- In this regard, there is no decision yet at the European level on how international transport will function concerning airlines. I do not rule out that air traffic, international traffic, will return to functioning, at least in part, this summer. However, at this moment, I am unable to give such a guarantee. Meanwhile, I encourage you to take advantage of Poland's tourist opportunities - said Piotr Müller on Polskie Radio Jedynka.

- This draft bill, which is the subject of the Council of Ministers today, includes, among other things, additional support in the form of loans, where the interest will be paid by the state budget, thus another liquidity element being introduced. Also, solutions for local governments, so that they can approach their finances in a more flexible way and during this more difficult period take actions to protect local entrepreneurs, for example, by redirecting additional financial resources to restaurants or reducing certain fees for them - said Piotr Müller in an interview with Grzegorz Jankowski in "Sygnały dnia" on Polskie Radio Jedynka.

- I am aware of a certain image crisis that has occurred at Trójka, and of course, it is an unpleasant matter. The not-so-best management of this crisis also worries me – stated Piotr Gliński in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM.

- Songs shouldn't be removed simply because we don't like their content. This song [by Kazik] is indeed misguided, but it's the artist's right to err or express themselves as they see fit – stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

I don't know [whether Agnieszka Kamińska and Tomasz Kowalczewski should resign] because I don't know the full behind-the-scenes details of the entire situation. What concerns me is that an image crisis has been brought about, and that there is mismanagement of this crisis, and that's what I can say. The very unfortunate situation is that this song by Kazik, known for various controversial or strong statements, including social ones, a man whom many people value, and I also have a fondness for him, this particular song, as I said, is in some sense unfair - stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

- That's not a question for me [when cinemas will reopen], it's a question for our epidemic, for those directly handling health issues, for the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, for the Minister of Health. We are cooperating, our crisis management team meets daily. As you, Mr. Editor, may have noticed, we've managed this quite well in Poland. Of course, every victim of this epidemic is a terrible thing, but compared to other countries, Poland has gone through this epidemic, is going through this epidemic, because unfortunately it's not over yet, we have outbreaks in Silesia, it's going relatively… - stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

- [The elections] should be held within the constitutional deadline. Unfortunately, the opposition made it impossible for us, but at the moment, as we know, they will be held as soon as possible. I think we will have elections in June. This seems to be the most probable date [June 28th], and it would be good if it happened as soon as possible - stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

- At the appropriate moment, this resolution [the PKW resolution on the May 10th elections] will be published. In accordance with current regulations, such an act should be published immediately. In this kind of situation, one cannot escape the context we are in. Therefore, in order to maintain legal order and to ensure that the legislative process can also be completed and the presidential elections held within the constitutional timeframe, further actions and analyses are necessary, which are currently taking place. Only if it is possible will this PKW resolution be published - said Michał Dworczyk in a conversation with Beata Michniewicz on Polskie Radio Program 3's "Political Salon."

- We need to prepare these elections properly, after all. All constitutional deadlines must be met. As I understand it, there is dialogue at the moment with at least part of the opposition, and we will ensure elections take place in June. At the moment, if the Marshal were to announce elections, we would not yet have the conditions prepared, both legal and those that would allow the new candidate to collect signatures, I believe - stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

- This was an extraordinary situation. At that time, one of the EU ministers flew to China with a suitcase of money to pay on the spot for equipment that then went to that country. Poland, on the other hand, lost a very large shipment of protective equipment, if I remember correctly, it was in Austria, which was bought out from under us by another European country, where an official also arrived with cash and made the purchase of this equipment. That's how it looked back then. It seems to me that in this difficult situation, in which all of Europe, including Poland, found itself, the government fulfilled its duty correctly in securing all medical services - said Michał Dworczyk on Radio Trójka.

- Our position is clear. Poland, like any democratic country, needs strong public media. It is our opponents, our political counterparts, who wanted to destroy public media in Poland. I remind you that it was during their time that the so-called citizen's public media project was created, which was strangled by Civic Platform, which did not want to give up public media, because they also needed them to close the media monopoly that Platforma had. I remind you that during the PO's rule, all major media, all three televisions spoke with one, consistent voice - stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM, adding that we now have a diverse media landscape. 

- City mayors have primarily engaged in the electoral campaign, which has little to do with their functioning within local government forums, and more with a typical, nationwide political action, in support of Mr. President Trzaskowski. I am referring to a broader initiative - said Michał Dworczyk on Radio Trójka.

„Local government, contrary to what some have been trying to claim for a long time, is a part of public authority in Poland. A very significant part of public authority in Poland. We carry out tasks for the residents of our municipalities, districts, cities, regions. President Trzaskowski's decision was not an easy one. I know this because I spoke with him, but today the homeland is in need. And it is a great homeland, Poland, that is in need” – said the Mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, in an interview with Piotr Kraśko on TOK FM Radio's Morning broadcast.

"President Trzaskowski knows local government, he understands perfectly how essential local government is and how important various solutions are. President Trzaskowski is not leaving Warsaw, because by being the President of Poland, he will serve not only Warsaw, but also Gdańsk, Zakopane, and all other cities" - said Gdańsk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz on TOK FM.

