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11/21/2023

00:30

Tuesday's Political Agenda: Sejm on Committee Appointments and Chancellery Changes, Constitutional Tribunal on Ziobro's Motion, Opposition on the "End of the Neo-KRS"

At 9:15 AM in Warsaw, a press conference will be held with the participation of Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz, Robert Kropiwnicki, Tomasz Zimoch, Anna Maria-Żukowska, and Krzysztof Kwiatkowski.

At 10:00 AM, the Sejm's Regulations Committee will convene to provide an opinion to the Sejm Marshal on two motions: the first concerns the dismissal of Agnieszka Kaczmarska from the position of Head of the Sejm Chancellery, and the second concerns the appointment of Jacek Cichocki to this position. According to the regulations, the Marshal appoints and dismisses the Head of the Sejm Chancellery after consulting the Committee on Regulations, Deputies' Affairs, and Immunities.

At 11:00 AM, a hearing of the Constitutional Tribunal is scheduled – at the request of the Prosecutor General – regarding the compliance with the Constitution of EU regulations, based on which the Court of Justice of the EU imposed periodic financial penalties on Poland for ignoring rulings concerning the Turów mine and the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court.

The Sejm will resume its session at 12:00 PM with a voting block, during which the personnel of Sejm committees will be elected, including the Committee on EU Affairs, Parliamentary Ethics Committee, and the Special Services Committee, as well as members of the State Tribunal. The block is scheduled to conclude at 2:30 PM.

At 1:00 PM, President Andrzej Duda, along with his wife Agata Kornhauser–Duda, will participate in the celebrations of the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Railway Protection Guard.

Tuesday also marks the second day of the Finnish President's visit. A meeting with students of the University of Warsaw is scheduled for 9:00 AM.


07:53

Kropiwnicki:

We'll See How Many Committees PiS Gets, But 12 is Too Much. I Think It Will Be 5 or 6

- I think, according to parliamentary tradition, the parliamentary majority, meaning the ruling coalition, also has a majority in all committees and presidiums. This is natural, and PiS must come to terms with it. Also, according to tradition, opposition clubs have representatives in all their presidiums, and I think it will be the same today – stated Robert Kropiwnicki on RMF24.

- We'll see, but 12 [committees] is certainly a significant overreach by the gentlemen from PiS. We, as the largest opposition club, probably had 5 or 6. Chairing 6 committees, and I believe it will be at a similar level – he continued.


07:55

Kropiwnicki:

No Decision Yet on 'Dubious' Judges, Need to Wait for Justice Minister and New Government
This is a discussed idea, it's one of the projects on how to restore the rule of law. There are also ECtHR rulings on this matter. There is a serious concern about the possibility of challenging those rulings in which 'dubious' judges have participated. Somehow, this needs to be stopped. We can wait for their terms to end, we can say that it's not long now, as it's a year and a bit [the term of the 'dubious' judges in the Constitutional Tribunal]. But there is also a line of discussion that it should be done through resolutions. There is no decision yet on this matter, I think we need to wait for the Minister of Justice, for the new government, which will be able to effectively implement these matters – said Robert Kropiwnicki in RMF24.

08:18

Leszczyna on Whether She Will Be a Candidate for Health Minister: 'It All Depends on Prime Minister Tusk'

- Everything depends on Prime Minister Donald Tusk. You're listening in the wrong place. The truth is, we have a government ready, and as soon as Mateusz Morawiecki stops, I don't want to use overly harsh words for what the former prime minister is doing to Poland, to his voters, so when he stops this charade, Prime Minister Tusk will announce the government and then you will see who is the Minister of Health, who is the Minister of Finance. We have a whole government, but there is only one leader - stated Izabela Leszczyna in the program "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.


08:19

Leszczyna:

After 8 Years of PiS, Much Remains to Be Done in Every Area of Life, Including Healthcare

- In every area of life after 8 years of PiS, which has totally neglected public services, there is certainly much to be done, including in healthcare. Certainly, this is a difficult ministry, and it is certainly a priority for us. Certainly, there will be someone who, I don't want to say will cope, that we will all be young, healthy, and rich, but certainly, what should be the goal of the future minister is for us to live longer in better health – stated Izabela Leszczyna on TVN24's "Piasecki's Conversation" program.


08:20

Płażyński:

Offering Us 5 or 6 Committee Chairs is Simply a Breach of Good Practice
- During our government in the previous term, the opposition had 10 or 11 [committee] chairs, and we had the majority. Currently, we are about 30 or 35 MPs short of a majority, and we remain by far the largest club, so offering us 5 or 6 chairs is simply a breach of good practice, a parliamentary custom, which according to parity should provide more chairs for PiS – said Kacper Płażyński in an interview with Grzegorz Kępka on Polsat News' "Graffiti". - This is another ugly move following the elections for the Deputy Speakers of the Sejm and Senate, where the opposition majority, which was supposed to introduce new, better standards in the Polish Sejm, unfortunately, is acting in exactly the opposite way, meaning it is ruining those standards – he continued.

08:28

Leszczyna:

I Don't Know Anyone from Civic Coalition Mateusz Morawiecki Has Spoken With

- I don't know anyone from Civic Coalition that [Mateusz Morawiecki has spoken with]. Perhaps he is talking to our smaller coalition partners. I think this is Mateusz Morawiecki's absolute virtual reality, because what could be funnier than a former Prime Minister saying, 'I haven't done something for 8 years, so now I'll take the programs of those who won and implement them in 3 weeks' – stated Izabela Leszczyna in the program 'Rozmowa Piaseckiego' on TVN24.


08:28

Müller Gives Deadline for Government Appointment:

We Will Communicate as a Package.

- He is currently acting as interim until the appointment of the next government, which will be Friday or Monday, as those will likely be the days. We will communicate everything as a package. I have been instructed by the Prime Minister that until the entire composition of the government is officially communicated, I am not to comment on what it will look like - stated Piotr Müller in an interview with Krzysztof Ziemiec on TVP1’s “Political Quarter Hour”.

- In fact, the majority of the government’s composition is already arranged and it will simply be communicated in its entirety - the government spokesperson continued.


08:32

Leszczyna:

Morawiecki Wants to Cement the KNF

- Morawiecki is not the Prime Minister, he is only acting Prime Minister. This means that if something dramatic happens and crisis management needs to be introduced to save human lives, he can make decisions, and no one else should. Morawiecki wants to cement the KNF - stated Izabela Leszczyna on the TVN24 program "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".


