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08/11/2020

07:34

Tuesday's Political Agenda: Senate Session Begins

At 3:00 PM, a three-day Senate session will commence, which was originally scheduled for last week. The agenda includes, among other items, the Act amending certain acts to ensure the functioning of healthcare in connection with the COVID-19 epidemic and after its cessation, as well as the Act on supporting the trade credit insurance market in connection with counteracting the economic effects of COVID-19.


08:02

Lichocka on Ethics Committee Reprimand: 'I Consider the Decision Unsubstantiated, Part of a Smear Campaign'

- I consider the decision unsubstantiated, a matter that fits into the campaign of slander and incitement that Civic Platform, as well as The Left, have been conducting since that day when I allegedly made an impolite gesture in the Sejm. Both Civic Platform and The Left are basing their claims on manipulated photos – said Joanna Lichocka in an interview with Dorota Kania on Polish Radio 24.


08:05

Lichocka:

We Must Draw the European Union's Attention Through Intensive Diplomatic Work, It Cannot Be Passive Towards What's Happening in Belarus
It now appears that we must draw the European Union's attention through such intensive diplomatic work, that it cannot be passive towards what is happening in Belarus. The Prime Minister has spoken, among others, with Ursula von der Leyen. We demand, we want, we appeal for this extraordinary summit - said Joanna Lichocka on Polish Radio 24.

08:14

Lichocka:

We want the deconcentration bill to be debated in the Sejm this autumn. I'd like the provisions to be exactly like in France, because these are proven models.

- It's about a systemic solution, which in the deconcentration bill, which we want to be debated in the Sejm this autumn, in this bill we would like to regulate the media market in such a way that there are more entities publishing Polish media - said Joanna Lichocka on Polish Radio 24.

- The deconcentration bill does not intend to deal with any specific title. I recommend such a reckoning to readers, our listeners. Simply, please do not buy rag magazines. When they lie on their covers about the President, when they lie on their covers about the Polish police, when they lie about the Polish Prime Minister, don't buy rag magazines - she continued.

- They will appear, they will be able to operate, other entities will function in the media market. Axel Springer will not be able to have such a dominant position on the Polish market as it does now, because it will be limited by these anti-monopoly provisions in the media. I would like them to be exactly like in France, because these are already proven models that have been functioning there for many years - she added.


08:28

Przydacz:

We Call on the Belarusian Side to Cease the Pacification of Protests

"The images that have reached us from yesterday and the day before yesterday are causing us very deep concern. We call on the Belarusian side to cease the pacification of these protests. We believe that people have the right to protest peacefully" - said Deputy Minister Marcin Przydacz in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News.


08:39

Przydacz:

Previous authorities, mainly due to Sikorski, absolutely wrongly froze all bilateral contacts with Belarus. Until 2015, Poland had no leverage over Minsk.

We assessed that the previous authorities, mainly due to Minister Sikorski, had absolutely wrongly frozen all bilateral contacts with Belarus. Marshal Karczewski was in Belarus numerous times. Not only Marshal Karczewski. A number of other Polish politicians, diplomats. I myself also spoke with my counterparts in Minsk. We believed that dialogue was a better formula than freezing contacts and limiting ourselves to public statements only. This was the situation we observed until 2015 in Polish-Belarusian relations. Poland had no means of influencing Minsk. Economic relations were very weak, political relations practically non-existent. Cultural, interpersonal relations were also absent. We deprived ourselves at that time of any tools for influencing the situation in our neighborhood” – Marcin Przydacz said in Polsat News.


09:26

Sawicki:

We are tentatively planning for the congress to take place at the turn of February and March

- First and foremost, we are in the midst of a reporting and election campaign. If the coronavirus allows, we will carry it out in its normal format, meaning municipal and district conventions, followed by regional ones, and finally the congress. We are tentatively planning at the National Council that the congress should take place at the turn of February and March. So, by that time, the entire reporting and election campaign should have been completed. We don't need to work too hard on a new program at this moment, because the program presented by Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during his campaign is an open, modern program, and I think it is also acceptable for other circles. The overarching goal of the PSL is to continue building the Polish Coalition - stated Marek Sawicki in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1.


