In Gdańsk, President Andrzej Duda will participate in the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of August 1980 and the establishment of NSZZ "Solidarność". PAD will deliver a speech at 3:00 PM, at 4:55 PM he will lay a wreath at the monument to John Paul II, and at 5:00 PM he will attend a solemn Holy Mass.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will be on a visit to Slovenia. At 8:00 AM, a meeting with Prime Minister Janez Janša will take place. At 9:00 AM, the head of the Polish government will participate in the opening of the Strategic Forum in Bled, and at 10:00 AM – in the discussion panel "Europe after Brexit and Covid-19".

Marshal of the Senate Tomasz Grodzki will meet with Lech Wałęsa in Gdańsk at 9:15 AM, and at 9:45 AM, together with senators, he will lay flowers at the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers. At 10:00 AM, he will participate in the solemn opening of the gate of the Gdańsk Shipyard, at 11:00 AM in the Civic Forum, and at 2:00 PM – in a session of the Senate Committee on Culture and Media. The last item on the agenda is the ceremony of awarding the European Poet of Freedom prize and the premiere of the opera "Ahat Ilï - Sister of the Gods".

At 12:30 PM, a meeting will be held between the presidium of the coalition parliamentary club Lewica and the board of ZNP regarding the preparation of schools for the return of students in the context of COVID-19. At 2:00 PM in Białystok, a conference of the Minister of National Education, Dariusz Piontkowski, will take place.

- Poles overthrew communism, because as I recall, 10 million people joined 'Solidarity'. There has never been such a massive movement in Poland's history, and it was the mass nature of this movement that led to the overthrow of communism - said Dariusz Piontkowski in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM's "Morning Conversation".

- Lech Wałęsa is a figure evidently linked to 'Solidarity'. No one intends to erase him. He is a figure who has gone down in Polish history - the minister continued.

- And would you tell students that he was an agent, or would you rather concentrate on him being one of the creators and the face of the great 'Solidarity' movement? - the journalist pressed.

- We need to talk about both - Piontkowski replied.

- Some schools, and I personally visit some schools, and we also have information from superintendents that some schools, using the powers that school principals have, have decided to introduce the obligation to wear masks or other face coverings in common areas. Hence the government's decision to not only send disinfecting liquids once again, but also masks to those schools that place an order - Dariusz Piontkowski said on RMF FM.

- It wasn't a film screening in a cinema, where we can go and buy a ticket. It was a private showing. It involved the Prime Minister's closest circle, by which I mean family and colleagues, whom the Prime Minister meets with at work on a daily basis. Therefore, different regulations or slightly different standards apply in such situations than during a normal film screening. If any of us appeared at a normal film screening in a multiplex without a mask, they should have received a fine. However, in the case of a private showing, it looks completely different. I suspect that when you meet with family and friends to watch a movie, you are likely without masks - stated Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

- Agreed, there was an oversight in the lack of a description under the photo. If it had been clearly explained, I think there would be no discussion today. It was an oversight that should not have happened - he added.

- Last year, after the authorities in Warsaw failed to make decisions for several days, the government did indeed get involved in the repair and aid related to the Czajka failure. This cost the state budget over PLN 40 million. Now, we are dealing with a situation where Warsaw has had a problem since Saturday. The city authorities are communicating that they have taken action immediately this time. We will see how effective those actions are. Of course, we declare that if the city authorities are unable to cope with this problem, then the government has the resources and means to support the city, but this is ultimately the responsibility of the local government. Theoretically, it is possible [to build a pontoon bridge], but I would not want every local government to be relieved of solving its own problems by the central administration. Local governments, including the Warsaw local government, very often emphasize that they are independent and need as many competencies as possible, yet in crisis situations, it turns out that everyone, to a greater or lesser extent, looks to the government for help. However, these are tasks for the local government, and the capital city of Warsaw should cope with this next, very serious challenge - stated Michał Dworczyk on Radio Plus.

- At this moment, it's certainly impossible to speak of details, because we are not approaching this mechanically, on the basis that 5, 10, or 15% of positions should be cut in this or that institution. We definitely do not want to act like the PO government. That was precisely a propaganda ploy. 10% of positions were to be cut, and then it ended up as it did, meaning the administration actually grew - stated Michał Dworczyk on Radio Plus.

