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05/08/2020

07:06

Friday's Political Agenda: Supreme Court General Assembly on Candidates for New First President

At 12:00, a General Assembly of Supreme Court judges will be held to select candidates for the position of First President of the Supreme Court. - This assembly is scheduled according to general, ordinary principles. While of course ensuring all necessary precautionary measures - stated the acting First President of the Supreme Court, Kamil Zaradkiewicz, on Polsat News.

At 11:00, a conference by Lewica (The Left) will take place with the participation of Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Maciej Konieczny, and Andrzej Szejna. The topic: a notification to the prosecutor's office in connection with the suspicion of criminal offenses committed by Mateusz Morawiecki and Jacek Sasin.


07:55

Emilewicz:

I've been saying for a long time that May 10th would be very difficult for elections to take place on that date
For at least several weeks, we have been considering the date of May 10th, how realistic it would be. We realized, when the pandemic broke out and week by week, when we announced the national quarantine, that the May deadline was significantly complicated. The first clear step was the refusal of local governments to form electoral commissions and, de facto, the refusal of some local governments to carry out their constitutional duty. Then we looked for other solutions, but I have been saying for a long time that the date of May 10th would be very difficult for elections to take place at that time, on that date – stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "One on One".

07:59

Emilewicz:

I'm glad an agreement was ultimately reached

- I didn't speak publicly, but I participated in discussions between the leaders, Jarosław Gowin and Jarosław Kaczyński. I am glad I could participate in these conversations, and I am glad that an agreement was ultimately reached. There is a group, and there was a group of Porozumienie members, who from the beginning said they couldn't imagine any political scenarios outside the United Right camp, and this was a clearly, very strongly expressed part of our MPs. There was a part of MPs who said very clearly that for them, this vote would also be a difficult and demanding vote. But as I said, there was a group clearly and unequivocally stating that the United Right camp is where we registered and where we are - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "One on One". 


08:05

Emilewicz:

I'm neither a fortune teller nor a Supreme Court judge, so I don't know its ruling. It seems the National Electoral Commission will announce zero election results and then likely turn to the Supreme Court.

- I am neither a fortune teller nor a Supreme Court judge. So I don't know what it will rule. We certainly know the facts. The facts are that the elections will not take place on Sunday. We have a statement from the National Electoral Commission (PKW) concerning the fact that one part of the election, because let's recall, the electoral process begins with a long administrative procedure that starts at the moment the election date is announced, then collecting signatures, selecting candidates, collecting signatures, and finally, its last act is the voting itself. This last act will not happen. In the statement, we therefore also have clear instructions for local governments, district election commissions, and consulates, that these commissions should not convene, that the voting should not take place. In this situation, it seems that the PKW will announce zero election results and then will likely turn to the Supreme Court. We can only predict that in a situation where the elections did not take place, votes cannot be cast for candidates. That's what I think, I can infer, also based on the opinions of experts, professors, former heads of the PKW, that the Supreme Court will probably announce the invalidity of the elections in this situation - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".


08:15

Emilewicz:

State of Natural Disaster is for Fighting its Consequences, Not for Postponing Elections

- A state of natural disaster is introduced, and this is also very clearly described, in order to fight the consequences of a natural disaster. Today, we do not have a natural disaster. We have an epidemic state, an epidemic threat, which has also been described in legal literature. Moreover, the description of this state was introduced by our predecessors. We are acting on the basis of the law that exists, adequate to the situation. So I see no reason to introduce a state of emergency in order to postpone the elections. This would also create a dangerous precedent for the future. It would mean that in the future someone could say: well, I have unfavorable polls, so I will introduce this or that state in order to postpone the elections - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".


08:21

Emilewicz:

We want to restore the role of the National Election Commission in the entire election process and strengthen universality and secrecy

- We are in free Poland. Nothing has changed. So, we will want to restore the role of the National Election Commission (PKW) for the entire process of conducting elections, and also strengthen their universality and secrecy, meaning that electoral packages reach the voters, that these voters are correctly identified at their place of residence, and that they can cast their votes in the places they were accustomed to, where the polling stations were located. Subsequently, an appropriate number of employees, people who will be in the commissions, can count these votes efficiently and reliably. These are the three fundamental changes that will be included in the amendment - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden", adding that the project is to be submitted to the Sejm next week.


08:22

Sobolewski on demand for a parliamentary inquiry into election organization: The Senate Speaker should be heard first

"First and foremost, one could point to the Marshal of the Senate, 50 senators from the majority coalition, composed of PO, SLD, and PSL, individuals who have openly declared disobedience, engaged in obstruction in local governments, and these individuals are associated with PO. They will have a considerable number of people they should hear first [before the inquiry demanded by Lewica]" - said Krzysztof Sobolewski from PiS on Radio Jedynka.


08:32

Schetyna:

Kidawa-Błońska Will Run in These Elections

- Yes. She will run [Kidawa-Błońska]. Although we don't know when they will take place and on what terms, who will organize them. However, she is the candidate of Civic Coalition, Civic Platform, chosen by convention. She will run in these elections - said Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM's "Morning Conversation".


08:36

Schetyna:

Within a few, a dozen or so weeks, Andrzej Duda's victory, which seemed certain just a few months ago, is now in question
Today the situation is completely different than a few months ago. In the perspective of a few, a dozen or so weeks, it will not be obvious to me that we will not be talking about a second round, that Andrzej Duda's victory, which seemed certain just a few months ago, is today in question and there will be more such question marks, so patience and consistency - Grzegorz Schetyna said in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM's "Morning Interview".

08:42

Dworczyk on potential government changes: I don't know of any such plans at the moment. However, we've had a heated period of discussions within the United Right, and talks will likely continue.

- I don't know of any such plans at the moment. However, we have indeed come out of a heated period of discussions within the United Right, and talks will likely continue within the party's close leadership regarding further cooperation with our coalition partners - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Jedynka radio.


08:45

Dworczyk:

Conflicting Statements Make the Opposition Completely Unreliable

- The contradiction in their statements makes the opposition completely unreliable. This is proof, and I say this with sadness, that some opposition politicians are using the situation instrumentally and cynically, hoping to achieve certain particular political goals – said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Jedynka radio.


