Live Feed

10/27/2023

07:28

Friday's Political Agenda: Morawiecki Continues at the EU Summit, Hołownia in Białystok, Senator-Elect Certification Ceremony, Szłapka at the Mobile MP Office

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki continues his participation in the European Council meeting. A doorstep is possible from around 8:30 AM, with the working session starting at 9:30 AM. Following the conclusion of the deliberations, after 3:30 PM, a press conference is possible.

Szymon Hołownia, the leader of Poland 2050, will visit Białystok. As part of this visit, a press conference will be held at 11:00 AM.

At 12:00 PM, a ceremony for presenting certificates of election to senators will take place in the Senate.

At 12:30 PM, Adam Szłapka, the leader of Nowoczesna, will be available at the Mobile MP Office in Poznań. This session will be an opportunity to thank residents for their participation in the elections and the votes cast.


08:20

Karczewski:

I Don't Know What Decision the President Will Make. I Think the Victorious Party, PiS, Will Attempt to Form a Government.

- The President has indicated two candidates he is considering, so he will choose. I think he will choose traditionally, I have such hope, but also such a conviction, that he will ultimately choose Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki – stated Stanisław Karczewski on PR1.

- I will gladly comment on the President's decision afterwards. But at this moment, I don't know what decision the President will make. I think that the victorious party, PiS, will attempt to form a government. Everything is possible, politics today is incredibly dynamic, so everything is possible, including PiS forming a government, even though we are quite short of a majority. But such an attempt should be made – he continued.


08:22

Karczewski on Coalition Talks: Our Members Talk, Discuss, Hold Conversations

- Such contacts with politicians from opposing options, though with PO, I haven't had recently, and I think the PiS leadership also hasn't. However, our members talk, discuss, and hold conversations. It's worth recalling the year 2005, when coalition talks between PO and PiS began. PO wanted to conduct these talks in front of cameras. We didn't agree to that because this type of conversation must take place behind closed doors, and it does, it did, and it will continue to do so – said Stanisław Karczewski in PR1.


08:26

Grabowski:

Glapiński's Tenure is Politicization of the Central Bank, Violation of the Constitution

- Both of these terms, and now it is the second term of President Glapiński, represent one great politicization, I would even say the partisan capture of the central bank. In my opinion, this is a violation of Article 227 § 4 of the Constitution, undertaking public activity that is contrary to the dignity of the office, with extreme political statements such as Tusk being sent by Merkel to introduce the euro here, to transform Poland into a German Land - stated Bogusław Grabowski in TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".


08:42

Dworczyk:

It is the Polish government's task to advocate for at least equal, and preferably preferential, conditions for Polish entrepreneurs in Ukraine
- Of course, it is very important who will direct these streams of international money. Here, it is the task of the Polish government to advocate for Polish entrepreneurs to also have at least equal, and preferably preferential, conditions compared to entrepreneurs from other countries when it comes to investing and operating in Ukraine - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Antoni Trzmiel in the TVP1 program "Political Quarter of an Hour". - We have also taken steps, perhaps as one of the first in Europe, if not the first, to create such an instrument for insuring companies entering Ukraine, which is very important because the risk of doing business in a country where a war is ongoing is simply very high. Therefore, we have introduced appropriate legislative changes, Minister Emilewicz took care of this, and she is also in Kyiv today with Polish entrepreneurs, and I am optimistic, I believe that Polish companies will benefit from the reconstruction of our neighbor - he continued.

08:44

Grabowski:

Forecasted Deficit is 192 Billion. An Absolute Record. The Prime Minister Wrote About It to Brussels

- The Prime Minister, as soon as he opens his eyes in the morning, lies, and only stops when he sleeps, meaning when he closes them. This same Prime Minister, on October 11th this year, a few days ago, sent a so-called fiscal notification to the European Commission. It's 12 pages of tables that EU member state governments must send to the EC with financial data concerning public finances, deficit, and debt. And it states – the predicted deficit of the public finance sector this year is PLN 192 billion with an estimated GDP of PLN 3.4 trillion, which gives a deficit of 5.6% in relation to GDP. That's right, it's an absolute record – stated Bogusław Grabowski on TVN24's "One on One".


08:47

Dworczyk on potential IPN liquidation: I hope this will be one of those unfulfilled promises
- I hope that, like some of the promises made by the political coalition [...], this promise [to liquidate the Institute of National Remembrance - IPN] will not be fulfilled, because I am convinced that many of the promises made during the election campaign will not be realized by Civic Platform and its allies, and I hope that when it comes to the IPN, this will indeed be one of those unfulfilled promises - said Michał Dworczyk on TVP1.

