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11/30/2023

07:50

Thursday's Political Agenda: Second Day of Senate Session, Hołownia in Krakow, Constitutional Tribunal Verdict on Ziobro's Request, President's Dubai Visit Begins, GUS on GDP and Inflation

At 10:00 AM, the Senate will resume its deliberations – this will be a continuation of its 2nd session.

At 11:00 AM, the announcement of the Constitutional Tribunal's verdict is scheduled – at the request of the Prosecutor General – regarding the constitutionality 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.

At 2:00 PM, the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, will meet with students of the V High School of General Education named after August Witkowski in Krakow as part of a civic lesson.

President Andrzej Duda is beginning his visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he will participate in the COP28 Conference in Dubai. Today's schedule – at 3:00 PM Polish time – includes participation in a reception on the occasion of the inauguration of the COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum with the participation of King Charles III and the President of the UAE, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Also today, the Central Statistical Office (GUS) will release a preliminary estimate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2023, as well as the preliminary inflation reading for November.

08:07

Kierwiński on Whether New Members Will Be Appointed to the Commission on Russian Influence: No Decision Has Been Made Yet
- There is no decision yet on whether new members will be appointed to the commission on Russian influence, but personally I am convinced that the issue of Poland's dependence on Russian raw materials under the PiS government must be clarified. It must be explained why Prime Minister Morawiecki, his bank, participated in transactions carried out by Russian entrepreneurs and oligarchs, and it must be explained why the most important PiS politicians, knowing that Putin was planning aggression against Ukraine, met with Putin's puppets in Europe - said Marcin Kierwiński in an interview with Dariusz Ociepa on Polsat News' "Graffiti". - We are recalling PiS officials. There are no independent members of the commission there. There are people who are direct executors of orders from Nowogrodzka [PiS headquarters]. If Kaczyński wants to appoint such a commission at Nowogrodzka, let him appoint it, let him stand before that commission, let him invite Macierewicz, let him invite Jasiński - he continued.

08:15

Kierwiński:

We Have Many Indications This Commission Was Used to Copy and Remove Documents from Ministries, from the Chancellery of the Prime Minister
- PiS established a commission [on Russian influence] just before the elections, intended to attack opposition politicians, mainly Donald Tusk. [...] This is a very important issue. I truly say with full responsibility: we have many indications that this commission was used to copy documents and remove them from ministries, from the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. [We have] information from people currently working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister; we will investigate this thoroughly, we will verify it. If such a situation occurred, those who removed the documents, and we know PiS is capable of this, will be held accountable. Members of this commission and individuals cooperating with it were supposed to do this – said Marcin Kierwiński on Polsat News.

08:19

Kierwiński:

The more Morawiecki claims to be building a majority, the fewer PiS MPs vote.
- The more Morawiecki says he has a majority, the more I look at the results of parliamentary votes, and there are fewer and fewer. The more Morawiecki says he is building a majority, the smaller the number of PiS MPs in the votes becomes - said Marcin Kierwiński on Polsat News.

08:29

Kierwiński on Kaczyński: Someone Who Wants to Draw Such Historical Analogies is a Big, Spoiled Child in Politics
- I understand that this is Mr. MP Kaczyński's malice, that he believes such historical analogies, someone who wants to draw such historical analogies at all [with the swearing-in of the government on December 13th, on the anniversary of martial law], clearly shows they are a big, spoiled child in politics - said Marcin Kierwiński on Polsat News. - We will not react to any such strange provocations. [...] If Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government were to be appointed, I don't know, on the evening of the 11th [December] or the 12th, there is truly no reason to wait until the 13th. The President has no more important duty during this busy period than appointing a new government - he continued.

08:37

Kierwiński:

Let Błaszczak Wait Calmly, He and His Colleagues Will Likely Be on the Commission, But as Interrogated
- The new ruling coalition will have a majority [on the inquiry commissions] because it is a majority coalition. [...] There is probably a chance [for PiS to have 4 members on these commissions], club leaders need to agree on that. [...] Let Minister Błaszczak wait calmly, he and his colleagues will likely be on this commission, but as interrogated individuals - said Marcin Kierwiński on Polsat News. - I can speak for myself, as there is no club decision here. I will not vote [for the candidacies of Wąsik, Kamiński, Ziobro, or Sasin to the commission] and I believe it is a very bad idea. If there are specific individuals who must appear before these commissions due to the positions they held, then such an escape, that they will become members of the commission, in my opinion, cannot be acceptable - he continued.

08:43

Kierwiński on the PLN 60,000 Tax-Free Allowance: "One of Our Partners Raised a Doubt, We Will Convince Them"
"We will be talking to our partners. One partner has raised a doubt, but we will convince them, and yes, we will fulfill this promise. I have no doubts about that," said Marcin Kierwiński on Polsat News, when asked about the PLN 60,000 tax-free allowance.

