Live Feed

12/20/2023

07:09

Wednesday's Political Agenda: Sejm on KRS Resolution, National Security Council Meeting, Leszczyna, Wielichowska, and Pomaska on IVF, Jourová's Visit, Parliamentarians' Christmas Eve Meeting, and National Media Council Session

The Sejm will resume its session at 9:00 AM with the swearing-in of the new Ombudsman, followed by a brief voting block.

At 9:10 AM, the first reading of the government's draft amendment to the hard coal mining act will commence. A break will be announced at 10:00 AM, and at 10:30 AM, the annual Christmas Eve meeting of parliamentarians will take place.

At 1:30 PM, the aforementioned first reading will continue, and at 2:00 PM, a one-hour voting block will begin.

At 3:00 PM, the Sejm will consider – as part of a first reading – a draft resolution "on removing the consequences of the constitutional crisis in the context of the systemic position and functions of the National Council of the Judiciary in a democratic state governed by the rule of law."

At 6:00 PM, a 5-minute voting block may take place, and at 6:05 PM, the first reading of the aforementioned resolution draft will continue. At 7:00 PM, a 30-minute voting block will commence.

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At 10:30 AM, a press briefing will be held by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski. Topic: Poland's cooperation with international partners against the actions of Russian intelligence.

At 11:30 AM, a meeting of the National Security Council, convened by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, will take place at the Belvedere.

At 12:00 PM, a press conference will be held by the Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna on the topic of co-financing for IVF treatments. The briefing will be attended by Deputy Marshal of the Sejm Monika Wielichowska, and MPs Agnieszka Pomaska and Małgorzata Rozenek-Majdan.

After 1:00 PM, the Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar will meet with the Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Věra Jourová. At 3:00 PM, a joint press conference will be held. At 4:40 PM, Jourová will meet with the Marshal of the Senate Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

At 3:00 PM, a session of the National Media Council will take place.

At 3:30 PM, the Sejm committee for state control will issue an opinion to the Marshal of the Sejm regarding the motions of NIK President Marian Banaś concerning the dismissal of Tadeusz Dziuba from the position of Vice-President of the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) and the appointment of Michał Jędrzejczyk, Piotr Miklis, and Jacek Kozłowski to the positions of Vice-Presidents. Further motions concern the appointment of two members to the NIK college.

07:19

Mastalerek:

The President Reacted Immediately to the Resolution Because It Has No Legal Effect

- The President reacted immediately when the resolution appeared because it has no legal effect and he addressed the Marshal of the Sejm in writing, reminding that if the new majority wants changes in public media, they must implement them in accordance with the Constitution and the law, meaning either change the act or wait for the end of the National Broadcasting Council's term. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, during his swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Palace, assured that the hallmark of his government would be adherence to the Constitution and laws. Unfortunately, it is already evident with public media that the intentions are simply different - stated Marcin Mastalerek in PR1's "Sygnały dnia".

07:22

Mastalerek:

We Remember the 'Wprost' Editorial Office Where Services Entered and Tore Laptops from Journalists

- We saw how it looked between 2007 and 2015, we remember the 'Wprost' editorial office where, simply put, services, the ABW, entered the office and tore laptops from journalists, so this is not a matter of imagination. The President will react on the grounds of the Constitution and law, but I will emphasize once again - this resolution is more of a declarative resolution, it has no consequences - stated Marcin Mastalerek in "Sygnały dnia" PR1.

07:24

Mastalerek:

TVP in 2015 Didn't Show Duda at All in the Crucial Final Week. Only Komorowski Was Featured

- I was the spokesperson for PiS in 2015 when we won the presidential elections. In that crucial final week, Andrzej Duda, then a presidential candidate, was not shown by TVP at all; he was simply ignored. Only Bronisław Komorowski was featured. I used to leave TVP studios in protest against such activities back then. So today, telling stories about how the media were reliable and unbiased between 2007 and 2015, and suddenly stopped being so now, is just fairy tales - stated Marcin Mastalerek on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) on PR1.

07:32

Mastalerek on Kurski's Dismissal: I Hope the Global Economy, the Dollar, and Other Key Currencies Won't Collapse Because of This

- This is a matter between the Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Poland, concerning a regulation that, before 1989, used to determine who decides in these matters. Knowing Jacek Kurski, I can only hope that global financial markets won't collapse because of this, that the global economy, including the dollar and other major currencies, won't falter or crumble. With all due respect, we have more important matters in Poland today than Jacek Kurski - stated Marcin Mastalerek on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) on PR1.

07:36

Mastalerek:

Electoral Committee on Envelope Elections Could Harm Civic Platform

- PO, which at that time [in 2020] had a few percent in the polls and could have de facto fallen apart, got what it wanted, which was a change of candidate and, as it were, the creation of an investigative committee, which at the end will recall all these events and can really harm Platform, because recalling, people have already forgotten about it, and today it will be talked about, in my opinion, is disadvantageous from the perspective of PO. Why are they creating an investigative committee that is disadvantageous for themselves? I have no idea - stated Marcin Mastalerek in "Signals of the Day" on PR1.

07:41

Mastalerek:

"It's Probable Tusk Will Run for President, But His Baseline Scenario is an Attempt to Become EC President"

- I stand by my opinion. I believe this is a scenario Donald Tusk is taking very seriously and that it is highly probable he will run for President of the Republic of Poland. However, I think his primary baseline scenario is an attempt to become the President of the European Commission - stated Marcin Mastalerek on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) on PR1.