"For me, not only as a local government official but also as a conscious citizen of the Republic of Poland, it is very important that the presidential elections meet the requirements imposed by the constitution, which means they should be equal. And here, I have a big question mark concerning equality, even if it's about the election campaign or equality related to forming committees and collecting signatures. Lawyers share these doubts in expert opinions that the Senate is commissioning for the new law" - said the Mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, in an interview with TOK FM.

- We are all tired of the restrictions that were introduced during the epidemic's development. They are being gradually lifted, but each time we decide to unfreeze another stage or area of social and economic life, we rely on the guidelines of experts, doctors, and virologists, and we evaluate the consequences of these decisions. The RZZK (Government Crisis Management Team) meets regularly all the time. Now every two days. These analyses are being conducted, and at the moment when our experts deem the moment right to enter Stage IV, then such a decision will be made. I hope it will be as soon as possible. Perhaps there will be certain differentiations introduced to Stage IV, which we presented, but such decisions have not yet been made - said Minister Michał Dworczyk on Radio Trójka.

- Every government, unfortunately, has used public media since 1989. Because it is a tool that is important in a democracy, especially when there is no balanced media market, and there is no balanced market in Poland - stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

Asked if PiS uses public media, the Deputy Prime Minister replied: - It's completely obvious. Not that the greatest political propaganda operating in Poland since 1989 is linked to a major daily newspaper, which you know and I know, and to a major television station that has been very heavily involved in political propaganda for 20 years.

Pressed further, whether since every government since 1989 has used public media, PiS also uses them, he answered: - How should I put it, I would be contradicting myself. Yes, of course, it is hard to hide the fact that public media are in some way connected to political power, and it has always been that way. So let's not be hypocrites. The ideal situation would probably be if we didn't have post-communist legacies in Poland, if we could formulate a model of media that is fully independent of political functioning. That's not the case. And we all see how it functions.

- I remember perfectly well and I know how public media, public television, functions. I used to appear there sometimes, under the previous government. Because I was treated there in an absolutely scandalous manner. I felt it personally, and please don't compare the two. I don't agree with everything, but generally, I highly value certain actions concerning public television, and similarly, I see many good aspects in radio, while disagreeing with some. That's natural too - stated Piotr Gliński on RMF FM.

The Ministry of Health has announced 301 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland. Of these, 182 cases were recorded in the Silesian Voivodeship and 84 in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Sadly, 5 individuals have died.

For more details, please refer to the following official Ministry of Health announcements:

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1263017064417169415

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1263017066950426624

„What minister could survive this? How can someone be like that? How can a person, during an epidemic, at a time when doctors, nurses, everyone is fighting for our survival, profit from the epidemic, do business during the epidemic? How despicable must one be? How can one use this situation for private interests, for some ski buddies? You should be saints, like Caesar's wife” – stated Sławomir Nitras at a press conference broadcast by TVN24.

„This morning I hear that Minister Szumowski's honesty is guaranteed by Prime Minister Morawiecki. He says: 'We stand firmly behind Mr. Szumowski.' Mr. Morawiecki, who for 5 years has been unable to show us his asset declarations, whose plots near Wrocław are worth millions of zlotys, and they are not listed in his declaration. He is as poor as Minister Szumowski. Both are poor, both Morawiecki and Szumowski. But their wives are very rich” – he added.

„Mr. Duda, take down that white flag and deal with these people who are exploiting the epidemic to enrich themselves” – Nitras appealed.

Deputy Minister Janusz Cieszyński began by quoting an SMS from Sławomir Neumann dated March 16: „Hi. This is Sławomir Neumann. Yes, PO. And here's a smiley. We have a question: do you have any expedited procedures for making certificates for disposable masks? A friend asked me, because he can import large quantities at normal prices and quickly, but this manufacturer from China is not certified”. 

„Every person who contacted the Ministry of Health with a willingness to help had the opportunity to be directed down the same path” – Cieszyński stated.

„You are lying” – he addressed Nitras.

„Mr. Szumowski is poor, and his wife is rich” – Nitras replied.

„Is the Health Minister's brother acting as an intermediary in the purchase of uncertified masks?” – Kierwiński added.

„You lied. I never spoke with Mr. Marcin Szumowski. You claimed I did” – Cieszyński said.

„You are accustomed to lying” – Cieszyński returned after a longer exchange.

„You are lying. You lied to Poles that you were focused on work. Don't distract public opinion” – Nitras responded.

„I commissioned the testing of these masks, and I was the one who informed the public that these masks were defective and did not reach medical staff” – Cieszyński concluded.

- In reference to the events of today's press conference of the Ministry of Health, after a conversation with MP Neumann, I am publishing the content of our conversation from March 16th - wrote Deputy Minister of Health Janusz Cieszyński on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/jciesz/status/1263037280979124225?s=21

I hope my asset declarations are continuously monitored. I have nothing to hide here. There are very few complicated things in these declarations. Therefore, it is very easy to check. Yesterday, due to doubts about my letter, I already submitted an asset declaration written in capital letters. There are no doubts here, I have nothing to hide in my asset declaration. There are no secret details there. Anyone can check it, including politicians and services. This is a normal thing - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. Of course, I reported it to the Prime Minister and the Minister Coordinator, and since this whole matter that is ongoing was not related in any way to the company I was with, and this company was never subject to any investigation, there were no points of contact here. However, it must be clearly stated. Unfortunately, we were among the victims in this entire process of activity – said the Minister of Health.