- This type of optimization always involves the individual situation of employees. In this crisis, we are trying to take actions primarily focused on protecting jobs. But here, as the administration, we must indeed be in solidarity with the rest of the economy. Consultations with the leadership of individual ministries begin this week, and within the framework of these consultations, we will develop how optimization can actually be carried out in individual units. We would like to carry out these actions this year - continued the Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery.

- The COVID act is quite broad in this regard, and it naturally concerns various dependent institutions, including provincial offices, various inspectorates, government agencies, but we are starting with the ministries. This is also related to the planned government reorganization. Naturally, if the number of ministries is reduced, it will also have specific consequences concerning the number of positions necessary for their operation - he noted.

- I am not familiar with any of these matters in detail [the employment of Adam Andruszkiewicz's wife], but I am convinced that the individuals appointed to such positions possess the necessary competencies to effectively fulfill their roles. Image considerations are another matter. Of course, these also need to be taken into account, but it seems to me that if there were such an expectation or political consensus, these issues could be resolved by introducing regulations that would prevent relatives and in-laws of politicians from serving in any companies, entities, or agencies of state-related administration - stated Michał Dworczyk on Radio Plus.

- I am not shying away and I believe that the experiences of those people who founded the Civic Platform, or Tusk's, mine, all of ours, should be utilized, because from them stems these 20 years of the Civic Platform's functioning and a great history of electoral victories. We need to return to this, draw conclusions, and of course, constantly seek a new path - said Grzegorz Schetyna in a conversation with Dariusz Wieczorkowski on Radio Wrocław.

- I believe that Tusk's role and position in politics, not just Polish, his popularity and history, but European and global, is so important that you simply cannot do it, nobody really does [push him aside]. His influence, by the way, is not overbearing, because he is a commentator - added the former leader of Civic Platform.

The Ministry of Health has reported 502 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland. Sadly, 6 individuals have died. These statistics were shared via the official Ministry of Health Twitter account.

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- Our August heroes conquered fear. And it wasn't easy. Because one could fear the militia, arrests, persecution, harassment of families, and some sacrificed their health and lives. But they conquered fear and were not afraid. We must not be afraid either. We are now looking at Belarus, where the proud Belarusian nation is claiming its rights, wanting to join the family of sovereign, democratic, free states and nations. We have no other choice, we must support them in this, and we must remember that they are following the path our ancestors walked 40 years ago. - stated Tomasz Grodzki in Gdańsk.

- We should ask ourselves what remains of the 21 demands. Everyone remembers the political demands, and I remember demand number 12, which states that nominations for managerial positions should be based on competence, not party affiliation. Let's ask ourselves: is this happening? There was also talk about healthcare, and so on – stated Tomasz Grodzki in Gdańsk.

- It has become strange that an organization which has appropriated the name "Solidarity" is walking hand in hand with the authorities, which displeases many members of this formerly esteemed organization. But the leaders of the current "Solidarity" must remember that romances with power often end disgracefully and undignifiedly – the Marshal of the Senate continued.

- Some are trying to portray my government as Eurosceptic (...) I am convinced that we should all be Euro-realists, aspiring to an ambitious Europe that ensures the security of its citizens and also responds to current challenges. I believe that the European Union should be full of investments, open to innovation, but also capable of completing projects already started - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in an interview with the Slovenian newspaper "Delo".

- The alliance of countries in our region has often been very effective, as evidenced by the success of the recent negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027. By working together, our voice is heard in the EU, and together we can bring more benefits to our citizens. I must admit that the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša, is a great negotiator, but also a kind person, which is why I highly value our cooperation - PMM continued.

- Central and Eastern European countries are united by a common history, culture, and economic relations. Our countries are still grappling with the legacy of the socialist system, problems that are foreign to Western European countries (...). We are united by a common vision of the future, in which Central and Eastern Europe not only develops economically but is also a place of security and prosperity for its citizens - he emphasized.

- The Ministry of Education continues the "Active Board" program. Over the past few years, this has meant enormous sums of money for equipping schools with speakers, projectors, various multimedia devices, and touch screens. This program will be continued in the coming years, and in 2020, all funds will be allocated to laptop purchases, as we realize this is currently the greatest need in schools - stated Dariusz Piontkowski during a press conference.