08:45

Joński Asked If He Will Chair Investigative Committee: 'We'll See'

- We'll see [if I will chair the investigative committee]; for now, we need to establish these committees. We are close to establishing them – stated Dariusz Joński on the program "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

08:46

Szłapka on Abolishing the TV/Radio Fee: "We Will Discuss It"

- We will discuss it. I think he can defend himself by saying he pays taxes, and from his taxes, without his consent, 2 billion PLN annually is taken for public media. I believe any court in such a situation would simply consider a portion of income tax as this subscription fee - stated Adam Szłapka in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

- I would have to check the bills. I don't watch public television or listen to public radio at all - he added.

08:46

Joński:

Likely More Parliamentary Investigative Committees, Including on NCBiR and the Pandemic
In my opinion, these first three [investigative committees will be for now]. We want them to actually work quickly, and above all, effectively. They will finish, and likely there will be more because there have been very many scandals, including at NCBiR. Well, precisely in your studio, a former deputy minister in the PiS government spoke about an organized crime group at NCBiR. My colleague, MP Szczerba, and I were also there many times. We managed to halt the payment of 300 million for 17 projects and we saw how it all looked. Now there are also NIK [Supreme Audit Office] referrals to the prosecutor's office concerning specific individuals – stated Dariusz Joński on TVN24. – I left this for dessert, but of course, the issue of the pandemic in general and what PiS people did during the pandemic. How they siphoned off money then, it's not just about the arms dealer. There is also a ski instructor, his friend, who sold face shields. People who traded state-owned companies, and now we will finally enter these companies. We will see what happened there, additionally the temporary hospitals. This is a huge area, and of course, the famous Covid Fund, it simply must be settled – he continued.

08:47

Joński:

We Care About Actually Clarifying Russian Influence
First and foremost, we care about actually clarifying Russian influence, because there is no other country that so strongly wants to interfere in the politics of other countries and in the destinies of other countries – said Dariusz Joński on TVN24. - They [Russians] spend the most on agents and they are also operating here in Poland. I would really like to know, not just look at that famous photo from the pier. Because there are plenty of such photos across Europe, official visits. I just want to know who profited and who is doing business with the Russians – he added.

08:47

Szłapka:

I want the sale of Lotos to be investigated for Russian influence, Morawiecki's ties to Moshe Kantor, and Macierewicz's role in the liquidation of WSI
I would also like the sale of Lotos to be investigated for Russian influence, as well as Morawiecki's ties to Moshe Kantor and the intentions behind the privatization of Azoty, and above all, Macierewicz's role in the liquidation of WSI - stated Adam Szłapka on the program 'Gość Radia Zet'.

There are many Russian influences when it comes to Macierewicz. Some of our listeners will surely remember the lustration case, which involved checking cooperation with communist agents. There was a law, a decision by Macierewicz, then head of the Ministry of Interior. I am absolutely certain that Macierewicz's action at the time was calculated to discredit this idea, because he simply destroyed it. 15 years after that event, there was the liquidation of WSI, and we know that Tomasz L., who is now accused of espionage for Russia, was on the liquidation committee. Then came the entry into the NATO Military Counterintelligence Service. I would like all of this to be investigated - he added.

08:47

Joński:

Duda Must Task Tusk with Forming a Government on December 11th - There's No Other Way

- Perhaps some people, PiS politicians, have become accustomed to the President breaking the constitution and making his own interpretations, but we read the constitution directly. On [December] 11th, Mr. Morawiecki will not secure a majority in the Sejm. We will elect a new government with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and I don't know, we will have to find President Duda. I hope he returns to Poland and entrusts the mission of forming the government and swears in this government with Prime Minister Donald Tusk; there is no other way – stated Dariusz Joński on TVN24.

08:47

Joński:

We Have a Plan to Depoliticize Media. We Will Uncement TVP, Regardless of What They Do

- They would like to cement, in fact, people and those institutions that sowed hatred. They think they have achieved [success], but we have a plan to depoliticize the media, because that is what we promised – said Dariusz Joński on TVN24.

- We will ensure they don't cement TVP, but if they do, we have a plan. We will uncement it, regardless of what they do, everything can truly be undone – he added.

08:50

Szłapka on EU Treaties: No Friction in the Coalition on This Matter

- There will be no friction in the coalition on this matter. Donald Tusk also commented on this issue. He stated that it is difficult to accept, but what is most important is to sit at the table and influence changes. The matter is moot, as several governments have already expressed their views on it. Minister Szynkowski's two-week mission is about building up PiS. It's all theater - stated Adam Szłapka on the program 'Gość Radia Zet'.

10:32

Nitras:

Duda Should Immediately Dismiss Zybertowicz for State Destabilization
- The only recommendation I find regarding what happened yesterday is that Mr. Duda should immediately dismiss Mr. Zybertowicz, one of the members of the so-called commission, for destabilizing the state - stated Sławomir Nitras on Gazeta.pl.

10:43

Nitras:

We Don't Want to Continue This Spectacle in the Media – Should There Be a Commission or Not? We Are Contemplating.
- There is no decision on this matter, partly because it [the commission on Russian influence] was established by law. As you know, any law exposes us to a presidential veto. We don't want to continue this spectacle in the media – whether there should be a commission or not. Therefore, we are contemplating – stated Sławomir Nitras in Gazeta.pl. - I personally believe that stepping into these shoes is unserious. It is at least questionable, but please don't be surprised that we don't want to bring about a situation where, shortly, the dismissed member of this commission, Mr. Zybertowicz, on behalf of Mr. Duda, will say that there is a veto here because we don't want to investigate Russian influence. Give us time to think for a moment – he continued. - Theoretically, there is a chance; one can imagine that serious, credible people, without jeopardizing the interests of the Polish state, could deal with this, but it is a serious decision and it requires serious reflection, not a sudden decision made under the influence of emotions or under the pressure of the media or public opinion – he added.