"In a state ruled by PiS, standards have fallen so low that this affair makes no impression. The deputy minister told us today that there is essentially no problem, that there is nothing strange about the way masks were bought or how the minister's brother, his company, received funding for its own ventures. We have dealt with such a procedure before. We dealt with the procedure of transferring assets to one's wife. I am talking about Prime Minister Morawiecki," said PO Secretary General Marcin Kierwiński at a press conference.

"This is some absolute pathology. Criminals often commit thefts using so-called 'straw men.' PiS politicians have turned their own wives into straw women. This law was intended to cut short this pathological practice. In the case of Mr. Morawiecki, who has assets worth several hundred million zlotys and shows in his declaration that he is poor. Today we have Minister Szumowski, who writes in his declaration that he has a thousand zlotys in his account, and does not mention that his brother and wife are involved in a company that received 170 million in budgetary funds from the ministry," added Sławomir Nitras.

I constantly recommend postal voting. I believe it's significantly safer. That's why I voted for this bill, because the amendments I proposed make this possibility available. They provide a real possibility for everyone who wants to, everyone who wants to use the postal option - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus. Realistically, it would be difficult because the time to register was de facto 2 working days. I secured these 2 working days so that everyone could register, if only to avoid crowds at the offices where one can register. Of course, one can probably register, it will certainly be possible to register online, by phone, but older people are not very adept at using the internet. They will often want to do it in person. Well, that's one thing, and the second is that if we have regions where the incidence of illness is very high, then I can introduce postal voting exclusively by decree. If there were some catastrophe, if we had a rampant epidemic in half the country, then only postal voting would be possible there - he continued.

- Next week, I think not yet [masks will not be removed in open spaces]. Looking at how, as you said, sir, Silesia is slowly declining, but I think by the end of next week or mid-week we should say when - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

The Council of Ministers adopted the draft act on interest subsidies for bank loans granted to ensure financial liquidity for entrepreneurs affected by the consequences of COVID-19, and on amending certain other acts, submitted by the Minister of Development – the Government Information Centre informed. The government has prepared further, very important solutions as part of the Anti-Crisis Shield, which will help companies retain jobs. We will release over PLN 560 million for interest subsidies on loans for companies that have fallen into trouble due to COVID-19. This should generate loans worth approximately PLN 32 billion. Local governments will also receive concrete support, and Polish companies will be covered by temporary protection against takeover by investors from outside the EU – it was noted in the statement.

For your knowledge and information, the entrepreneur who officially sent that email the next day to Minister Cieszyński has still not received a reply. He received no reply whatsoever, yet he himself carried out the certification procedure for these masks. He imported these masks into Poland and is selling them in Poland with a certification almost three times cheaper than the price proposed by the government's State Treasury companies, which, a month later, brought this useless equipment to Poland with a large Antonov plane. This whole situation shows that the Ministry of Health was not concerned with procedures, not with obtaining safe equipment at normal prices, but rather with blocking the possibility for companies that have been dealing in protective clothing for years and trading it on the Polish market, and instead giving chances to shell companies, which, through connections, very quickly received government contracts and – as it turns out today – are importing equipment that is dangerous and uncertified and completely useless. Money is being thrown away. This situation once again confirms the old truth that in this team, in this ministry, during Minister Szumowski's tenure, scandal follows scandal and they need to be investigated. If the Central Anticorruption Bureau knew about the possible purchase of defective masks by the Ministry of Health and did not react, and probably knew, because it is a fact that this correspondence is monitored, and there are companies in Poland that have been dealing with this for years and cannot sell good, safe equipment to the ministry or to people in Poland, it means that this protective umbrella continues to function. I think Minister Szumowski should resign himself and not wait for such conclusions, because, as can be seen, this is another installment of another disgrace, which is another scandal, this time involving masks, at the Ministry of Health – stated Sławomir Neumann at a press conference.

During a press conference in the center of Warsaw, Robert Biedroń announced the relaunch of his election campaign.

- Nothing about you without you. This is the most important motto of my campaign. A campaign that we are reviving today after this great pandemic. A campaign with which we are setting off across Poland today. In a moment, I will board a train and head out into the Poland that I know well. I don't observe it from the Warsaw City Hall, I don't watch it on TVN programs, but I observe it every day as it is. Poland with its successes and problems - stated the presidential candidate.

- If we want to count ourselves, then these elections are the best opportunity to show how many people of goodwill there are, how many people who have dreams of a better Poland. Of a Poland that is a community, not a party interest. I invite all of you to this, including you, madam - said Biedroń, addressing a woman who approached him.

Biedroń began to talk with her. She asked him questions.

- Why didn't they let me into Reytan? - Biedroń repeated the question. - Yes, madam, you remind me of the moment when I wasn't allowed into Reytan, into one of the Warsaw high schools, as I understand it - he said.
- I taught nature there - the woman stated.
- Really? Wonderful. You taught nature there and you remember the moment when I wasn't allowed into that Reytan. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, they didn't let me in because of that - he tried to continue.

At that point, the woman stated that during the visit in question, Biedroń was called a "faggot".