08:48

Gajewska:

The President Repeatedly Said He Was Constantly Learning, But Apparently Hasn't Learned to Count Yet. There is One Majority, and It's on Our Side.
- The democratic opposition garnered over 50% of the support from Polish women and men in these elections. No coalition has ever had such a mandate to take power in the Third Polish Republic before. This should be a clear signal to Mr. President that Poles have made a clear decision and have held these governments accountable. Now is the highest time to focus on very important issues – the budget, EU funds, and the implementation of necessary programs. Instead of engaging in such squabbles, prolonging all of this […], we should get down to work. This is what the people who voted for us expect from us – said Aleksandra Gajewska in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News's "Graffiti". - When I hear the president talking about us having "serious candidates" [for prime minister], I wonder if the president is serious. Within one parliament, where there are 460 MPs, there cannot be two majorities. The democratic opposition and the leaders of these groupings have come forward and unequivocally stated that they are cooperating, want to form a common government, and have chosen Donald Tusk to construct this government – she continued. - On the other hand, information suddenly appears as if PiS, the United Right, also intended to form such a majority. The president has repeatedly said that he is constantly learning, but apparently has not yet learned to count. Within such a number of people, there cannot be two majorities. There is one majority, and this majority is on our side – stated the KO MP.

08:51

Zgorzelski:

On Coalition Matters – I Assure You, We Are Not Meeting with PiS Politicians
- Talks aren't progressing and never have. He's certainly not someone I would know. On coalition matters, I assure you, we are not meeting with PiS politicians, I guarantee it and I vouch for it – stated Piotr Zgorzelski in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program „Gość Radia Zet”. - There was a meeting of the OSP (Volunteer Fire Service) and the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Science regarding the allocation of funds for youth fire brigades. Not under a dumpster, not in secret, but in the Sejm. And it was a good year ago. I can swear, there were no talks with PiS about a coalition. At least not in my presence and with my participation – he added.

08:51

Grabowski:

Ministers Should Be Politicians

- I believe that ministers should be politicians. Politicians engage with citizens, promise them something during the election campaign, and should later implement it and be held accountable after four years - stated Bogusław Grabowski in "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24.


08:57

Zgorzelski:

I was surprised the President expects a coalition agreement from us, but not from PiS

- I was a bit surprised that the President expects a coalition agreement from our side, but not from PiS. Perhaps, Mr. President, it would be good for both sides to show a coalition agreement with the presented majority. Even my grandchildren, who are in kindergarten, know that there can only be one majority, there cannot be two majorities. So if the President has gained knowledge that there are two majorities, as I understood, then one majority is real and the other is unreal - stated Piotr Zgorzelski on the program "Gość Radia Zet".


08:58

Borys:

According to Rating Agencies, the State of Public Finances is Good
- Rating agencies have raised the assessment of the creditworthiness of Polish public finances in the last 6 years to A-. This is like a B+, and what's more, they have a stable outlook [...]. In other words, the patient is healthy, of course tired, could eat better and work a bit on their fitness, but absolutely, according to these assessments, the state of public finances is good - stated Paweł Borys in an interview with Robert Mazurek on the RMF FM program “Morning Conversation”.

09:00

Zgorzelski:

I Will Agree to One Thing to End the Hell for Women, and This Can Be Done by Declaring the Constitutional Tribunal's Ruling Invalid and Developing Good Solutions Based on Compromise

- I will agree to one thing to end the hell for women, and this can be done by declaring the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling invalid and developing good solutions for women based on compromise. Today, when we talk about abortion-related solutions, we must know that at the end is the president, who has formed views - stated Piotr Zgorzelski on the program "Gość Radia Zet".


09:00

Borys:

There's No Money for All These Promised Expenses
- In public finances, there isn't much room to lower taxes or increase additional spending. If the campaign's '100 Concrete Actions' plan involves an expenditure of around 100 billion zlotys, it's simply very difficult to reconcile that now - stated Paweł Borys on RMF FM. - In my opinion, there isn't 100 billion, meaning for all the expenses that have currently been promised, because that would mean the deficit is already growing to a rather dangerous level, so some choices will have to be made - he continued. - This cannot be financed, hence the narrative being created that public finances are in a very bad state, when, as I said, our public finances are a solid 4+ - he added.