- I want to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the entire Republic, on behalf of our nation, all those who so decisively strove for this freedom back then. Not fearing persecution, not fearing that they might be fired from their jobs, not fearing that they might be convicted and imprisoned. Of course, there are those great names, the famous ones we remember. Anna Walentynowicz, Lech Wałęsa, Andrzej and Joanna Gwiazda, Henryk Wujec, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Bogdan Borusewicz, Krzysztof Wyszkowski, but there were also thousands of workers across Poland who stood with them then. To all of them, I express my heartfelt thanks – said President Andrzej Duda during the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of August 1980 and the establishment of the NSZZ „Solidarność” (Solidarity Independent Self-Governing Trade Union).

- 'Solidarity', which as you know perfectly well brought freedom not only to us Poles, as a result of unyielding persistence in opposing communist rule, but which also brought freedom to our entire region of the world. To that part of Europe that was behind the Iron Curtain. Yes, it was 'Solidarity' that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Yes, it was 'Solidarity' that led to Germany being able to unite – said President Andrzej Duda during the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of August 1980 and the establishment of NSZZ 'Solidarność'.

- To say that 'Solidarity' was merely a trade union is a significant understatement. Even to call 'Solidarity' a social movement doesn't capture the full picture. 'Solidarity' is the largest, most beautiful, and uniquely characterized socio-national movement in the history of the entire world. A movement whose aim was to fight for a dignified life in a respectable, sovereign state, and these goals guided everyone from the very beginning. Many activists, sympathizers, many whom we don't remember today - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Gdańsk.

- From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the fact that "Solidarity", as it was then, steadfastly standing for freedom, but above all standing for human and workers' rights, has not changed. This is also shown by "Solidarity's" stance today towards Belarusian society. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Mr. Chairman Piotr Duda and all the people of "Solidarity" for this stance, for the support for this protest that is happening in Belarus. For this expectation of dignity, for the respect of human rights. All of that upon which "Solidarity" grew and which is so valuable to it. I am glad that "Solidarity" still stands by this. Thank you for that. Thank you for fraternity, thank you for the help, both financial and material. For those who need this help in Belarus today. "Long live Belarus" we want to shout and we are shouting. And "Solidarity" is shouting - said President Andrzej Duda during the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of August 1980 and the establishment of NSZZ "Solidarność".

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- On Thursday, we will officially present our new strategy for autumn. It will indeed cover, in its various aspects, the fact that there may definitely be more patients in the autumn. All epidemiologists are predicting a so-called second wave. I think it won't be as large as the wave in spring. Because we see that this virus, while it may be more virulent, does not cause such significant systemic complications as in spring. So I think this wave will be milder - stated Waldemar Kraska in an interview with Marcin Zaborski on RMF FM.

- Now it's clear that the pandemic is under control, that we know the economy is recovering very well, so fears of unemployment are disappearing. A lot of the money we have put into the economy is not just for liquidity, but also for investment, so new jobs will be created here as well - said Tadeusz Kościński on Polsat News.

- We also need to temper this deficit. It's not like there's a hole, we don't have money, we're going bankrupt. Absolutely the opposite. Public finances are very healthy. At the end of today, we have 125 billion in our account, so there are no liquidity problems. It's just that we have to do something. We need to shift as much money as possible, expenditures, to this year, because next year we will receive a lot of money from the European Union, and the Union does not finance 100% of various investments, so we need to have our own contribution - said Tadeusz Kościński on Polsat News.

- Employees in the public sector, we really receive money from working people, from taxpayers, so we are a cost, so the lower the cost, the better for the economy. Here I would expect that the number of employees and how they earn will certainly change - said Tadeusz Kościński in Polsat News.

- I think it has already been announced that there will be a government reconstruction and probably fewer ministries. In every ministry, there is logistics, administration, personnel, etc., so if they are combined, there will be a smaller number, and here are the savings - added the Minister of Finance. 

- Honestly, my blood boils when I hear something like that and talk of values. There are many other names, we live in a democratic country. Everyone can name their movement as they see fit, but if Mr. Trzaskowski believes it should be called "New Solidarity" because he associated it with the fact that over 10 million citizens voted for him, then I will say what I said in my speech today. A more timely name would be "New Czajka". Simply put, let him focus on his job as the Mayor of Warsaw, not go down a path he simply shouldn't be on, because it's an unhealthy situation for me - stated Piotr Duda in an interview with Michał Adamczyk on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".