Live Feed

12/18/2023

08:06

Fogiel:

This Government Isn't Even a Week Old, Yet We've Already Heard Absurd, Utterly Unlawful and Unconstitutional Ideas

- In recent days, and this government isn't even a week old, we've already heard such absurd proposals for solutions, completely unlawful and unconstitutional in many areas, that it's unfortunately not surprising at all that such propositions are being pushed. Especially since similar, and even more far-reaching ones, are presented by the judges themselves - stated Radosław Fogiel on "Sygnały dnia" PR1.


07:46

Petru:

I Believe Glapiński Will Face the State Tribunal, Likely in the First Quarter of the New Year

- I believe that Mr. President Adam Glapiński should face the State Tribunal. This is not a matter of my wishes, it is a matter of principles, and the principle that if someone has broken the law, they must face the consequences – stated Ryszard Petru on RMF24.

- I am referring to further installments of the conflict that Mr. Mucha, a member of the NBP management board, is revealing. Undoubtedly, this matter needs to be clarified. We are dealing with the NBP publishing basic information, for example, about salaries. Secondly, not transferring documents, which is de facto a violation of the law. The same happened in the RPP. But we also have more serious accusations here concerning, for instance, the financing of the budget by the NBP, which is constitutionally prohibited – he continued.

- I believe that [Adam Glapiński] will be brought before the ST and it will likely be in the first quarter of the new year, but it is difficult for me, it is difficult for me to ultimately be responsible for the entire coalition – he added.


07:49

Petru:

The Confederation's Electorate is Winnable. I am absolutely for cooperation in specific cases, but not when Braun is a Confederation MP

- I believe that the Confederation's electorate is an electorate that needs to be nurtured; I believe it is winnable. Therefore, I am absolutely for cooperation in specific cases, but I do not see such a possibility if Mr. Braun remains a Confederation MP. Because, quite simply, a sanitary cordon needs to be established – Ryszard Petru said on RMF24.

- My declaration would be that if you expel Mr. Braun, you will not lose a deputy speaker. You can always borrow even a Confederation MP. The point is that Mr. Braun should not have the destructive power he currently possesses after this scandal. Simply put, this individual should not be accepted in any political group in the Polish Sejm at all – he continued.


08:05

Fogiel on Bodnar's Project: Manowska Clearly States Constitutional Violation, an Attempt at Manual Control of Courts and Verdicts

Here the assessment of the entire PiS environment, because it is certainly not my personal opinion, is unequivocally negative. Many of our politicians have already spoken on this matter, but indeed, the opinion of the First President of the Supreme Court, which leaves nothing but praise for this draft regulation, is I think extremely important here. President Manowska clearly speaks of a violation of the Constitution, of it being an attempt at manual control of the courts and, in a way, also of verdicts. An attempt that even the authorities of the PRL did not undertake. Our new majority, which likes to call itself democratic, according to the First President of the Supreme Court, has very quickly surpassed PRL-era standards when it comes to the courts – stated Radosław Fogiel in PR1's "Sygnały dnia".


08:08

Siemoniak:

I Cannot Imagine a Situation Where Heads of Services Attempt to Contest the Prime Minister's Decisions in Any Way
- If it weren't for the fact that a collegium of services took place, where these conclusions were presented, and this collegium is confidential, I couldn't speculate here on these matters [that the head of the CBA was planned to have a term until May 2024]. The Prime Minister made such a decision, the Prime Minister sees serious grounds for dismissing this head as well, and we are relying on the laws - Tomasz Siemoniak stated in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. - I cannot imagine a situation where the Prime Minister's subordinates, and the heads of services are in such a role, would attempt to contest his decisions in any way. [...] The government of Donald Tusk will certainly fight corruption fiercely, and the CBA will primarily be focused on those in power, because it is not the opposition that has any corrupt temptations - he continued.

08:15

Siemoniak:

The CBA was established by law and must be dissolved by law
- We announced that the CBA would be liquidated. Of course, yes [we will appoint another head of the CBA]. The service was established by law and must be dissolved by law - said Tomasz Siemoniak on TVN24. - Looking at the CBA, the facts concerning this service, primarily illegal surveillance, Pegasus, a parliamentary investigation committee will bring much to think about, whether it was truly an anti-corruption service, or if it was a party service at the disposal of one party. [...] The issue of liquidating the CBA is enshrined in the coalition agreement, this is the will of all coalition parties [...]. The new management will certainly have room to maneuver regarding how this service should operate in the coming weeks and months, until the law is signed and comes into effect. This is a piece of the state, you can't just say: we're locking the door and let whatever happens, happen - he continued.