09:11

Zgorzelski on the Senior Marshal: I would wish that the criterion included the longest parliamentary tenure, which Minister Sawicki has

- I would wish that the criterion included the longest parliamentary tenure, because Minister Marek Sawicki has the longest parliamentary tenure among all these MPs of this term. This is probable - said Piotr Zgorzelski in the program "Gość Radia Zet".


09:17

Gajewska:

The New Sejm Will Quickly Reveal Who Has the Majority, and the President Will Swiftly Verify Who Spoke the Truth
- It will become very clear very quickly in the Sejm who has the majority. We will be electing the Marshal of the Sejm, and in these votes, it will quickly emerge whose side the majority is on. The President will very swiftly verify who has been telling the truth and who has claimed they have the capacity to form a government - said Aleksandra Gajewska in "Graffiti" on Polsat News. - I think the President will then have every justification before his colleagues to finally say: you have deceived me, you have misled me. I have the right to entrust Donald Tusk – regardless of what I think of him, what my private opinion is about him – with leading this government and its construction - she continued.

11:05

BGK:

European Funds for West Pomerania 2021-2027 – Another Regional Financing Agreement Signed
PARTNER CONTENT

The Regional Government of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship has signed an agreement with Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) concerning financing within the European Funds for West Pomerania 2021-2027 program.

"It can be confidently stated that the West Pomeranian Voivodeship is a pioneer in implementing revolving instruments in Poland – loans on preferential terms, financial guarantees, and capital investments. The beginnings were not easy, but this mechanism has proven itself. Revolving instruments have permanently become part of our economy's landscape and will be available in the 2021-2027 financial perspective as well," – Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
BGK will manage an amount of 183 million euros (approximately 850 million PLN), which will be entirely allocated to revolving instruments. The total budget of the European Funds for West Pomerania 2021-2027 (FEPZ) program is 1.69 billion euros from EU funds, with 1.2 billion euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The agreement was signed on October 20, 2023.
"Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego has many years of experience in managing European Funds – we have been cooperating with the Regional Government of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship since 2009. We are pleased that we have been entrusted once again. Through BGK, 515 million PLN from the RPO West Pomeranian Voivodeship 2014-2020 funds reached West Pomeranian entrepreneurs. Loans supported 1913 companies and enabled the creation of 259 businesses," – Paweł Chorąży, Managing Director of the European Funds Division at BGK.
Preferential Loans – For What Purpose? Preferential loans will support the competitiveness of SMEs. A novelty compared to the programs implemented for West Pomerania in the concluded perspective is the possibility of financing investments related to sustainable development and energy transformation. The goals of the support will include: improving energy efficiency (e.g., in multi-family buildings and public utility buildings), renewable energy sources, and the circular economy. Revolving instruments are an effective way to utilize European Funds, allowing for their reuse and building capital for subsequent development programs. When Will It Be Possible to Apply for a Loan? From the entrusted funds, BGK will establish a Trust Fund and select financing partners through a tender, who will then provide low-interest loans in the region. The bank plans to launch the recruitment for financing partners in December, and the first loans should be disbursed at the turn of the first and second quarters of 2024.

11:07

BGK:

Call for Applications for Loan Repayment Guarantee Limits under the European Funds for Modern Economy Programme
PARTNER CONTENT

Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) announces a call for applications to credit institutions for the establishment of guarantee limits for the portfolio guarantee line of the FENG Guarantee Fund.

Recipients of the invitation: National banks granting loans to enterprises of the following types: micro, small, medium, small mid-caps, and mid-caps. Purpose of application submission: To sign an agreement with BGK enabling BGK to cover loans with guarantees from the FENG Guarantee Fund up to the established portfolio guarantee limit. Establishing a portfolio guarantee limit for a bank will be possible after BGK conducts a qualification procedure confirming the fulfillment of criteria specified for participation in the Programme. Place of application submission: Please send the completed and signed application to the following email address: [email protected] Application deadline: From the date of this announcement **until November 10, 2023**. In the event that funds remain available after considering all applications submitted within the aforementioned deadline, BGK may designate an additional term/terms for applications from interested banks.