10:47

Nitras:

In My Opinion, People Like Kamiński and Wąsik Will Become Repeat Offenders, Be Convicted Again, and Never Serve as Public Officials for the Good of the Polish State
- For almost 20 years, I can't recall traffic jams at the border between Poland and Germany. Today, we are all stuck in traffic jams because Germany does not trust Poland and has introduced border controls. Please ask Polish entrepreneurs about the costs of this for the Polish economy, for Polish businesses. Whoever did this, whoever is responsible for it – Mr. Rau, Mr. Morawiecki, Mr. Jabłoński, Mr. Piotr Wawrzyk – these people must explain to the Polish state, to Polish citizens, to Polish authorities, to the investigative committee, why this happened – stated Sławomir Nitras in Gazeta.pl. - Those who eavesdropped on Krzysztof Brejza, those who eavesdropped on Civic Platform parliamentarians, those who eavesdropped on local government officials, those who eavesdropped on prosecutors, those who eavesdropped on Polish judges – they all must answer the question of why they did it, whether it was in line with the law, and in my opinion, people like Mr. Kamiński or Mr. Wąsik will become repeat offenders, will be convicted again by an independent Polish court for this, and will never again serve as public officials for the good of the Polish state, and in the name of justice – he emphasized.

10:49

Nitras Responds to Suski: Was 'Lex Tusk' an Act of Grace and Goodwill from PiS?
- Was 'Lex Tusk' an act of grace and goodwill from PiS? - Sławomir Nitras stated in Gazeta.pl, referring to Marek Suski's words about a "vindictive change" and a "coalition of revenge."

10:51

Nitras:

I Don't Rule Out Tusk Addressing the Parliament the Very Next Morning, December 12th
- I would like [Tusk's government to be formed on the same day as Morawiecki's exposé], but it depends on the course of parliamentary proceedings. I don't know if it will be possible; if it is possible, I think there's a chance that after Morawiecki finishes, I don't know how that debate will look, I don't know what its character will be - stated Sławomir Nitras in Gazeta.pl. - We also wouldn't want anything to disrupt this celebration, so I don't rule out, for example, that Donald Tusk should take the podium the very next morning, the 12th [of December], in order to, in a normal, calm atmosphere, undisturbed by the excesses of MP Suski or MP Ozdoba, show the Polish people the future government in a dignified manner and that there is a parliamentary majority capable of leading Poland's affairs in a good direction - he added.

10:53

Nitras on 100 Specifics: I Don't Rule Out Having to Abandon Some Proposals
- This coalition must develop a common program, and I don't rule out the possibility that we might have to abandon some proposals in order to incorporate solutions offered by our coalition partners from the Third Way and the Left. I don't rule out that, with a heavy heart, we may have to part with any of these proposals, even a single one - stated Sławomir Nitras in Gazeta.pl.

10:54

Nitras on Abortion: We Might Realize This Demand After We Get Rid of Duda
- Don't blame me for Duda vetoing it, but the president has 19 months left, and we have 4 years. If we manage to fulfill this demand even after we get rid of President Duda, when a normal person who is guided by the state's interest becomes president, not Kaczyński's interest, I think you won't blame us if it happens in 19 months – stated Sławomir Nitras in Gazeta.pl. - Or perhaps President Duda will change his mind – he added.

11:09

Nitras:

Trzaskowski is the Natural Presidential Candidate
- In my opinion, the natural candidate [for president] is Rafał Trzaskowski, of course. Szymon Hołownia, for whom I have great respect, who helped us, but it's not only Szymon Hołownia who is the face of this positive transformation of the Sejm. I hope Poles appreciate it. He achieved an 11-percent result in the last presidential elections and has every right to run in those elections - stated Sławomir Nitras in Gazeta.pl. - I would like to vote for Rafał Trzaskowski, approaching Szymon Hołownia with enormous respect, who, of course, I am aware might be a candidate in these elections, many of his actions indicate this - he continued. - I am closer to Rafał Trzaskowski. I know this, he is very consistently preparing for this campaign - he added.

11:45

Czarnek on Investigative Committees: We Should Have 4 to 5 Members. We Will Never Agree to Three

- The provision of the law on parliamentary investigative committees is absolutely unambiguous. It is described in Article 2 that a parliamentary investigative committee, which has up to 11 members, should have 11 members. According to the draft resolution, there should be representatives of parliamentary clubs and circles proportionate to their size in the Sejm. If the parity is calculated precisely, we should have 4 to 5 members. We will never agree to three. Therefore, repeating what I said at the podium, we will support this committee if it is established in accordance with the law and operates in accordance with the law - stated Przemysław Czarnek in an interview with Łukasz A. Jankowski on Radio Wnet.