- Exactly. They said that. Exactly. Thank you very much, madam - said Biedroń, trying to interrupt the woman.

The woman left, only to return to Biedroń a moment later and effectively take control of the microphone.

- I love President Duda and Morawiecki. And you know what, my uncle fought at Monte Cassino and they conquered the f***ing Benedictine monastery. And our anthem should be, like this - at this point, the woman began to intone "Rota".

- Do you agree that Poland should be for everyone? - Biedroń asked the woman.
- No, for Poles - she replied.
- Ladies and gentlemen, and that is why Poland should be for everyone - Biedroń tried to continue speaking.

A moment later, the woman completely took over the microphone. Biedroń stepped aside.

- Our president is Duda, and our prime minister is Morawiecki. And you know what? Listen. I'm not afraid. My mother-in-law is the godmother of Leszek Miller, that scoundrel from Żyrardów. So what? - she said, and then began to intone a song about red poppies.

- Do you know who Bandera was? - she still shouted at Biedroń. Then she was politely asked by Lewica activists to leave the conference, which Biedroń then continued.

- We are starting a new chapter today, we are starting to write a new chapter for our country and our campaign. This is a reset that our country needs, Poland needs, our society needs, Polish politics needs. I would like to proudly present to you the person who will stand at the helm with us in our campaign headquarters. Until now, the headquarters has been led by an experienced local government official. A person whom I don't need to introduce to you, because she is currently a Member of Parliament, whom you appreciate and often ask for comments. President Tomasz Trela. He knows the beating heart of Polish local governments. But today, at the head of our headquarters, alongside Tomasz Trela, will be a woman. A local activist, who knows the beating heart of small towns, but also villages, who for years fought against marginalization in such places, who fought against poverty and the deprivation of children, youth, and those left behind. A Member of Parliament who, from the 28th place on the Left list to parliament in Wrocław, won a parliamentary seat, who knows how to win, knows how to triumph, who has the determination to show that not only does she care, but also to show that the Left has its place in Polish politics. Ladies and gentlemen, Member of Parliament Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk is joining our campaign headquarters and co-leading it - said Robert Biedroń during a press conference.

- We are returning to life, we are returning to work. We are returning longingly to contacts, to meetings, to conversations, to travels. We are returning cautiously, we are returning safely, but we are also returning with a sense of immense responsibility and duty. Responsibility for ensuring that no one is left behind on this common path to normality - added Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk.

- No one backed down, no one left you. And I thought, I had such a situation, Robert, four years ago. SLD then had 2%. We weren't in the Sejm then. Look. This is all our work. Adriana's, mine. Of the people standing here. We are all in the same boat. Rozenek got 1.5% for the Mayor of Warsaw. He got 45,000 votes from the district he ran in. Loyal to ideals. People loyal to ideals, loyal to people, prevail - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty during a press conference.

Because indeed, these periods of drought have been a problem in recent years, therefore we have decided that a special law will be prepared which will help solve this serious hydrological problem currently facing Poland. We have often stated that the level of water retained in Poland is about 6.5% of water, while for instance in Spain, it's 45% of water. Therefore, this difference is enormous. We would like to, by 2027, at least increase the level of retained water in our country to 15%. That would already be a quite good result, but it requires many actions and huge investments in the near future. This is precisely why 12 billion PLN has been allocated to this retention program for the coming years, in order to improve the irrigation situation of agricultural land - announced President Andrzej Duda.

„I am running for the office of President of the Republic of Poland also because in recent weeks we have observed that the government is not coping with the COVID-19 epidemic. It has left many people to fend for themselves. Precisely because of how the situation looks today, I am absolutely convinced that the President of the Republic of Poland should intervene in such situations, play an active role. They cannot be a mere silent observer of events” - said Rafał Trzaskowski, KO's presidential candidate and Mayor of Warsaw, at a press conference.

„Precisely because the return of the second wave of the epidemic threatens us this autumn, let's hope it doesn't happen, the Polish state, which must be strong, not weak, must be ready for it. One of my first decisions as President of the Republic of Poland will be to prepare a COVID-19 epidemic white paper, prepared by an independent auditing firm and by experts, so that we can draw conclusions from what the government and local governments have done” - he added.

- Today, on behalf of the Polish Coalition, along with MP Dariusz Klimczak, we are submitting a motion and a draft bill, which will shortly reach the Marshal of the Sejm, concerning the dissolution of the National Media Council. This is an issue that has been absorbing public opinion in recent days. What is happening at Polish Radio's Trójka, which is now merely a shadow of the Trójka remembered from years past. The chaos, the mess that has been introduced there, the extreme politicization, the buying of the hit parade – because one can say that these two billion [zlotys] did not only go towards propaganda, towards sycophancy in "Wiadomości" [news program], but also spilled over into Polish Radio's Trójka and the complete politicization of even the hit parade. This is extreme foolishness. But the source must be identified; the source is unfortunately the National Media Council – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a press conference.

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1263131638050979841

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1263131640584441857

https://twitter.com/jaroslaw_gowin/status/1263130744127447042?s=21

- You know about the great danger that all of this will return in the autumn. I hope not, but we must be ready for it. Therefore, I believe that a report, a white paper on COVID, is necessary. So that we can precisely assess all the actions of the government, but also of local governments, which faced the coronavirus, because I have a feeling, and I think like most of you, that not everything was done well - said Rafał Trzaskowski during an online Q&A.