09:41

Sawicki on Hołownia's Movement: I Don't Underestimate Anything, But I Have a Deep Gut Feeling, Drawing on My Own Experience, That We're Dealing with Ryszard Petru Syndrome 2.0

- Of course, I don't underestimate anything, but I have a deep gut feeling, drawing on my own experience, that we're dealing with Ryszard Petru Syndrome 2.0. In 2016, a 30% approval rating, head held high, and practically zero willingness to cooperate with the opposition, because after all, he was the new opposition leader and was supposed to take over the entire opposition. Then it burst like a soap bubble. So, talking today, three years before the election, about how much Szymon Hołownia's movement will influence the change in the political scene, in my opinion, is much too early. However, of course, when it comes to issues related to programs and discussion, yes, we are ready. I believe that at this moment, political parties should undertake a serious debate precisely on the topic of self-governance - stated Marek Sawicki on PR1's "Sygnały dnia".


10:10

Mazurek on the Resignation of the Radio Nowy Świat President: This is How Leftist Political Correctness Ends

The resignation of the president of Radio Nowy Świat is the end of leftist political correctness," said Beata Mazurek, MEP for Law and Justice. She reacted to the news on Twitter. On Thursday, August 6, the Supervisory Board of Radio Nowy Świat announced that Dariusz Rosiak had resigned from his position as president and editor-in-chief of the station. The reason for his resignation was the filing of an indictment against him in the case of public indecency. As the prosecutor's office states, the former president of the station is accused of sexual offenses against minors. The indictment was filed on August 4. He faces up to 12 years in prison. "In the case of Rosiak, the prosecutor's office is accusing him of 12 criminal offenses of sexual offenses against minors. The man faces up to 12 years in prison. The indictment was filed with the court on August 4," the prosecutor's office said. Rosiak himself denies the accusations. "The indictment was filed against me yesterday and it is full of lies and fabrications. I am innocent," Rosiak wrote on Facebook. He emphasizes that he intends to prove his innocence in court. The Radio Nowy Świat Supervisory Board stated that it accepted Rosiak's resignation and appointed a temporary acting president and editor-in-chief. "The Supervisory Board of Radio Nowy Świat has accepted Dariusz Rosiak's resignation and appointed a temporary acting president and editor-in-chief. The station will continue its work," the statement reads. Radio Nowy Świat is a private radio station that was founded in 2019 by journalists associated with Polish Radio's "Trójka" station, including Wojciech Mann, Magda Jethon, and Anna Goc. The station's main investor is the Polish-American businessman and politician, Jerzy Jurewicz.


10:32

Ministry of Health: 551 New Coronavirus Infections in Poland, 12 Deaths

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1293102747743596544

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1293102751212240897


11:44

Gliński on August Postulate Plaques: 'This is Unlawful Detention of Someone's Property. From a Legal Standpoint, There Are No Doubts. It Belongs to the National Maritime Museum.'

This is a rather sad situation. It is unlawful detention of someone's property. From a legal standpoint, there are no doubts – it belongs to the National Maritime Museum. It's difficult to comment on. This is an issue between two institutions, and I regret that it is the subject of some kind of blockade, some kind of dispute, rebellion, and anarchy that stands behind it” – said Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński on Radio Gdańsk.

We are in a situation where someone is interested in a war. I am not interested in that. We once presented very limited proposals to the ECS for institutionalizing cooperation between us, and they were rejected. They concerned, I remind you, the appointment of one deputy director and a small department dedicated to Anna Walentynowicz. Ten people constitute one-sixth of any influence on that institution. We were refused” – he added.


11:59

Gliński:

The Polish Government in No Way Infringes on the Dignity of People of Different Sexual Orientations. We Are Guided by the Teachings of John Paul II. This is a Private Matter. However, We Do Not Want an Ideology Implemented That Destroys Cultural O

This situation is naturally unpleasant, that young people are protesting without perhaps being fully aware of against whom and what. I reiterate that the Polish government and the ruling team in no way infringe upon the dignity of people of different sexual orientations. We are guided by the teachings of John Paul II. This is a private sphere, which the state does not interfere with. There is no question of excluding anyone or inciting hatred” – said Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński on Radio Gdańsk.

However, yes, we do not want an ideology to be implemented that introduces other social institutions as fundamental and destroys a certain cultural, institutional, and social order that is important for our identity and community” – he added. 