08:32

Müller:

At least half new ministers. This will not be an extension of the current makeup

- I can only tell you that it certainly will not be a makeup identical to the current Council of Ministers, and it will be significantly changed. I don't know, let's say half, I think, at least, will be new ministers. Therefore, it will not simply be an extension of the current government makeup, but the presentation of a new Council of Ministers - stated Piotr Müller in TVP1's "Political Quarter of an Hour".


08:33

Płażyński:

Current actions remind me of an attempt to make us a licensed opposition
- God willing, they will fix their mistake [the Senate majority regarding the election of Marek Pęk as Deputy Speaker]. However, generally, an attempt to dictate to the largest opposition club who you can appoint to positions has nothing to do with democracy and the choice of Poles. These are broken standards – said Kacper Płażyński in “Graffiti” on Polsat News. - I don't remember the PRL era, but in the PRL, they also tried to ensure that any movements against the rulers were licensed, if any could be legal. This somewhat reminds me of an attempt to make us a licensed opposition, simply taking away our right to choose how we want to function in the Polish parliament – he stated.

08:35

Czarnek:

I Will Definitely Be Against State Budget Funding for IVF
- Financial resources for IVF can be allocated much more effectively to treat infertility, while IVF in Poland is legal, and if someone wants to use it, please do so. The parental bonus still needs to be clarified; I would like to hear from the Prime Minister exactly what these financial resources would be allocated for, and then we will consider it. However, I will definitely be against state budget funding for IVF - said Przemysław Czarnek in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Radia ZET". - Today, we have enormous problems, for example, with financing the stay of the elderly in social welfare homes, with the care of people who are bedridden on the fourth or third floor of high-rise buildings. Money needs to be spent on this - he continued.

08:42

Czarnek:

Kosiniak-Kamysz is Deeply Mistaken; We Restored Happiness to Polish Families When He Finished Governing
- Mr. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is deeply mistaken here [suggesting that PiS took away happiness from Polish families by not financing in vitro]. In fact, we restored happiness to Polish families when he finished governing in 2015, and when we introduced 500+ for everyone, and now it will be 800+, in all families across Poland - said Przemysław Czarnek on Radio ZET.

08:43

Płażyński:

I Have Mixed Feelings About IVF Reimbursement
- I have mixed feelings about [IVF reimbursement]. I know that a citizen's bill on this matter was submitted, I think only yesterday. I haven't seen the bill, so I can't comment on it. I also know that one of Prime Minister Morawiecki's ideas within the framework of the "Decalogue of Polish Affairs" is to support Poles trying to have children. [...] As I understand it, a contribution within this idea would also be possible for use in the IVF procedure - said Kacper Płażyński in "Graffiti" on Polsat News. - We need to note that the IVF procedure is very costly, but the demographics are declining significantly and indeed, perhaps we need to start considering returning to this idea, because every life, every child in Poland is a gift and we should rejoice in it - he continued.

08:48

Płażyński:

Morawiecki Probably Won't Succeed in Forming a Government, But Never Say Never in Politics
- A government is being built. If Prime Minister Morawiecki doesn't succeed – he probably won't, but in politics, never say never – then it will likely be Donald Tusk's government, chosen by the parliamentary majority. This is a normal constitutional procedure - said Kacper Płażyński on Polsat News's "Graffiti" program.

08:51

Czarnek:

I did not receive an invitation from the Prime Minister to his new government. Chances of him gaining a vote of confidence in this Sejm are 10%
- No, I did not receive [an invitation from Mateusz Morawiecki to his new government]. If the Prime Minister believes that I should continue my mission, then I will continue it - Przemysław Czarnek said on Radio ZET. - I said that [Morawiecki] would form a government 100%, but gaining a vote of confidence in this Sejm will be extremely difficult. Let's say there is a 10% [chance] - he continued.

08:57

Czarnek:

Another Scandal in Today's Sejm Session Over Insufficient Committee Chairmanship Offers
- There will certainly be another scandal in today's Sejm session because the largest parliamentary grouping was offered by the parliamentary majority, consisting of over a dozen groupings, chairmanship of only five Sejm committees, two of which are medium-sized and three are small, with no large ones. I would remind you that when we began our term four years ago [...] the opposition received 14 committees [...] this is an anti-democratic scandal [...]. According to Sejm arithmetic and the balance of power in the Sejm, we should be chairing 12 [committees] - said Przemysław Czarnek on Radio ZET.

08:58

Płażyński:

We Achieved a Great Result, But Lost the Election. Too Much Arrogance, Not Enough Humility, Some Started to Float Away
- I think we achieved a great result, but we lost the election. That also needs to be said clearly - said Kacper Płażyński in Polsat News' "Graffiti". - Despite all the catastrophes that have befallen our part of Europe, 7.6 million people voted for us. You can't say this is a huge defeat - he added. - I believe that to a large extent, the reason we lost was precisely this wear and tear of power. Too much arrogance, not enough humility. Simply put: after eight years, I think every nation - including Poles - expects politicians to show more humility and simply not start to float away, and some did start to float away. I think it wasn't some grand geopolitics, not some key strategic moves, but rather these small things that caused us to miss out by those 2-3% - he assessed.

09:02

Czarnek on Support for the KO, TD, and Lewica Candidate for Children's Rights Ombudsman: I Need to Consider It
- I don't know [if I will vote for the candidate from KO, Third Way, and Lewica for the Children's Rights Ombudsman], I need to consider this candidacy, get to know this candidacy, and only then will I make appropriate decisions - said Przemysław Czarnek on Radio ZET. - Certainly yes [PiS will also put forward its candidate for this position]. I don't know [who it will be] - he continued.

09:05

Hennig-Kloska:

I Have No Major Objections to Deputy Speaker Pęk's Work
- I don't know the reason why the senators did not elect Mr. Marek Pęk [as deputy speaker]. That is a decision for the Senate. Just as the Senate should not interfere in personnel matters in the Sejm, I believe the Sejm should not be calling the shots on personnel for the Senate. For me, Senator Pęk has not committed any transgressions that would lead me not to vote for Madam Speaker Witek. I personally did not vote for her because I believe that as Sejm Marshal, she broke regulations, violated the rules, and limited the rights of the minority in the Sejm. I do not want someone like that to represent our chamber externally, nor to be responsible for its internal work - stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska in an interview with Robert Mazurek on the program "Morning Conversation" on RMF FM. - I have no major objections to Marshal Pęk's work, personally, but perhaps there is something I am unaware of - she added.

09:10

Hennig-Kloska on Parliamentary Committees: Parity Will Be Considered in Roughly Similar Proportions as PiS Did When It Governed the Sejm
- It will likely be around that number [approx. 10 committees for PiS and Confederation], I don't remember the exact final decisions, but they will have their [...]. They will have their representation, they will have chairmanships in these committees, vice-chairmanships, and this parity will be considered in roughly similar proportions as PiS did when it governed the Sejm, stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska on RMF FM.