08:17

Siemoniak:

All of Macierewicz's actions from tomorrow will be private
- Antoni Macierewicz is generally as if outside of time, outside of procedures, and outside of the world, so he can say anything. I don't rule out that he might work somewhere, move to his apartment, and work there - said Tomasz Siemoniak on TVN24. - All of Macierewicz's actions from tomorrow [...] will be private - he continued.

08:28

Siemoniak on the Pegasus Case: The Most Important for the Investigative Committee is Not the IT Detail, but Who Ordered It, Who Knew, Who Used It
- Yes, of course [there will be full transparency of the findings regarding the use of Pegasus]. The limit here is state security, but that's what an investigative committee is for [...] to find out about everything. [...] The most important matter for the investigative committee, for the public opinion, is not some IT detail, how it worked, but who ordered it, who knew, who used it. This must be conveyed to the public opinion by the investigative committee, the government, and the coordinating minister – said Tomasz Siemoniak on TVN24.

08:32

Fogiel:

If a motion to dismiss Bosak as Deputy Sejm Marshal is filed, I will vote 'yes'

- Some people here are saying it's Grzegorz Braun's doing, but on the other hand, it was precisely his party colleague, Marshal Bosak, who was presiding over the session and immediately gave him a place at the podium to justify it - stated Radosław Fogiel in "Signals of the Day" on PR1.

- This comes from the Konfederacja leaders' council, and furthermore, Konfederacja claims, at least some of them express it that way, that they have no intention of punishing him further. Also, a part of Konfederacja did not keep their commitments, for example, when it came to the election of the Marshal, so here, if such a motion is filed [to dismiss Krzysztof Bosak from the position of Deputy Sejm Marshal], I believe I will vote in favor of the motion - he continued.


08:53

Joński on Interrogations before the "Envelope Election" Commission: I Will Do Everything to Have Them in January

- The first substantive session, where we could request evidence, we have part of it, as it's generally available, but a large part is with the prosecutor's office, courts, Poczta Polska, PWPW, KPRM, and at the same time, we need to invite the first witnesses. I hope and I will do everything, I will persuade MPs, to have this done still in January. People expect this commission to operate efficiently - stated Dariusz Joński in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the "Gość Radia Zet" program.

- In the resolution, we are already saying, I'm not talking about the first one, but certainly Prime Minister Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister Sasin, but also Jarosław Kaczyński, who said in an interview that he made this decision. So it would be difficult if we didn't invite Jarosław Kaczyński as a witness - he added.


08:55

Joński:

A draft bill on civil partnerships will be ready

- "A draft bill on civil partnerships will be ready, we've spoken about this," stated Dariusz Joński on the 'Guest of Radio Zet' program.


08:58

Joński:

We Will Be Black and White on Restoring the Rule of Law

- We will be black and white on restoring the rule of law. We will simply do it. We have come to power to ensure there are no sacred cows and that things are fair. I can guarantee that we will build a fair state and hold PiS accountable - stated Dariusz Joński on the program "Guest of Radio Zet".


09:12

Czarzasty:

All Dreams of Confederation's Democratic Approach to Poland and Life Have Been Doused by the Fire Extinguisher of Confederation's True Face

- Lewica has always believed that Konfederacja should not have a place in the Sejm Presidium. We were the only ones to vote against it in the parliamentary chamber on this matter. We are consistent in this. All dreams of Confederation's democratic approach to Poland, to life, have been doused by the fire extinguisher of Confederation's true face, and that face is Braun – stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Robert Mazurek on the program “Morning Conversation” on RMF FM.

- As Lewica, we will not change our minds on this matter. Ms. Żukowska, on behalf of the entire club, has submitted a motion, and there will be no bargaining on this issue, and I am also saying this to our coalition friends – he added.


09:13

Czarzasty:

I believe healthcare funding should reach 8% of GDP within this term

- Ultimately, of course [8% of GDP for healthcare]. That is to say, first we will conduct an audit of the state's finances, which is what we are doing right now. We are checking more and more holes. At the moment, we see them. I believe that within this term, healthcare funding should reach this level. Currently, as regards this year, we are analyzing the state of finances because nobody knows the financial situation that has occurred. When we have the audit of finances, we will have to decide how much we will have to, for example, indebt the budget and to what extent we will not do so - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty in RMF FM.