The President of Warsaw, and indeed the President of the Republic, should stand with all minorities. Because you know what, Mr. Jakub [an internet user to whom Trzaskowski is responding], it's a bit like this: the state shouldn't get in the way of those who are managing well in life. However, there are many people who have real problems, and the state must help them. Especially a strong state. I will do everything to ensure it is exactly like this – said Rafał Trzaskowski during an online Q&A.

Szymon Hołownia presented his new campaign spot on his Facebook profile. - The main message focuses on emphasizing the power of interpersonal communication. From the very beginning of his campaign, Szymon Hołownia has been in constant contact with people, building a civic community around himself and his candidacy. The genuine interest of people in the process of electing a president, presented in the spot, is a phenomenon that party candidates cannot boast about – explain the candidate's campaign team.

- The latest spot features one of Szymon Hołownia's conversations with volunteers from all over Poland, in which he asks them what they missed most during the prolonged lockdown. The people from Szymon's Team admit that it was the lack of contact with loved ones, family, and friends. This group of people is united by special values. For them, relationships are most important, and closeness, solidarity, support, and mutual help are the foundations building a sense of community in which everyone cares for one another – it was stated in the press release.

- Our strength lies primarily in our membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance, but to be strong, especially in the European Union, one must have an appropriate position. It is not enough to shout and bang your fist on the table, because at best, only coffee might spill; one must simply have influence. Coalitions must be built that are effective. Good ideas are needed. Constructive ideas are needed, and that is what we lack. Then, when a state is strong, when it has influence within the European Union, it means Americans want to talk to us, Chinese want to talk to us, and Russians have respect, while Ukrainians, Moldovans, Georgians, or Armenians look to us as a kind of guide - said Rafał Trzaskowski during an online Q&A.

- A state of higher necessity should never justify shoddy work. Shoddy work, which one could say precedes downfall, because we all witnessed embarrassing scenes when a government minister, a deputy prime minister, the prime minister, grandly welcomed masks that arrived from China, which were meant to be a propaganda win for the ruling party – said Piotr Zgorzelski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Wydarzenia i Opinie” (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

In the PO-PSL governments, when we were a coalition partner, failing to declare a watch in a financial disclosure statement meant a minister lost their position. Today, the ruling party has accustomed us to the fact that really, whether it's Mr. Chrzanowski from the KNF, Mr. Banaś from the NIK, or now subsequent ministers who have problems, they can feel at ease, because in essence, the Central Anticorruption Bureau is the central bureau for protecting party loyalists – stated Piotr Zgorzelski on Polsat News.

- As you can see, many people sent SMS messages to the ministry, including well-known politicians, and I believe they all did so in good faith, simply wanting to help Poles during a raging pandemic. So we directed all such signals along the same path. I really don't see any room for any shortcomings here, regardless of who it is. Whether a journalist, a politician, or a businessperson - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".

“Today, the people of Silesia are going through truly difficult times when it comes to infections. As much as 1/4 of infections concern residents of Silesia, and unfortunately, this has been followed by stigmatization from politicians who have strange ideas about placing Silesia under a special zone. I have seen too many special zones to be fooled by this type of thing, which is why I want to show solidarity with the people of Silesia, to talk not only about the situation of miners who – as we know – are a group particularly vulnerable to infections, having been left to fend for themselves, but also with the residents of Silesia” – said Robert Biedroń, candidate for President of Poland from The Left and a Member of the European Parliament, in a conversation with Monika Olejnik on “Kropka nad i” on TVN24.

- Of course. There's no problem with such a debate [in English]. I just don't know if it would be interesting for Poles - said Piotr Zgorzelski in Polsat News.

„If such an injustice occurs where a candidate cannot achieve their goal simply because someone, out of spite, tries to limit the collection of [signatures], then naturally all people of good will should help. We can disagree. I myself drastically disagree with Rafał Trzaskowski. We can speak several languages, but our approaches to various European issues differ” – stated the Left candidate for president, MEP Robert Biedroń, on TVN24.

- Frankly, the lack of culture surprises me, because the behavior of these gentlemen MPs [from PO], using their position as MPs, blocking the ministry's entrance for a minister who is not an MP, simply shows a kind of rowdyism. Trespassing and interrupting someone else's conference. Surely, gentlemen have their ways of reaching the media. They can organize their own conferences. I am sure everyone gladly listens to these MPs, so I would emphasize that it really is a bit of rowdyism - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń".

"Of course, polls could be better, but when a person chooses a certain path, consistency in values and program, they should stick to it. I will never abandon the fight for clean air, as we did in Słupsk, for equality for all, for equal rights for women and men, for example, the liberalization of abortion laws, for the separation of church and state" - stated the Left candidate for president and Member of the European Parliament, Robert Biedroń, on TVN24.

- The minister [Szumowski], instead of asking [what crime he committed], should have a bit of honor and resign - said Marcin Kierwiński in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" on Polsat News.

- But why, for what reason? - the journalist pressed.