11:32

Emilewicz on the Constitutional Tribunal's Ruling on Abortion: The Sphere of Freedom and Intimacy Was Crossed in a Rather Brutal Manner

- What was a huge challenge for me then and in the discussions I participated in after the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling, was whether we would truly protect life permanently and effectively, or whether we would lead to a situation where, due to the protests that took place on the streets at the time – and many of my colleagues, something I have also said many times, participated in these protests – who are by no means proponents of liberalizing abortion rights, but felt touched by the fact that a certain sphere of freedom or a certain sphere of intimacy was crossed in a rather brutal manner - stated Jadwiga Emilewicz on TVN's "Wybory kobiet" podcast.


12:06

Błaszczak:

300,000 Polish Army Soldiers is the Minimum Poland Needs for Security
- The Polish Army currently has 187,000 soldiers. Since the entry into force of the Act on the Defence of the Homeland, almost 50,000 soldiers have completed voluntary basic military service. [...] The current training session, which is ending, with soldiers taking their oath next Saturday, was the largest to date. Over 4,300 soldiers have undergone training - said Mariusz Błaszczak in Warsaw, during a ceremony on the occasion of the Military Recruitment Centers Day. - The Polish Army is growing in strength, it is expanding. [...] 300,000 Polish Army soldiers is the minimum that Poland should have for Poland to be secure. This is our goal and it is achievable, but it requires consistent work - he continued. - We hear voices saying that 150,000 soldiers are enough, that, for example, there should be 30,000 soldiers in the Territorial Defence Forces. Ladies and gentlemen, we already have almost 40,000. What does this mean if those who announce such actions will carry them out? They would reduce the numbers of the TDF. It would be a crime if such actions were taken - emphasized the head of the Ministry of National Defence. - The Polish Army should have at least 300,000 soldiers […]. This can be achieved without reinstating basic military service - he added.

12:27

Hołownia:

Poland Began to Degenerate from its Parliament and Must Start its Repair from There
A great many bad things began to happen not in the government, but in the Sejm; it began with the degeneration within the Sejm, with the trivialization of the dignity of a parliamentarian, a Member of the Sejm, a Senator. As the Sejm began to degenerate, the government, along with it, or a moment later, began to degenerate too. Let us remember that it is the Sejm that appoints the government, it is the appointing, dismissing, and supervising body of the government. From this point, Poland began to degenerate, and from this point, the Polish parliament, Poland must begin to repair itself. We, the Members of the Sejm from Third Way, are determined to carry out this process. We have the third largest club in this Sejm. This is a great joy and a great commitment – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

12:34

Hołownia:

We Are Here to Ensure This Change is Safe and to End the Polish-Polish War

- Today, people often say 'change, change,' and I emphasize that we are here to ensure this change is safe, to end the Polish-Polish war in Poland, to bring about reconciliation, so that we can finally start talking to each other normally. That is why we must heal parliament, that is why this government must be different, not one person's creation or this or that, but a partnership. These are the most important challenges we face today. On this path of healing reality, we must not make the same mistakes our predecessors did – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.


13:01

Hołownia:

The President should receive the coalition agreement and the negotiated government composition from us; we are able to finalize this before the first Sejm session
- I did not take those words from Mr. President as an accusation, absolutely not. I took them as a very clear and readable message that followed after Mr. President, contrary to our, I admit frankly, dark thoughts and suspicions, suggested that it was possible to nominate a single candidate who has a majority in this Sejm for Prime Minister in the first step - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - Mr. President, I understand, in his summary of consultations, set a condition under which this would happen. I can say with full responsibility that during our conversations with Mr. President [...] the President did not articulate such a demand or expectation. This expectation appeared as a result of the consultations, within the framework of this summary that Mr. President delivered, we then learned that Mr. President expects a signed coalition agreement and a negotiated government composition from us, and since that is the case, I take it in good faith and Mr. President should receive this from us, I think we are ready to finalize this before the first Sejm session - he continued.

13:08

Hołownia:

We Support a Partnership-Based Division of Power. One Group Takes Responsibility for the Prime Minister and Government, Another for the Sejm, and a Third for the Senate.
- We are proponents of the thesis that since Poles did not grant any of today's democratic opposition groups a mandate to independently govern the state, this division should be based on partnership. Therefore, one of the groups, the largest one, should take responsibility for the Prime Minister and the government, another for the Sejm, and a third for the Senate. Poles chose a team, they bet on a team, and they want to see this team working together now; we must show it to them - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