08:50

Dworczyk on the amendment to the postal voting law: "I hope that this time Marshal Grodzki will not succumb to the temptation of instrumentalizing the situation and the position he holds"

- I hope that this time Mr. Marshal Grodzki will not succumb to the temptation of instrumentally exploiting such a situation and the position he holds. We know that bills can pass through the Senate either very quickly, we have already seen proof of this in this term, or they can wait there for a long time to be considered, as was the case with the last law - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Radio Jedynka. 


09:08

Budka:

Pressure Works. We Have a Chance for Elections Conducted Fairly with the National Election Commission (PKW). This is What We Fought For: That Everyone Has the Right to Vote, that Elections are Secret, and Organized by the PKW. This is an Essential C

- I am the last person who would thank Kaczyński for introducing immense chaos in Poland. It is important that the pressure succeeded, that pressure makes sense, and that what is happening now has given us a chance for elections that will be conducted in a fair formula with the participation of the PKW. This is what we fought for, for everyone to have the right to vote, for elections to be secret, and for elections to be organized by the PKW. This is something that is an essential condition for us to talk about the fairness of this process - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "One on One".


09:13

Gliński:

We Have an Epidemic, the Beginning of an Economic Crisis, but Everything is Being Managed Properly. We Have Achieved a Flattening of the Epidemic

"We must, at this moment, conduct the country through this difficult period very responsibly and professionally. We have an epidemic, the beginning of an economic crisis, but everything is being managed properly. We have achieved a flattening of the epidemic" - said Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński in a conversation with Beata Michniewicz on "Trójka's Political Salon."


09:13

Gliński:

I Know Gowin is in Politics Because He Cares About the Public Good. I Think This Experience Has Ultimately Strengthened Us as a Governing Coalition, the United Right, Rather Than Weakened Us.

I know that Jarosław Gowin is in politics because he is interested in the public good. If there were turbulences, they resulted from programmatic differences, from differences in proposals that one side or the other deemed appropriate. In politics, unfortunately, we sometimes deal with extreme phenomena. One can never say „never”. I think this experience has ultimately strengthened us as a governing coalition, the United Right, rather than weakened us” – said Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński on Radio Trójka.


09:16

Gliński:

The state couldn't have been better prepared for the elections because we didn't know what the situation would be. The opposition obstructed and prevented these elections from being held

Two months ago, no one could have predicted what the situation would be with the epidemic and the economic landscape in Poland. At this moment, everyone is wise and says all sorts of things, but the state couldn't have been better prepared for the elections because we didn't know what the situation would be. It seemed that postal voting was the only safe option. That is likely true and was the case. The opposition obstructed and prevented these elections from being held” – said Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński on Polish Radio Trójka.


09:18

Budka:

No agreement possible for elections organized by Sasin's officials or the Polish Post. Electoral commissions and local government involvement are essential for safe vote counting by party representatives.
- There can be no agreement for elections to be organized by Mr. Sasin's officials or the Polish Post. It is obvious that electoral commissions and the involvement of local government officials are needed, so that individuals designated by electoral committees can safely count the votes. However, I would like to draw attention to another important matter, for which no answer has been given so far, and this is also very important. The issue of Poles staying abroad participating in these elections. This is equally important, because we cannot turn a blind eye, as the United Right camp has done so far, to several hundred thousand voters being deprived of their right to vote - stated Borys Budka in a conversation with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

09:31

Budka:

Poll Results Tied to Kidawa-Błońska Convincing Opposition Voters to Boycott the "Farce"
For the umpteenth time, I can emphasize the enormous role of Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska in the fact that these elections will not take place in May. She was the only one who firmly, from the very beginning, said she would not participate in the farce that would be proposed by Kaczyński. It was after her firm declaration that two days later the concept of postal voting appeared, because the leadership of PiS realized it couldn't be carried out… We are currently discussing how to ensure fair and safe rules of the game. We have clear procedures in the Civic Coalition regarding candidate selection. Candidate Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska was chosen by convention, this choice was confirmed by our coalition partners, but once again I want to emphasize what the editor mentioned, and which perhaps is not entirely clear to some of our viewers. This poll situation was linked to Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska convincing a vast majority of opposition party voters to adopt her stance. And because these elections were not recognized, because we did not participate in this farce, that is why the election polls look the way they do - stated Borys Budka in a conversation with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

09:33

Sobolewski:

In 99% of cases, elections in May will likely not happen due to what happened in the Senate. You always have to leave 1% for uncertainty.

In 99% of cases, elections in May will likely not happen due to what happened in the Senate. You always have to leave 1% for uncertainty. Looking at the situation and the election calendar, it would be difficult to hold the elections in May, within the constitutional deadline” – said Krzysztof Sobolewski from PiS in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. 


09:38

Budka:

KO is ready to collect signatures again. Kidawa-Błońska is the candidate, but we know perfectly well that Kaczyński loves to change the rules mid-game. All variants will depend on what he puts on the table.
- Civic Platform and Civic Coalition are prepared to collect signatures again. The candidate for the Civic Coalition is Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, but we know perfectly well that Jarosław Kaczyński loves to change the rules mid-game. We are prepared to quickly gather the required number of signatures to register the candidacy again, should that be a requirement. However, all variants will depend on what Jarosław Kaczyński puts on the table. We have a presidential candidate confirmed by our convention, and today, perhaps in jest, originating from the United Right camp, where Morawiecki's candidacy for Prime Minister is being considered alongside Andrzej Duda's, perhaps this is why everyone is starting to be interested in the Civic Coalition again. I emphasize once more: we are back in the game, we will conduct an active election campaign on normal terms, and I believe, I am convinced, and I know that these elections can be won, because this camp has inflicted such chaos on Poles that it is the last entity that should propose governing Poland, and the presidential elections will be won by us - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "One on One," when asked whether PO had considered or is considering replacing its presidential candidate.