07:56

Scheuring-Wielgus:

The Resolution is a Symbol and a Signpost for the Government on What Should Happen with Public Media
- The Sejm resolution that we passed yesterday is, firstly, a symbol, a demonstration of what happened in public media during the 8 years of PiS rule, but it is also a signpost for the government on what should happen in the matter of public media - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24.

08:03

Scheuring-Wielgus on Public Media Changes: We Don't Want to Implement PiS-Lite Methods, Everything Will Be Lawful
- As the Ministry of Culture and as individuals within the government, we are prepared for how to do this [implement changes in public media]. And it will certainly not be a situation where we break the law, as PiS did. We don't want to implement PiS-lite methods, to put it colloquially, but rather everything will be in accordance with the law – said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

08:14

Scheuring-Wielgus:

There are several concepts, several scenarios for changes in public media. This will all happen, sooner or later.
- This will all happen legally, step by step. In this resolution, we are talking about a very important thing [...] – the act that introduced an unconstitutional body: the National Media Council. From this act, which we voted on in 2016, I was actually against it back then [...], the entire demolition in public media began. All decisions made since 2016 are unconstitutional and illegal - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus in TVN24's "Piasecki's Interview". - There are several concepts, several scenarios that will be implemented depending on which scenario we start with. Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz is in charge of the entire concept and responsible for it in the ministry. He naturally has the support of us, the deputy ministers, and this will all happen, sooner or later. I cannot say when, because I do not want to reveal plans, but it will happen - assured the Deputy Minister of Culture.

08:22

Scheuring-Wielgus:

What PiS Politicians Are Doing on TVP is a Total Disgrace. For Us, It's Another Argument to End This Pathology
- What's been happening this week regarding public media, what we've been watching since yesterday, the images we're showing, are an additional argument for us to implement the changes we want to introduce. They are additional arguments to show that the law is being broken. Since yesterday, we've been watching [...] the culmination of pathology on public television. We see a circus, but it's not the Monty Python circus, which we can laugh at while watching successive episodes. Instead, we are being shown something that essentially only happens in countries ruled by some autocrat - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego." - What PiS politicians are doing, that 109 MPs, instead of being at a vote and carrying out their parliamentary mandate, which they are simply obligated to do, are not entering a public television program, but entering the premises of public television just to sit there, is a total disgrace. But for us, it's another argument to end this pathology - she continued.

08:30

Scheuring-Wielgus on Forceful Takeover of TVP: 'We Have Several Scenarios, and Perhaps as a Last Resort, It Will Be Necessary to Do So'

- Other PiS politicians are still there. And now the question is: can you imagine liquidators of TVP, with the police, entering Woronicza Street, Plac Powstańców, and forcefully taking over public television, or with the help of forceful methods? - Konrad Piasecki asked on TVN24.

- That is, of course, a last resort. These political functionaries who are now camping out at public television dream of a situation where they will be dragged out by their collars, where they can protest and show that they are being forcibly removed from this television. We don't want to do that […], it's a last resort. We have several scenarios, and of course, as a last resort, it may be necessary to do so - replied Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus.

- I will draw attention to what Macierewicz did not long ago. He also waited for such a moment to be forcibly removed. It ended as it ended – eventually, he put away those toys and left the committee he was leading - she added.

08:51

Lubnauer:

As I understand it, PiS is guarding the seats they occupied uninterruptedly for 8 years
- I'm not particularly surprised that TVPiS is defended by PiS politicians [...]. As I understand it, PiS is guarding the seats that PiS representatives occupied uninterruptedly for 8 years, where they could spout any nonsense, and journalists would ask how we could help President Andrzej Duda win the election - stated Katarzyna Lubnauer in an interview with Grzegorz Kępka on "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

08:54

Lubnauer:

I don't remember such a bad style of power transfer as between PiS and the October 15th Coalition
- I don't remember such a bad style of power transfer as between PiS and, at this moment, the October 15th Coalition. A situation in which PiS appointed a temporary, two-week government, in a situation where, for example, today I'm reading from my area, that there's no money for companies that supplied laptops to teachers for such vouchers, and it turns out they haven't been paid. In a situation where in many ministries it turned out there's no money to pay employees their salaries at the end of the year - stated Katarzyna Lubnauer on Polsat News. - Simply put, the outgoing government, PiS, cannot let go of power, and what is happening on television is the best example of this - she added.

09:11

Biejat:

Sejm Resolution on TVP Lacks Legal Force
- This resolution, which appeared in the Sejm yesterday, is a resolution that de facto has no legal force. It shows a certain intention of the parliamentary majority, shows a certain direction, and points to the values that, in our opinion, should underpin public media - said Magdalena Biejat in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on "Trójka Political Salon".

09:15

Siemoniak on the New Head of CBA: "She's the Best Person for the Job in the Fight Against Corruption, Uncompromising. There Will Be No Sacred Cows."

- In the fight against corruption, she is the best person for this position, uncompromising. She knows perfectly well that it is important for the new government to fight corruption, so that there is no feeling that something is going to change. I even believe, based on the news we know from the media, why it was that some cases only came to light after the elections – a former deputy minister from PiS? Because someone in the CBA or some politician overseeing the CBA decided, 'Let's wait, because it will harm us.' There will be no sacred cows – stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

09:15

Biejat:

PiS Representatives Began Occupying TVP, Thus Declaring Them Their Personal Media
- Certainly, this resolution is a prelude to introducing changes, and indeed, these changes will appear, which the representatives of Law and Justice are very well aware of, and who yesterday began occupying public media, Polish Television. It's a rather curious idea for the representatives of Law and Justice to tell all of us in such an open way that these are, after all, their personal media, and they will now defend them from the control rooms - said Magdalena Biejat on Trójka.