15:10

Grodzki on the Head of the Senate Chancellery: It Wasn't a Resignation. The Presidium Accepted Minister Świątecki's Resignation and Positively Opinioned the Candidacy of Adam Niemczewski

- I would like to clarify one thing. This is not a resignation, but rather I received a letter from Minister Świątecki, to whom I would like to thank at this point for his diligent work during the difficult months at the beginning of the Senate's term. The Minister asked to be released from this position and assigned other duties within the Senate Chancellery, and this will be carried out. As for the reasons for the Minister's decision, it was not a resignation; it is a private matter - said Tomasz Grodzki during a press briefing in the Senate.

- The Presidium today accepted the resignation of Minister Świątecki and positively opinioned the candidacy of attorney Adam Niemczewski, the current deputy head of the Senate's legislative office - added the Marshal.


15:17

Grodzki on Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz: I Have the Impression Her Candidacy Will Be Accepted in the Sejm and Positively Assessed by the Senate

- Looking at the broad support from local government organizations from left to right, I have the impression that her candidacy will be accepted in the Sejm and positively assessed by the Senate. We also need to say that Mr. Ombudsman, Professor Adam Bodnar, set the bar very high in performing this function, but I am convinced that her successor, as it will likely be a woman, will take up this challenge and perform this function in an equally good style - said Tomasz Grodzki during a press briefing in the Senate. 


17:02

Finally, We Can Begin to Repay Our Debt to Them. A Debt, However, That Cannot Be Fully Repaid. Government Adopts Draft on Special Compensation Benefit for Anti-Communist Opposition Activists and Politically Persecuted Individuals

Special compensation benefit for anti-communist opposition activists and politically persecuted individuals – this is the main change introduced to the draft law adopted by the government. Thanks to it, individuals involved in the fight for Poland's independence and sovereignty between 1956-1989, whose pensions or annuities are lower than PLN 2400, will be able to count on a monthly compensation. In addition, the draft also provides for other conveniences, such as lower prices for public transport and PKP tickets.

- It is our great duty to ensure dignified living conditions for the people who fought for our freedom and independence in the years 1956-1989. Without their sacrifice, there would be no Poland as we know it and in which we currently live. These are our heroes. The compensation benefit we have prepared is an expression of recognition for the great figures of the anti-communist opposition. Finally, we can begin to repay the debt we owe them. A debt, however, that cannot be fully repaid – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.


19:43

Czarzasty to President Duda: If You Had Gone Out on the Streets Three Days Ago, You Would Have Seen What Polish Police Do to Kids, How They Beat and Treat Them

The President of our country, who makes such a statement [as with the President of Lithuania]. Mr. President, if you had gone out onto the street three days ago, if you had been in Poland. If you had seen what the Polish police do to kids, how they beat them and how they treat them…” - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Deputy Speaker of the Sejm from The Left, in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News. 


20:06

Müller:

We Want to Take Action at the EU Level. Actions Towards Belarus Make Sense When Taken Jointly and in Solidarity by the Entire International Community, or at Least by the EU as a Group of 27 States

- First and foremost, we all see perfectly well what the situation in Belarus looks like and the enormous doubts surrounding the election process. Even those in Belarus, such as opposition activists, clearly indicate, and all EU states share this deep conviction, that this election process was far from the standards accepted in Europe - stated Piotr Müller on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach" (Facts after Facts).

- At this moment, this is precisely why we want to take action at the EU level, because this is the stance, and such joint actions towards Belarus make sense when taken jointly and in solidarity by the entire international community, or at least by the EU as a group of 27 states - continued the government spokesperson.


20:23

Müller on Government Reshuffle: Decisions Expected in September, Early October at the Latest. Preparation of a Specific Legislative Work Schedule for the Coming Months is Underway.

- Regarding the government reshuffle, I expect a decision in September, at the latest in early October. Currently, we are preparing a specific legislative work schedule for the coming months. The government's main strategic objectives are being set, in terms of the order of implementation of our programmatic announcements from previous election campaigns, and the government's structure will be adjusted accordingly - stated Piotr Müller on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach."

- As for the specific number, no decisions have been made yet. Certainly, I can declare this, and it is the directional decision, that there will definitely be fewer [ministries]. The goal is to consolidate some ministries, and consequently, what will certainly be implemented is a reduction in the number of ministries, combining some of them to streamline the decision-making process within the government - the government spokesperson continued.