the EU must be driven by the ambition of concerted economic cooperation undertaken to protect the integrated European market – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Facebook.

- The key challenge still facing the Community is the stabilization of economies, including the creation of a social shield for European workers and citizens. We need a New Marshall Plan based on new European investments, providing economic development leverage. We need an ambitious Europe today – more determined than ever. I thank all political groups and governments in the Third Polish Republic – PMM emphasized.