09:48

Mucha:

It's Good a Statement from the National Electoral Commission Has Appeared. We Have a Clear, Unambiguous Position
In my opinion, it's good that such a statement [from the National Electoral Commission] has appeared, because there were significant legal doubts about how to behave, for instance, in the context of the election silence. Formally, the elections are scheduled for May 10th. However, they are scheduled, but we now have a very clear, unambiguous position from the National Electoral Commission – stated Paweł Mucha in a conversation with Marcin Fijołek on the morning program Siódma9.

10:02

Ministry of Health: 153 new coronavirus cases in Poland, 1 death

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1258668138037751809

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1258668140524982272


10:13

Mucha on the amendment to the so-called postal voting law: We are not participating in these works because they concern the shaping of rules related to presidential elections.

- The President spoke publicly on this matter, stating that we are not participating in these works [on the amendment to the postal voting law] because they concern the shaping of rules that apply to presidential elections. Of course, the President, as the incumbent head of state, participates in the legislative process in the sense that when a law is adopted by the Sejm and the Senate, like any other, it is subject to the President's analysis and decision based on the Constitution. However, these direct works are carried out by the Sejm and the Senate. They are also, as you say, within the framework of the parliamentary majority's discussions – stated Paweł Mucha in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Poranek Siódma9.


10:39

Budka:

Last Night, Instead of an Anti-Crisis Shield, PiS's State Used Batons Against People Fighting for Their Employees and Livelihoods
“I would like to emphasize with all my might that today we stand with all entrepreneurs. Last night, the protest of people fighting for their dignity was brutally pacified. Last night, instead of an anti-crisis shield, PiS's state used batons against people who are fighting for their employees, to maintain jobs, for their life's work. Today, we want to say clearly and unambiguously. We are and will always stand on the side of those whom the PiS state ignores, with whom it fights,” stated PO Chairman Borys Budka at a press conference.

10:41

Civic Coalition Submits Motion to Dismiss Sasin. Budka: He Exposed State Treasury to Enormous Losses and Poland to Disgrace
“We are initiating the process of politically holding accountable those responsible for the disgrace concerning the presidential elections. Yesterday, the National Electoral Commission stated that the elections could not take place. It stated an obvious fact, something we have been talking about for weeks. Unfortunately, we have witnessed a great deception and mystification in full view of the public for a long time. Deputy Prime Minister Sasin, the person who assured Poles that the elections could be held, exposed the state treasury to enormous losses. Apart from exposing Polish taxpayers to the need to finance the expenses incurred so far, he exposed the Polish state to disgrace. Today, we are submitting a motion to dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Sasin, the Minister of State Assets, from his position. We are simultaneously giving Prime Minister Morawiecki a chance to save face in this matter and to dismiss Mr. Sasin before this debate takes place” – said PO Chairman Borys Budka at a press conference.

12:13

The Left Files a Complaint with the Prosecutor's Office Regarding Election Organization. Śmiszek: We Demand Explanations on Whether Mr. Morawiecki and Sasin Had the Right to Do This

- Our notification concerns two provisions of the Penal Code. The first provision, which in our belief has been violated, is Art. 231 § 1, the so-called official misconduct. Our notification is based, among other things, on this provision because we believe, and it is strongly confirmed in our motion for commencement of proceedings, that Prime Minister Morawiecki, as well as Prime Minister Sasin, initiated actions without legal basis, to which they were not authorized - said Krzysztof Śmiszek during a press conference.

- The second provision we are relying on is Art. 296 § 1 of the Penal Code, i.e., exposing the State Treasury to significant damage. In our opinion, and based on our calculations, printing over 30 million ballot papers and election packages cost our taxpayers, meaning all of us, over PLN 10 million - he added.

- By filing this notification with the prosecutor's office today, we demand explanations on whether Prime Minister Morawiecki and Prime Minister Sasin had the right to do this. In our opinion, they did not have the right to do so - stated Śmiszek. 


12:14

President Duda: The 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII is a Bittersweet Occasion
We commemorate the end of World War II on May 8th, just as Western Europe and the free world do. For us, it is a bittersweet anniversary each year. Sweet because World War II ended, this bloody carnage in the history of the 20th century and in human history, in which so many lives were lost – nearly 6 million of our citizens, including over 3 million Polish citizens of Jewish nationality. Poles fought on all fronts of World War II: in the West, in the East, they fought in the underground, in the partisan resistance, they bled, they died in concentration camps, they perished in POW camps, they were shot in the streets of cities, imprisoned, tortured. It was a terrible time for our homeland and our nation – stated President Andrzej Duda.
"Poland, incidentally, was not on the map at the time. It was erased from it first by Nazi Germany, which attacked Poland on September 1, 1939, and then additionally by Soviet Russia, which attacked us on September 17, 1939. Then, after those May days, May 7th and 8th, Poland indeed returned to the map, but this is the bitter element. It returned, but unfortunately, not as a fully free state, not as a fully sovereign state. It found itself in the Soviet sphere of influence. Our soldiers, betrayed by the Allies – that is how it must be called – did not march in the great victory parade in London; they were not allowed to participate, despite fighting on the Western front, despite conquering Monte Cassino, despite fighting in so many places, shedding blood in the Battle of Arnhem and elsewhere, fighting for the liberation of Belgium and the Netherlands, in the Battle of Britain – they were not admitted to that great victory parade. And in Poland, those who did not accept Soviet enslavement were killed, murdered by the NKVD, by traitors who began to serve the Soviets, by officers of the Soviet Smersh. To this day, we call them the "Cursed Soldiers" – those who did not surrender, those who fought until the very end because they believed they could not lay down their arms if Poland was not fully free, fully sovereign, fully independent. Today, we rejoice in this fully free, independent, and sovereign homeland, but precisely because of this, we do not forget. We do not forget about the end of World War II. We do not forget about the sacrifice of all those who fought on the fronts of World War II, of all Poles who died during World War II, who were murdered, who suffered during World War II. We also do not forget about those who fought until the end for a free, sovereign, and independent Poland. This is a day of their remembrance, and I would like it to be perceived that way by my compatriots around the world. And the symbolic place where we all remember them is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw – a commemoration of all Polish soldiers who fell both on the territory of the homeland and beyond its borders, but always for the homeland. Glory to their memory! Honor and glory to the heroes!"