11:45

Czarnek:

An Unlawful Investigative Commission Will Not Be Able to Impose Penalties. We Will Prove This in Court.

- Even if, even if the fact is that no one should appear before such a commission that will act unlawfully, and those who do not appear will not be able to be punished, we will prove all of this in court - stated Przemysław Czarnek on Radio Wnet.

12:44

PKO BP Analysts: A Prelude to the Recovery We Expect in Coming Quarters, Fueled by the Return of Real Wage Growth
GDP in Q3 23 actually grew by 0.5% y/y, 0.1pp stronger than the flash estimate indicated. In its structure, we see a record negative contribution from the decrease in inventories (-7.7pp), which was however partially neutralized by net exports (+5.9pp). Investments grew solidly, but slightly weaker than in the previous quarter (by 7.2% y/y compared to 10.5% y/y in Q2 23). After a sharp decline in H1 23, consumption increased by 0.8% y/y, and this is, in our assessment, merely a prelude to the recovery we expect in the coming quarters, fueled by the return of real wage growth - state PKO BP analysts.

13:25

BGK:

European Funds for Lower Silesia. Almost a Billion Zloty for Loans for Entrepreneurs
PARTNER CONTENT Representatives of the Marshal's Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) have signed an agreement on the implementation of projects within the European Funds for Lower Silesia program. Thanks to this, entrepreneurs will be able to apply for attractive loans as early as spring next year.
"The operator of the loans we intend to launch will be Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. This is nearly a billion zloty for micro, small, and medium-sized entrepreneurs. We are keen for Lower Silesia to develop as dynamically as it has so far. These loans will be primarily intended for development and improving energy efficiency," explains Marshal Cezary Przybylski.
Financial instruments in the current EU perspective for the years 2021-2027 are an important element of support for entrepreneurs, and the development of regional entrepreneurship is one of the priorities of the voivodeship's self-government. Thanks to the agreement signed today with BGK, beneficiaries will implement projects with a total value of approximately PLN 990 million, of which over PLN 693 million comes from EU funds. European Funds for Lower Silesia is a program implemented with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
"Three loan schemes that will reach entrepreneurs represent a new development impulse for Lower Silesia. We hope that this money, coming from the pool of European funds, will allow for the continued dynamic development of the region, for which we are keeping our fingers crossed and wish everyone success," adds Tymoteusz Myrda, member of the voivodeship's board.
It is easier to obtain funds through a loan than through grants due to the simple rules for application and settlement. An additional advantage of loans is that they constantly feed into the region's economy, as they can be used multiple times – money returned to the operator becomes available again for subsequent applicants.
"We thank you for the trust, which we have been earning since 2009. Since then, we have managed to implement financial instruments in Lower Silesia worth over 1.38 billion zloty. This money primarily serves the entrepreneurs of Lower Silesia. Thanks to the good cooperation between BGK and the Voivodeship Self-Government, we are able to adapt these instruments to changing economic conditions such as COVID-19 or the war in Ukraine," says Tomasz Robaczyński, member of BGK's board.
BGK has been managing financial products since the first EU financial perspective, including implementing financial instruments in Lower Silesia. Thanks to the agreement signed today, Lower Silesia will launch a financial support mechanism in the form of loans in 3 projects:
  • Development Loan – will increase innovation efficiency and competitiveness in the SME sector.
  • Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan – will increase energy efficiency in the housing sector, public buildings, and micro and small companies. Additionally, it will support the modernization of street lighting.
  • RES Loan – will increase the production of electricity and heat from renewable energy sources, and support the construction and expansion of renewable energy source installations. It will also supplementarily finance electric vehicle charging stations.

13:40

PKO BP Vice President: Legal Risk in the Mortgage Market Has Recently Increased
The level of legal risk in the mortgage credit market has recently increased. If we, as the banking sector, do not manage mortgage market risks well, we may be forced to establish further reserves in the future – assessed Vice President Piotr Mazur.

13:43

Budka:

'Cheaper Electricity' Bill Guarantees Freezing Energy, Gas, and District Heating Prices at Current Levels

- Unfortunately, the current government has led to a catastrophic situation; this year alone, the average price of electricity in Poland has been nearly 20% higher than the average price in the European Union. Furthermore, no effective, genuine safeguards have been prepared to prevent drastic energy price increases from the new year. As reported by the President of URE, these increases could reach several dozen percent. Politicians of the democratic majority have submitted a bill to the Sejm that ensures the freezing of electricity, gas, and district heating prices at their current levels. This is a project that comprehensively regulates these issues and, moreover, secures financial resources from the excess profits of state-owned companies - stated Borys Budka at a press conference in the Sejm.

13:48

Budka:

Our Proposed Law Reintroduces Stock Exchange Obligation, a Crucial Element
We are providing an opportunity for the development of renewable energy policy while simultaneously introducing additional safeguards that will prevent the import of scrapped wind turbines into Poland. We are implementing regulations that not only concern distances from buildings, which will be at least 500 meters, but also introduce noise standards, ensuring that investments in wind energy will be ecological, quiet, and modern - stated Borys Budka at a press conference in the Sejm. - In the law we are proposing, there is a reintroduction of the stock exchange obligation, which is a very important element. Today, as a result of price manipulation by major players in the energy market, Polish consumers and entrepreneurs have been subjected to unjustified cost burdens - he added.