09:17

Siemoniak:

PiS Considers TVP Its Property, Led by Chairman Kaczyński. This is a Form of Fatal Manifestation.

- Apparently, PiS considers TVP its property, led by Chairman Kaczyński, who appears there in the evenings and mornings. This is a form of fatal manifestation. It shows that the ruling camp does not acknowledge certain things that happened on October 15th, and I think the intention is to provoke something. It is completely unserious and scandalous. Apparently, there isn't even a quarter of a citizen who isn't a PiS MP who would be willing to defend TVP, because we have freedom of demonstration, someone could come and demonstrate. Ministers are coming and doing something akin to a party rally, showing that TVP was partisan – stated Tomasz Siemoniak in the program "Gość Radia Zet".

09:18

Siemoniak on PiS Politicians on TVP: Astonishing, Embarrassing, and Detrimental to PiS

- Astonishing, embarrassing, detrimental to PiS. Everyone can now see that PiS equals the current, politicized TVP - stated Tomasz Siemoniak on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

09:18

Biejat on Changes at TVP: Each Passing Week Creates Space to Solidify the Situation
- Law and Justice, during the time when Morawiecki's government was still functioning, before Donald Tusk's government was sworn in, also made certain moves to hinder changes at Polish Television. Each passing week creates space for further solidifying this situation - said Magdalena Biejat on Trójka.

09:25

Biejat:

Bill Decriminalizing Abortion Has a Chance to Pass Sejm and Senate and Gain Presidential Signature
- I stand by the position, and have always stood by it, that one should talk to the President, that one should persuade the President on various projects. I believe that his signature on the IVF bill is a good sign, because it means that the President is, after all, ready to listen to people. [...] I hope, therefore, that the President will be open to dialogue, also when it comes to other matters important to people, including a matter that is difficult and that will probably require him to step somewhat towards Polish women and men and cross his own personal convictions, is the issue of decriminalizing abortion, - said Magdalena Biejat on Trójka. - Here too, I believe that the bill, which proposes to abolish prison sentences for helping women who need to terminate a pregnancy, has a chance to pass both the Sejm and the Senate, as well as to gain the President's signature, - she continued.

10:07

Mularczyk on Resolution Regarding the National Council of the Judiciary: We Perceive These Proposals as a Form of Political Pressure, Coercion on Current Judges of the KRS
- I must state clearly that any changes to the structure of the KRS can only be made based on law and within the boundaries of the law. This law is an amendment to the statute; changes to the personal composition of the KRS or its structure cannot be made on the basis of resolutions. Therefore, we perceive the proposals that have been put forward as a current form of certain political pressure, a certain political coercion on the current judges of the KRS, creating an atmosphere of a witch hunt, political pressure on the current composition of the KRS in order to replace it. Absolutely and unequivocally, there is no possibility of making any changes to the structure or system of the KRS without amending the statute – stated Arkadiusz Mularczyk during a press conference.

10:12

Mularczyk:

We Will Be on Duty at TVP, We Won't Allow Any Liquidator Appointed by Sienkiewicz to Enter
- The Sejm's resolution is an act that binds only and exclusively the Sejm; it has no external effects. Therefore, please remember that what the ruling majority is doing today is a shortcut [...] an unlawful shortcut [...]. We will not allow it; we will be on duty at public television, both at Woronicza and Plac Powstańców, and we will not allow any liquidator appointed by Mr. Sienkiewicz to enter - said Arkadiusz Mularczyk at a press conference.

10:13

Smoliński:

We Encourage the Parliamentary Majority to Undertake Legislative Changes in Media, KRS, and TK
- The parliamentary majority likes to refer to the will of the nation [...]. If the nation wanted to, it would have equipped the majority with such a majority that would allow it to override a presidential veto, to change the Constitution, and yet the nation has not given the parliamentary majority such authority - said Kazimierz Smoliński at a press conference. - We encourage the parliamentary majority, let them undertake legislative changes, whether in the area of media, the National Council of the Judiciary, or the Constitutional Tribunal. These changes can be made, the law allows it, the Constitution allows it. Let the parliamentary majority be brave and start introducing these legislative changes, rather than changes that clearly cannot be made by way of resolutions - he continued.

10:32

Tusk:

With Admirable Zeal, PiS Politicians Are Fulfilling Further Points of Sienkiewicz's Plan

- With admirable zeal, PiS politicians are fulfilling further points of Minister Sienkiewicz's plan. It's nice - Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on Twitter.

10:33

Braun Removed from Two Parliamentary Committees

The Sejm has voted for changes in parliamentary committees, including the removal of Grzegorz Braun from two committees – the EU Affairs Committee and the National Defence Committee.

10:35

Hołownia:

I Observe With Emotion This Spectacular Conversion on One Side of the Political Scene. Where Were You, My Dears, for 8 Years?