13:21

Hołownia:

I Want to Advocate for the Rights of Veterans Who Fought for a Free Poland. It's Unacceptable to Pursue a Policy of Dividing Combatants into Better and Worse, as Has Been Done for Five Years

- On this special day, I want to advocate for the rights of all those combatants, all those veterans, who fought on various fronts of World War II for a free Poland. It is unacceptable for me to pursue the policy that has been conducted for five years, dividing Polish combatants into better and worse. All who served the Republic, who committed no crime against it, who never stood against their nation, have the right to proudly call themselves soldiers of the Polish Army - said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference.


13:27

Hołownia:

We are preparing a package for citizen election oversight

- Regardless of when the elections take place and in what form they will be conducted, we in our headquarters, with our collaborators, are preparing a whole package and a whole project for citizen election oversight. We all have a sense today that we, the citizens of the Republic of Poland, should have an influence on this process that is taking place. Thus, by employing the mechanism of trust proxies, observers, members of election commissions, and the involvement, I hope, of social and civic organizations with whom we are currently in discussion, we will ensure that these elections, to the extent possible, will be controlled by those who entrust power to the Republic, by the sovereign. By the nation. We will provide details as we learn more about what the elections will actually look like and when they will be held - said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference. 


13:48

Grabiec:

We've Filed a Request to Convene an Extraordinary Sejm Session Where the Prime Minister Will Present Information on the State of the Polish Economy and Openly Explain Why the Government Refuses to Help Entrepreneurs

“We are calling on the Prime Minister to present reliable information on the state of the Polish economy. Today, we have submitted a request to the Marshal of the Sejm to convene an extraordinary session, during which the Prime Minister will present information on the state of the Polish economy, entrepreneurs, and will frankly and openly explain why the government does not want to help entrepreneurs,” said PO spokesperson Jan Grabiec at a press conference.

“I accuse the PiS government and Prime Minister Morawiecki of not wanting or being unable to help Polish entrepreneurs and Polish employees. I accuse them of freezing the Polish economy and having no plan to unfreeze it. I accuse the PiS government and Minister Szumowski of conducting too few tests, of paying only half the cost for a test,” added Izabela Leszczyna from Civic Coalition.


16:19

Motyka:

We expect a clear declaration on whether the compensations announced by the government will be maintained. Electricity prices have risen by over 13% year-on-year.
Prime Minister Sasin was preoccupied with elections today, while the fundamental issue concerns Poles' wallets, their earnings, and their economic situation. Today, we expect a clear declaration on whether the compensations announced by the government, which have even been submitted in the form of a bill to the Sejm, will be maintained. Electricity prices have risen by over 13% year-on-year. This is, of course, caused by the government's extremely irresponsible policy, the failure to focus on RES (Renewable Energy Sources), the lack of a comprehensive energy policy, and the enormous increase in electricity imports. Taxpayers, especially the poorest, cannot pay for the crisis and this situation. Today, the government must clearly state whether nothing that has been given will be taken away. Will these compensations, which the government boasted about and announced, be maintained? We call on Prime Minister Sasin to do so - stated Miłosz Motyka at a briefing in the Sejm.

16:27

Bartoszewski:

A 'Matrix'-like Situation Where No Solution Is Currently Constitutional
“Now the situation in the country boils down to this: instead of the Wachowski brothers, we have two Jarosławów, party leaders, who are creating a Matrix for us in 2020, here and now. But unfortunately, not on screens, but in our everyday lives. I lived most of my life in the Polish People's Republic and I'm used to the fact that in the communist system, only the party boss mattered. Not the prime minister, not the president, not the government, not the court, not the Supreme Court judge, there was no Constitutional Tribunal then, but not the Constitutional Tribunal, not any courts, not the prosecutor's offices. Decisions were made through declarations of the party secretary, the party leader. And we have returned to a point where two leaders of two political parties have decided that the elections, which were constitutionally announced for May 10th, and that Speaker Witek has the constitutional right to announce the election date, have been cancelled, postponed, or have vanished into thin air, because there is no situation where state elections can be stopped. No one in the country has the authority to cancel an election date unless there is a state of natural disaster, or a state of emergency, or a state of war, as foreseen by the Constitution. However, two ordinary MPs, even leaders of political parties, cannot say: we will deem these elections void, and the Supreme Court will approve it. We have already gone through such situations, where party leaders issued orders to judges, and it was a period that rightly left the realm of memory thanks to Poles in 1989 and 1990. But unfortunately, that memory has remained with some, and the desire to remotely control the prosecutor's office and the courts has returned. This is truly a situation from the Matrix, because at the moment, no one knows what might happen, as practically no solution is constitutional at this time, and no one knows what will happen tomorrow,” stated Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski at a press briefing in the Sejm.

“Right now, no one in the government knows what to do with this situation. The only solution would be some kind of agreement with the opposition, let's call it a mini-round table, to try to fix this state that has reached ruin,” he continued.

18:17

Kamiński:

In axiological terms, Kidawa-Błońska called for a boycott, thus excluding herself from the debate on whether these elections should take place

In axiological terms, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska called for a boycott, so she excluded herself from the debate on whether these elections should take place or not, because she did not want to participate in them. If someone does not want to participate in the elections and has stated so, like Kidawa-Błońska, they were not part of the debate in this regard, since she was not interested in these elections” - said the Deputy Marshal Michał Kamiński from the Polish Coalition in an interview with Karolina Lewicka on the „Political Interview” on TOK FM.