09:13

Hennig-Kloska:

Until We Have a Depoliticized Prosecutor's Office, We Must Appoint an Investigative Committee
- I believe that until we have a depoliticized prosecutor's office – and we don't have one, because the number of complaints and appeals regarding pressure within the prosecutor's office that I've been receiving recently is terrifying – we must appoint an investigative committee, one should be established in the Sejm – stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska on RMF FM. - We certainly need to address the accounting for the Lotos and Orlen merger, we know well, essentially the parcelling out of Lotos and the sale of part of its assets. We should definitely, very recently, look into the financing of the United Right's election campaign, the involvement of the state apparatus on an unprecedented scale, and I would certainly point to the accounting from the COVID era in the Ministry of Health, which outraged public opinion and for which the government has never accounted – she continued. - Whether it will be one committee, a "Law and Justice" committee, or separate committees, time will tell. Certainly, one of the first should be formed soon – she added.

10:09

Gasiuk-Pihowicz:

Today Marks the Beginning of the End for the Neo-KRS. We Call on 15 Illegal Members to Resign
- We are here today outside the headquarters of the neo-KRS. For the last 8 years, this institution has poisoned the Polish justice system with neo-judges, led to a massive conflict with the European Union, and the loss of billions in EU funds. It has also exposed the Polish budget to enormous penalties in the form of compensation - stated Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz at a press conference. - Today marks the first session with our participation. [...] We are legally elected representatives of the Sejm and the Senate, in accordance with Article 187 of the Constitution. Let me remind you - the Sejm has the right to elect 4 of its representatives and not a single one more. Therefore, these 15 individuals illegally elected by the Sejm are present here in violation of the Polish Constitution - she continued. - Through the amendment to the act of December 2017, PiS broke all constitutional rules in Poland - the principle of separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, and judicial impartiality. Consequently, the rights of Polish citizens, enshrined not only in the Constitution but also in the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, have been violated. All these violations have been confirmed in a series of rulings by both European tribunals and Polish courts - the KO MP added. - From this very spot, we call upon these 15 illegal members to resign. The term of office of these fifteen is not protected by the Constitution in any way, as they were elected in violation of it. We call on the entire Council to cease its activities aimed at conducting competitions for judicial positions. We call on the candidates to withdraw their candidacies. [...] The selection of these individuals will be legally flawed - she emphasized. - Today, in this building, we will be raising awareness and issuing calls, but soon: resolutions, laws, concrete actions by the Minister of Justice. The days of the neo-KRS are numbered. Today marks the beginning of the end for the neo-KRS - she concluded.

10:17

Hołownia:

Bringing weapons onto Sejm premises by private companies is unacceptable by the standards of this chamber
When this happens [change of the Head of the Chancellery of the Sejm], we will very quickly commission an audit, formally, together with the commander of the Marshal's Guard, of this situation. My assessment is known to you – I believe that the Marshal's Guard and the Government Protection Bureau, in the case of individuals entitled to protection, are absolutely competent and sufficient units to ensure the safety of all of us on Sejm premises. Bringing weapons onto Sejm premises by private companies, I consider to be something that does not fit within the standards that should prevail in this building, in this chamber, and this problem will be resolved by us – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm.

10:17

Hołownia on Government Talks: "They are ongoing, Tusk is the gatekeeper of information"
“These talks are ongoing. We agreed that Prime Minister Donald Tusk is the gatekeeper of knowledge on this matter. He should and has the right to provide information on this issue, because it will be his government, and we will certainly participate in it, support it, but he should have the first word on this matter,” Szymon Hołownia stated at a press conference in the Sejm. “Very, very competent and great politicians from Poland 2050 will enter this government. We are counting on several ministries, several areas of responsibility. We are also aware of the mess we dealt with regarding the shifting of departments and areas of responsibility in Mateusz Morawiecki’s government, but we will cope with it,” he continued.

10:17

Hołownia:

I've Unfrozen All Citizen-Initiated Bills
- Today in the Sejm, we will address something very important from the perspective of the legislative process; we will establish Sejm committees. [...] The second matter on our agenda today is the election of members to the Tribunal of State, while tomorrow at 11 AM, we would like to proceed with the first reading of the citizen-initiated bill concerning in vitro - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - We will likely convene the next Sejm session for next Tuesday [...] I would like us to elect the Children's Ombudsman next Tuesday, to elect a member of the state commission for pedophilia. At this subsequent session, we may also be ready with other matters, such as electing members to the National Electoral Commission, and considering some initial draft resolutions that are submitted - he continued. - I have unfrozen all citizen-initiated bills [...], there are 10 of them. In this term, we will not freeze any citizen-initiated bill. Consequently, I have assigned a print number to each of them, and they will be considered within six months - he further stated.

10:22

Hołownia:

I Assure the Prime Minister That After His Status Clarifies, We Will Meet. I Will Ask Him Many Questions
- When I think of Prime Minister Morawiecki, it reminds me of Schrödinger's cat phenomenon [...]. It was a cat that was simultaneously in the box and also outside the box. And I have the impression, when I listen to, read, and watch the Prime Minister, when I see what comes to the Marshal's desk from his side, that we are dealing with Prime Minister Schrödinger, who on one hand is the Prime Minister, but on the other hand, is not the Prime Minister - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - Prime Minister Morawiecki announced that if I invite him, he will gladly meet with me to discuss the projects that are arriving. I want to assure the Prime Minister that such a meeting will take place, immediately after his status clarifies, because at the moment, as I understand it, he is on one hand the dismissed Prime Minister of a government that has been entrusted with duties, but is only administering, and on the other hand, he is also a person who has not yet formed a new government. When this new government is formed by him and sworn in by the President, I will immediately meet with such an sanctioned Prime Minister to ask him many questions regarding what is currently flowing into the Sejm - he continued. - Among other things, a bill related to the budget has arrived from the government. I will ask the Prime Minister why the budget has not been submitted. [...] Parliamentary analyses clearly indicate that the budget submitted by Mr. Morawiecki's government in September has been discontinued, meaning that immediately after the new Sejm was formed, this budget should have been submitted once again. We did not receive a budget, we received a supplementary bill. Yesterday evening, another proposal, five minutes before the Sejm Presidium, we received an insertion [...] regarding zero VAT on food. This will be my next question for the Prime Minister: why, if the MPs of his party are submitting an amendment on the necessity of introducing or extending zero VAT on food [...] then why did the Prime Minister not include zero VAT on food in the budget that he submitted to the Sejm? - he went on to say. - Now something is being postulated that, as I understand it, contradicts the Prime Minister's will, which he expressed when writing the budget. So, is it the case that his political grouping is doing something against the Prime Minister's will? However, if the Prime Minister today, after reflection, acknowledges that this mistake needs to be corrected and VAT on food extended, he himself admitted today in an interview that he can do it by decree. I understand, therefore, that in this way he will secure zero VAT on food for Poles, and we will deal with the bill [...] in a normal, honest, and reliable manner [...]. Among these bills, there is also the bill on loan holidays, this bill has been sent by me for analysis [...] we are of course taking this project seriously. [...] The bill on shopping Sundays, meaning, in reality, about free 24th December [...] we will process this bill. [...] A draft resolution calling on the government to de facto block work on the amendments to the European Union treaties. This project is very serious, because it wants to impose obligations on the Polish government and Polish MEPs by way of a resolution. We will send this project to the European Commission - he added.