- Do you know of a situation in the history of Polish politics where a minister in office, through his brother, buys masks from an acquaintance during a pandemic, then it turns out that these masks have no certificates, and the ruling party pretends that nothing is happening? - the politician replied.

- The current president is incapable of speaking out on such fundamental issues. On such fundamental matters, he is incapable of saying what he thinks about them. He is incapable of saying what he thinks about censorship, for example, at Polish Radio, in Trójka. We have a mute president. We have a president who is not fulfilling his duties - said Marcin Kierwiński on Polsat News.

- With all due respect, but first of all, I've had a separation of property with my wife since 2008. I was still very far from politics. I simply have a large loan, I had to enter into a separation of property. My wife and I have had such a separation for many, many years. So I think that in 2008 I didn't have such a far-reaching plan to hide something when I became Minister of Health - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".

- As you can see, SMSes came from many people, and I think it was good that MP Neumann sent an SMS. He should have done that. Because if he knew he had something to offer the Ministry of Health at that time, he should have sent that SMS. In the same way, Mr. Guńka should have come forward if he had genuine goods. Unfortunately, it turned out that the goods he offered were simply fake - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

-- 300POLITYKA LIVEBLOG:
SZUMOWSKI ON NEUMANN'S TEXT MESSAGES IN GOOD FAITH
KIERWIŃSKI ON SZUMOWSKI'S RESIGNATION
ZGORZELSKI THAT ONLY POLLS IN A WEEK WILL SHOW THE SITUATION AFTER THE RESTART
TRZASKOWSKI ON A STRONG POSITION IN THE EU WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN US AGAINST THE USA AND CHINA
HOŁOWNIA SHOWS A NEW ADVERTISEMENT
https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/05/20/

*****

POLSAT EVENTS

-- A CLEAR ACCELERATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT OFFICIALLY STARTED YET.

-- ROBERT BIEDROŃ IS RESTARTING HIS CAMPAIGN AND LEAVING WARSAW FOR MEETINGS WITH VOTERS; RAFAŁ TRZASKOWSKI IS DIRECTING HIS MESSAGE MAINLY AT PRESIDENT DUDA, WHO, DESPITE LOSING IN THE POLLS, REMAINS THE UNDISPUTED LEADER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

-- THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CAMPAIGN RESTART TO SALVAGE THE POSITION OF THE LEFT-WING CANDIDATE, WHOSE RESULTS HAVE DROPPED TO 5-6%, HALF THE RESULT THE LEFT GAINED IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS - Mira Skórka.

-- VOTES FROM THE LEFT-WING ELECTORATE MAY HAVE GONE TO RAFAŁ TRZASKOWSKI AND SZYMON HOŁOWNIA - Skórka continues.

-- BIEDROŃ'S CAMPAIGN IS TO BE SALVAGED BY NEW PEOPLE IN THE CAMPAIGN TEAM - Skórka.

-- ANDRZEJ DUDA WAS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE TODAY, ANNOUNCING THE CREATION OF A NEW LAW TO HELP FARMERS SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DROUGHT - Skórka continues.

-- THE ELECTIONS WILL MOST LIKELY BE IN 6 WEEKS; TOMORROW, SENATE COMMITTEES WILL BEGIN WORK ON THE LAW CONCERNING HYBRID ELECTIONS - Skórka.

-- THE CIVIC COALITION WANTS TO SUBMIT AMENDMENTS TO ESTABLISH ELECTION DEADLINES IN THE LAW - Skórka continues.

-- A MEETING OF THE LAW AND JUSTICE LEADERSHIP, WITH THE PRIME MINISTER PRESENT, TOOK PLACE AT NA NOWOGRODZKA STREET.

-- THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CONFIRMED CORONAVIRUS CASES IS STILL IN SILESIA; THE SECOND HOTSPOT OF THE VIRUS IS THE KĘPNO DISTRICT IN GREATER POLAND.

-- AN UNUSUAL COMMOTION OUTSIDE THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH; OPPOSITION MPS INTERRUPTED THE DEPUTY MINISTER'S CONFERENCE TO ACCUSE THE MINISTRY'S HEAD OF PURCHASING DEFECTIVE MASKS FROM A COLLEAGUE'S BROTHER.

-- IN RESPONSE, THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH REVEALED CORRESPONDENCE WITH A CIVIC COALITION MP WHO OFFERED UNCERTIFIED EQUIPMENT FROM HIS ACQUAINTANCE.

-- THREE MORE WELL-KNOWN JOURNALISTS ARE LEAVING RADIO THREE.

*****

TVN FACTS

-- QUESTIONS ABOUT MINISTER SZUMOWSKI: DID HE HELP HIS BROTHER OBTAIN GRANTS AND THE SKI INSTRUCTOR MAKE A DEAL WITH THE MINISTRY? - in the preview.

-- NOW THERE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE QUESTIONS, AND THEY ARE WORTH MILLIONS - in the preview.

-- AN UNUSUAL END TO THE CONFERENCE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH - Dariusz Prosiecki.

-- HOW CAN SOMEONE BE SO SELFISH AS TO PROFIT FROM AN EPIDEMIC? - Sławomir Nitras.

-- THESE ARE FURTHER INSTALLMENTS OF THE STORM SURROUNDING THE MINISTER OF HEALTH - Prosiecki.