18:26

President Duda on TVP Debate: "It's very hard for me to fit everything I want to say into one minute. It wasn't easy for me, I won't hide it, because I have extensive knowledge of the Polish state."
I won't hide that it wasn't an easy task for me, because my colleagues were smiling at me, saying it's easy for me to speak, and I've also gotten used to it as the President of the Republic of Poland, that I can give speeches. They laugh at me, that it comes easily to me, although they don't really know how much I work to prepare for a speech, to make it a solid presentation, to give it some logical shape. Therefore, it's always worked out, it's never the case that it comes by itself, it's simply work. However, it was very difficult for me there, because the answer to each question was one minute. It's very hard for me to fit everything I want to say into one minute, it's not that easy. Well, it wasn't easy for me in that debate, I won't hide it, because I have extensive knowledge of the Polish state. I could talk a lot about what has been done over the past few years. I would be very happy to respond extensively to all the accusations that were raised there, because some of them were completely out of this world. However, there wasn't enough time – said President Andrzej Duda during an online Q&A.

18:29

Kamiński:

Karczewski's Obsession with His Successor Exceeds Understandable Frustration That He Was Replaced by a Man Who Proves How Small a Marshal He Was Every Second

Marshal Karczewski's obsession with his successor in the Speaker's chair of the Senate surpasses the understandable frustration that he was replaced by a man who, every second, proves to Karczewski how small a marshal he was. Honestly and seriously summing up the role of the Senate, and especially Marshal Grodzki in this crisis, I will not lie if I say that he played a key role in a positive resolution for the Republic of Poland” - said Deputy Marshal Michał Kamiński of the Polish Coalition in an interview with Karolina Lewicka on TOK FM's "Political Interview". 


18:47

Duda:

Politicians Who Feared Elections Now Demand Accountability for Their Absence

- Literally just a few days ago, we heard shouts from various politicians, primarily opposition politicians, of course, that holding elections posed a danger to citizens, that it was almost a threat to the lives of Poles, that someone wanted to send deadly envelopes to Poles, etc. Unfortunately, the paradox is that today many of those who were shouting so loudly back then are now shouting that those who led to the fact that there are no elections must be held accountable. This unfortunately shows, and I ask you to carefully observe these politicians who behave this way and draw conclusions from it, because it testifies to nothing other than cynicism - said President Andrzej Duda in an online Q&A.


18:56

Duda:

If Signatures Need to Be Collected Anew, I Will Ask All My Supporters to Sign Again. The Election Committee Will Collect Them, I Will Be Immensely Grateful for the Support

- If it becomes necessary to collect signatures anew, I will ask all my supporters and everyone generally who believes I can run in the presidential election to sign again, or simply to sign and support my candidacy, enabling me to run. Naturally, the election committee will collect these signatures. I will be immensely grateful to everyone for their support - said President Andrzej Duda during an online Q&A.


19:00

Ministry of Health: 187 New Coronavirus Cases in Poland, 20 Deaths. Total Today: 340 Cases and 21 Deaths

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1258781442546585600

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1258781445419610112


19:19

President Duda: Poland's Situation Isn't Bad, But It Hasn't Begun to Improve Yet in Terms of Falling Infection Rates

- Our infection curve has not started to fall yet; it's continuously rising. It's rising slowly, but it's rising. It's not the case that we can confidently say: yes, the situation has definitively started to improve. No, the situation in Poland isn't bad; it hasn't been bad from the very beginning, partly thanks to the decisive policies we've implemented and the highly disciplined citizens, for which I thank them again. However, it hasn't begun to improve in the sense that the number of infections has started to decline - stated President Andrzej Duda during an online Q&A.


19:37

Kwaśniewski:

They're Talking About Restoring PKW Control. That's Good News. Only the Departure From It Was a Scandal. If I Were Watching This in a Political Fiction Film, I'd Even Find It Interesting. But This Isn't a Film, It's Reality

- They're talking about us restoring control of the National Electoral Commission (PKW). That's good news. Only, you know, the departure from that was a scandal. Let's be clear. Someone brought it about that suddenly the PKW, created to supervise, organize elections and ensure we have fair elections, was pushed to the margins of this process. So, you know, things happen. I'll say it directly: if I were watching this in a political fiction film, I'd even find it interesting. Sometimes exaggerated, sometimes I'd think the screenwriter got carried away. But this isn't a film, it's reality - Aleksander Kwaśniewski said in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


19:42

Kwaśniewski:

The President Participates in a Debate While Negotiations are Underway, and He Remains Unaware of the Election's Cancellation – This Shows His Position

- What has happened in recent days weakens the President. If we observe that the President participates in the only candidate debate on public television, while Jarosław Kaczyński and Jarosław Gowin are engaged in negotiations, and he remains unaware, upon concluding this debate, that the election on the 10th will not take place. This shows his position in the hierarchy - said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


19:47

Kwaśniewski:

The President, by initiating a state of natural disaster, would likely have won the postponed election, presenting himself as a statesman who risked the election and himself.

- The President, if he had been the first to come forward with this initiative [state of natural disaster], would probably have calmly won these postponed elections today, presenting himself as that statesman who risked the election, himself, because in a few months it might be more difficult, but he did it because he took into account the health of citizens, the organizational possibilities of conducting elections, and Poland's image in the world, and he protected the constitution - said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.


19:51

Kwaśniewski:

I Was Wrong. I Must Say the Leaders of the Left, Who Did Not Trust Either Gowin or Kaczyński, Clearly Had Reason
- The Left did not undertake talks, and I must say they were right. I was wrong. I must say that the leaders of the Left, who did not trust either Jarosław Gowin or Jarosław Kaczyński, clearly had reason, they knew these people - said Aleksander Kwaśniewski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

19:52

Kidawa-Błońska:

I've been saying this all along, we shouldn't have held the May 10th elections at the peak of the pandemic, and this is the first time Kaczyński has actually stopped

- I thought it was good that these elections on May 10th wouldn't happen, because Poles would feel safe, as we are in a difficult moment. However, the epidemic is still growing in our country, more and more people are falling ill, and it's good that these elections are not taking place. This is what I've been saying all along, that we shouldn't have organized the elections on May 10th at the peak of the pandemic, and this is the first time Jarosław Kaczyński has actually stopped, because he stubbornly insisted that these elections must be on May 10th. Even they realized that May 10th was an unrealistic date for the elections - stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" on Polsat News.