10:23

Hołownia:

No Freezer, But No Last-Minute Additions Either
- There is no freezer, but there are also no last-minute additions. There is no such thing as something being thrown in in the evening and read in three readings the next day at a session. Those times are gone and will not return – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

10:24

Żukowska:

We Will Implement Changes to the National Council of the Judiciary in Accordance with the Law. We Will Restore Rule of Law with Legislation.
- We are often asked how we will implement these changes [to the KRS]. We will, of course, implement these changes in accordance with the law, because that is why we ran in these elections – to restore the rule of law, not to deepen legal chaos. The Left will certainly not allow two thousand already appointed neo-judges to suddenly disappear from the system one day. However, a verification of the method and procedure of their selection by the neo-KRS and subsequent appointment by the President must be carried out – said Anna Maria Żukowska at a press conference. - We will restore this rule of law through legislation, because at the moment we have one law on the procedure for electing members of the KRS, and it is a PiS-era law. We want to select this body in a legal manner, which is why we will amend this KRS law. Whether there will also be a resolution stating the factual situation, consisting of the fact that [...] individuals sitting in this building, in the body called the neo-KRS, were elected in the judicial part in a manner inconsistent with the Polish Constitution – this is simply a factual situation, and the Sejm can make a decision to solemnly confirm it – she continued.

11:43

Orlen:

Acquiring More Deposits on the Norwegian Continental Shelf Means Greater Independence and Optimal Utilization of the Baltic Pipe's Capabilities

12:54

PKO BP Analysts: Average Wage in the Enterprise Sector Grew Stronger Than Expected in October
The average wage in the enterprise sector rose by 12.8% year-on-year in October, stronger than expected (consensus: 11.7% year-on-year, PKOe: 11.5% year-on-year). In our opinion, the wage dynamics may have been boosted by earlier Christmas bonus payments, particularly in mining (a wage increase of 30.9% month-on-month and 61.2% year-on-year). Labor demand remains limited, with employment being slightly lower than a year ago (-0.1% year-on-year), and a decrease of nearly 2,000 month-on-month is a weak result against the seasonal pattern, according to PKO BP analysts.

13:00

Szynkowski vel Sęk: EU Treaty Changes Affect Numerous Areas, Shifting Member State Competencies to the EU Level
- The Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament has adopted a package of changes. There are very many proposed changes. Tomorrow at 12 o'clock, these proposals will be subject to a vote by the entire Chamber of the European Parliament. That is precisely why the Law and Justice (PiS) parliamentary club proposed that the High Chamber, the Sejm, should also express its opinion on this matter today, because this issue is very important. The Council of Ministers has already spoken on this matter, adopting a resolution at today's session, in which it critically refers to the changes proposed and being processed in the European Parliament – stated Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk at a Sejm session. - These changes transfer national competencies, competencies of member states, to the EU level in a range of areas – he added. - Further issues, foreign policy, defense policy – these are all competencies moving into the sphere of shared competencies [of the EU]. Health is also moving into the sphere of shared competencies. What shared competencies mean is that these are competencies that can be exercised either by the Union or by the member states, but if the Union exercises this scope of competence even once, member states no longer have access to that area occupied by the Union's exercise of these competencies – he continued.

13:05

Szynkowski vel Sęk: I Appeal for the Entire Political Class to Take Responsibility for the Matter of EU Treaty Changes. This is a Question of Our Sovereignty and Future
- A decision can still be made today, expressing the common voice of the entire chamber on this matter. I appeal for the responsibility for this fundamental issue [changes to EU treaties] to be taken by the entire political class, at the start of a new term of the Sejm, a term of the Sejm that represents all compatriots who so overwhelmingly cast their votes for all parties, their representatives. This is a matter of Polish sovereignty, our statehood, our future – said Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk at a Sejm session.

13:11

Suski:

This is simply censorship; in the People's Republic of Poland, there was preventive censorship, now the People's Republic of Poland is returning

- I would like to remind you that during the convention meeting, I learned that PiS will have one seat on the services committee, although based on parity, we are entitled to 3 seats there. 2.8, which rounds up to 3 seats. I asked at the convention that in view of the proposal of one seat for us, a vacancy be left, but of course, Mr. Marshal did not agree, stating that the procedure was already closed. And now we have learned that after the procedure was closed, the PSL club submitted a series of changes, meaning such a possibility existed, but there was no good will – stated Marek Suski in the Sejm.

- I wanted to say that the services committee is extremely important, and depriving us of parity, just as in other matters, soon we will be talking about the Tribunal of State, where in that case, you are also stealing from us, quite simply, what is due to us by parity. This is political theft, and I express my objection to the election of the services committee in this composition. Thank you, Mr. Marshal, and I would like to draw your attention to the fact that you are permanently violating the regulations. Even this resolution, which we just adopted in the regulatory committee, does not prohibit MPs who are ministers from speaking, and you alone want to grant yourself the right to judge whether a minister will speak on topic or not before they speak. This is simply censorship; in the People's Republic of Poland, there was preventive censorship, now the People's Republic of Poland is returning – he continued.


13:14

Hołownia to Suski: You're arguing with something that doesn't exist

- You are arguing with something that doesn't exist. Because clearly and explicitly in the resolution, and I'm referring now to the resolution of the Sejm presidium, which MP Suski commented on, no one in this chamber has ever, of which I am proof and a living example, forbidden members of the Council of Ministers from speaking - stated Szymon Hołownia in the Sejm, responding to Marek Suski's words.