-- THE TEXT MESSAGE FROM NEUMANN IS A SIMILAR SITUATION, ACCORDING TO DEPUTY MINISTER CIESZYŃSKI - Prosiecki.


-- THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING CERTIFICATES, NOT ABOUT ANY SALE - Neumann.

-- CIVIC COALITION MPS CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION AT THE NATIONAL COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION OFFICE - Prosiecki.

-- THE OPPOSITION WANTS THE SUPREME AUDIT OFFICE TO CHECK CONTRACTS AT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE CENTRAL ANTICORRUPTION BUREAU TO EXAMINE THE MINISTER'S ROLE IN PURCHASING MASKS AND HIS ASSET DECLARATIONS - Prosiecki.

-- MORE LEGENDS ARE DISAPPEARING FROM RADIO THREE; KAZIK'S SONG REACHED THE TOP, BUT IT WAS NOT WELL-RECEIVED AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF POWER - in the preview.

-- THE DIRECTOR OF RADIO THREE, LIKE NIEDŹWIEDZKI, HAS ALSO PASSED INTO RADIO HISTORY - Paweł Płuska.

-- MANY ARE REMINDED OF THE SITUATION FROM 1983 AND THE SONG "LADY PUNK" - Płuska.

-- THESE ARE NOT PUBLIC MEDIA, BUT PARTY MEDIA - Borys Budka.

-- SUCH CONNECTIONS FOSTER SELF-CENSORSHIP AND A Ladder of Fear, AS MANN SPOKE ABOUT - Płuska.

-- Instead of election rallies, online sessions. Instead of crowds of people, a crowd of observers on social media. Presidential candidates are not slowing down, even though there is no election date and no campaign. In the virtual world, one can fight for real votes. What does it look like?

-- BESIDES THE APPEARANCES OF RANDOM PEOPLE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, ROBERT BIEDROŃ ALSO HAS TO DEAL WITH WEAK POLLING RESULTS - Maciej Knapik.

-- HENCE THE NEW CAMPAIGN OPENING; THE LEFT IS REPEATING THE CIVIC COALITION'S MANEUVER, ALTHOUGH THE CANDIDATE REMAINS THE SAME - Knapik.

-- LESZEK MILLER ON TRZASKOWSKI IN THE 2ND ROUND.

-- THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOWING ACTIVITY AROUND THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTERS IN RECENT DAYS, SHOWING THAT HE SUPPORTS THE GOVERNMENT BUT WITHOUT TAKING HIS OWN SEPARATE STANCE ON OTHER MATTERS - Knapik.

-- I COUNT ON WINNING THESE ELECTIONS - Rafał Trzaskowski.

-- TODAY IS ANOTHER DAY WHEN WE DID NOT LEARN THE ELECTION DATE - Knapik.

-- INSTEAD OF RALLIES - ONLINE SESSIONS - Knapik.

-- IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE LEFT AND PSL CANDIDATES, AS WELL AS DUDA, TO HAVE THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE CAMPAIGN, BECAUSE A STRONG CIVIC COALITION CANDIDATE IS TAKING SUPPORT AWAY FROM ALL OF THEM - Knapik.

-- MANDATE FOR PROTEST: A FINE OF 10,000 ZŁOTYCH FOR PARTICIPATING IN A HAPPENING. THE ARTISTS WORE MASKS AND MAINTAINED DISTANCE, BUT BESIDES DISTANCE, THEY ALSO HELD A BANNER. IT WAS MEANT TO BE A PROTEST AGAINST MAILED BALLOT ELECTIONS.

*****

TVP NEWS

-- FEWER AND FEWER ENTREPRENEURS ARE PLANNING FURTHER LAYOFFS - preview.

-- WE ARE PAST THE ECONOMIC BOTTOM - banner.

-- OVER 8 THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY WON THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS.

-- THE PRESIDENT THANKED THE FIREBRIGADE BECAUSE IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC THEY HELP OTHER SERVICES - Waldemar Stankiewicz.

-- OPPOSITION ELECTION GAMES ENDANGER THE HEALTH OF POLES - banner.

-- IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG THE SENATE WILL DELAY THE LAW REGARDING VOTING. THE MARSHAL MAKES THE PACE OF WORK DEPENDENT ON HOW MUCH TIME HIS PARTY COLLEAGUE WILL RECEIVE FOR COLLECTING SIGNATURES AND CAMPAIGN FUNDS - preview.

-- THE PRESIDENT WAS IN PŁOŃSK IN MAZOVIA TODAY, WHERE HE HANDED OVER A PROMISE FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESCUE AND FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLES - Maksymilian Maszenda.

-- THE PRESIDENT IS FULFILLING HIS DUTIES WHILE AWAITING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ELECTION DATE. VOTING WILL MOST LIKELY TAKE PLACE AT THE END OF JUNE OR THE BEGINNING OF JULY - Maszenda.

-- OTHER CANDIDATES ARE UNCEASINGLY CONDUCTING THEIR ELECTION CAMPAIGNS - Maszenda.

-- RAFAŁ TRZASKOWSKI IS ALSO CONDUCTING A CAMPAIGN, ALTHOUGH AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF HIS FAVORITE, HE IS STILL NOT OFFICIALLY A CANDIDATE - Maszenda.