19:56

Kidawa-Błońska:

I didn't want to participate in the May 10th election; I clearly stated I wouldn't take part in pseudo-elections. Mr. Hołownia wanted to participate.
I did not want to participate in these elections on May 10th, I clearly stated that I would not take part in pseudo-elections. Mr. Hołownia wanted to participate in these elections. For me, the Constitution is important, Polish law. I am surprised that I still have to explain that there are people in our country for whom the Constitution and law matter and who want to live according to the rules we have collectively adopted - stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Wydarzenia i opinie” (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

20:11

Bosak on Entrepreneurs' Protest: I Stand in Solidarity with All Detained Individuals

I stand in solidarity with all individuals who are being detained and whose right to express their views is being restricted” – said Krzysztof Bosak, the Confederation candidate for president, in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the program “Kropka nad i” on TVN24.


20:11

Headlines:

Supreme Court on Election Postponement: The Issue is Not as Simple as the Government Thinks, Jaki Defends Sasin and Accuses Gowin, News: Judicial Caste Resists De-Communization in Supreme Court
-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: KIDAWA ON "MR. HOŁOWNIA" PRESIDENT ON THE PANDEMIC SITUATION BEING "NOT BAD" KWAŚNIEWSKI ON THE STATEMENT REGARDING ELECTIONS NEGOTIATED DURING THE DEBATE SHOWING THE PRESIDENT'S PLACE https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/05/08/ ***** WYDARZENIA POLSATU (POLSAT EVENTS) -- 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II. -- FOR 7 HOURS, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES HAS BEEN TRYING – SO FAR UNSUCCESSFULLY – TO SELECT 5 CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST PRESIDENT. -- THE PROCEDURE IS DRAGGING ON; UNOFFICIAL REPORTS SPEAK OF OBSTRUCTION BY JUDGES CRITICAL OF THE JUDICIAL REFORM. -- THERE WERE ALSO COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS AMONG JUDGES, WHO WERE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS SEVERAL ROOMS DUE TO THE EPIDEMIC. -- THE OPPOSITION IS LOOKING FOR THOSE TO BLAME FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF ELECTIONS THAT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE. -- LEWICA IS FILING A MOTION WITH THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE; PLATFORMA IS DEMANDING THE DISMISSAL OF DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SASIN. -- PIS RESPONDS THAT THE OPPOSITION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE MESS, AS IT DELAYED THE BILL IN THE SENATE. -- THE NATIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION (PKW) WILL LIKELY SEND A REPORT ON THE UNSCHEDULED ELECTIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT ON MONDAY – Mira Skórka. -- THE PKW'S STATEMENT ULTIMATELY STOPPED THE ELECTION CLOCK – Skórka continues. -- THE LAW ON POSTAL VOTING IS TO SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR NEW ELECTIONS, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED TO GUARANTEE THE SECRECY AND UNIVERSALITY OF VOTING – Skórka. -- YESTERDAY AND TODAY, ENTREPRENEURS PROTESTED IN WARSAW; PROTESTS ALSO OCCURRED AT THE BORDER WITH GERMANY. -- LOWER WAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR SAVING JOBS – THIS IS THE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY TRADE UNIONISTS FROM POLSKA GRUPA GÓRNICZA WITH THE MANAGEMENT. ***** FAKTY TVN (TVN FACTS) -- THE PKW CONFIRMS THAT THERE WILL BE NO ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY AND EXPLAINS WHY IT CANNOT ORGANIZE THEM: BECAUSE THE SEJM, AT THE REQUEST OF PIS, TOOK AWAY SOME OF ITS POWERS IN FAVOR OF MINISTER SASIN – in the preview. -- MANIPULATING THE LAW HAS LED TO COMPROMISE; SUCH A MESS HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE – further in the preview. -- IT COULDN'T BE CLEARER – KATARZYNA KOLENDA-ZALESKA: THE PKW EXPLAINS WHY THE ELECTIONS CANNOT TAKE PLACE: NOT DUE TO THE PKW'S FAULT, BUT DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT'S FAULT. -- EMILEWICZ'S STATEMENT CLEARLY SHOWS THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT THAT PARALYZED THE PKW AND THEREFORE THE ELECTIONS CANNOT TAKE PLACE – KKZ (Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska). -- JK AND JG BASED THEIR AGREEMENT ON THE PREDICTION THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD DECLARE THE ELECTIONS INVALID – KKZ. -- THE ISSUE IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS THE GOVERNMENT THINKS, LET ALONE THE SITUATION THE SUPREME COURT IS PLACED IN – KKZ. -- IT WAS OFFENSIVE TO THE SUPREME COURT – Prof. A. Zoll. -- A REPORT ON ELECTIONS THAT DID NOT TAKE PLACE WILL BE SENT TO THE SUPREME COURT – KKZ. -- I CANNOT COMMENT ON WHAT THE POSSIBILITY WOULD BE HERE – Judge J. Lemańska. -- THE HEAD OF THE CHAMBER PUBLICLY EXPRESSED HER SURPRISE YESTERDAY AT POLITICIANS IMPOSING JUDICIAL DECISIONS – KKZ. -- KKZ ON THE FACT THAT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE CALLED ANEW, NOT POSTPONED BASED ON A DECLARATION OF ELECTION INVALIDITY. -- KACZYŃSKI CARES ABOUT QUICK ELECTIONS – KKZ. -- BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT IN THE LONG RUN, WITHIN MONTHS, ANDRZEJ DUDA WILL LOSE – G. Schetyna. -- THE LAW ON POSTAL VOTING HAS NOT YET REACHED THE PRESIDENT; IT IS UNKNOWN WHY, BECAUSE IT WAS PIS WHO ACCUSED THE PRESIDENT OF SLOWING DOWN WORK – KKZ. -- MINISTER SASIN PRINTED MILLIONS OF BALLOTS FOR ELECTIONS THAT DO NOT EXIST. SUBSTANTIAL MONEY WAS SPENT WITHOUT A LEGAL BASIS – in the preview. -- THE OPPOSITION WANTS HIM TO RESIGN AS HE PROMISED – in the preview. -- THERE IS NO BASIS FOR HIM TO RESIGN – government spokesperson. -- THIS IS NOW A PROBLEM FOR THE ENTIRE RULING CAMP; THE GOVERNMENT AWAITS A DEBATE ON THE FACT THAT PIS PUSHED FOR IT, ALTHOUGH EVERYONE WARNED THAT THE ELECTIONS COULD NOT BE CONDUCTED – Arleta Zalewska. -- PRIME MINISTER SASIN TAKES UPON HIMSELF THE BURDEN OF MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS, DIFFICULT ALSO THANKS TO THE STANCE OF THE OPPOSITION AND JAROSŁAW GOWIN – Patryk Jaki. -- THE QUESTION OF HIS RESPONSIBILITY AND THE CREDIBILITY OF THE WORDS ABOUT MAY 10 IS FUNDAMENTAL – Zalewska. -- SASIN'S FINAL WORD: I CAN RESIGN IF IT IS NEEDED BY ANYONE TODAY, I CAN DECLARE THAT. -- FROM SN (SUPREME COURT). -- PAWEŁ PŁUSKA ON “JUDGES APPOINTED BY THE NEO-KRS”. -- ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WWII. -- ENTREPRENEURS' PROTEST. ***** WIADOMOŚCI TVP (TVP NEWS) -- 1 IN 3 PERSON INFECTED WITH CORONAVIRUS IN POLAND HAS RECOVERED. THE EPIDEMIC SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL. -- THE POLISH ANTI-CRISIS SHIELD STANDS OUT FOR ITS SIZE IN EUROPE – THIS IS THE OPINION OF THE ING FINANCIAL GROUP – preview: The group notes that the Polish government has undertaken the most extensive actions to protect jobs and the entire economy. -- OVER PLN 10 BILLION IN LESS THAN A WEEK – THIS IS HOW MUCH HAS FLOWED TO COMPANIES UNDER THE FINANCIAL SHIELD OF THE POLISH DEVELOPMENT FUND ( a public agency) – Maksymilian Maszenda. -- THE POLISH FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS SAFE – ASSURES THE NATIONAL BANK OF POLAND (NBP) – preview. -- 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II. -- ANDRZEJ DUDA WINS THE ELECTION IN THE FIRST ROUND. THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE LATEST, FIRST POLL FOR WPOLITYCE.PL SINCE THE ELECTION DEBATE. -- SOCIAL CHANGES: PAD (PRESIDENT Andrzej Duda) 64%, HOŁOWNIA 13%, WKK (Włodzimierz Czarzasty) 7%, BOSAK 7%, BIEDROŃ 3%, KIDAWA 2%, OTHERS 1% EACH. -- THE ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED AS THE OPPOSITION WANTED, BUT THIS HAS NOT CHANGED THE ATTITUDE OF ITS POLITICIANS, WHO ARE PLAYING FOR CHAOS – preview: Civic Coalition (KO) wants Sasin's resignation, even threatening him with the State Tribunal. Lewica speaks of establishing an investigative committee. -- THOSE WHO ATTACK THE GOVERNMENT FOR POSTPONING THE ELECTIONS WERE THEMSELVES DEMANDING A CHANGE IN THE ELECTION DATE JUST A FEW DAYS AGO – Michał Adamczyk further. -- THE OPPOSITION WANTS TO CREATE ELECTORAL CHAOS – banner. -- THE OPPOSITION IS THREATENING AGAIN. THIS TIME, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER JAKC SASIN – Marcin Tulicki. -- OPPOSITION POLITICIANS, INCLUDING THOSE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO PREVENT THE ELECTIONS FROM BEING HELD ON MAY 10. NOW THEY WANT TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ELECTORAL CHAOS – Tulicki. -- THE OPPOSITION, BY ACCUSING THE GOVERNMENT, EVEN WANTS AN INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE – Tulicki. -- PKW STATEMENT. -- CIVIC COALITION POLITICIANS FIRST HARASSED GOWIN. THE APPROACH CHANGED 180 DEGREES WHEN GOWIN DECIDED TO VOTE TOGETHER WITH HIS COALITION PARTNERS – Tulicki. -- KOMOROWSKI EVEN DECIDED TO THREATEN GOWIN, AND WITH WORDS THAT WOULD EASILY FIT INTO THE DIALOGUE OF MAFIA GANGSTERS – Tulicki. -- THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF JUDGES IS UNDERWAY IN THE SUPREME COURT, WHICH IS TO SELECT 5 CANDIDATES FOR THE NEW FIRST PRESIDENT – preview. -- THE JUDICIAL CASTE DOES NOT WANT DE-COMMUNIZATION – banner. -- SOME JUDGES, INCLUDING THOSE WITH COMMUNIST BACKGROUNDS, ARE TRYING TO BLOCK THE PROCEEDINGS – Adamczyk continues.