- I will respond to Jarosław Kaczyński's arguments regarding the defense of freedom and media independence with emotion, because I observe with emotion this spectacular conversion that has occurred on this side of the political scene, which is now shouting 'democracy' as in the Senate, 'constitution,' and appealing for media freedom and depoliticization. Where were you, my dears, for 8 years? It's good that you are here today, that you have returned to the right side, and I assure you that together with you, we will carry out this process of repairing the Republic that you are now demanding. Because for 8 years, perhaps you were held captive, you gave no sign, no wink of an eye, that you needed to be freed, to be saved. But it is good that these elections saved you, that we saved you, and today you can finally speak sincerely about how you love democracy, how you love pluralism in the media – stated Szymon Hołownia in an interview with TVN.

10:47

Joński on the Postal Ballot Commission: We Will Question Witnesses or Expect Them to Send Answers to Questions to the Commission
- There are a great many people who will be questioned [by the postal ballot commission], the list is long [...]. Witnesses who come to us, I expect them to name further individuals whom we will either question as witnesses or expect them to send statements and answers to questions to the commission, because I want to streamline this system so that this commission does not last for years, but rather for months - Dariusz Joński said in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on the program "Sedno Sprawy" (The Essence of the Matter) on Radio Plus.

10:49

Joński on the Envelope Election Commission: The First Hearing Will Most Likely Be on January 9th
- The decision regarding the hearing will be made on Friday, and we will designate several first witnesses. Most likely, the first hearing [before the commission on envelope elections] will be on January 9th. I will propose this date, which is a Tuesday, because we need adequate time to notify these witnesses, especially if they are not members of parliament - Dariusz Joński said on Radio Plus. - Without wasting time, on Friday we will request evidence materials and procedural motions that each MP can submit to the commission by tomorrow at 12 PM. Practice shows that these evidentiary documents often take even two months, so without waiting, as many documents are generally available, we want to start our work, and I believe no commission has started its work this quickly - he continued.

10:49

Minister of Culture Dismisses Public Media Authorities

- As the body exercising the ownership rights of the State Treasury, which holds 100% of the shares in the Companies, acting on the basis of the Commercial Companies Code, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage dismissed on December 19, 2023, the current presidents of the Management Boards of Telewizja Polska S.A., Polskie Radio S.A., and Polska Agencja Prasowa S.A., as well as their Supervisory Boards. The Minister appointed new Supervisory Boards for the aforementioned Companies, which in turn appointed new Management Boards for the Companies - the Ministry informed on Twitter.

"The necessity for such actions and their justification was determined by the Resolution of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland of December 19, 2023, concerning the restoration of legal order and impartiality and accuracy in public media and the Polish Press Agency.

The decision to dismiss the current authorities and appoint new ones was made at the General Shareholders' Meetings by the owner of the Companies, represented by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, who has full autonomy in making such decisions.

The interim measure issued by Julia Przyłębska's Constitutional Tribunal on December 14, 2023, in accordance with the written opinion issued by the General Counsel to the State Treasury as the body legally representing the interests of the State Treasury, is legally ineffective and in no way binds either the Minister of Culture and National Heritage or the new Management Boards or Supervisory Boards of the Companies."

10:59

Kamiński and Wąsik Sentenced

According to politicians from the parliamentary majority, this means that the PiS MPs are losing their parliamentary mandates.



11:40

TVP Info Shut Down
The end of TVPiS. TVP Info has been shut down – informs the Civic Platform's Twitter account.

11:59

PiS MP Publishes TVP Recording:

Lawmakers Beaten.

- Sienkiewicz's hired thugs are trying to take over the office of President Matyszkowicz. We are at Woronicza Street together with MPs from Sovereign Poland and PiS - Sebastian Łukaszewicz wrote on Twitter.

12:00

Morawiecki:

We Will Not Surrender. We Will Not Allow a Dictatorship to Be Built in Poland
The unlawful actions of the Minister of Culture concerning TVP, Polish Radio, and PAP show how a government that allegedly cares about the rule of law violates it at every step. And they've only been in power for a week… We will not surrender. We will not allow a dictatorship to be built in Poland - wrote Mateusz Morawiecki on Twitter.

12:27

Kamiński:

This is a verdict we do not recognize

- We want to state clearly to you that what happened there was not a trial at all; it was complete lawlessness, and the final outcome is a great embarrassment for the judiciary. This verdict, which we do not recognize and believe has no basis for invalidating our mandates, is in fact a verdict worthy of contempt, politically aligned with what is currently happening politically in our country. With the politically expected, symbolically named "coalition of December 13th." We do not accept this verdict; it is not a verdict for us, it is complete lawlessness, an embarrassment for the judiciary. This verdict deserves contempt - stated Mariusz Kamiński at a press conference.

12:33

Head of KRRiT: Dismissal of Public Media Management is a Flagrant Violation of Law. It Recalls the Worst Times of Martial Law

- As the Chairman of KRRiT, I state that the dismissal of the Management Boards and Supervisory Boards of public media by the Minister of Culture is a flagrant violation of law. The shutting down of the TV signal and websites of TVP Info is an act of lawlessness and recalls the worst times of martial law - wrote Maciej Świrski on Twitter.

12:39

Wąsik:

We Don't Feel Guilty, We Were Legally Pardoned by the President
We don't feel guilty, we don't feel convicted. We were legally pardoned by the President, and what happened in the district court is like trying anyone again for this case. I wanted to remind you that while in the CBA, we uncovered a scandal at the highest levels of power. It was not an action that was political in any way, nor illegal in any way. What we did in the CBA was in accordance with the law. We should have stood before a court if we hadn't pursued this matter – stated Marcin Wąsik at a press conference in the Sejm.