13:17

Budka:

Ziobro Will Face an Independent Prosecutor

- Ziobro will face an independent prosecutor because the material gathered by the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) controllers indicates that a crime may have been committed within the Ministry of Justice concerning the expenditure of funds from the Justice Fund, and regarding the oversight of these expenditures. However, it will be prosecutors, and then an independent court, who will decide whether a crime has been committed. Everything indicates that the evidence gathered by NIK controllers is so staggering and so strong that one can venture the thesis that there will certainly be criminal liability for the expenditure of funds from the Justice Fund. Who, and in what manner, will be decided by law enforcement agencies, not politicians - stated Borys Budka in the Sejm.


13:30

Błaszczak:

They are paving the way for us to stop being masters in our own country
- Speaker Hołownia fled from responsibility and did not submit for a vote a resolution regarding the halt of changes in EU treaties that limit our sovereignty. They are paving the way for us to stop being masters in our own country. You will not manage to convince Poles that nothing is happening - wrote Mariusz Błaszczak on Twitter.

13:31

Tusk to Journalists: You Can Probably Expect Much Bloodier Scenes in the Sejm from the Losing Party

- I didn't expect anything good from PiS, and you can probably expect much bloodier scenes in the Sejm from the losing party. [Szymon Hołownia is doing a great job] - Donald Tusk told journalists in the Sejm.


13:37

Zalewski:

PiS Has Made the EU Its Enemy, Entirely Against Our Nation's Interests
PiS has made the European Union its enemy, entirely against our nation's interests. Because Poland's sovereignty can be strengthened and developed through its presence in the European Union, and it is no coincidence, ladies and gentlemen, that today thousands of Ukrainians are dying for the possibility of membership in the European Union. Something that you have turned into an object of hatred in Polish politics. The European Union is also a symbol of your incompetence, because you have been unable to resolve any important Polish interest within it. However, this resolution, this project, but more importantly, this proposal from the constitutional committee, which will be voted on in the European Parliament tomorrow, is very far-reaching and very important. In this chamber, there are its proponents and opponents – stated Paweł Zalewski in the Sejm. I must say that what you are proposing today, to turn a serious discussion about Poland's stance towards the constitutional committee and perhaps the European Parliament into a farce, is because you have forgotten what a normal procedure in this chamber should look like. The European Commission is responsible for considering such resolutions – he added. I move for a vote against this proposal and move for the proceedings to be changed in such a way as to proceed directly to voting – he continued.

14:21

Sawicki to Jabłoński and Morawiecki: Explain to Polish Society Why You Agreed to EU Financial Federalization Without Treaty Changes

- A counter-motion and an appeal to Minister Jabłoński and Prime Minister Morawiecki. Explain to Polish society why you agreed to the financial federalization of the European Union without changing the European treaties. We have common taxes with the Prime Minister's consent. We have common loans and credits, and debt mutualization, with the Prime Minister's consent. We have a provision for the disbursement of funds based on the principles of undefined rule of law. Prime Minister Morawiecki agreed to all of this, so stop this hypocrisy and let us proceed normally in this Sejm - stated Marek Sawicki in the Sejm.


14:51

Hołownia:

Current Government Members Abuse Sejm Standing Orders Article 186. It's Not Meant to Turn the Sejm Podium into a Place for Ministers to Speak Until Morning.
- Mr. Marek Suski is engaging in a substantive dispute with me this morning regarding the interpretation of Article 186 of the Sejm Standing Orders. Fortunately, the Standing Orders Committee has already issued its opinion on this matter, and the Sejm Presidium will adopt this interpretation, and from tomorrow, everything will be resolved regarding the doubts that Marek Suski is raising - Szymon Hołownia told journalists. - In my assessment, Article 186 is being abused by members of the current Council of Ministers. This article is intended to ensure the smooth procedure of matters in the Sejm, not to turn the Sejm podium into a place where, as Minister Szczucki put it at the previous session, they can speak until morning if they wish. This matter needs to be put in order, and we will put it in order - he continued. - Members from the hall have already added that Mr. Marek Suski, out of habit, enters the Sejm podium without any procedure. I always welcome Mr. Marek Suski's presence with the greatest joy because he is a great erudite, a man of many talents, and I always enjoy crossing rhetorical swords with him, however, I am responsible for maintaining order in this chamber [...] One can pleasantly observe the right side of the Sejm hall, which is suddenly being treated completely differently than how it treated the opposition during its time of dominance in this hall. [...] I believe that everyone in this chamber has the right, in accordance with a certain order, to speak and present their position. Why should I deny it to politicians of Law and Justice? Solely because they denied the voice to the then-opposition during their term? That is too trivial a reason - he went on to say.

15:01

Tusk:

All Signs Point Unequivocally to Morawiecki's Inability to Form a Parliamentary Majority

- I will immediately inform you upfront - I will not tell you anything new on this matter. We are constantly seeing the consequences of President Duda's decision to entrust Mr. Morawiecki with the mission of forming a government. All signs in the sky and on earth unequivocally indicate that Mateusz Morawiecki has no possibility of completing a majority in parliament - stated Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Sejm.


15:11

Tusk Announces Inquiry Commissions:

Possibly as early as next Tuesday.

- We will also submit the first draft resolutions to establish parliamentary inquiry commissions. I announced during the campaign that we want to mend Poland after the PiS government in four steps, and that the first step could be accountability. The second step is to provide redress for wrongs, and that's why we want to use the time before the government is formed to prepare for settling accounts for the bad things that are still happening - stated Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Sejm.

- I hope that submitting the motions to establish inquiry commissions will perhaps sober up, at least some PiS politicians, and will also be a great warning sign: don't do it, because judgment and punishment will come anyway, and very soon - he continued.

- Most likely, I've had preliminary talks with the Marshal, and of course it will primarily be his decision regarding the timing and order, but it's possible that a parliamentary inquiry commission into the so-called envelope elections will be established as early as next Tuesday - the future Prime Minister emphasized.

- I am convinced that two more inquiry commissions will begin their work by the end of the year - investigating the so-called visa scandal - he added. - The third inquiry commission, for which we will also submit a draft resolution to establish it, is a commission to clarify matters concerning, let's call it conventionally, Pegasus - he noted.


15:17

Spouses of those in Power Must Disclose Assets – Tusk Announces Draft Law

- We have also prepared a draft law that, I think, hit a wall here once and caused some panic or unease in some parliamentary hearts and souls. It probably gained the common name "Clean Hands." I don't like overly pompous terms, but this name probably describes the project quite well. It concerns the obligation for broadly defined individuals in power to disclose the assets of their spouses. This is a broadly defined category. Of course, this includes prime ministers, ministers, female and male MPs, female and male senators, as well as executive authorities in local government – stated Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Sejm.