20:11

Gawkowski on Entrepreneurs' Protest: It's Clearly Visible That Public Anger is Growing. It's Growing as Fast as Coronavirus Cases Did in the Early Weeks

After this protest, it is clearly visible that public anger is growing and it is growing very quickly, just as coronavirus cases grew in the first weeks. The state, through PiS politicians, is trying to convince us that everything is working wonderfully” – said Krzysztof Gawkowski, leader of the Lewica parliamentary club, in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the show „Kropka nad i” on TVN24.


20:15

Bosak:

Kaczyński, Morawiecki, and Duda Have Plunged Us into Enormous Legal Chaos. From Monday, We Can't Campaign Because the Campaign Nominally Ends Today.

These agreements [between Gowin and Kaczyński] have nothing in common with our legal order. They are not binding on anyone. It must be admitted that by not using the constitutional provisions allowing for the continuity of the election procedure while also postponing the elections for up to 3 months, Jarosław Kaczyński, along with his helpful assistants Mateusz Morawiecki and Andrzej Duda, have plunged us into enormous legal chaos, into a legal vacuum. From Monday, we cannot conduct election campaigns because, nominally, the campaign ends today. We are left with election committees whose operational status is uncertain” - said Krzysztof Bosak, the Confederation's presidential candidate, on TVN24.