12:49

Wąsik on the Ruling in His Case: "The December 13th Coalition" Planned This Day as a Massive Attack on Democracy

- The December 13th Coalition planned this day as a massive attack on democracy. Did the Supreme Court not see the rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal? There were two rulings by the Constitutional Tribunal on this matter, stating that the President, by using his right of pardon, acted lawfully, he had the right to do so. The Supreme Court did not see this ruling, did not want to see it, we consider this to be a political action - said Marcin Wąsik at a press conference in the Sejm.

12:57

Duda at National Security Council Meeting: 'I Would Like Us to Continue Working So Substantively, So Well, and Effectively for Poland, as We Have in Recent Years'

- I consider the RBN [National Security Council] to be an excellent tradition that we have managed to collectively develop over the past two years in particular, a period when we have been grappling with the most serious crisis in Poland's vicinity since regaining its full independence and sovereignty, that is, since 1989, namely the Russian aggression against Ukraine. I have told you that I am grateful that these meetings have always had an exceptionally substantive dimension - stated President Andrzej Duda during the RBN meeting.

- I am very grateful for this, and I would like us now, with the normal democratic processes having unfolded in our country, resulting in changes in Polish authorities, for those who until recently were the ruling camp, and are now the parliamentary opposition. I would like those who are the parliamentary opposition to take on the burden of responsibility for managing the affairs of the Republic of Poland, so that we continue to work so substantively, so well, and so effectively for Poland as we have in these recent years - PAD continued.

13:01

Szynkowski vel Sęk: First I'm hearing that a Sejm resolution can be used to cut off a TV signal
- A situation where a broadcast is interrupted is probably happening for the first time since '89. I haven't encountered such a situation where viewers are watching television, the broadcast is suddenly interrupted, some advertising slides, commercials are shown. This brings back the worst associations, which I barely remember. I was born in '82, but television functioned like that before '89 - Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk told journalists. - Based on a Sejm resolution, can you change the management of television, can you cut off a television signal? First I'm hearing of it. [...] The question is precisely about the legal basis. I would like to know this legal basis. This legal basis cannot be a Sejm resolution - he continued.

13:03

Duda:

I've Proven I'm Open on Matters Important to Poland. I've Always Tried to Listen to Different Voices

- I've proven that on matters important to Poland I am open, I have said this many times, but I hope that all of you, through RBN meetings over the last few years, have also been able to become convinced that this is indeed the case, because I listen and have always tried to listen to different voices – stated President Andrzej Duda during an RBN session.

13:05

Duda:

I Told Tusk I Favor Maintaining the Current Division of Tasks Between President and Prime Minister

- I told the Prime Minister [Tusk] that I am in favor of maintaining the current division of tasks between the President and the Prime Minister when it comes to international institutions. Therefore, the Prime Minister's domain is matters related to Poland's membership in the EU. The President is more involved in UN and NATO matters, and in this regard, I believe we can stick to such a division. The Prime Minister agreed with me. That is why I expressed my approval for the President [Prime Minister] to staff the Polish representation in Brussels with a representative of the Republic of Poland who, in his conviction, will responsibly conduct cooperation with him in the area of implementing these Polish matters - stated President Andrzej Duda during the National Security Council meeting.

13:38

Duda:

Necessity to Unify Command and Control Systems in Polish Armed Forces During War and Peace

- The most important thought and conclusion [from the war in Ukraine and exercises] that we have drawn is that there is a necessity to unify command and control systems in wartime, as well as during peacetime. That the procedures should be convergent, so that there isn't a completely different procedure for peacetime and for wartime, because as it has turned out, it is simply dysfunctional and causes disruptions - stated President Andrzej Duda during the National Security Council session.

13:54

Duda:

We Must Have Nuclear Power

- There is no doubt that introducing nuclear energy is necessary for us. We simply must have electricity from atom, and here the program initiated by the previous government, for the construction of nuclear power plants in cooperation with the USA, the first reactors with companies from the USA in agreement with the US government, is of absolutely crucial importance – stated President Andrzej Duda during the meeting of the National Security Council (RBN).

15:18

Karczewski:

Senator Skurkiewicz Submitted a Motion to Invite Minister Sienkiewicz to Explain His Decisions
- A dramatic situation has occurred, a situation in which media were taken over in an unlawful, illegal manner [...]. Senator Skurkiewicz has submitted a motion to invite Minister Sienkiewicz to the Senate, so that he can explain his decisions to us - Stanisław Karczewski said at a press conference.

15:19

Karczewski:

Reports of Resignations by Heads of TVP and Polish Radio Are False
- False information is appearing, deliberately spread, claiming that the presidents have resigned. I am talking here about the president of television, I am talking about the president of Polish Radio. This is false information - said Stanisław Karczewski at a press conference.

15:22

Karczewski:

This is the beginning of the end for the eight-star coalition
- This is a dark day for Polish democracy, but I am convinced that this is the beginning of the end for the eight-star coalition, it is the beginning of the end for the coalition of hatred and revenge - said Stanisław Karczewski at a press conference.

15:31

Skurkiewicz:

Today the Constitution and the Rule of Law were Trampled

– Esteemed senators, who were giggling today when I submitted a motion to announce a recess. Ladies and gentlemen, today the constitution was trampled, today the rule of law was trampled. Today, the coalition sworn in by the President of the Republic of Poland on December 13th trampled democracy. Never before has it happened that a television signal, of any television station, was turned off, cut off. This has occurred twice in Poland's history: on December 13th, when martial law was introduced, and today, when the TVP Info signal was disconnected – stated Wojciech Skurkiewicz at a press conference.

– It cannot be that the constitution is trampled. And yet, all those senators who today reacted with smiles to the words I spoke from the Senate rostrum regarding the violation of democracy. The constitution is, after all, the most important act for these senators and for all citizens – he added.

15:32

Kaczyński on Duda: We believe the president, who is currently inactive, will change his mind and intervene

- We believe here that one day, perhaps even one hour, the president, who is currently not showing much activity, will nevertheless change his mind and recognize that this activity, a very determined one, could intervene very decisively here and this matter would be concluded, that he will undertake such interventions. We believe that this current moment is only temporary - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press briefing at TVP.

15:34

Suski:

We are dealing with a coup d'état

- We are dealing with a coup d'état - stated Marek Suski in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.

15:47

Hołownia:

All indications point to me having to issue a decision to revoke the mandates of Kamiński and Wąsik

- Just moments ago, I received a letter from the Minister of Justice informing me that a court in Warsaw has issued a final verdict concerning MPs Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik. This is a very extensive document. Currently, this document is being analyzed by the Sejm's legal services. Once this analysis is complete, all indications suggest I will be compelled to issue a decision to revoke the mandates of both gentlemen. This is an action that, as we say in legal terms, is declaratory; it merely confirms the occurrence of a fact that has already happened, in connection with the court's verdict – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing in the Sejm.

15:51

Hołownia:

I Will Issue a Summons to Wąsik and Kamiński to Refrain from Exercising Their Mandates
- I will also issue a request to both gentlemen, MPs [Wąsik and Kamiński], to refrain until the appeal procedure is concluded. This will be a summons, calling on them to refrain from exercising their mandates [...] and I will await the Supreme Court's ruling, should such an appeal procedure be initiated by the parties concerned - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

15:55

Kaczyński on Sienkiewicz: Tusk spoke of him as a man of very tough actions, and we are currently experiencing these tough actions

- We must certainly remember these exploits [the burning of the booth in front of the Russian embassy], we must remember that he is a man from the services, and from those, let's say, communist-new ones, as I would put it, because there were many people from the former security service, in these services for many years. He was shaped in that environment, one might say, he has such customs and beliefs regarding the possibilities of state action, but he was appointed there completely deliberately and besides, Prime Minister Tusk spoke of him as a man of very tough actions, and we are currently experiencing these tough actions, but these are actions of a criminal nature. I can express hope that the people who are responsible for this or are participating in it will certainly one day sit on the defendant's bench – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press briefing on TVP.

15:56

Kaczyński:

We are dealing with the collapse of not only the rule of law, but the entire legal order

- We are dealing with the collapse of not only the rule of law, but the entire legal order. Today we can say that this government so flagrantly disregards the constitution that this government is unconstitutional, that the constitution is currently undergoing a process which in legal sciences is called 'withdrawal of observance', meaning it ceases to be binding. The new government, I hope, will come the day when it will have to somehow deal with this state of affairs and perhaps make some far-reaching decisions – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press briefing at TVP.

15:57

Kaczyński:

I also have no doubts that the EU, which was so interested in the rule of law in Poland during our government, will not react now.

- I also have no doubts that the European Union, which was so interested in the rule of law in Poland during our government, will not react at this moment. It is an institution entirely different from what is presented in Poland and many other countries, it is an institution deeply riddled with corruption, when it comes to lobbying, it breaks all records, perhaps even global ones, or at least it is close to those records, and it is an institution that needs very deep change – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press briefing at TVP.

16:06

Jourová after meeting with Bodnar: I hope the rule of law infringement procedure can be closed within this EC term
- Six years ago, on December 20, 2017, the European Commission initiated the so-called Article 7 procedure – because we concluded that there was a systemic threat to the rule of law in Poland. Subsequently, there were annual rule of law reports, which assessed every Member State, including Poland. We also had milestones that were a condition for the National Reconstruction Plan. Prime Minister Tusk discussed these issues with us last week and made his declarations – said Věra Jourová during a joint press conference with Adam Bodnar. - In my conversations with the previous government, I also said that Poland should be at the main table, be a key player in the EU, and participate in decision-making. […] I always regretted that previous reforms led to chaos, reduced citizens’ trust in the judiciary, and slowed down court proceedings. According to the rulings of the CJEU, some elements of this reform were in violation of the Treaties. I am extremely pleased that the current government wants to radically change course and cooperate to improve the situation – the Vice-President of the European Commission continued. - Of course, every Polish government can reform the judiciary; however, European Treaties must be respected during this reform. […] Today, we discussed many issues in detail in the context of Article 7. Together with the Minister of Justice, we agreed that the goal is to close this procedure, but of course, we need time for that. This is not a matter of weeks; I personally hope it should be achievable within this European Commission's term – she stated. [Simultaneous translation by the Ministry of Justice]

16:17

Bodnar:

We want to fully implement the milestones as quickly as possible
- It is a great honor for us that President Věra Jourová has come to Poland [...]. This has symbolic significance for us, not only from the perspective that an application for payment in the context of the KPO was submitted on Friday, [...] but also in the context of us being actively engaged in fully implementing the milestones and fulfilling the commitments we have undertaken as quickly as possible - said Adam Bodnar at a joint press conference with Věra Jourová. - This visit has a symbolic dimension, because it seems to me that for the first time we are meeting with the European Commission in such a spirit, that we genuinely want to cooperate and are guided by the same values. That European values in the form of the rule of law are the same in the context of EU treaties as they are in the context of the Polish constitution - the Minister of Justice continued.