13:16

Hołownia on the CBA: It cannot be that someone created a private political police force in Poland under the guise of fighting corruption
- The CBA needs to be thoroughly reviewed following all the reports we've been receiving lately [...]. It cannot be that someone has created a private political police force in Poland under the guise of fighting corruption, a partisan group, a partisan armed wing, it simply cannot be like that. The services will have to be very thoroughly reviewed, because services are there to support the state, not for the tail to wag the dog – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

13:53

Hołownia on Milewski's Words: 'If I were the President, I'd retort to such MPs to stop treating the Head of State that way'
- It's surprising that some MP from Law and Justice is dictating tasks to the Head of State. I think the Head of State, when hearing such things, President Duda smiles wryly. PiS dictates to the President, meaning the President is a party official who can be held accountable and brought before some internal, party tribunal, which will rule whether he did well or badly – that's a disgrace for an MP. I understand they are desperately clinging to the power they will soon have to give up – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - You can see what the atmosphere is like walking around the Sejm in Warsaw. It's a sinking ship, and the captain has to lie to the crew so they don't escape in lifeboats, saying: listen, we'll reach an agreement, we have a majority, we've gone to the market, we'll buy a few MPs, we'll make a deal with this one, we'll do something with that one, just two more weeks, we'll cobble something together, you'll see, because they're afraid that lifeboat will start sailing away right now, full of MPs. That's what this is all about today. All these games they are playing, and MP Milewski's statement is part of this game, are disgusting, do you know why? Because they mean robbing Poles of invaluable time. Poles voted and clearly said who should form the government. There is no doubt about that – he continued. - If I were the President, with the help of, so to speak, the appropriate tools, I would retort to such MPs to stop treating the Head of State that way – he added.

13:54

Hołownia:

The President's Argument Against Shortening Parliament's Term is Unacceptable to Me, as He Acted Differently in Other Circumstances
- The President was much quicker in 2015, when it was necessary to shorten the term of the previous Sejm with a different majority and appoint Beata Szydło's government. The President's argument that he does not want to shorten the term of the Sejm is unacceptable to me, because it turned out that in different circumstances he acted differently, although he has the right to do so – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

13:57

Hołownia:

If Anything Keeps Them in Power, It's Bribery, Fraud, and Nepotism, Not the Will of Poles
- In any normal democracy, this is how it would be, and in any normal democracy, this is how it is. If a successor has been elected, the predecessor refrains from making decisions that bind the successor's hands. They limit themselves to current administration. This is good practice in every democratic country and for every position, whether it's presidential, or a village mayor, a town mayor, or a government. This should be a good standard, but I don't expect good standards from them, because they have shown that they break all standards – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - They are desperately fighting for survival today, they are fighting today so as not to go to prison, they are fighting today, clinging tightly to those litter boxes I spoke of during the debate on TVP, so that no one takes them away from them, they are truly fighting for their lives, for millions of zlotys they have defrauded at will so far. This is a massive scale, and therefore, the scale of political corruption that PiS will propose now in the Sejm will also be enormous - he continued. - If you see some kind of contractual Meys or contractual Kałużas in this Sejm, then as journalists, watch this very carefully, because it will mean that enormous sums of money have gone into this, and enormous, I'll say it quite frankly now, scams that PiS will likely engage in to maintain their majority. I have no doubt how the stance of such a male or female MP would be assessed by their voters, however, Polish democracy has seen various things before. If anything is capable of keeping them in power today, it is not the democratic decision of Polish women and men, but bribery, fraud, and nepotism, and no one in their right mind in the situation Poland is in should want power founded on such attitudes - he added.

14:01

Hołownia:

Tales of PiS Having a Majority Are as True as Saying Morawiecki is the Prima Donna at La Scala
- This is an interesting interpretation of simple conclusions drawn from a discipline called algebra. [...] I would say it's a metaphysical interpretation of algebraic reality. There is one majority, the majority is 248, and it exists. If, however, the President suggests that 194 equals 248, then I and algebra have a different opinion on this matter, or I would even say precisely, arithmetic. Today, there is no majority on the side of Law and Justice. The stories that there is one have as much in common with the truth as if we were to say today that Mateusz Morawiecki is the prima donna at La Scala. Can one say that? Yes. Is it true? No. Therefore, Mateusz Morawiecki today, saying he has a majority, is lying. He is deceiving Poles who made a very clear and legible choice on October 15th – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

14:04

Hołownia:

We'll Be Ready Soon, the President Will Have Everything on the Table
- At my next meeting with him [the President], I hope to have a long conversation about how he understands a majority that is a minority. In a sense, the minority is the majority. I think this could be the start of a long philosophical discussion, and today I'll also state it clearly and simply. A candidate for Prime Minister has been designated; it is in his hands today to smoothly conduct the negotiation process. And the President has clearly stated, he's waiting with coffee, tea, and an open heart for a conversation when we are ready. We will be ready soon; the President will have everything on the table to, on the 13th, after the resignation of Mateusz Morawiecki's Council of Ministers, propose Donald Tusk as his candidate for Prime Minister – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

16:33

Morawiecki After EU Summit: We Are Dealing With Provisions That Show We Have the Right to Deport Illegal Immigrants

- This time, the conclusions also point to what I have emphasized before, namely the unfortunate possibility of terrorist trends being transported to Europe, meaning the appearance of Islamic fighters along with migration waves. However, thanks to our consistent, I can say uncompromising policy and stance, our point of view has been respected here - Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated at a press conference in Brussels.

- Now we are dealing with provisions that show that if an illegal immigrant appears, one that the state does not accept, then we have the right to deport them to their country of origin. This is for the protection of external borders, not for illegal immigration and the associated human trafficking - he continued.


16:37

Morawiecki:

Mandatory Relocation of Illegal Immigrants is Part of the Migration Package. We Stopped It.

- It is absolutely clear here in Brussels that mandatory relocation of illegal immigrants, or paying for not accepting illegal immigrants, is part of the migration package. We put a dam to this, and it also sets the priorities of Poles, who expressed their will in the referendum – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference in Brussels.


16:46

Morawiecki:

Perhaps There Wasn't Full Awareness That Our European Coalition Competitors Often Vote as Germany Wishes

- I want to also warn other parties that have entered parliament, because Mr. Tusk's party voted for this, for this already in the process that is now underway. In a few weeks, we have a vote in the European Parliament, and on December 12th, we have the first vote in the Council of the EU. I want to do this before, because I am convinced that the inhabitants of Polish villages, in their vast majority, but also the towns of Opole, when voting for a given party, are simultaneously voting for a certain program, and it turns out that perhaps there wasn't full awareness that in many cases our main competitors from the European Coalition vote as Germany wishes. It is already visible, everyone in Brussels is talking about it - stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference in Brussels.


16:49

Morawiecki:

Do we want Timmermans, von der Leyen, or anyone else from Brussels to shut down our power plants? Probably not.

- They can order us from Brussels what cars we should drive, turn off internal combustion engine cars, for example, they will tell us, or what we should eat at the end of the day, what taxes we pay, or whether a given power plant should be shut down. Here, I think you know perfectly well that it is really not impossible, because two years ago they tried to shut down our power plant, one of the key power plants. So do we want Mr. Timmermans to shut down our power plants, or Mrs. von der Leyen, or anyone else from Brussels? Probably not – stated Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference in Brussels.


16:59

Morawiecki:

Alleged Progress on KPO Lacks Confirmation from the European Commission

- Ladies and gentlemen, here, this claim of alleged progress on KPO matters is not corroborated by the European Commission. Nothing of the sort has been observed here, so I don't fully understand what basis Mr. Donald Tusk is making such assumptions on. But even if they were correct. Then, in turn, there has been a certain reflection, and I can say confusion or embarrassment, within the EC. Because, if the KPO can now be unblocked without any conditions, only in the event that Mr. Donald Tusk's mission to form a government succeeds. This means that all previous actions taken by the EC towards Poland were a fiction and were pure political blackmail – stated Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.


17:00

Morawiecki:

With Such Great Public Trust, Which We Gained in the Elections, We Have a Duty to Attempt to Form a Government
The process of forming a government is ahead of us. Given the immense public trust with which PiS has been endowed. I will remind you that over 7 million 640 thousand people voted for us. They voted for our program. With such great trust, we not only have the will, we not only have the right as the victorious camp. But we also have a duty to attempt to form a government, if, of course, the President decides to entrust us with this mission of forming a government in the first step – Mateusz Morawiecki said at a press conference.

17:00

Morawiecki:

We Clearly Didn't Win These Elections Alone; Voters Have Clearly Told Us We Must Seek a Coalition Partner

- Do we want Germany, France, Brussels to decide on our taxes. What we should drive. What kind of energy we should have, etc., and so on. These are real questions that all parliamentarians must answer for themselves. Our program. We are the winning party. Our program received the most support among all voters. The core of our program, namely social issues, local Poland. The security of the Polish state, no to illegal immigration, received huge confirmation in the referendum – stated Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

- We clearly didn't win these elections alone, and it is absolutely clear to us that by the same token, voters have told us. Yes, your program is the one that won, but you must come to an agreement with others, so we will try to come to an agreement with other parties – he added.