-- Excerpts from Tomasz Grodzki's interview for DGP.

-- THE MARSHAL OF THE SENATE WOULD LIKE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE ALREADY COLLECTED SIGNATURES TO DO SO AGAIN - Maszenda.

-- WITH 10 CANDIDATES, THAT'S A MILLION SIGNATURES - Maszenda.

-- GRODZKI WAS RECENTLY SCARED BY THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH POSTAL VOTING - Maszenda.

-- GRODZKI SUGGESTS MAKING SENATE PROCEEDINGS DEPENDENT ON MORE CAMPAIGN MONEY FOR NEW CANDIDATES - Maszenda.

-- CIVIC COALITION ABANDONED KIDAWĘ-BŁOŃSKĄ IN A MANNER WIDELY CONSIDERED EMBARRASSING FOR THE ENTIRE FORMATION - Maszenda.

-- AN INFLUENTIAL CIVIC COALITION POLITICIAN LOBBIED THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH ON BEHALF OF HIS ENTREPRENEUR COLLEAGUE, WHO WANTED TO IMPORT MASKS FROM CHINA WITHOUT CERTIFICATES - preview: Sławomir Neumann claims it was a parliamentary intervention, but some say directly that the politician wanted to profit from the epidemic.

-- THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A MINISTRY OF HEALTH CONFERENCE, LIKE MANY OTHERS. WHEN THE DEPUTY MINISTER FINISHED, TWO CIVIC COALITION POLITICIANS APPEARED - Magdalena Wierzchowska.

-- BREAKING SAFETY RULES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SŁAWOMIR NITRAS ALMOST BLOCKED THE WAY OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH - Wierzchowska comments on the scene outside the Ministry of Health, not mentioning that Cieszyński touched Marcin Kierwiński on the arm during the conference.

-- CIESZYŃSKI PATIENTLY LISTENED TO THE OPPOSITION'S ACCUSATIONS, AFTER WHICH HE REPLIED BY CITING A TEXT MESSAGE FROM NEUMANN - Wierzchowska.

-- THE OPPOSITION MPS DID NOT EXPECT SUCH A TURN OF EVENTS, AS EVIDENT FROM THEIR FACES AND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - Wierzchowska.

-- NEUMANN HIMSELF WROTE ABOUT AN ACQUAINTANCE IN THE TEXT MESSAGE. AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS A PARLIAMENTARY INTERVENTION - Wierzchowska.

-- NEUMANN'S ACTIVITIES AT THE INTERSECTION OF POLITICS AND BUSINESS ARE NOT THE FIRST TIME TO CAUSE CONTROVERSY - Wierzchowska.

-- POLISH INTEREST OR FOREIGN LOBBY? - banner.

-- THE OPPOSITION, FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, SINCE THE LAW AND JUSTICE GOVERNMENT CAME TO POWER, HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY GERMANY AND HAS ITSELF REPEATEDLY EMPHASIZED FOREIGN INTERESTS OVER POLISH ONES - Tulicki.

-- COMMENTATORS EMPHASIZE THAT RAFAŁ TRZASKOWSKI WELL REPRESENTS THE TRAITS OF A POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT THAT PRIORITIZES THE REALIZATION OF FOREIGN INTERESTS OVER POLAND'S WELL-BEING, HENCE HIS SUBMISSIVENESS IN RELATIONS WITH RUSSIAN, GERMAN, OR FRENCH POLITICIANS - Tulicki.

-- TRZASKOWSKI REFERS TO GEREMEK, WHO ALSO CONDUCTED A VERY SPECIFIC FOREIGN POLICY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TRANSFORMATION, FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS - ON FOREIGN INTERESTS - Tulicki.

-- TRZASKOWSKI ATTENDED A MEETING OF THE BILDERBERG GROUP - A SECRET, MYSTERIOUS ORGANIZATION - Tulicki.

-- LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS GROUP. ITS PARTICIPANTS ARE BOUND BY SECRECY. IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT DECISIONS ARE MADE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - Tulicki.

- If we disregard the unfortunately enormous outbreak that occurred in the mines, I believe that the epidemic is already starting to subside in other parts of the country. Of course, we began to control this outbreak very quickly. I think it is already under control to such an extent that test results from miners are still coming in. These are the numbers that the editor quoted. This is, in fact, the result of a very broad operation to control the outbreak and the miners' families, and the moment we finish this swabbing and testing campaign, these numbers will fall quite sharply - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń".

- I will gladly cooperate on the creation of such a report. Because I think this report will show one thing. Everyone has already a bit forgotten what the situation looked like in Italy, where there were thousands of deaths, where funeral homes couldn't keep up. What the situation looked like in France or Spain, where the elderly and sick were told: you won't have a chance to be saved, because we need ventilators for the young. I think such a paper should clearly state that the government's very quick decisions, the Prime Minister's brave decisions, where we know that every week of healthcare provision costs billions of zlotys, that these decisions led to the fact that every COVID-19 patient in Poland has the right to treatment, has a chance for treatment, has a ventilator waiting for them, and there is no possibility of anyone being denied treatment – stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń".