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11/22/2023

07:37

Wednesday's Political Agenda: Sejm Debates "Yes to IVF" Citizen's Bill, President Attends V4 Meeting in Prague

At 11:00, the first reading of the citizen's bill amending the Act on healthcare benefits financed from public funds will take place - in practice, this is the "Yes to IVF" project.

President Andrzej Duda will participate in a meeting of the presidents of the Visegrad Group countries in Prague. At 10:20, the official ceremony will be held, at 10:30 - a joint photo of the presidents, and at 10:40 - an entry into the Book of Memories of Prague Castle.

At 11:00, the plenary session will begin, at 12:40 the presidents will attend the V4 String Quartet concert, and at 13:15 - a working breakfast. A press conference of the presidents is scheduled for 15:00, and the presidents' farewell at 16:00.


07:51

Mastalerek:

It's Good That the Prime Minister Is Fighting

- First and foremost, the Prime Minister really wanted this, and it speaks well of him that he wanted to undertake this mission, because one must always fight to the end, try, and attempt. The Prime Minister will have the opportunity to present, and we already know this, a new cabinet that will differ from the previous one, and then he will be able to present both the achievements of himself and Prime Minister Szydło from the last 8 years, as well as his plans for the future. Of course, the chances of this are not high, because both Lewica, and the so-called Third Way and Civic Coalition (KO) have announced that they will vote together. However, not all political actions are undertaken with today in mind. It's good that the Prime Minister is fighting - stated Marcin Mastalerek on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) on PR1.


07:52

Mastalerek:

We are dealing with a situation where one part of the coalition is not entering the government

- Before the elections, the Together Party, which is part of the Left, announced that Donald Tusk would not be Prime Minister, that they would veto, and today we are dealing with a situation where the Together Party is not entering this government. Of course, as we have learned, which I find rather strange, it will be supporting this cabinet. On the one hand, they are not entering the government, and on the other hand, they are voting for it. Before the elections, they said something else, so before the government was formed, we are already now dealing with a situation where one part of the coalition is not entering the government - stated Marcin Mastalerek on PR1's "Sygnały dnia".


07:53

Mastalerek:

In 2020, a Coalition Change Was Close

- Few people in Poland know the behind-the-scenes story, but I can reveal that in 2020, as early as spring, a change in the ruling coalition was genuinely close, and this was before the presidential elections. Because it was obvious that if President Duda hadn't secured re-election, this coalition would have changed within a few months, but I'm talking about events around the so-called postal ballot elections. Just a few months after the elections, the coalition could have been reversed. Anything can happen, one must be prepared for all scenarios – stated Marcin Mastalerek in PR1's "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day).

- At that time, President Duda played the most important role as a stabilizer for all of this. I was close to these events then, and I think if the President hadn't taken certain steps at that time, things could have turned out very differently – continued the Head of the Presidential Cabinet.


07:58

Hetman:

We Will Certainly Have to Consider Within the Parliamentary Majority What to Do with the Commission for Investigating Russian Influence
- We will certainly have to consider within the parliamentary majority what to do [with the commission for investigating Russian influence]. Because we all know why this commission was established, what its objectives were. Our interpretation is that it was meant to be a whip for opposition politicians – said Krzysztof Hetman on RMF24.

08:02

Hetman:

We will want to settle accounts and show Poles how they tried to falsify the presidential election
- We, as the parliamentary majority, who promised throughout the election campaign, and also before, that we would settle the PiS affairs, will want to settle accounts and also show Poles how they tried to, in our opinion, falsify the presidential election [in 2020, on the occasion of the "envelope elections"] and how public funds were spent unlawfully for this purpose – stated Krzysztof Hetman on RMF24.

08:04

Hetman:

The Ministry of Defence Needs a Responsible, Predictable Politician Capable of Dialogue. Kosiniak-Kamysz is Such a Person
- The Ministry of Defence needs a responsible, predictable politician, calm, and capable of dialogue. A consensus-builder, especially in these difficult times. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz possesses all these qualities. Furthermore, he is a very experienced politician and a very experienced public official – Krzysztof Hetman stated on RMF24. - There will be no reduction in the army, that is the first point. Secondly, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is not someone who will carry out anyone's orders, and he did not carry out such orders in the past either – he continued.

08:04

Hetman:

Peasants in the EPP will naturally vote against treaty changes. In Poland, we are preoccupied with this topic because PiS imposed such rhetoric after losing the elections
- [Peasants in the EPP] will naturally vote against [treaty changes] – stated Krzysztof Hetman on RMF24. - The European Council will not have to deal with this topic at all, and I doubt it will. It will not consider these proposals. However, we are preoccupied with this topic solely in Poland, because PiS imposed this rhetoric after losing the elections, as the masks have fallen, they truly want a Polexit – he continued.

08:07

Mastalerek on Tusk's Presidential Bid: He's Definitely Seriously Considering It as One of the Options

- Prime Minister Tusk, once speaking on a television station, before a program, was recorded and it was released online, as if he had spoken about his aversion to the Polish Sejm and how reluctantly he thinks about returning to the Sejm. He has tasted European politics and I think he would like to return there, however, he held the position of President of the European Council and he won't return as a commissioner or deputy head of the commission. If it turns out, and this is very likely today, because we hear about it, that there's no chance for the position of President of the European Commission, he will probably delegate someone else as a commissioner or deputy head, and he's left with two options - either go for new elections and govern independently or try to become president - stated Marcin Mastalerek in "Sygnały dnia" PR1.

- It seems to me that the presidency or a dream of the presidency could be a kind of political capstone for Donald Tusk, and he is definitely seriously considering it as one of the options - he continued.


08:57

Mentzen:

Sasin and Ziobro Should Stand Before the Tribunal of State
- Of course, they should. Jacek Sasin should definitely stand before the Tribunal of State for the 70 million zlotys he spent on elections that did not take place. Zbigniew Ziobro for the politicization of the prosecution service, for the manual control of this prosecution service. A parliamentary investigative committee should be appointed there to examine what really happened there, what was happening in the prosecution service or in the Ministry of Justice. Moreover, much is being said about the fact, for example, that Jacek Sasin spent 70 million zlotys on elections that did not take place - stated Sławomir Mentzen in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Gość Radia ZET”.

09:00

Mentzen on Vaccine Orders: Is it Stupidity, Bribery, or Idiocy? I Don't Know, But It Needs to Be Determined
- I think it was yesterday's news that Pfizer is suing us for 6 billion PLN for vaccines we don't want to buy for COVID. The scale of losses there will be 100 times greater than in Sasin's case, so someone should also go to jail there - stated Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET. - Someone must be held accountable for us spending billions of zlotys on vaccines that nobody wanted to accept. The Polish state ordered over 4 vaccines for every Pole, and that's for the oldest and the youngest. It was obvious that no one would use them, yet the order went through, and the question is whether it was stupidity, someone was bribed, or someone is an idiot. I don't know, but in any case, this needs to be determined - he added.

09:02

Mentzen:

I Will Raise My Hand with the Greatest Pleasure for Glapiński to Stand Before the State Tribunal
- If there is such a vote, I will raise my hand with the greatest pleasure for Adam Glapiński to stand before the State Tribunal - stated Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET.

09:07

Mentzen on Dziambor's Words: Voters Had a Different Opinion and Decided it Was Better for Me to Be in Parliament Than Him
- Voters had a different opinion and decided it was better for me to be in parliament than Artur Dziambor - stated Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET, referring to Artur Dziambor's words about him: "He's making a joke of it, he still doesn't understand that he's not a TikTok jester, but a Member of Parliament."

09:09

Mentzen:

I Received an Invitation from the Prime Minister Yesterday
- I received such an invitation yesterday, but there is really nothing to discuss. Prime Minister Morawiecki is a completely unreliable person. He has been in power for several years, and only after he stops governing has he started saying that he intends to take care of Poland's national interest in the European Union, he would like voluntary social security for entrepreneurs, some tax reliefs, extending the vacatio legis. He had plenty of time for that and did nothing - stated Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET. - Some kind of unspecific invitation to talks. It was probably Thursday or Friday. Throughout the campaign, I said that I was running in the elections to end the rule of PiS, not to extend it, so what do we have to talk about? - he continued. - Today we have a meeting on this matter, we will certainly issue a statement. As I said, I certainly have nothing to discuss with Mateusz Morawiecki. I certainly will not go, because I believe that since I said throughout the campaign that I would not form governments with PiS, why would I go for a conversation about forming a government with PiS - he added.

09:10

Mentzen:

Korwin-Mikke's Potential is Currently Limited to Destruction
- Korwin-Mikke currently has the potential only to destroy something, not to create anything, so I do not foresee a future for his potential party - stated Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET.

09:25

Dziemianowicz-Bąk:

We Should Do Everything for Teachers' Leapfrog Salary Increases to Appear at Every Career Level from January 1, 2024

- We should do everything to ensure that indeed, from January 1, 2024, these leapfrog salary increases for teachers, for teachers at every career level, appear. This is such a necessary condition, though not yet final, to rebuild the prestige of the teaching profession and to stop the outflow from this profession. In our opinion, as The Left, an interesting and worthy solution to support, when it comes to teachers' salaries, is what ZNP once proposed by submitting a citizens' bill to link teachers' salaries with average wages in the economy - stated Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk on Radio Wrocław.


09:28

Dziemianowicz-Bąk on Becoming Education Minister: The Government's Composition Will Be Presented by the Prime Minister on the Day of the Exposition
The government's composition will be presented by the prime minister on the day of the exposition, or on another day when he deems it appropriate. There is a good custom within the coalition not to get ahead of oneself. Donald Tusk will be the steward of this government, and he will be the one to announce the composition of the Council of Ministers - stated Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk on Radio Wrocław.

11:18

Hennig-Kloska to PiS: You are like usurpers, trying to steal the election result, you are preventing the real government from working

- You are like usurpers, you are trying to steal the election result, you are preventing the real government from working. And now the minister is trying to blame us for not doing your job on time. Why, Mr. Minister [Buda], were these credit holidays not adopted by the Sejm of the previous term? They expire at the end of this year, but it would be good to familiarize yourselves with what was adopted in that term. Today you are coming with 0% VAT on food, while in the state budget you have entered a tax increase on food. Ladies and gentlemen, this is called dissociative identity disorder and it really needs to be treated, so a little responsibility. Stop usurping the right to power, because the citizens did not entrust it to you. Let the next government work - stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska in the Sejm.


11:19

Zandberg:

We Must Stop Accepting the Nonsense Spouted by the Right and Far-Right About the EU's Future
- We must stop accepting the nonsense spouted by the right and far-right about the future of the European Union. And we must say this clearly and unequivocally: it is in Poland's interest to have tax cooperation in Europe, in order to curb the arbitrariness of large corporations, because each of our countries is too weak to effectively resist tax evasion by large corporations. It is in Poland's interest to have joint EU investments in the energy transition. It is in Poland's interest to have a Europe that effectively competes with other economic blocs in the world. Whoever doesn't understand this doesn't understand Poland's interests. Clearly, those on the right who spout nonsense don't understand it, but neither do those in the center of the room who, unfortunately, too often demonstrate a misconstrued opportunism in this matter - said Adrian Zandberg during the Sejm debates.

11:21

Sejm Debates Citizen-Initiated IVF Funding Bill. Pomaska: 'A Great Day'

- This is a great day, an exceptionally important day. When we were collecting signatures for the citizen-initiated bill 'Yes to IVF', we promised that sooner or later this project, this law, would come into effect, and today we are doing it, we are doing it on the first possible day, at the earliest possible moment - stated Agnieszka Pomaska in the Sejm.


11:22

Pomaska:

We Came to the New Sejm to Implement Only Good Projects at Express Speed

- We came to the new Sejm to implement only good projects at express speed. Not like it was for the last 8 years. Not like when here in this hall, at express speed, with the hands of today's Constitutional Tribunal member, Mr. Piotrowicz, the so-called Constitutional Tribunal dismantled the justice system in Poland, the rule of law, and independent judiciary in Poland. We are today restoring Poles' right to happiness, which is a child, at such a speed - stated Agnieszka Pomaska in the Sejm.


11:25

Pomaska:

On October 15th, the era of questioning Poles' consciences in Poland ended

- I have very good news. On October 15th, the era of questioning the consciences of Polish women and men in Poland ended - stated Agnieszka Pomaska in the Sejm.


11:26

PKO Bank Polski's Account for Young People Ranks First in Personal Accounts for Youth Ranking
PARTNERSHIP CONTENT In the ranking of personal accounts for young people conducted by bankier.pl, PKO Bank Polski's account secured the 1st place. Konto dla Młodych (Account for Young People) received nine out of nine possible points in three categories: fees, BLIK availability, and bonuses. The awarded account is a modern, fully online, and mobile personal account for individuals aged 13 to 26.
Individuals up to 26 years old are highly digitally adept and value modern technologies. PKO Bank Polski has prioritized innovation for years – we are developing digitally, making us an ideal partner for young people by providing tools that simplify daily banking. This is exactly what Konto dla Młodych offers, which ranked 1st in Bankier's ranking in November. We are delighted with this recognition. A bank account must be particularly tailored to our needs. Importantly, Konto dla Młodych is free, as are card withdrawals from all ATMs in Poland and worldwide, as well as contactless payments and instant BLIK transfers. The mobile application, quick phone transfers, voice assistant, or phone payments are just some of the solutions offered by PKO Bank Polski's account for young people – emphasizes Paweł Placzke, Director of the Retail Client Products Department at PKO Bank Polski.
Konto dla Młodych is a modern, fully online, and mobile personal account, ranking number 1 in November in the banking products market for the age group up to 26. The bank does not charge any fees for its opening and maintenance, and card withdrawals from all ATMs in Poland and worldwide are also free. The account can be opened via the iPKO online service at www.pkobp.pl (in which case a courier will deliver the agreement), or via a "selfie" using the IKO mobile application, or by visiting any PKO Bank Polski branch. Young clients who open Konto dla Młodych with a payment card can look forward to a bonus of 200 PLN. To receive the reward, participants must register for the promotion, consent to marketing communications, and make at least five payments with the card or BLIK in each of the 3 consecutive months following the month in which the account was opened. The voucher is intended for use on Allegro. Details are available on the Konto dla Młodych page. Recently, the bank has unified its account offerings, including merging Konto Pierwsze with Konto dla Młodych. Simplifying the offer to make it more understandable and transparent for clients is one of the key elements of PKO Bank Polski's Strategy for 2023-2025. The changes introduced are also a response to the needs and expectations of clients. Now, individuals aged 13 to 26 use Konto dla Młodych. The bank has also standardized fees for account maintenance, cards, and other products – most of these fees can be easily avoided, as explained in detail on the page dedicated to these changes.

11:29

Pomaska:

Today We Restore the Right to Happiness

- Today we are restoring the right to happiness, the right to the unique happiness that is a child - stated Agnieszka Pomaska in the Sejm.


11:37

Szynkowski vel Sęk on Treaty Changes: I Appeal for the Sejm to Take a Clear Stance, and for Tusk to Convince his EPP Colleagues to Oppose These Changes

- Today, a fundamentally important vote on treaty changes will take place in the European Parliament, which will determine whether we can maintain Polish statehood. I have signaled to you how important these changes are. I believe there is no reason why the Sejm should not take a position on this matter. Yesterday, we submitted a draft resolution on this issue, and the Sejm should debate and vote on this draft resolution to express its position. Yesterday, the Sejm deliberated for two hours. The Sejm was supposed to work hard here; yesterday it deliberated for 2 hours, and the European Union Affairs Committee, to which this motion was referred, closed its proceedings without even bothering to address this fundamentally important project - stated Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.

- I appeal for the Sejm to speak on this matter and take a clear stance. And to Mr. Donald Tusk, the former chairman of the European People's Party, I appeal not only to oblige Polish MEPs to oppose these treaty changes, as they have taken different stances and expressed varying opinions in committees, but to convince his colleagues from the European People's Party to oppose these changes. Today's vote will be a test of your effectiveness in this regard - he added.


11:40

Biedroń and Mentzen Respond to Prime Minister's Invitation:

We Have Nothing to Discuss.

Robert Biedroń published on social media a letter he received from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

- In reference to my appointment as Prime Minister and the mission entrusted to me by the President of the Republic of Poland to form a Government, I would like to cordially invite representatives of your grouping to the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. The purpose of the meeting is to build a Coalition of Polish Affairs - the Prime Minister wrote.

- Thank you, I will not accept - this is how Biedroń commented on the invitation he received.



Sławomir Mentzen also boasted on Twitter about receiving the same invitation from the Prime Minister.

- Of course, I am not going to any meeting. Throughout the election campaign, I said that I want to end, not prolong, the PiS government. I have not changed my mind. [...] We have nothing to discuss. Morawiecki must go - wrote Mentzen.


11:41

PiS Club Recommends Further Work on Citizen's In Vitro Bill

- Given that this bill largely requires further clarification and specification of the rules for carrying out these procedures to be funded from the state budget, the PiS parliamentary club recommends to the high chamber further work on this law - stated Józefa Szczurek-Żelazko in the Sejm.


11:50

Müller:

I Will Vote for the IVF Act Because That's My Stance on the Matter

- I will vote for the IVF act because that's my stance on the matter (…). In the PiS parliamentary club, there is no party discipline regarding ideological, principled matters such as IVF, abortion, and other similar issues. There is no discipline, unlike, for example, in the Civic Platform parliamentary club, where people are expelled from the club for voting one way or another on such matters. In our case, decisions in this regard are made individually by each PiS MP – stated Piotr Müller in the Sejm.


11:53

PKO BP Analysts: Retail Sales Roar Back to Growth
Retail sales are returning to growth, and with a significant bang! In October, sales increased by 2.8% year-on-year in real terms, stronger than expected. This is the first (year-on-year) growth since December 2022 and proof that private consumption is entering a phase of solid recovery. PKO BP analysts state that rising (real) incomes and improving household sentiment are acting as a tailwind for this trend.

12:01

Nowacka:

A Historic Moment is Unfolding. We Are Restoring an Element of Social Justice
- This historic moment is unfolding. We are restoring an element of social justice in Poland. What did the revocation of in vitro refunds mean? It meant that those in power humiliated the poor. They humiliated families who couldn't afford a private procedure. A procedure that costs a great deal. [...] You took away the right to happiness and to having a child from poorer Polish families, because even the wealthier often had to go into debt, take out loans, just to have a child. I look at you, politicians of PiS, and I wonder if you are not ashamed - said Barbara Nowacka during Sejm deliberations. - For these eight years, you pursued a policy of contempt towards children conceived through in vitro, towards their parents, and towards their families. [...] We apologize to you, Poles, on behalf of the Polish parliament, for the disgrace that Czarnek presented to you, that Madam Marshal Witek and other rulers presented. [...] We promise you that you will never again receive the shame that the HiT textbook brought, where you were stigmatized - she continued. - This is not mandatory. This is people's right to have a child, this is people's right to happiness, and stigmatization only harms children. You can shout, but today your shouting is the ridiculous cry of the Middle Ages against science, against knowledge. You use medicine, you take antibiotics, you wear glasses, you go to the doctor, you benefit from every possible achievement when it is convenient for you, yet you forbade Poles from benefiting from the bounty of the state that wanted to refund the in vitro program for them. We are restoring this. [...] The state will stand on the side of reason, not superstition - she added.

12:03

NASK:

Suspicious SMS messages can now be reported to new number 8080
Reporting abuse is a crucial element of the cybersecurity system. Suspicious SMS messages can be reported to the new number 8080, and emails and websites can be reported via the form at http://incydent.cert.pl – informs NASK.

12:30

NASK:

Entry of the Law on Combating Abuses in Electronic Communication Means Safer SMS and Phone Calls

The entry into force of the Law on Combating Abuses in Electronic Communication means safer SMS messages and phone calls – informs NASK.




In practice, what does the entry into force of the Law on Combating Abuses in Electronic Communication mean?
THE MOST IMPORTANT BENEFITS ARE:
➡️ safer SMS messages,
➡️ safer phone calls,
➡️ safer email,
➡️ safer internet.


12:32

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

This Will Be a Term for Citizens, With Citizens
- Who does Poland belong to today? Poland belongs to you, our dear compatriots. Poland belongs to citizens. Poland will carry this adjective, this civic value, this citizenship, in an extraordinary way today. This will be such a term. This will be a term for citizens, with citizens – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm.

12:36

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

What kind of cruel government would deprive parents of their greatest happiness? The IVF bill ends the cruelty
- What kind of cruel government would deprive them of the greatest happiness a family, parents can have in life – having children? This citizens' bill ends the cruelty that occurred immediately after taking power – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm. - What did you truly have in yourselves to make one of the first decisions in December 2015, immediately after taking power, to block the right to happiness, to having children? This is simply extraordinary, you even explained it by saying there was no money for it. That rhetoric of yours completely disagreed, everything was completely mixed up and tangled. This is truly a matter for families, a matter of their decisions, but they must have a choice – he continued.

12:38

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

We will do everything to meticulously implement our coalition agreement, point by point, just like on the issue of in vitro.
- We will do everything to meticulously implement our coalition agreement, point by point, just like on this point. For citizens, with citizens, on your behalf, we take full responsibility, we have the strength, we have the power. We will pass this bill, and although today we are not yet the government, we are already a parliamentary majority capable of effectively implementing our program – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm.

12:41

Rosa:

A Good Bill That Will Bring Happiness, Love, Joy, Fulfillment, and Equality

- This is a good bill that will bring happiness, love, joy, fulfillment, and equality, because trying to have a child is something that people who can have children will never understand. And those foolish smiles you gentlemen have on your faces testify solely to your contempt and lack of understanding of what it means to try to have a child - stated Monika Rosa in the Sejm.


12:57

Scheuring-Wielgus:

The Era of Confederation's Old Guard Isn't Over Yet
- We are returning to a moment when the dignity of women and the dignity of Polish families will be restored, and I am very happy about that. Of course, the era of the Confederation's old guard, who will throw various Nazi-related words at us here, who will compare the in vitro method to nonsense and ideology, is not over yet. That era hasn't ended, but it will end, and I hope that with speeches like the one presented today by one of the MPs from the party whose name I will not mention, nor the name of this person [Grzegorz Braun], because it is simply unworthy, there will be fewer such individuals - Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus said during a Sejm session. - All those [...] who speak of the in vitro method as ideology should truly never stand here again, never speak from this podium - she continued.

13:17

Arłukowicz:

Braun Said IVF Isn't a Treatment Method. But He Wears Glasses, Which Is a Method, Yet We'll Take IVF Away From People
In every politician's life, there are moments they remember for the rest of their lives, and such a moment for me was, after agreeing with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, signing the IVF program. 22,000 children were born from this program. That means 22,000 people and families who fought for a child had the right and the opportunity to do so – stated Bartosz Arłukowicz in the Sejm.

Here I heard Mr. MP Braun, who was spouting all this nonsense. He said IVF isn't a treatment method. But he wears glasses, doesn't he? And that is a treatment method, Mr. MP, we wear glasses, but we will take IVF away from people. Such is the wisdom in this Sejm – he continued.

14:02

Tomczyk:

Müller said he'd vote for IVF because of his views. Who stopped you from implementing those views? How can someone be so hypocritical?
- You [PiS] are the misfortune for millions of people who couldn't use the IVF procedure over the years, because you took away that possibility from them. You didn't take away this method from people who could afford it – you took away this method from people who couldn't afford it […]. 100,000 children could have been born during this time if not for your foolish decisions, the most foolish in the world regarding IVF – stated Cezary Tomczyk in the Sejm.

- I also saw a change. I saw the government spokesman today, Mr. Müller, who said: I will vote for IVF, these are my views. Jesus Mary… Ladies and gentlemen, so who stopped you from implementing those views? Were you in some kind of internal conspiracy? Were you sitting in some dungeon for those 8 years, unable to pursue your views? How can someone be so hypocritical as to say today – while being the spokesman for the Morawiecki government – that they are in favor of IVF. […] I am generally surprised that Morawiecki is not representing PiS today, saying that he is in favor of IVF. That's all that's missing. Where is that man today? – he continued.

- You cared about families, but about the Morawiecki family, the Szumowski family, the Sobolewski family, about supervisory boards – that's what you cared about. But you didn't care about Polish families. And we will take care of that – he concluded.

14:14

Nitras to Sójka: Will you apologize for all the words and decisions from the past 8 years? Because that's the last thing you have left to do in this matter

Why did you actually do this? I remember Mr. Kaczyński, I will use a quote from around 2014. In these matters, I listen to the church, I know that 15,000 in vitro treatments represent a very large number of abortions. Member of Parliament Hoc referred to himself as a doctor, I would like you to address this. You did not heed the Hippocratic Oath, only those words of Kaczyński, which have nothing to do with reality, because what does in vitro have to do with abortion? Incidentally, he equated all supporters of the in vitro method with all supporters of allowing abortion, but what about people, there can be such people who are supporters of in vitro but not necessarily supporters of abortion. Even in your worldview, you have wronged them, and that is the measure of injustice – stated Sławomir Nitras in the Sejm.

I remember you here a year ago, Ms. Elżbieta Płomka, where is Member of Parliament Płomka today. When someone tells such things as Ms. Płomka did, I'm not surprised she lost to Mejza. Ms. Płomka said from this rostrum: we are dealing with the in vitro industry adopting the form of a modern eugenics enclave, which manifests itself at the preimplantation diagnosis stage and in some countries also in abortion-selective conception of embryos. Any parent listening to this, having children through in vitro, did anyone ask them? Mr. Member of Parliament Hocut, do you want blue eyes or green, what nonsense are you telling people, how can you do such things – he continued.

A question for Minister Sójka, who used the law that as a minister she can ask a question, but she doesn't listen to the debate. I wanted to ask Minister Sójka, the one who miraculously converted with Prime Minister Morawiecki last night, as she informed us, on the issue of in vitro. For all these words that were spoken, these decisions, will Minister Sójka and Prime Minister Morawiecki apologize to all Polish women and men for these 8 years, because that is the last thing you have left to do in this matter – he added.


14:36

Szłapka:

I want to promise that we will do everything to ensure that no one in Poland ever again takes away Poles' right to happiness

- The fact that so many MPs from PiS applauded when listening to this nonsense [from Grzegorz Braun] is the best symbol that you are, in reality, Konfederacja, you, the MPs of PiS. I want to promise that we will do everything to ensure that no one in Poland ever again takes away Poles' right to happiness - stated Adam Szłapka in the Sejm.


15:14

Kierwiński on Giertych: Perfectly Suited for Holding PiS Accountable
- A very good lawyer, certainly a person who is perfectly suited for holding PiS accountable, because he knows this PiS perfectly, because he knows the mechanisms that prevail in PiS perfectly, and he knows Jarosław Kaczyński perfectly. This knowledge of Kaczyński's way of thinking, of PiS's way of thinking, can be very valuable, for instance, when it comes to these investigative committees - said Marcin Kierwiński about Roman Giertych in an interview with Jacek Gądek on Gazeta.pl.

15:44

Duda:

Key topics today included infrastructure and economic development, and matters of security

- Our plenary sessions proceeded according to the Czech Presidency's plans for the Visegrad Group. We discussed matters important to our citizens - stated Andrzej Duda during the press conference of the Visegrad Group presidents.

- The main topics of our discussions and statements today were the Visegrad Fund and its functioning, its impact on the development of our region, on the development of our societies, and also how we are perceived externally. In the second part of the plenary session, we discussed innovation, creativity, and creating opportunities for young people to develop in our countries. We also spoke about the development of infrastructure and the economies of our countries, as well as matters pertaining to security, which is so important for all our citizens - he added.

- We also discussed gas and electricity security. We also talked about issues related to climate protection, as the COP conference in Dubai lies ahead. So, we also spoke about these very important issues today, about what the future should look like, what the energy mix in our countries should be. How much we need, on the one hand, renewable energy, and on the other hand, to carry out an extremely difficult but important transformation in this direction so that we are able to meet European requirements regarding emission reductions and climate protection - he continued.


17:13

Żukowska:

I expect the Sejm to pass a new KRS bill that will allow judges to elect KRS members again, and I hope the President will sign it

- There is a dispute, which you have known about for some time, between this part of the body [KRS] appointed by the Sejm, and in our opinion should be appointed by judges. Namely, by those judges who sit there not by nomination of judges, but precisely by nomination of the Sejm. And us, who were elected, as the previous law also indicated, by parliament [in the number of 6] – stated Anna-Maria Żukowska on PR24.

- [Judge Nowacki] said something about shoving a resolution down MP Gasiuk-Pihowicz's throat and seemed quite aggressive – she added.

- I expect the Sejm to pass a new KRS bill and I expect and hope that the President will sign it. Because this stalemate must be broken. It cannot look like this. None of you radio listeners expect this. They simply expect diligent work, and I would like such work to be conducted within the KRS. And for this to be possible, judges must, once again, be elected by judges – she continued.


17:18

Żukowska:

The Process of Judicial Appointments by the President Contains an Error Leading to a Lack of Judicial Independence

- Nobody is taking away the President's prerogative, by the way, to appoint judges. This is absolutely clear and he has this constitutional right. However, in the entire process of selecting candidates for these positions, for whom he then appoints individuals as judges. Or grants them nominations, promotions. In our opinion, this is precisely where the error lies in the entire procedure, which results in a lack of independence. Because it leads to subordination to Mr. Ziobro's circle, in reality – said Anna-Maria Żukowska on PR24.


18:59

Karpiński:

I Have Never Made a Decision Under Pressure, Blackmail, or Illegal Lobbying

- I would like to strongly emphasize that in my life I have never made any decision that was the result of any pressure, I don't know, blackmail, illegal lobbying, let alone an expectation of financial gain - stated Włodzimierz Karpiński in an interview with Tomasz Terlikowski on RMF FM.


19:28

Morawiecki:

Despite Tusk's Assurances, 9 MEPs from Civic Coalition and Left Lists Tipped the Scales for EU Treaty Changes

- Nine MEPs from Poland, elected from the Civic Coalition and Left lists, tipped the scales and caused the European Parliament to adopt a resolution calling for radical changes to EU treaties - Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Twitter.

- Despite Donald Tusk's assurances yesterday, people supporting him have accepted the EU's right to impose taxes according to their provisions, to strip member states of border control, and to take away many other state functions, consequently leading to the complete dependence of Poland and other member states on decisions made in Brussels and on the will of the two strongest states in the Union - the head of government emphasized.


19:31

Budka:

Calm Down, This Isn't a Treaty Change, It's an EP Proposal

- I will not be judging other MEPs. PO MPs voted against it, but calmly, this is not a treaty change at all, this is a proposal from the European Parliament. Contrary to what PiS politicians are saying in Poland today, for any procedure to even take place, the governments of the member states must unanimously agree to it - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


19:36

Budka:

I Favor the Sejm Electing a New Prime Minister, Tusk, and the Council of Ministers on the Same Day

- I am in favour of, on the very same day that this fiction Mateusz Morawiecki is building is shown in black and white, that he does not have a majority, that on that very same day the Sejm elects a new Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, along with the Council of Ministers. From that moment on, he will be the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, while if the President wishes to ceremonially accept such a ruling, it has no significance - stated Borys Budka on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of the Events) on Polsat News.


19:43

Budka:

With All Due Respect, Mastalerek is in the Palace Unfortunatey to Create Political Stir Rather Than Help the President

- With all due respect, but Minister Mastalerek is in the Palace unfortunately precisely to create more of a political stir than to help the President, to act in accordance with the constitution - stated Borys Budka in the program “Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

- It is not for me to judge whether someone is a troublemaker or not, but I say clearly that the attempt at such a 'falandization' of the law infringes upon the dignity of the office held by President Andrzej Duda. If I were in Mr. Mastalerek's place, I would not suggest or urge the President to try to break the constitution - he added.


19:51

Budka:

Muszyński and the two other deputy deputies are not judges; they are receiving undue remuneration
Mr. Muszyński and the two other deputy deputies are not judges. They are receiving undue remuneration. In my opinion, they are committing an official offense because they know perfectly well, they are lawyers, that they are occupying their positions unlawfully. All of this will have to be accounted for – stated Borys Budka during the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

19:54

Budka:

We will cooperate in any format with Prime Minister Tusk, I am the club leader. I might be a government member

- Donald Tusk knows perfectly well how to build a good team. We will cooperate in any format, for now thanking my colleagues for their trust and Prime Minister Tusk's recommendations, I am the club leader. I might be a government member if Prime Minister Donald Tusk wishes to invite me to this team - stated Borys Budka in the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


20:01

Gasiuk-Pihowicz on Nawacki's Words to Her: Tomorrow I Will File a Report with the Prosecutor's Office and the Disciplinary Spokesperson for Judges
- I took these words [Maciej Nawacki's "she will bark them back, I will shove them down her throat"] seriously, they were spoken with unbelievable fury, one could say. I have the impression, when I heard these words, that perhaps we are not fully aware, maybe not everyone is fully aware, of the profound pathology in the judiciary we are dealing with, how deeply rooted this pathology is, how much these people feel impunity, and how much they do not understand what has happened, i.e., the outcome and democratic assessment they are facing - said Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on "Fakty po Faktach" TVN24. - He was asked [Maciej Nawacki] to do so [apologize to me], such suggestions were made to him [...] but I did not hear the word "sorry." [...] What the judge felt offended by was precisely the statement of facts. It was the statement that his name appears in the kasta/antykasta group, that he tore up a resolution, that he did not comply with court orders; he felt offended by that, but these are the facts. [...] I took two actions: my first action was to call the police [...] and the second action, which I will take tomorrow, immediately, will be to file a report with the prosecutor's office, but also a report with the disciplinary spokesperson for judges - she continued.

20:03

Szydło:

Centralized Management from Brussels, Primarily Serving German and French Policies. Member States Will Be Marginalized
- This change [to EU treaties] leads to a limitation of the sovereignty of member states, taking away some competences that also affect the daily lives of every citizen of the European Union. And most importantly, deprived of the right to veto, which is effectively the right to defend their own interests, [...] this will no longer exist. In effect, there will be centralized management from Brussels, primarily implementing the policies of the biggest players in the EU, i.e., primarily Germany and France - said Beata Szydło in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News. - If these treaty changes came into force, and as the rapporteurs presenting them yesterday during the debate said: this is the first step - so one should presume that subsequent steps are already being prepared - it will effectively lead to such a limitation of the functioning of member states, [...] one can say that member states will become so marginalized that their functioning will be severely limited - she continued.

20:07

Gasiuk-Pihowicz:

We Are a Legal Part of the National Council of the Judiciary, but We Also Have People There Illegally
- Four members of the Sejm are elected [to the KRS] in accordance with the Constitution. [...] So, you can talk about us as the KRS; we are the part of the KRS that is legal, along with two representatives from the Senate, along with the president's representative, and soon the new Minister of Justice, but also, for example, the President of the Supreme Administrative Court. However, we also have people there who are there illegally, that is the fifteen chosen extra-procedurally by the PiS majority in parliament [...] that also includes Mrs. neo-judge Manowska - Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz said on TVN24.

20:13

Gasiuk-Pihowicz on Judgments by Judges Appointed by the so-called neo-NCJ: They Will Remain in Force
- In my opinion, none of these judgments [issued by judges appointed by the so-called neo-NCJ] can simply evaporate from the legal order; they will remain and stay in force - said Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz on TVN24. - If only to ensure citizens have access to a court where, as it was colloquially said, there is no imposter in a robe, or where the judgment is certain and final, we simply need to sort this out - she continued.

20:18

Szydło:

Tusk's coalition is starting to crumble as they can't agree on fundamental EU treaty matters. Left MEPs voted for the resolution
- The result of the vote [in the European Parliament] was clear - it was passed by a narrow margin of just 17 votes. Unfortunately, MEPs elected in Poland, Donald Tusk's current coalition partners, contributed to this - Beata Szydło said on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń". - We can infer that Tusk's coalition is starting to crumble, given they cannot agree on such fundamental issues. Tusk should not pretend he doesn't take responsibility for this, because if he wants to form a government in Poland, I have a simple question: what will be the stance of a government that includes representatives of the Left, when Left MEPs, elected from the Left in Poland, voted today to adopt this resolution? When he goes to the European Council to discuss and debate treaty changes, what will he do - will he veto it or not? - she asked. - Mr. Biedroń signed the coalition agreement as one of the leaders, and Mr. Biedroń, as the leader of this grouping, is also a Member of the European Parliament here who supported these treaty changes today. So, I understand that Mr. Tusk will have to meet with Mr. Biedroń and agree on the position to be presented at the European Council session. I fear that Biedroń will not change his mind [...], so there will be a serious problem and a crisis in the coalition in Poland - stated the PiS MEP.

20:19

Gasiuk-Pihowicz:

I expect the president to take responsibility for the commitment to implement ECtHR rulings
- The President, Andrzej Duda himself, also committed to respecting the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights by personally affixing his signature [...]. So I expect him to take responsibility for the signature he placed under this document, which clearly states: we commit to implementing the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights – Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz said on TVN24.

20:30

Szydło:

If the Left, Third Way, and Confederation Cared About Poland, They Would Negotiate with Morawiecki
- If they [the Left, Third Way, and Confederation] cared about Poland, if they genuinely wanted to implement a good program for Poland, they would undertake these negotiations [with Mateusz Morawiecki]. But there is no such will from that side - said Beata Szydło in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

21:02

Kobosko:

It's surprising when a prime minister, a busy person, allocates time slots where he sits motionless, waiting for guests who won't come.
No, I'm not going, I mean it's surprising in general when a prime minister, who is generally a quite busy person in any country, and I think especially in Poland, allocates such time slots where he sits, I understand motionless, waiting for guests who won't come, because we have stated that we do not intend to participate in these mock talks about forming a government by Prime Minister Morawiecki, and it seems that other groups forming a real coalition and a real government shortly will not participate in these so-called talks - stated Michał Kobosko in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the program “Kropka nad i” on TVN24.

21:04

Kobosko on EU Treaty Changes: I'd Say the Change Today is Minimal

- This is the problem with the deceptive narrative that has been ongoing for several days, which we heard yesterday in the Sejm and heard today, as if something terrible, irreversible had happened today in Strasbourg, that Poland's sovereignty had been taken away. I am using these types of words because such words were spoken yesterday in the Sejm, and today in the Sejm and Strasbourg; this is an absolute untruth - stated Michał Kobosko on TVN24.

- Today, the European Parliament voted on a resolution, with a small majority, because it's evident today that the European Parliament is also very strongly divided on this matter. The resolution was adopted with a small majority, which may create a path for future changes to the EU treaties, but this path today is very distant, very uncertain. I'd say the change to these treaties today is minimal - he added.


21:05

Szynkowski vel Sęk to Kobosko: If this is how you intend to act as Chairman of the EU Affairs Committee on fundamental issues, I consider it an unheard-of threat.

- This decision by the European Parliament, contrary to what Mr. Kobosko is saying, is very important because it initiates the procedure for amending the treaties. This is a procedure defined in Article 48 of the treaty, and the initiation of this procedure means that steps will be taken. I would be reserved in my words, were I in Mr. Kobosko's place, regarding this procedure, firstly because a Member of the European Parliament from Poland 2050 lent a hand in supporting this resolution - stated Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.

- Secondly, because yesterday, when we wanted to proceed with a resolution that, on the one hand, expressed support for Poland's presence in the European Union, which is very important, but on the other hand, also pointed out the threats associated with treaty changes, Marshal Hołownia deemed it not an important matter and did not find time within those 2 hours during which the Sejm was supposed to convene, as the Sejm was meant to debate 24 hours a day. It turned out that yesterday it only deliberated for 2 hours. He did not find time to debate this topic - he continued.

- He referred it to the Committee on European Union Affairs. Yesterday, the Chairman of this Committee became MP Michał Kobosko, sitting next to me, and the committee meeting lasted 7 minutes. 7 minutes, I will emphasize again, and Chairman Michał Kobosko did not even speak, despite a motion to extend [the agenda] on this matter being submitted. If this is how you intend to act as Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs on fundamental issues, I consider it an unheard-of threat precisely to the statehood of Poland - he added.


21:05

Kobosko to Szynkowski vel Sęk: You are co-responsible for us not receiving KPO funds

- Frankly, I have to ask how the minister dares to say such things about the European Commission, about EU institutions at this moment, given that you, as the person responsible for the Polish government's relations with EU institutions, did what you did. That is to say, you are co-responsible for us not receiving money for the National Reconstruction Plan - stated Michał Kobosko on TVN24.

- We are not receiving them. Do you agree that we are not receiving them? [Actually, we are just now receiving them. The first advance payments are just coming in – said Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk] Fantastic, now that you've lost power, what a coincidence - he added.