09:14

Czarzasty:

No Pressure on the Minister of Justice from the Sejm Presidium
- I guarantee that there will be no pressure on the Minister of Justice from the Sejm Presidium - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty on RMF FM.

09:16

Czarzasty on TVP2 for PiS: This is a denial of the very idea of public media

- This is a bad idea, absolutely it is a bad idea. Doing something like this, where one program goes to one political option and another to another political option. This is a denial of the very idea of public media as implemented by the BBC, for example – stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty on RMF FM.


10:15

Moskal:

We Will Definitely Face Many Programmatic Events
- We will definitely face many programmatic events; after all, we have always been known for that. Law and Justice has always been the party that presented a comprehensive program for Poland, showing solutions in virtually all areas of state functioning. We did this before this election campaign as well. Perhaps the program was indeed insufficiently promoted before this parliamentary campaign, but the program still exists [...]. This program now needs to be transferred to the local level - said Michał Moskal on Poranek Siódma9.

10:16

Moskal:

I Cannot Imagine Kaczyński in Retirement
- I remember talk of sending the chairman into retirement from my early childhood. [...] It is also true that the chairman himself sometimes releases information, suggestions, that maybe it's time. I suspect, and it's likely true, that the chairman himself probably wonders, somewhere everyone thinks about a moment of peace in their life [...] I am deeply convinced that both Poland and the right-wing need Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński today, and I think that when the moment comes to make that decision, the chairman will also see it - said Michał Moskal on Poranek Siódma9. - I cannot imagine Law and Justice without Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński, and I cannot imagine Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński in retirement - he continued.

10:20

Moskal on PiS Presidential Candidates: Several figures can be spotted, decisions will likely clarify in upcoming campaigns
- Several [potential] candidates [for president with PiS support] can already be spotted somewhere in this archipelago of various figures operating within and around the Law and Justice party. However, it is likely too early to talk about specific names. I suspect that the two campaigns ahead of us, namely the local government campaign and the European Parliament campaign, will be opportunities to test these different figures who are present on this stage in a real fight. This will probably be the time when these decisions will become clearer, and I suspect we will learn the candidate no earlier than after the end of these two election campaigns - said Michał Moskal on Poranek Siódma9.

10:26

Jabłoński on EU Treaty Changes: We Expect Tusk's Government to Express its Opposition Today
Today, on the provisional, preliminary agenda of the Council of the European Union, a proposal from the European Parliament regarding treaty changes has been listed for adoption without discussion. We very strongly emphasize that this process, which is moving very quickly, is an extremely dangerous one. It is a process in which the governments of member states are to be de facto deprived of their right to speak, their right to vote, but there is a simple way to halt this process or at least significantly alter it, because the governments of member states have the right to express their opinion on this matter - stated Paweł Jabłoński during a press conference in the Sejm. - According to the regulations of the Council of the European Union, a request from just one member state is sufficient to have this item removed from today's agenda, meaning that a discussion will be held on it, and it will not be adopted today. Donald Tusk spoke in the Sejm about how no treaty changes are on the table. He said he would not be outplayed in the European Union. Today, he has a very important, but simultaneously very simple task. It is enough for the Polish representative at the Council of the European Union to submit a request to remove this item from the agenda, so that it is not adopted without discussion - he continued. - We expect Donald Tusk's government to express its opposition on this matter today through the Polish representative, and for this item to be removed from the agenda - he emphasized.

10:28

Szynkowski vel Sęk on EU Treaty Changes: I Have Great Hope that Szłapka Will Also Play His Proper Role

- Donald Tusk and his government, the minister who will be present there can express objection to this, there is a clear point in the Council's Rules of Procedure that allows for this to be removed from the agenda. We will see if this test will be passed by Donald Tusk's government minister. However, we have prepared all the arguments to raise such a voice and adopt such a stance - stated Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk during a press conference in the Sejm.

- In the final days of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's government, we first prepared, and then the Committee for European Affairs adopted an in-depth analytical document, which had previously been prepared by the ministries, asked about the potential consequences of the proposed treaty changes within their areas of competence [...]. On Wednesday, December 13, when I met with Minister Adam Szłapka, the new Minister for European Union Affairs, I handed him this document and told him that this is a matter of fundamental importance, but it is also an official document adopted by the Committee for European Affairs, and therefore an excellent basis for action - he continued.

- I have great hope that the Minister for European Affairs, Adam Szłapka, will also play his proper role in this matter, i.e., a coordinating role for all ministerial actions being taken on European affairs - he emphasized.


14:11

Government to Address 2024 Budget

The government, at its Tuesday session, will address the draft budget bill for 2024 along with its implementing provisions. Also on the agenda is the draft Strategy for Public Finance Sector Debt Management for 2024–2027, and the Three-Year Plan for Civil Service Official Appointments Limit for 2024–2026.

According to the current schedule, Members of Parliament will, as part of the first reading, discuss the budget bill on Thursday.


14:21

Schetyna on Glapiński: He is insolent, he thinks he can do anything
- I think, above all, he is insolent, meaning he thinks he can do anything, that nobody controls him, that he can do more than even President Kaczyński. In the hierarchy of beer, it is difficult to imagine that he is stopping, taking on the duty, the commitments to stop inflation, or to fight for the purchasing power of the zloty. But there is no control, there is no internal control system, and he thinks he can do anything – stated Grzegorz Schetyna in the Sejm.

14:33

Hołownia Meets with German Ambassador

Ambassador of Germany Viktor Elbling visited the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, the Chancellery of the Sejm announced.


15:12

Duda:

I Pledge to Watch Over Your Affairs and Interests as Civilian Commander-in-Chief Until the End of My Presidential Service
Thank you for this extraordinary service you perform for Poland, for all of us, because this service is carried out so that we and our state are safe. These words resonate strongly, especially at a time when we all know that a war is raging just beyond our border in Ukraine. When we have seen firsthand those who had to flee from danger, whose homes were destroyed, and whose loved ones perished. This makes us feel even more the significance and weight of the service you perform. Once again, I thank you for it and wish all Polish soldiers and their closest ones a peaceful and good holiday season as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. I pledge that until the end of my presidential service, I will watch over your affairs and interests as this civilian commander-in-chief of the armed forces – stated President Andrzej Duda during the Christmas Eve meeting of the Presidential Couple with soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent Orlik 12 and soldiers from Ämari Air Base.

15:47

Working Session of the Council of Ministers Underway at the Prime Minister's Office

The Chancellery of the Prime Minister has announced that a working session of the Council of Ministers is currently taking place at the Chancellery.


18:34

Bosak on Braun's Potential Expulsion from Confederation: We are not interested in conditions dictated by the Left, PO, Poland 2050, and PiS
- If we wanted to be in a coalition with Civic Coalition, we would be negotiating our presence in the government. We are the opposition, therefore we are not interested in conditions dictated by the Left, nor by Civic Platform, nor by Poland 2050, nor by PiS, because let's recall that PiS joined in supporting the Left's proposal – said Krzysztof Bosak in an interview with Grzegorz Sroczyński in "Popołudniowa rozmowa" (Afternoon Conversation) on RMF FM, commenting on the proposal to retain the position of Deputy Marshal of the Sejm in exchange for Grzegorz Braun's expulsion from Confederation. - To my knowledge, the vote [on my removal] is scheduled only for January – he continued.

18:39

Bosak Explains Why Braun Won't Be Expelled from the Party Despite Harming It: He Has Other Advantages
- That's why [we won't expel Grzegorz Braun from Confederation, even though his actions harm the party] because he has other advantages. For example, he is a very brave and very credible politician for voters, who was the only one to stand against the establishment during the COVID abuses, the taking away of civil rights - Krzysztof Bosak said on RMF FM.

19:11

Berek:

"Constitutional Tribunal Rulings" Will Be Published with a Suitable Note

- The Constitution mandates the observance of international law. Poland is therefore bound by the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), according to which the Constitutional Tribunal (TK) ruling in panels with the participation of so-called substitutes is not a court established by law. "Constitutional Tribunal Rulings" issued in such panels will be published with a suitable note - wrote Maciej Berek, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers, on Twitter.


19:52

Kołodziejczak:

We Cannot Throw Open Our Market to the Influx of Agricultural and Food Products from Ukraine

- It is unacceptable to our logical Polish thinking that this should happen this way. We cannot throw open our market to the influx of agricultural and food products from Ukraine, whether raw or processed," stated Michał Kołodziejczak in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń" program.


20:01

Czarzasty:

It is not ruled out that some resolutions will be brought to the Sejm session

- The Speaker of the Sejm will present this tomorrow at the Sejm Presidium at 12 p.m., and we have an agreement among ourselves that each of us is responsible for a specific sphere – stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty on the program "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.

- We will see tomorrow at the Sejm presidium what Marshal Hołownia will introduce. Nothing is ruled out, but the decision rests with Marshal Hołownia (...) It is not ruled out that some resolutions will be brought to the Sejm session – he continued.


20:01

Kołodziejczak:

There Should Be No Trading Sundays

- My opinion is that trading Sundays should not exist. This should be a time that we spend differently. I know 100 specific points, and we also need to secure the social interests of those who work in these stores - stated Michał Kołodziejczak in the program 'Gość Wydarzeń' on Polsat News.


20:08

Kołodziejczak:

Resolution Declaring the National Media Council Illegal to be Presented Tomorrow After 8 AM in the Club, and We Will Sign It

- The resolution will be presented tomorrow after 8 AM in the club, and we will sign it. What is happening in public television also compels us to react more strongly to such matters – stated Michał Kołodziejczak in the program „Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

- Everything must be done in accordance with the law. If the lawyers of Civic Coalition and the MPs, Minister Sienkiewicz, author such a law or regulation that is consistent with the law, then it must be done – he added.


20:19

Czarzasty:

Sooner or Later, Changes Are Certain at Public Television

- Sooner or later, the issue of public television, public media, and PAP [Polish Press Agency] must certainly be assessed, and changes must occur there (...) The entire sphere will be managed, and decisions will be made by Minister Sienkiewicz, to whom the media are subordinate, and he will make decisions in this matter, and we will support all those decisions – said Włodzimierz Czarzasty on TVN24.


20:19

Czarzasty:

There Will Definitely Be a Motion to Bring Glapiński Before the State Tribunal

- Mr. Adam Glapiński will definitely face a motion to appear before the State Tribunal. The decision has not yet been made, but I believe it will be made. There are grounds for it. This bonus paid to Mr. Adam Glapiński is, in my opinion, another element of this arrogant scandal surrounding Mr. Glapiński – stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty on TVN24.


20:31

Petru:

Glapiński's Impeachment by the State Tribunal is Approaching Rapidly. There Are at Least 4 Serious Charges
- Glapiński's impeachment by the State Tribunal is approaching rapidly. [...] Conflict within the Management Board, conflict within the Monetary Policy Council, meaning violation of the act, financing the budget deficit, and violation of the National Bank of Poland's political neutrality, let me remind you: he participated in the campaign. There are at least four serious charges, and as far as the coalition is concerned, I am convinced there is a deep conviction that this must be done - Ryszard Petru stated in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

20:39

Śmiszek:

Audits are underway. In our ministry, we are slowly uncovering some 'flowers'
- We are in the process of conducting audits in ministries and offices. Even in the small Ministry of Justice, we are slowly uncovering some 'flowers'. Conclusions will also be presented, for example, on how money from the Fund for the Support of the Justice System was spent - said Krzysztof Śmiszek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

20:47

Tomczyk:

The Rooms Have Been Sealed. The Building is Empty.

- The decision of Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz has been executed. The rooms have been sealed. The building is empty. Now it's time to hold the Macierewicz Commission accountable. We are getting to it immediately - Cezary Tomczyk informed on Twitter.


20:53

Śmiszek:

If National Media Council Members Were Appointed by Resolution, Dismissal by Resolution Can Be Considered
- If members of the National Media Council were appointed by resolution, then their dismissal by resolution can absolutely be considered. But the new democratic coalition has many more such instruments. These are not just resolutions, but also legislative projects that will soon be submitted to the Marshal's Office, and we will gradually resolve this situation regarding the rule of law and other issues - said Krzysztof Śmiszek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

21:04

Petru:

Budget Deficit Will Be Larger Than Projected
- It will be larger [the budget deficit] than what the government proposed. [...] I cannot [state the amount] because I will not be in the government. [...] Morawiecki's deficit this year is 190 billion, and next year probably over 200 billion zlotys. Therefore, it must be realigned, because a lot of things were left unsaid or not included in the budget. Second, we have the implementation of some electoral promises: raises for teachers and the public sector. This needs to be factored into the budget to make it realistic - said Ryszard Petru on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" program.