17:01

Morawiecki:

TVN, Onet, and WP Will Certainly Not Show This, But I'll Say This: There's a Very Good Chance Poland Will Have a Smaller Budget Deficit Than We Assumed in the Amendment
This too, TVN will certainly not show, but I'll say this: there's a very good chance Poland will have a smaller budget deficit than we assumed in the amendment. TVN will certainly not broadcast this either. We assumed 92 billion zlotys in the budget amendment, everything can be checked. They won't show you this. Not on Onet, not on TVN, not on WP. And everything can be checked very well – said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

17:01

Morawiecki:

The '100 Specifics' Program is a Grand Deception; That's Why Tusk Likely Asked TVN to Undermine Our Stable Budget Situation

- For an electoral act not to be a fiction, voters must know what they are voting for. And voters know what they are voting for because electoral programs are presented. If an electoral program turns out to be a grand deception, I think many MPs who represent voters will soon wonder, or are already wondering, if I haven't signed up for some big lie. Such a grand deception, which I can very easily demonstrate. If there are such wishes, I can do so. There is the so-called '100 Specifics' program. This is precisely why, for example, Mr. Tusk today likely asked TVN to try to undermine our stable budget situation. Because they are preparing the ground to say that there is no money and there won't be any. They said so before, and today they are calling on TVN for help: listen, help us do something about this. Because soon, if it turns out that we do get these 231 votes, or more, then voters will start to hold us accountable. Yes. Voters should hold them accountable. Therefore, launch such a big witch hunt that now suddenly there's a lack of money. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no lack of money. All of PiS's promises have been secured in the budget – stated Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.


18:50

Kropiwnicki:

Tusk Will Announce What He Achieved in Brussels Soon

- I think Donald Tusk will announce what he has achieved, what he will implement in the near future. The very reception of Donald Tusk, both at the EPP summit and during meetings with leaders, is truly a good omen, a significant signal that Poland is returning to a pro-European path - stated Robert Kropiwnicki in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program “Gość Radia ZET”.


18:51

Kropiwnicki:

They Shouldn't Entrench Themselves in Another Institution to Extend Their Functioning

- I think this is one of the elements [of extending their power, because the term of office for the head of the Financial Supervision Authority ends in mid-November]. They have been trying to extend this government's functioning for a longer time, and it's unnecessary. They should know that one must also know how to step down. They shouldn't entrench themselves in another institution to extend their functioning. Poles have expressed their opinion on this matter, and it's time to leave. Whether the KNF will be under Morawiecki's people's control or not, actually has less significance, although it is an absolutely important institution - stated Robert Kropiwnicki on the program “Gość Radia ZET”.


18:52

Kropiwnicki:

Sawicki Would Be a Good Candidate for Senior Marshal

- Marek Sawicki, of course, yes. He would be a good candidate [for Senior Marshal]. He is an experienced parliamentarian, he was a minister, he is certainly familiar with procedures - stated Robert Kropiwnicki on Radio ZET.


18:53

Kropiwnicki on the Election of the Senior Marshal: The President's Past Actions Do Not Inspire Optimism That He Will Transfer This Role to Today's Opposition

- We will see what the President says. The [rule on the election of the senior marshal] states that it will be among the oldest. Literally, the oldest is the MP from PSL, so he has that possibility - stated Robert Kropiwnicki on Radio ZET.

- The President's actions so far do not inspire optimism that he will transfer this role to today's opposition or the majority that will be in the Sejm of the 10th term - he added.


18:55

Kropiwnicki on Hołownia's Proposed Division of Posts: It's Not Possible to Divide It This Way, and I Don't Think It's Necessary

- It's not entirely possible to do it in such a way that someone is responsible for the Sejm. This means that even if someone is the Marshal, they are not responsible for the entire Sejm. The Sejm, however, is a large, multi-organ organism. The Marshal is very important, but there are also committee chairs, deputy marshals, and the Sejm Presidium - stated Robert Kropiwnicki on Radio ZET.

- It's not possible to divide it this way, and I don't think it's necessary. The most important thing is good cooperation among all those who take responsibility for the government and the ruling coalition - he added.