20:18

Kidawa-Błońska:

I Have the Strength to Run in New Elections. I Feel the Support Not Only of My Colleagues from Civic Platform, but of the Entire Civic Coalition, and Most Importantly, the Support of Poles I Speak With.
Yes, I have the strength [to run in new elections]. I feel the support not only of my colleagues from Civic Platform, but of the entire Civic Coalition, meaning the Greens, Barbara Nowacka's Initiative, Modern, but most importantly, I feel the support of the Poles I speak with. I'm talking with them online now, because I can't organize meetings, but I feel their support, I receive emails from them saying it's good that I'm adhering to principles, that we must build our society, our democracy on principles, because we cannot turn a blind eye to lawbreaking and make exceptions – stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Events and Opinions" on Polsat News.

20:19

Kidawa-Błońska:

4-5 Weeks Ago, Before the Pandemic, I Was Higher Than My Opponents; This Trend Can Be Reversed, But We Need to Start Campaigning

- 4-5 weeks ago, before the pandemic, I was higher than my opponents, so anything is possible. Of course [this trend can be reversed], but we need to start campaigning so I can function normally and connect with people. Please note that in recent weeks I haven't been campaigning, but rather discussing and highlighting issues important to Poles - stated Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.


20:22

Gawkowski:

If there's a vote of no confidence against Sasin, the entire opposition should jointly dismiss the incompetent head of the ministry

We will support such a motion that Platforma has put forward. If there is a vote of no confidence against Minister Sasin, then as the entire opposition, we should jointly dismiss the incompetent head of the ministry. The entire ministry worked towards the elections, not towards helping the Polish economy” - said the head of The Left parliamentary club, Krzysztof Gawkowski, on TVN24.


20:32

Błaszczak:

Until yesterday's vote, the opposition said it was a scandal that elections were to be held on May 10. Since yesterday, they say it's a scandal that the elections will not be held. This is the effect of frustration.
Yes, indeed it was that until yesterday's vote, which the ruling coalition won, the opposition said it was a scandal that the elections were to be held on May 10. Since yesterday, they say it's a scandal that the elections will not be held. This is the effect of frustration, as the Polish state functions under PiS rule, and did not function under the rule of the opposition, today's opposition. We all remember the words of the then head of the Ministry of Interior, today a Civic Platform MP, who called the Polish state a pile of stones, and that's how it truly was. Now the Polish state is efficient - stated Mariusz Błaszczak in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".

20:40

May 10th Elections Impossible; Printed Election Materials to Be Used in Elections Following Legal Changes – Government Adopts Position on Presidential Election
- The Council of Ministers, taking into account the announcement and validity of the state of epidemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the territory of the Republic of Poland, as well as the fact that legal changes have been adopted enabling the conduct of the Presidential elections in a manner that takes into account the aforementioned epidemic state, states that within the scope of tasks and competences held by the government administration, it is not possible to conduct the Presidential elections on the date set by the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, i.e., on May 10, 2020, in accordance with the requirements stipulated for these elections in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, as well as in the laws – it was written in the position of the Council of Ministers regarding the possibility of conducting the Presidential elections on May 10, 2020, published in the Monitor Polski.
"All possible actions have been taken to ensure the voting takes place on May 10, 2020, including, in particular, in agreement with the members of the Council of Ministers, in accordance with Article 11(2) in conjunction with Article 11(2a) and (3) of the Act of March 2, 2020, on special solutions related to the prevention, counteraction, and combating of COVID-19, other infectious diseases, and crisis situations caused by them (Journal of Laws, item 374, 567, 568, and 695), ballot papers, instructions for postal voting, and declarations of personal and secret casting of votes on the ballot paper have been printed, and Poczta Polska S.A. has been instructed to carry out activities related to counteracting COVID-19, which involve undertaking and implementing the necessary actions aimed at preparing and conducting the elections by correspondence. The Council of Ministers considers that the printed elements of the election package should be used in the Presidential elections, which will be conducted in accordance with the adopted legal changes. The Council of Ministers simultaneously declares its commitment to provide all necessary assistance to all state bodies in conducting the Presidential elections as quickly as possible, while upholding the constitutional and statutory principles of their conduct."

20:53

President Signs Law on Postal Voting

The President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, has signed the amendment to the electoral law concerning postal voting. This decision allows for the possibility of conducting presidential elections by mail, a measure introduced due to the ongoing epidemic situation.

The amendment, which had previously been passed by the Sejm and the Senate, was signed by the President on Friday. The new regulations enable the possibility of carrying out elections in a postal manner in situations where the state of epidemic threat or a state of epidemic is announced.

The law's adoption was a response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made traditional election organization difficult and potentially unsafe for voters and election officials. The introduction of postal voting is intended to ensure the continuity of democratic processes while safeguarding public health.

The tweet from @PR24_pl, dated May 8, 2020, states: "President Andrzej Duda signed the amendment to the electoral law regarding postal voting. This is the first time in Poland that elections will be conducted in this way due to the coronavirus epidemic."


21:08

Błaszczak:

They, the opposition, call themselves democrats, yet they tried to block the elections

- I understand that first and foremost, Borys Budka will hold his party colleague, Marshal Grodzki, accountable, who held up a bill in the Senate for 30 days containing very important provisions related to conducting elections. He had the right to do so, but if he uses his right in such a way as to lead to chaos, then what guides his actions? He is guided by the desire to harm Poland and Poles. Secondly, or perhaps simultaneously, he should hold his party colleagues, the mayors of large cities, accountable, who announced that they would not abide by the law, that they would not present the voter list, and that they would thus block the elections. They, the opposition, call themselves democrats, yet they tried to block the elections. Elections are always the essence of democracy. Without elections, there is no democracy. Meanwhile, their actions were aimed precisely at blocking the elections - stated Mariusz Błaszczak in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".


21:59

Law on Postal Voting Published in the Journal of Laws

The law on special rules for conducting general elections for president, announced in 2020, i.e., the so-called postal voting law, has been published in the Journal of Laws. The new regulations will come into force the day after their announcement.