14:00

Budka:

The Project is Made Public Today to Dispel Doubts
- If there are any legislative doubts, it is precisely why this project is now being made available to the public, so that everything can be dispelled - said Borys Budka at a press conference.

14:02

Hennig-Kloska:

The Overarching Goal is to Ensure Cheap and Clean Electricity and Energy Sovereignty

- The overarching goal of the act, which has been submitted to the Sejm by the parliamentary majority, is to ensure cheap and clean electricity for Poles and for our country to regain energy sovereignty. Anyone who has blocked energy transformation in our country for the past 8 years, anyone who has contributed to the fact that, for example, the development of onshore wind energy has been completely blocked, has weakened our energy sovereignty, handing our sovereignty over to Putin - stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska at a press conference in the Sejm.

14:03

Budka on the Commission for Russian Influence: In Its Current Form, It Should Not Exist
- I am in favour of this commission not existing in its current form. [...] There is absolutely no question [of appointing new members to the commission] - said Borys Budka at a press conference.

14:06

Hennig-Kloska on the Russian Influence Commission: We Cannot Continue This Form of Work
- Yesterday, the board of Poland 2050, also considering this issue [the future of the commission on Russian influence], reached exactly the same conclusions. For a long time, we have said that this is an unconstitutional form of commission, it violates the Constitution in at least a dozen points, and we cannot continue this form of work – said Paulina Hennig-Kloska at a press conference.

14:11

Budka:

I wouldn't be surprised if Morawiecki wore a red lightning bolt during his exposé, claiming he always supported the Black Protest
- Beata Szydło's government abolished the possibility of IVF reimbursement. I wouldn't be surprised if Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, during his exposé speech, also wore a red lightning bolt, saying that he always supported the Black Protest. There's a limit to absurdity, and Mateusz Morawiecki pushes that limit every time - said Borys Budka at a press conference, referring to Mateusz Morawiecki's statement that he was never against IVF.

14:17

Horna-Cieślak Chosen by Senate as Children's Ombudsman

The Senate has approved the appointment of Monika Horna-Cieślak as the Children's Ombudsman. 66 senators voted in favor of her candidacy, 15 were against, and 13 abstained.

15:58

Morawiecki:

The Wind Turbine Scandal Erupted Before They Even Tried to Form a Government
There was supposed to be popcorn, and here it is! Except today it's lobbyists who are feasting on it! Poland has set a world record today! This time, however, there's nothing to celebrate, because it's a world record for scandals! - Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Twitter. - The wind turbine scandal erupted before they even attempted to form a government. Without consultation, without analysis, without preparation, politicians from PO and Poland 2050 want to install massive turbines near Poles' homes. Who will lose? Poles. Who will benefit? Lobbyists - he added.

16:54

Hołownia:

After the Election, the Sejm Suddenly Became of Great Interest to Poles, Thanks to Citizens Who Voted
- Suddenly, after these elections on October 15th, [the Sejm] suddenly began to enjoy enormous interest from Polish women and men. You see how the number of YouTube subscriptions is growing, how many different kinds of memes, and unfortunately, even deepfakes with our involvement are appearing. And this is not my achievement, it's not the achievement of anyone, I would say, from this team that populates the Sejm today. It is solely the achievement of those people who went to the polls on October 15th in a record number, 74% of voters; this hasn't happened before – stated Szymon Hołownia in Krakow.

16:57

Hołownia:

I Get the Impression the Political Class Lacks Awareness That We Are Here for a Limited Time
- Because the outgoing government, the outgoing majority decided to prolong the process by which what the people decided on October 15th would become a fact, people are looking at the Sejm. Because it is the only place where this change has occurred. The President is the same, there is no government yet, because we have some government prosthetics that appear once every two weeks. But the Sejm already exists and is the expression of that will and the change that people wanted on October 15th. That is where this interest comes from, and it worries some, as I see on the political scene. They say with sarcasm that it's not for viewership, that what I'm saying about popcorn, that it's not for applause here, that I care about YouTube likes, they should also care about YouTube likes. Because their power comes from the decisions of the people, not from divine appointment, as it seems to some, I get the impression [...]. I get the impression that today the political class in general greatly lacks the awareness that we are here for a specific period of time – said Szymon Hołownia in Krakow.

16:59

Hołownia:

We Won't Eliminate Disputes, But the Sejm Can Become a Place Where We Learn to Process Them So Poland Doesn't Crack Deeper
- We will need to embolden the normal [MPs], those who behave normally, to impose the norm on this minority that is causing trouble. Why is this so important? Because, as I say, we will not eliminate disputes, but parliament, the Sejm, can be the place where we learn to process them in such a way that Poland doesn't crack even deeper. Israel shows us, and other places in the world show us, how much internal weakness provokes external aggression – stated Szymon Hołownia in Krakow.

17:01

Hołownia:

In Two Years, When My Mission Ends, I Want People Passing By the Sejm to Smile. That's My Goal.
- There is no democracy without a parliament, there is no democracy without the Sejm. The Sejm is truly the heart of Poland, its image, its heart. It is something that I am very happy to be witnessing today, that we are dealing with it, that we are interested in it – said Szymon Hołownia in Krakow. - I would like it that in these two years, when I am finishing my mission, people passing by this Sejm will smile. That is my goal, that they look at this building with hope, and not turn their heads away, and not point fingers – he added.

17:26

Hołownia Announces Meeting with Tusk

- We are scheduled to meet [with Donald Tusk] tomorrow and that's what we will discuss - the Marshal of the Sejm replied. - He should decide how he wants it to look - he emphasized.

- It will be Prime Minister Tusk's decision how he prefers. Whether he would prefer to be elected Prime Minister on the same day, in the evening, and for instance, the exposé and the vote on the Council of Ministers to take place on December 12th, so that Poland has a Prime Minister on that day. Or he will prefer, for example, that we do all these three elements, going late into the evening, late into the night on the same day, or whether he expresses a wish that it would be better for December 11th to be the day when Mateusz Morawiecki's matter is closed - and it probably will be - and December 12th will be the day when he is elected Prime Minister, everything points to it, he will deliver his exposé and there will be a vote on the Council of Ministers - Hołownia said.

18:55

Zybertowicz:

Commission Indicated Former Prime Minister, Two Former Defence Ministers, and Two Former Special Services Coordinators Should Not Be Entrusted with State Security Roles
- Firstly, the act on the basis of which the commission worked indicates that one of the commission's objectives can be to formulate recommendations for public authorities – such an authority can be the Parliament of the Republic of Poland and, of course, the Prime Minister, ministers of any government – which would indicate that certain individuals, for reasons that must also be specifically proven, should not be entrusted with state security roles. Regarding politicians, we identified five such individuals: a former Prime Minister, two former Ministers of National Defence, and two former ministers coordinating special services. Based on our analyses, drawn from numerous public and classified documents, it emerged that all these individuals were responsible for overseeing the services, including the Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW), and were not engaged in this oversight. They were not sufficiently engaged – stated Andrzej Zybertowicz in the program "Trójkowy Komentarz Dnia" on PR3.

19:49

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Amendments Will Be Made to the Law. No Expropriation for Wind Farms
- There is no scandal. […] Amendments will be made to this law, I want to say that right away. […] It will not be smaller [distance between windmills and residential buildings] than 500 meters. This results from our amendments that we submitted in the previous term, and we also voiced this postulate in the elections. It was our election promise, to facilitate the creation of RES both at sea and on land, photovoltaics, biogas plants, windmills. What is important there? Also, noise standards introduced for the first time - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń". - This needs to be improved, there will be consultations, there will be discussions. This is the change that is happening compared to the rule of PiS, which was infallible and did not listen to remarks - he continued. - There will be no expropriation for wind farms - the leader of the Peasants' Party emphasized. - It is good that there are regulations on freezing energy prices. Regarding windmills, these elements that I have at least mentioned need to be changed, and they will be changed - he added.

20:03

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

We Represent Polish Families, Obajtek Defends Financial Institutions
- This [energy price freeze bill] is perhaps the realization of what has always been said: Orlen exists to serve people, citizens. This is what the rulers said: we are gathering a huge concern for the purpose of serving people, giving them opportunities. This concern doesn't want to share? - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News. - I didn't know you would provoke me to such a thing, that I would defend President Obajtek, Orlen, which has always said: we are not here to create some large concern for its own sake, but for citizens to benefit from it, all of them. So please. Until now, this solidarity from Orlen has not been present in all years - he continued. - The motives are purely social. We do not want electricity price increases for Polish families. We represent Polish families, while President Obajtek defends financial institutions. We defend the finances of Polish families, that is the excellent difference - he emphasized.

20:11

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

I view Błaszczak remaining minister until the end positively. It's such a crucial area of responsibility that two-week rotations would be dangerous.
- The fact that Minister Błaszczak remains minister until the end, I view that positively. Because it is, after all, such a very important sphere of responsibility that any two-week rotations there would be completely irrational and simply dangerous, they would endanger security. Without evaluating the minister, it's good that he is fulfilling this role until the end; at least that word is warranted here - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in „Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

20:18

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

The Third Way Should Nominate a Joint Presidential Candidate. Hołownia is a good Speaker, he can be a very good President
- I've been through this already, I have that experience behind me. I think the Third Way should nominate a joint candidate [for president] - Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń". - Szymon Hołownia is a really good Speaker, he can be a very good president - he stated.

20:20

Gajewska on the IVF Bill: The Question is Whether the President Will Meet Societal Expectations, or If Politics Will Cloud His Judgment

- If this program is to start functioning, it still requires passage through the Senate and the President's signature. The question is whether the president will meet societal expectations, or if politics will cloud his judgment, whether he will listen to the voice of the majority of people who support it, or if he will speak the language of his political colleagues - stated Aleksandra Gajewska in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the TVN24 program "Kropka nad i".

20:28

Gajewska on PiS: You Lost the Election, You're Losing Power, You Have to Say Goodbye to Your Posts, You Took No Responsibility for Anything

- You lost the election to a united opposition, you are losing power, you have to say goodbye to your posts, you have taken no responsibility for anything that has happened in the state. People are protesting at the border, people are struggling with inflation, fees are rising, fertility rates are falling - stated Aleksandra Gajewska on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" program.

20:52

Żukowska on Holecka's Departure: 'They Probably Know Changes Are Coming'

- I've heard that journalists themselves, on their own initiative, decided not to appear on air from December 12th. It's very interesting that this particular date has been chosen, so they probably know that changes are coming - stated Anna Maria Żukowska on TVN24.

20:54

Żukowska on the Committee Investigating Russian Influence: This Committee Should Not Continue to Function

- It is scandalous that public funds were used so that gentlemen could add something to their CVs and proclaim themselves third-generation Home Army heroes. This is truly demeaning to me, to my family, to my grandfather, and now Mr. Cenckiewicz is waving around from the Sejm gallery to everyone, Law and Justice is applauding him, they are honoring him as if he were a World War II hero. Simply put, this is unacceptable and this committee should not continue to function - stated Anna Maria Żukowska on TVN24.

20:56

Żukowska on the New Government: "I Understand That These Ladies, Who Want to Affirm Their Loyalty, Agreed to Hold These Positions, Other Serious Politicians Did Not"

- Firstly, this is a political maneuver [women in Morawiecki's government]. I listened to the entire presentation of the government, the President also deigned to say that they are all second-tier politicians. I don't know if it was a compliment, and I understand that these ladies, who want to affirm their determination, their loyalty within their political circles, agreed to hold these positions, other serious politicians did not. Let's recall that the Prime Minister is no longer the Prime Minister for Security, Jarosław Kaczyński; I don't see him in this government, and he didn't even come to the swearing-in ceremony of this government, which he authored. This is, well, frankly, sad - stated Anna Maria Żukowska on the TVN24 program "Kropka nad i".

- In my opinion, this government exists to get through, to last these 2 weeks, a full 14 days, in order to obtain the right to a severance pay for one month, because then they will receive salaries for one month, severance pay for that one month as well, and this will be a reward for their sacrifice, loyalty, and actually exposing themselves to the ridicule of the entire country - she added.

21:04

ORLEN Extends Partnership with Robert Kubica. Pole Behind the Wheel of a Ferrari Hypercar

Robert Kubica will again compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in the 2024 season. The Polish driver will take the wheel of a car from the Italian AF Corse team, which is a partner of Ferrari. He will combine his WEC starts with appearances in the European Le Mans Series. Furthermore, Kubica will continue his collaboration with ORLEN for the next three years as one of the brand's main ambassadors.

– Sports sponsorship is one of the pillars of our strategy to build a strong and globally recognized brand. For several years, we have focused on a key project related to our presence in Formula 1, allowing us to reach hundreds of millions of fans worldwide. We also consistently support the best Polish racing driver, the only Polish competitor in F1 history – Robert Kubica. We have decided to extend our sponsorship agreement with Robert for another three years. We will support him in his fight for further trophies in the most prestigious racing series. Simultaneously, we will continue to effectively leverage this cooperation in marketing and communication – says Daniel Obajtek, President of the ORLEN Management Board.

The collaboration between Robert Kubica and ORLEN is an excellent example of how a long-term and well-thought-out sponsorship policy can align with the achievement of business and image goals. Kubica is a key brand ambassador. He regularly participates in marketing campaigns supporting the retail sector. In recent years, he has promoted ORLEN Paczka, VERVA fuels, and the VITAY loyalty program.

According to a study by ARC Rynek i Opinia, as many as 55% of Poles view ORLEN's involvement in sponsoring a driver positively. Nearly one in five respondents indicates that thanks to the cooperation with Kubica, they are more inclined to use the company's fuel stations. Kubica enjoys great popularity among Poles, but he also guarantees international exposure for the company's brand and strengthens its recognition. The total estimated value of media and non-media return on investment that ORLEN will achieve through its collaboration with the driver in Polish and foreign markets in 2023 amounts to approximately PLN 68.5 million.

For Robert Kubica, next year will be another season in the World Endurance Championship. In his second full season, the Polish driver, with the ORLEN Team WRT crew, secured the championship title in the LMP2 class. Next year, the Polish driver will compete for victory in the Hypercar class, the premier category for the fastest cars, whose winners are officially crowned world endurance champions. The Pole will join the AF Corse team, which partners with Ferrari, and will get behind the wheel of the 499P model – one of three cars on the 2024 WEC grid. The Italian team won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in the 2023 season.

Over five years of cooperation with ORLEN, Kubica has achieved success in prestigious racing series. During this time, he returned to Formula 1 racing, first with the Williams team and then with Alfa Romeo Racing Team ORLEN. In 2021, representing the Belgian team ORLEN Team WRT, he triumphed in the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 category. The following year, alongside his teammates from Italy's Prema, he stood on the second step of the podium at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race. He repeated this success this year, capping off an excellent season with the championship title in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) – once again representing the Belgian team ORLEN Team WRT. Now, the driver from Krakow will fulfill his dream of competing in a Ferrari car. With the AF Corse team, Kubica will contend in the Hypercar class – the highest category of the World Endurance Championship. In 2024, he will also be seen again in the European Le Mans Series under the ORLEN Team AO by TF banner.

It is also worth mentioning another important aspect of Kubica's sporting career. The ORLEN Team driver has been a role model for young, talented drivers for years, who draw from his knowledge and experience. Recently, news that Kacper Sztuka, also a driver for ORLEN Team, is joining the Red Bull Academy to develop his skills, resonated widely in the media.

PARTNERSHIP CONTENT

22:23

PKO BP: Artificial Intelligence in Small Businesses – Over 40% of Respondents See It as an Opportunity
PARTNER CONTENT According to a study conducted by PKO Bank Polski, as many as 16% of small businesses declare they are already using solutions based on artificial intelligence. It diagnoses and aids in treatment, robotizes industrial processes, drives vehicles autonomously, and detects cyber threats. It even helped complete a 1970s Beatles song, which premiered in early November 2023. These are just a few examples of artificial intelligence's capabilities, with its application areas constantly expanding. AI is currently recognized as a key technology for building a competitive advantage in business. According to IDC forecasts, global spending on AI is expected to increase from USD 188 billion in 2022 to USD 300 billion in 2026 within four years. How can the potential of artificial intelligence be leveraged in running and developing a small business? Is it an opportunity, a threat, or perhaps a necessity? PKO Bank Polski investigated how small businesses perceive AI. According to a study commissioned by PKO Bank Polski, 16% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Polish market already use artificial intelligence. AI-based solutions are most commonly used by companies in the service sector (22%), and least by those in construction (9%). In retail, AI is used by 15% of companies. A similar percentage of manufacturing companies – 12% – declare the use of artificial intelligence.

Interestingly, many respondents, when asked about specific tools they use in their operations, provided general answers – programs, systems, software (20%). The same percentage chose messengers, slightly fewer opted for ChatGPT (15%), graphic applications (8%), and text applications (8%). Such a high proportion of general answers may indicate a lack of awareness among respondents about the specific tools their company uses. As many as 79% of companies that do not currently use AI-based solutions do not plan to use them in the future either. Companies in the construction industry are the most skeptical in this regard (89%).   What is AI for a small business? Companies that are considering using AI in their operations most often plan to utilize it in communication (18%), marketing, advertising, and e-commerce (15%), as well as production and services (11%). According to the study, respondents perceive its potential in creating texts and graphics (4%) or optimizing websites (1%) to acquire new customers more effectively to a very limited extent.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a technology reserved for the biggest players. AI can help small businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service quality. There are many applications, and a company should choose solutions tailored to its needs. It is worth utilizing generative artificial intelligence (ChatGPT, DALL-E, and others), as this technology is relatively easy to use and can yield interesting results in various areas, – says Dawid Kin, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Development Office at PKO Bank Polski.

AI will help small businesses with tasks such as:
  • Customer service – sometimes a simple chatbot is enough to answer frequently asked questions, help schedule appointments, and provide more information about our products and services. Generative AI can assist a company in handling customer messages, for instance, by generating email content, which will speed up the process.
  • Marketing – "ChatGPT" can help create marketing content, such as social media posts and website content, product descriptions, and promotional graphics and texts. A company can save time and resources needed for content creation and increase the creativity of its messaging.
  • Analysis and business decision-making – support in market analysis and the development of business strategies based on provided data, data analysis, and drawing conclusions.

These are just a few selected applications, but there are many more, so almost every company can find something for itself. It is possible that employees of companies participating in the study are already using generative AI to improve their efficiency, as this technology has become very popular. However, it is important to emphasize that ChatGPT is not infallible, so in matters crucial to the company's operations, its results should be verified – meaning it should become a support for humans, – emphasizes Dawid Kin, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Development Office at PKO Bank Polski.

Opportunity or threat When asked to assess the risk of using AI in their companies, most entrepreneurs perceive it as an opportunity (42%). One in four entrepreneurs (26%) sees it as a threat, but one-third of companies (32%) cannot provide an answer to this question. In light of the other study results, it is not surprising that construction is the industry that least recognizes the potential of AI.

Small companies are wondering how to optimize their operations with the support of AI without incurring unnecessary costs and ensuring a return on investment. The main barriers limiting the implementation of AI-based solutions are likely the lack of a diagnosed need, as well as financial considerations. I believe that over time, as knowledge about AI applications grows, more entrepreneurs will be convinced. Our role as a bank is to help businesses finance development and investments that build a competitive advantage, – says Radosław Hutnik, Director of the Corporate and Enterprise Banking Transformation Division at PKO Bank Polski.

About the study The study was conducted using the CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) technique in August 2023 by the research agency PBS Sp. z o.o. on behalf of PKO Bank Polski. A total of 1005 interviews were conducted with companies employing up to 9 people. The quota sample was based on industry: services, n=402; trade, n=201; production, n=201; construction, n=201. The sample was adjusted with an analytical weight, allowing the overall results to be interpreted as representative of the population of companies employing up to 9 people.

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