18:56

Kropiwnicki:

It will be one of the important decisions to have significantly fewer deputy ministers
- I think so, that it will be one of the important decisions to have significantly fewer deputy ministers, in particular. How many ministries there will be, we are still awaiting decisions on that. Leaders will make such a decision, but I think that many deputy ministers, who were not formally government plenipotentiaries for anything, whose competences overlapped with ministries, simply will not need to be created - stated Robert Kropiwnicki on Radio ZET.

18:57

Kropiwnicki on KPO Payouts: "I Think the First Quarter is Absolutely Realistic"

- I hope that [KPO payouts] will happen very quickly. It also depends on when the government is formed, and we are also appealing to Andrzej Duda about that. [Let's assume mid-December]. I don't think it will be possible to send the application in mid-December, on the 14th. I'll remind you that Mateusz Morawiecki's government didn't even send the payment application, so that's a major roadblock. I believe that preparing the payment application will be one of Donald Tusk's government's priorities - stated Robert Kropiwnicki on Radio ZET.

- I think the first quarter is absolutely realistic - he added.


19:44

Pawlak:

I Want to See a Prime Minister Who Can Capitalize on Victory

- I want to see a prime minister who can capitalize on victory, who can play this situation out. Let's dot the i's and cross the t's; the matters have already been decided. The leaders have agreed that Donald Tusk will be prime minister, they've made that clear. It's worth considering various options, various scenarios in politics – stated Waldemar Pawlak on TVN24's program “Fakty po Faktach”.


19:44

Pawlak:

It's not enough to be an astute observer to notice that Duda was denigrated, disregarded, even humiliated by his political camp

- This will pay off for us politically, because if President Duda had the conviction that he could cooperate with the Civic Coalition, Poland 2050, and the PSL, and the Left, on more productive terms than with PiS. It's not enough to be some astute observer to notice that President Duda was denigrated, disregarded, even humiliated by his political camp. If over these 1.5 years he had a chance to prove his good will for the country, for Europe, then perhaps there would be a chance for him - stated Waldemar Pawlak on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach" program.


19:58

Mastalerek on Milewski's Words: "In my time as PiS Spokesperson, such an MP would have been banned from the media."
- I will try to be as nice, likeable, and cultured as possible towards this statement [by MP Milewski that the task of PiS and the President is to prevent Tusk from becoming Prime Minister], although it won't be easy. Today I am involved with both the President's chancellery and the supervision of the press office, and I wouldn't want to lecture anyone in the Law and Justice party, nor advise them in any way, because that is not my role. However, responding to these words from the Law and Justice MP, I must say that in the times when I was the spokesperson for Law and Justice and was responsible for Law and Justice's media policy in 2015, such an MP would have been banned from the media – said Marcin Mastalerek in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events) on Polsat News. - He did not tell the truth, because President Duda does not treat his honorable function in such a way [...] if they [in PiS] think so, please ask them. I know what President Andrzej Duda thinks, and I know that he will not treat the presidential office in such a way and does not think that way – he continued.

20:10

Mastalerek:

President Assured During Consultations That His Goal Isn't to Attend European Council Summits
- I hope that the scandalous scenes that occurred under Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the previous cohabitation, which ended tragically, will not happen. I believe that Prime Minister Donald Tusk bears full responsibility for what happened then, i.e., between 2007 and 2010, and that it was a consequence of his electoral defeat in 2005 and the trauma he experienced at that time - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Polsat News. - He [President Duda] assured during consultations that his goal is not to attend European Council summits, because it is the government that conducts policy on European matters, but this [competence] law that has been adopted implements the ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal [...] and organizes the relations between the president and the prime minister - he continued.

20:15

Mastalerek:

I tried to warn, I sounded the alarm when elections approached, when there was still time to do something
- I tried to abide by it and I told the truth, I spoke openly [...] when I could, I sounded the alarm when elections approached, when there was still time to do something, I simply tried to say it so that it would be heard [...]. I hoped they would learn from it - said Marcin Mastalerek in Polsat News.

20:24

Mastalerek:

I Don't Think President Duda Wants to Be an Easy Excuse for a Potential Future Coalition
- I don't think President Duda wants to be an easy excuse for a potential future coalition, and today for the opposition, on any matter. However, it's probably no secret that the President had a different opinion on the judiciary and some other issues than the opposition parties – said Marcin Mastalerek on Polsat News. - Of course, he also [sometimes] had a different opinion than PiS, and one needs to look at specific solutions – he continued.