15:19

Tusk:

We Will Sort Out the Commission Formerly Known as 'Lex Tusk'

- We will sort out the commission formerly known as 'Lex Tusk'. We will dismiss the members of this commission on Tuesday, during the next part of the Sejm's first sitting, and then we will consider the future of this commission - stated Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Sejm.

- Why are we not liquidating the commission? Because that would require a law, and I fear, and suspect you share my opinion, that in several matters, including this one, we cannot really count on the President's zealous and sympathetic cooperation - he continued.


15:24

Tusk Announces Legislative Projects on Legal Abortion and "Morning-After" Pill

- Also in this folder are legislative projects that we will submit, and which concern the everyday problems of Polish families, Polish women, and Polish men – legal abortion up to 12 weeks, and the "morning-after" pill – stated Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Sejm.


15:28

Tusk Announces Adjustments to 100 Commitments and Suggests Timeline for New Government Formation

- We will strive to implement, as we promised, all 100 [commitments] within 100 days. As you have noticed, adjustments will be necessary, because we are seeking common initiatives with the entire future governing coalition. However, after these talks, I can only confirm that this future government, hopefully in exactly 3 weeks, as the President promised, after the completion of Mr. Morawiecki's mission, i.e., December 11-12, we will be able to officially operate as a government - stated Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Sejm.


15:46

Hołownia Appoints New Head of the Chancellery of the Sejm

Jacek Cichocki – following today's session of the Sejm's Rules and Administration Committee – has officially taken up the position of Head of the Chancellery of the Sejm.


15:47

Tusk:

Currently, we have enough votes to bring the NBP President before the State Tribunal
Regarding the State Tribunal, we lacked a few votes for me to responsibly say today that we will make a decision for them to stand before the State Tribunal; I am talking about the number of seats in the Sejm. If MPs from PiS, in line with the name of this grouping, wanted to at least partially join the motions for the State Tribunal for ministers or former ministers, there would be enough votes for the State Tribunal. Currently, we have enough votes to bring the President of the NBP before the State Tribunal. We are analyzing these issues because we want to use this very serious tool for disciplining and holding politicians and high-ranking officials politically, and sometimes consequently criminally, accountable in a responsible manner – stated Donald Tusk at a press conference. Please expect that in the first days of the new government’s term, I said that much indicates that in exactly three weeks, this work should commence – he added.

16:00

Tusk:

I Learned the Final Shape of My Government as Prime Minister from the Media. The Journalistic Work Was Close to Perfection
There is no exaggeration in saying that I learned the final shape of my government as prime minister from the media. At first, I laughed, thinking they knew more than I did, but after a few hours, I realized that your knowledge was indeed incredibly precise, even though I had behaved radically discreetly towards you. Truly, recognition, respect. The journalistic work in this case was close to perfection - stated Donald Tusk at a press conference. I don't want to offend my coalition partners with this, I don't want to jump the gun, because this must be a very cohesive team. I don't want to use football analogies, but it makes a better impression than our national team has in recent matches. I consider the issues of health and education to be settled - he added.

16:03

Tusk on PiS's EU Resolution: I Don't Believe in Their Pure Intentions, They Rarely Have Them, But Regarding Europe, There's Definitely No Question of It
- None of us will be fooled into any decisions, maneuvers, or processes that would limit Polish independence, sovereignty, and Polish interests. That is out of the question entirely, and please be absolutely calm. However, what I am convinced of is that we will be a thousand times more effective. Because, in reality, the discussion about whether treaties will be changed and whether the Union will become a superpower, that is, you know, a bit of political babbling – stated Donald Tusk in the Sejm. - I don't believe in their [PiS's] pure intentions; they rarely have pure intentions in any matter, but regarding Europe, there's definitely no question of it. So they want to play on sentiment and resentment simultaneously with the thesis that the EU is a threat to Polish sovereignty – he added.

16:04

Tusk on impeaching Duda: 'If we win the elections in 4 years with a constitutional majority, perhaps that will happen'

- It's not once, not twice, not ten times, and even during the time I was temporarily outside of Polish politics, in exile, one could probably get a doctorate, and many a historian and many a lawyer will get doctorates on these cases where President Duda bypassed or outright violated the provisions of the constitution - stated Donald Tusk at a press conference.

- I am not changing my mind. President Andrzej Duda's term, especially concerning the rule of law, the judiciary, but also recently I could mention other matters, perhaps less emotionally charged, but which are also outside of the constitution, at best, some legislative proposals of the president. So I am not changing my mind here. But speculating in a situation where such a gigantic majority in parliament is needed to bring the president before the State Tribunal. I don't have time to debate whether I would want to bring someone before the State Tribunal when I don't have that possibility - he continued.

- If we win the elections in 4 years in such a way that enables us to achieve a constitutional majority and utilize all parliamentary tools, then perhaps that will happen, but for now, in this term, there is nothing to discuss - he added.


16:16

Tusk to Kłeczek: We've Had Enough of You, Mr. Editor
- You know, I'm already getting on in years. I've been in politics for a hundred years, and I'm still, you know, I'm still surprised when I hear officials from PiS television and their way of asking questions. Even their behaviour at press conferences. I still can't believe that something like this has happened to public media – Donald Tusk said in the Sejm.

- Please take your hand out [of your pocket] when you're talking to me. And please step away from the microphone. We've had enough of you, Mr. Editor – he added.

18:31

Śmiszek:

What Prime Minister Tusk is saying is extremely important, as it marks the beginning of fulfilling our election promises.

- What Prime Minister Tusk is saying is extremely important, as it marks the beginning of fulfilling our election promises. PiS must be held accountable, PiS must be aware that when you take power, you must be responsible for the actions taken in the name of the government or the parliamentary majority. There are many such actions - stated Krzysztof Śmiszek during the "Afternoon Conversation" on RMF FM.


18:35

Śmiszek:

I'd very much like to see Ziobro before the inquiry commission, who didn't side with victims of crimes
I'd very much like to see Minister Ziobro before the inquiry commission, who says, 'Yes, I consciously withdrew indictments against nationalists or fascists, and I did not side with victims of crimes.' I would dream of seeing the justification for those decisions – stated Krzysztof Śmiszek in the "Afternoon Conversation" on RMF FM.

18:46

Śmiszek:

I Encourage My Colleagues from the Together Party to Reconsider Their Decision Not to Join the Government

- Nowa Lewica is in the government, we have a parliamentary club with Together, the Together party supports the government, but does not send its representatives to the government. And one must be in government to be able to fight for their 8% or programmatic assumptions - stated Krzysztof Śmiszek in the "Afternoon Conversation" on RMF FM.