16:26

Bodnar:

I have absolute trust in Minister Sienkiewicz's actions and recognition for MPs for adopting yesterday's resolution
- I wanted to emphasize that I have absolute, full trust in the actions of Minister Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz. Recognition for the MPs for adopting yesterday's Sejm resolution - said Adam Bodnar at a joint press conference with Věra Jourová. - I would like to emphasize that I participated a long time ago, in 2016, in a case before the Constitutional Tribunal, which ended with a ruling on December 13, 2016, concerning the status of the National Media Council, and this ruling has not been implemented to this day - he added.

16:38

Paszyk:

Resolution on the Neo-KRS is an Appeal to the President

- Today's resolution has not only a declaratory, historical, or symbolic dimension. It is, on the one hand, an appeal to the President, but on the other hand, one cannot pretend that the rich case law of the CJEU, the Court of Human Rights, the Supreme Administrative Court, or finally the Supreme Court in this regard does not exist – stated Krzysztof Paszyk in the Sejm.

- The most scandalous aspect of the functioning of this illegally operating KRS seems to be the earnings of selected members of the neo-KRS. In the period January-November 2023, this was additional remuneration on top of their judicial, parliamentary, or ministerial salaries – he continued.

16:39

Paszyk on Rulings by Judges Appointed by the Neo-KRS: These Rulings Will Not Be Final; We Want Them to Have Real, Actual Character

- We must state very clearly and distinctly. Without stigmatizing those judges who have been appointed by the neo-KRS, that the rulings they deliver, which concern every Polish woman, every Polish man, will not be final rulings. This applies to property matters, to very sensitive family matters. There will always unfortunately be that danger and that risk that someone, either before a national or international court, will challenge that ruling (...) We want the decisions made in Poland by the courts to have the real, actual character of final decisions, guaranteeing the stability and certainty of these rulings – stated Krzysztof Paszyk in the Sejm.

16:45

Bodnar:

If the resolution on the KRS is adopted, it will be difficult for me to announce new judicial appointment competitions
- The resolution on the National Council of the Judiciary confirms the state of affairs that we are aware of. We have all observed for years the rulings of the ECHR, the CJEU, which emphasized that the situation where judges are elected to the KRS by the Sejm poses a threat from the perspective of the separation of powers and jeopardizes the independence of the judiciary. The resolution is meant to confirm this, but its content [...] also includes an appeal to the authorities to act in the spirit of this resolution - said Adam Bodnar at a joint press conference with Věra Jourová. - I know what this will mean from the perspective of the Ministry of Justice. The Minister of Justice has the authority to announce competitions for vacant judicial positions. And in this situation, if such a resolution is adopted, it will be difficult for me to announce new competitions for judicial positions in common courts, given how the Sejm assesses the status of the KRS. I think that thanks to this, at least I will not contribute to further deepening the state of lawlessness - he continued.

17:23

Witek to Jourová: An attack on public media and democracy in Poland has occurred. We ask you to take an interest in this.
- Today you are here on the day an attack on public media, freedom of speech, and democracy in Poland has occurred. We have no opportunity to speak because commercial televisions, private televisions will not broadcast what is really happening in Poland. We do not know if Mr. Speaker Hołownia has informed you, Madam Commissioner, about what has happened, which is why you will allow me, on behalf of the MPs of our club, to present [...] a letter in which we describe this situation, asking you to familiarize yourself with it and give us a response - said Elżbieta Witek in conversation with Věra Jourová. - We very much ask you to take an interest in this, because this is the voice of over 8 million people who voted for Law and Justice and today are deprived of access to public media. [...] Before your eyes, something exceptionally bad is happening, something that has never happened in democratic countries, in the European Union - she continued.

17:31

Schreiber:

The team that came to power under the banner of the rule of law is brazenly violating the Polish constitution

- I am astonished that so many people are accepting this without batting an eye, that the team that came to power under the banner of the rule of law is brazenly violating the Polish constitution in such a blatant manner, and that this is happening with the approval of many journalists. One can even see that someone was being cheered on in this matter, certainly without adequate criticism - stated Łukasz Schreiber in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program “Gość Radia Zet”.

17:32

Schreiber on Sienkiewicz's dismissal of public media CEOs: It's a scandal. He has no authority, and no resolution can change that

- This is a scandal. He has no authority to do this, and no parliamentary resolution can change that. The Minister of Culture can even refer to whatever he deems fit, and to the law in force on the moon, but he has no right to act in this manner - stated Łukasz Schreiber on the program 'Gość Radia Zet'.

17:33

Schreiber:

It's Not That a Majority Government Can't Make Changes, But That It Must Do So Within the Law
- It's not that a government with a majority cannot make certain changes, because it absolutely can. The point is that it must do so within the law. We are talking about an unprecedented scandal, something that has never happened before in the Third Polish Republic - stated Łukasz Schreiber on the program 'Guest of Radio Zet'.

18:20

Bodnar:

The Resolution on the National Council of the Judiciary is the Beginning of a Process. It's Not as if There Will Be a Resolution and That's the End

- For us, this resolution is the beginning of a process. It's not as if there will be a resolution and that's the end of it, nothing further. This week, I had a meeting with non-governmental organizations that have been working on solving the KRS problem for the past months and years. They have draft laws concerning the KRS, there's a Senate draft that was prepared by the Senate of the previous term, but unlike the previous Minister of Justice, I do not intend to ask one or another MP to suddenly collect signatures and submit a draft law to the Sejm; instead, I want to conduct a normal legislative process - stated Adam Bodnar in the Sejm.

18:28

Duda Speaks Out on Public Media:

I Summon Tusk and the Government.

- Political objectives cannot justify violations of constitutional principles and the law. Therefore, in connection with today's actions by the Minister of Culture concerning public media, I summon Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the Council of Ministers to respect the Polish legal order. The entire Council of Ministers has sworn to me, as referred to in Article 151 of the Constitution, committing in particular to upholding the provisions of the Constitution and other laws of the Republic of Poland - wrote President Andrzej Duda on Twitter.

18:40

Tusk Responds to Duda:

You Can Count on Our Determination and Iron Consistency.
Mr. President, as I have already informed you, today's actions aim – in accordance with your intention – to restore legal order and common decency in public life. You can count on our determination and iron consistency in this matter – wrote Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Twitter.

18:43

Biden Congratulates Tusk on Election as Prime Minister

- The President of the United States, Joe Biden, congratulated Donald Tusk on his election as Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland. Poland and the United States will work together for energy and military security, and for strengthening democratic values - the Prime Minister's Chancellery informed.

18:56

Pardon Remains Legally Valid. President's Statement After Meeting with Kamiński and Wąsik
The meeting between President Andrzej Duda and Ministers Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik has just concluded. The 2015 pardon was executed lawfully, as confirmed by the Constitutional Tribunal, and remains legally valid - the Chancellery of the President informed on Twitter.

19:15

Sejm Adopts Resolution on the National Council of the Judiciary

"For" the adoption of the draft resolution "on removing the consequences of the constitutional crisis in the context of the systemic position and functions of the National Council of the Judiciary in a democratic state of law" voted 239 deputies, while 169 were against.

20:17

Trzaskowski:

It's Obvious Kamiński and Wąsik Will Fight Tooth and Nail Against Criminal Liability
- In my opinion, [the verdict in the Kamiński and Wąsik case] concludes this matter; it is legally binding, and I would like to remind you once again that this was about something absolutely unprecedented. Two very high-ranking state officials simply falsified documents. Well, that is something that must be condemned by the rule of law, and it is good that it happened. The President tried to pardon them before a legally binding verdict was issued. You don't need to be a lawyer; it's enough to be guided by common sense that you cannot pardon someone before a legally binding verdict has been issued – stated Rafał Trzaskowski on the program "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24. - It is obvious that these gentlemen will today try to defend themselves tooth and nail against the criminal liability that threatens them and which, in a state of law, should result in both gentlemen going to prison – he continued.

20:19

Trzaskowski:

Today is a celebration of Polish democracy; the cesspool that was destroying Polish democracy has been shut down
- This is a day truly celebrating Polish democracy, because the cesspool that was destroying Polish democracy, attempting to incite hatred against people, sowing hatred, sowing manipulation and lies, and doing so with taxpayer money, has been shut down. Therefore, this is truly a great celebration, I am incredibly pleased that TVP Info no longer exists – said Rafał Trzaskowski on TVN24. - This is a farce. Well, if we see people who destroyed freedom of speech in Poland, who tried to buy newspapers through a fuel company, who tried to liquidate free media, including the station we are on today, who poisoned the minds of Poles with manipulation and lies, and they are now talking about themselves as those who defend freedom of speech. Well, that is simply a farce, it's a joke, it's unserious, and it's a chuckle of history – he continued.

20:25

Karczewski on TVP Shutdown: A Tragic Day, Reminiscent of Martial Law
- I consider this a tragic day. For the second time in my life, the television signal has been turned off. It vividly reminded me of martial law, when I used to climb onto the roof and tinker with the antenna [...] this is a dark day for Polish democracy, this is a trampling of democracy, a trampling of media pluralism - said Stanisław Karczewski in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the program "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.

20:30

Kamiński:

Turning off TVP Info Signal Aims to De-Russify Poland
- The fundamental difference between December 13th and today is that on December 13th, what happened with television was aimed at Russifying Poland, yes, in a political sense, Russifying it. Today's shutdown of the TVP Info signal is aimed at de-Russifying Poland, because the public television we had for the last eight years, almost to the letter [...] repeated the same method of conducting politics, and sometimes it simply said the same things as Russian television about Europe, minorities - said Michał Kamiński on TVN24.

20:33

Karczewski:

We Wanted to Shut Down TVN So Polish Media Would Be Genuinely Polish
- One reason we wanted to shut down TVN was the reason used in European countries, so that Polish media would be genuinely Polish media, and that's what we were aiming for in the entire interest - Stanisław Karczewski said on TVN24.

20:37

Karczewski:

We Will Not Agree to Mejza Joining PiS Until He Clears His Name
- He is not [Łukasz Mejza] in our ranks [...] the resolution speaks of intent, it speaks of the intention of Republican Party members to join the Law and Justice party, but with our acceptance, and we will certainly not agree until Mr. Mejza is cleared, until he clears himself of his accusations - Stanisław Karczewski said on TVN24.

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