- I encourage my colleagues from the Together party to reconsider their decision [not to join the government], because it is easier to fight for one's postulates from the perspective of, or even by sitting in, the government, than just from a parliamentary seat, where the majority is supported - he added.


19:41

Mastalerek:

President Will Not Block In Vitro Bill, But Must See Final Version

- This is a very sensitive matter, concerning children. There are many people who dream of having children and cannot. I am in favor of the state absolutely providing assistance, both in matters such as in vitro and other treatment methods or ways to combat problems. Knowing President Duda and to my knowledge, the President will not block such a project, but of course, he must see the final version. However, as for the principle itself, the idea itself, I believe the President will not block it. Nevertheless, the final decision is always made when the project lands on his desk - stated Marcin Mastalerek in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".


19:45

Mastalerek:

I'd like to give Hołownia some good advice

- I would like to give him some good advice. Mr. Marshal, don't let yourself be drawn into the political games of the much more experienced Prime Minister Tusk, because he is using you, and it is Donald Tusk who wants Szymon Hołownia to fall out with everyone, and if there is no such Deputy Marshal, he will be alienated, there will be no Third Way – stated Marcin Mastalerek in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


19:47

Mastalerek:

December 12th, and it seems December 11th, the President has an international visit

- First and foremost, on December 12th, and it seems December 11th, President Duda is in Switzerland, he has an international visit, so all of this will have to be coordinated with the calendar - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".


19:49

Mastalerek on Kierwiński's Words: If Such Voices Appear, I'll Give Them Good Advice – Go to the City Hall, Let President Trzaskowski Swear You In

- I heard statements today from Marcin Kierwiński, likely the future Minister of the Interior and Administration, that Rafał Trzaskowski is actually the president. So, if such voices appear, I will then give them good advice – go to the city hall, let President Trzaskowski swear you in, and then you can go [to the EU summit]. Of course, I'm joking – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń" [Guest of Events].

- This is not a matter of insults. It's a matter of insulting Poles, millions of Poles who voted in the presidential elections, and I would like to appeal from this studio, from Polsat, to PO politicians to stop insulting Polish democracy, Poles – he added.


20:05

Petru:

I'm Interested in Investigative Committees Tusk Hasn't Mentioned Yet, Such as Those Regarding COVID Funds
- I am, of course, interested in the Pegasus committee, because state surveillance is a serious crime. I'll remind you, in the United States, a president was de facto impeached for this. Therefore, the question is, how far did the special services interfere in our daily lives and break the law, and isn't it true that the special services de facto acted solely against the opposition - Ryszard Petru stated on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach". - Today I was elected head of the Economy Committee, I have a different area of work, and therefore I wouldn't want to declare in which of these investigative committees I would like to be. I am certainly interested in investigative committees that Mr. Donald Tusk hasn't mentioned yet, those concerning, for example, COVID funds or the entire area of public finance, which ended up outside parliamentary control and, in my opinion, far-reaching abuses occurred there. I would rather see myself in these investigative committees, including questions about what happened at the National Bank of Poland, than in areas where there are certainly better experts than me - he continued.

20:06

Petru:

I am a proponent of all shopping Sundays, but a compromise will need to be found within the coalition
- We have submitted such a project, I signed such a project today, so that Christmas Eve is not a shopping day, but permanently two Sundays before it are shopping days. However, in principle, I am personally a proponent of all Sundays being shopping days. Nevertheless, a compromise will need to be found within the coalition. Perhaps we will end up with two shopping Sundays, as proposed by Polska 2050 - said Ryszard Petru on TVN24.

20:10

Petru:

The Likelihood of Initiating Proceedings Against Glapiński Before the State Tribunal is Growing Each Week
- We have zero economic growth, meaning the Polish economy is not growing. KPO (Recovery and Resilience Facility) is 1 percentage point for growth, which translates into 30 billion PLN annually generated by the economy as an extra. [...] PiS (Law and Justice party) has led to the Polish economy having zero growth, high inflation, and people relatively getting poorer, along with relatively high interest rates. This is the effect of PiS's governance - said Ryszard Petru on TVN24. - Everything indicates [that Adam Glapiński violated the Constitution or the Act on NBP], the more we analyze this issue, the more probable it is that proceedings will be initiated to put the NBP President before the State Tribunal. The most important example regarding the violation of the Constitution is that the National Bank of Poland cannot finance state debt [...] and the National Bank of Poland did so through intermediaries. It didn't do it directly, but deliberately circumvented it, as if it found an intermediary [...] every economist knows that this is inconsistent with the idea and inconsistent with the Constitution. Point two: we have a conflict in the Monetary Policy Council [...] we also have a conflict in the National Bank of Poland concerning board members - he continued. - The number of arguments indicating that the NBP President will have to be brought [before the State Tribunal] is growing. As long as there is no formal motion, I would not want to declare that such a motion will be filed, but the probability is increasing each week - he further stated.

20:22

Kwiatkowski on the KPO: This Money Has a Chance to Arrive in the Coming Weeks
- I am not, of course, familiar with the detailed accounting procedures of the European Commission, but I assume that this money has a chance to arrive in the coming weeks. It is important. We are dealing with a significant economic slowdown, and when we always said that the money from the KPO should arrive as soon as possible, it wasn't about politics, it was about a real chance to spend this money. I say this as a former President of NIK (Supreme Audit Office). If we do not have approved programs, implemented projects, and subsequently accounted for them, we will have to return this money, and that is the drama of these 2 years that the PiS government has lost for us, the citizens, because it is a real and unfortunately very significant threat that we will have problems utilizing all this money - stated Krzysztof Kwiatkowski on TVN24.

20:24

Kwiatkowski:

Glapiński's Arguments More Mazury Comedy Night Than Serious Economist
- When I watched President Glapiński's press conferences, I often had trouble finding myself on the same intellectual plateau; perhaps it manifested differently in me, because the arguments President Glapiński presented were more in the vein of the Mazury Comedy Night than those of a serious economist who should be performing the duties of the President of the National Bank of Poland – stated Krzysztof Kwiatkowski on TVN24.

20:26

Kwiatkowski:

Frankly, I felt embarrassed when journalists were barred from a public building
- I will start with an apology, which I extend to you. Frankly, I felt embarrassed when journalists, who were standing at a bus stop, in the snow, in the rain, were not allowed into a public utility building, which houses not only the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) but other institutions. After my intervention, which resembled kindergarten games, where I called the President of the KRS, asked and requested that the journalists be admitted at least to the lobby, I learned that the decision would be made by the spokesperson. The spokesperson sent me back to the president, and the president was no longer answering the phone - stated Krzysztof Kwiatkowski on TVN24.

20:31

Horała:

It's a universally known fact that a different majority currently functions in the Sejm
- In the capacity of a constitutional minister, I have not received such a proposal at this moment [to join Mateusz Morawiecki's new government] - Marcin Horała stated on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" (The Dot Over the i). Asked if he would accept such a proposal, he replied: - Of course, it would be a great honor. - This is of course a question for the Prime Minister [whether he has formed his government]. This process is undoubtedly ongoing. A majority, no, it's a universally known fact that a different majority currently functions in the Sejm - he continued.

20:34

Kwiatkowski on KRS Session: 'We Were Told We Don't Have to Listen to Candidates, Just Vote for Them. Those Times Are Over.'
- Yes, we filed motions due to the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights, and the joint chambers of the Supreme Court. We shouldn't be proceeding in this composition because it is improper. This motion was ignored. I promise, tomorrow, as part of the parliamentary representation, we will again appear at the session of the National Council of the Judiciary. And I apologize that I will not announce in detail what we will do publicly today, but if someone thinks that after the scuffles over chairs – because there were absurd situations, they tried to seat parliamentary representatives in places other than those always designated, they tried not to connect computers for voting – because I had an undeniable impression that someone felt offended that a representation appeared here that is not a representation of PiS politicians - stated Krzysztof Kwiatkowski on TVN24. - Yes, until now there were 4 PiS politicians. Yes, what they were engaged in was applauding the decisions of a politicized presidium, something that has never happened in the history of the KRS. A politician, a deputy minister, held the position of deputy chairman in the National Council of the Judiciary. Those times are over. We were told that we don't have to listen to the candidates, we just have to vote for them. Those times are over. Parliamentary representatives will question every candidate, ask follow-up questions, and demonstrate whether they possess the elementary legal knowledge to apply for the office of judge in Poland - he added.

20:40

Gawkowski on Morawiecki Forming a Government: Orphan Marysia Seeks Her Gnomes, But the Gnomes are Lost and No One Wants to Volunteer
- When you [to Marcin Horała - ed.] talk about what's happening in the government today and how you are forming this new government, I get the impression that Orphan Marysia - Prime Minister Morawiecki - is looking for her gnomes, but the gnomes are lost and no one wants to volunteer - said Krzysztof Gawkowski in TVN24's "Kropka nad i". - This is some kind of paranoia. The political stunt you are producing is unknown in Europe. You don't have a majority, you pretend you do, you come to the Sejm, you complain that you don't have a majority because someone is outmaneuvering you, and on the other hand, you play a game, saying: Mateusz Morawiecki will definitely gather a majority. Neither I nor you believe it, nobody believes it - he continued.

20:51

Szydło:

We will defend a Europe that should develop based on independent states

- If this madness, which the liberal-left majority in the European Parliament is currently trying to implement, were to be realized, then unfortunately this is what it leads to. Power would be centrally in the hands of Brussels bureaucrats who want to dictate to member states what they should do – stated Beata Szydło on the program "Gość Wiadomości" on TVP Info.

- But I can assure you that as long as PiS is in the European Parliament, we are here as MEPs, together with other MEPs who are very critical of this, we will defend a Europe that should develop based on independent states – she continued.


20:52

Szydło:

Foreign and Defence Policy are Fundamental Issues to be Taken Over and Centrally Managed from Brussels by Brussels Bureaucrats, Dictated by France and Germany
These are fundamental issues that are to be taken over and centrally managed from Brussels by Brussels bureaucrats, officials. And indeed, dictated by the largest states, meaning primarily Germany and France. This concerns issues that are key for every state, namely defence, and the right to decide on one's foreign policy – said Beata Szydło on TVP Info.

20:53

Szydło:

Tusk Has No Right to Take Public Media Away from Poles. We Will Appeal to the EU If Tusk Violates the Rule of Law

Well, for now, Tusk is not some Delphic oracle here when it comes to Polish law. There is the Polish constitution, there are laws, there is parliament. Poland is a country governed by the rule of law, and we will defend this rule of law. We will also appeal to the EU if Tusk violates the rule of law, so that the EU, the European Commission, helps Poland. Because the rule of law is fundamental and also very important for the EU. Furthermore, there is another issue. Public television serves millions of Poles, and no one, not even Tusk, has the right to take public media, public television, public radio away from Poles. People want to watch public television, they watch it. They have the right to have reliable information, and such information is provided in public media. And Tusk and his team will not take away this television and these public media, they have no right to do so – stated Beata Szydło on TVP Info.


21:02

Horała on IVF: I Have an Ethical Concern Regarding Freezing and Discarding Embryos. Gawkowski: And How Many Sperm Have You Killed in Your Life?
- I need to familiarize myself with the specific shape of the bill [on IVF reimbursement]. I have one concern, of an ethical nature. Do so-called surplus embryos arise within the IVF procedure? That is, are new human beings artificially cultivated, who are then placed in a freezer and – forgive me, because these are very harsh words, but such is the fact in this sensitive matter – are later discarded, disposed of? If this were not an element of the IVF procedure, then I would have no problem with it - said Marcin Horała on TVN24’s “Kropka nad i”. - Every human being has equal, innate dignity of a human person – including those IVF children who are kept as embryos in a freezer. And that does not suit me - he added. - The new coalition [...] is submitting its first bill. And this is a bill about happiness. It is not about settling scores, about the past. It is about the future, about people's right to happiness. There are tens of thousands of couples in Poland who do not have the money to have a child because they cannot afford IVF. You blocked this 8 years ago, you did not listen to society, which came and submitted a citizens' initiative, with several hundred thousand signatures - said Krzysztof Gawkowski in turn. The Deputy Chairman of Nowa Lewica referred to Horała's words and asked him: - When I hear about freezing embryos, I wanted to ask – Mr. Minister, how many sperm have you killed in your life? - I don't know what you're talking about - replied the PiS politician. - Did you kill sperm, or not? - Gawkowski pressed. - I didn't kill any sperm, what nonsense are you talking about? - asked the deputy minister. - You are talking about embryos, and in reality, you are talking about people not being able to have the right to children. This is a scandal, it is sad and terrible - Gawkowski replied.

21:13

Gawkowski:

If the opportunity arises, we will dismiss members of the commission on Russian influence
- I will disappoint you on this matter – there will be no hearings, because if the opportunity arises – and I think the next sessions will show this – we will dismiss members of this commission [on Russian influence] – said Krzysztof Gawkowski on TVN24’s “Kropka nad i”.