Live Feed

12/22/2023

07:32

Friday's Political Agenda: Electoral Commission Session on Mail-in Ballots, Senate Debates Budget-Related Bill, KRRiT Convenes

At 9:00, the investigative commission on mail-in ballots will convene. The agenda includes, among other items, determining the number of standing advisors for the commission, adopting proposed candidacies, presenting the work plan, as well as considering evidence motions submitted by commission members and regarding the first individuals to be summoned to testify before the commission.

At 10:00, an extraordinary session of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) will take place concerning changes in public media.

The Senate will resume its deliberations at 14:00. The agenda is expected to be supplemented with the consideration of amendments to the law on the functioning of hard coal mining, as well as amendments to this year's budget-related law and the budget law for 2024.

08:16

Czarnek:

Legal Provisions Radically Broken. Messrs. Sienkiewicz and Tusk Attempting a Coup on Free Public Media

- The provisions of law have been radically broken concerning the change of power in the Polish Press Agency, as well as in Polish Television. Power there [at PAP] is exercised by President Surmacz. In TVP, it's difficult to say who currently holds power; there is immense chaos because the takeover of power is illegal. The changes have not been registered in the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS). However, the fact that universally binding legal provisions have been disregarded is the truth and it is a fact – stated Przemysław Czarnek on RMF24.

- A Sejm resolution does not produce legal effects, as also stated by Marshal Szymon Hołownia. Among the sources of universally binding law, recorded in the constitution, and it is a closed catalogue, there is no Sejm resolution; this is done through legislation. However, Messrs. Sienkiewicz and Tusk are attempting, successfully or unsuccessfully, we shall see, a coup on free public media, precisely by bypassing the legislative path in order to also bypass the President of the Republic. But in this way, they are bypassing any legal basis, and therefore they are acting ineffectively legally, and that is likely why they fear what will happen in the KRS when the application for these unlawful changes of theirs arrives there – he continued.

08:17

Czarnek:

Nothing should be imposed regarding illegal migrants; yet, it is being imposed on us, contrary to Tusk's assurances, who lied once again

- I would prefer the EU to adhere to the legal regulations concerning external border controls and to actually implement what it should have been implementing for a long time – not admitting illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, instead of that, Mrs. Merkel, along with Mr. Tusk, who was responsible for migration policy even when he was the so-called President of the EU, actually invited these refugees to Europe (...) This is the present; the migration pact is the present – said Przemysław Czarnek on RMF24.

- The best solution is when we ourselves take care of security. As NATO members, nothing should be imposed on us regarding illegal migrants, yet it is being imposed on us, contrary to Donald Tusk's assurances, who lied once again, which is completely obvious – he continued.

08:18

Czarnek:

I'm surprised Hołownia, seeing the president's act of grace, challenged presidential prerogatives and declared the mandate void, absolutely contrary to the legal situation
Gentlemen Maciej Wąsik and Minister Mariusz Kamiński have been pardoned by the president. To my knowledge, a presidential pardon means that no verdict can be executed, no penalty can be served. Furthermore, this pardon also means that these gentlemen remain members of parliament (...) I am surprised that Marshal Szymon Hołownia, seeing the president's act of grace, which was also published once more, yesterday nevertheless challenged presidential prerogatives and declared the mandate void, absolutely contrary to the legal situation – stated Przemysław Czarnek on RMF24.

08:28

Domański on Kamiński and Wąsik: It's the Marshal's Role to Enforce This, and I Think He'll Manage

- It was wrong, and [Mariusz Kamiński's] gesture only shows the level of these gentlemen. I think there is no place in the Sejm for such gestures and, above all, for such people, and we must restore the standards of discussion and conversation in the Sejm as soon as possible. It is already the role of the Marshal [of the Sejm] to... I absolutely [don't envy him], I've also had a few tough days behind me, but it is his role to enforce this, and I think he will manage - stated Andrzej Domański in "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24.

08:36

Domański:

No one is 100% happy with this budget

- No one is 100% happy with this budget. However, housing construction, including for rent, is in our coalition agreement, and we have already spoken with representatives of Lewica. Additional funds for this purpose will certainly be found – stated Andrzej Domański in "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24.

08:41

Domański:

Currently, there is no agreement within the coalition to abolish the Church Fund
The abolition of the Church Fund is not in the coalition agreement, but I am a minister of a coalition government. Today, I am here as the Minister of Finance of a coalition government. This point is not in the coalition agreement, and I would also like to clearly state why these increased outlays are occurring. They result from the increase in the minimum wage, which in turn translates into higher contributions - stated Andrzej Domański in "One on One" on TVN24. This is not in the coalition agreement. The Fund can, of course, be limited, for example, at the parliamentary work stage, but we, as a government, a coalition government, could not simply strike this fund off, since such a step is not in the coalition agreement. Yes, at this moment there is no agreement within the coalition to abolish the Church Fund. We are well aware that within the coalition there are parties with different... Of course, there were reservations expressed by the Third Way regarding the abolition of the Church Fund - he continued.

08:45

Kierwiński:

Police Will Do Everything to Ensure Public Television Functions Normally
- The police will do everything to ensure public television functions normally. If PiS politicians break the law, then of course, the police will react. Today, we have a situation where PiS politicians, using their parliamentary IDs, claim they are conducting parliamentary oversight. Everyone can answer for themselves the question of whether running around public television at 11 PM constitutes parliamentary oversight. In my opinion, this is an overinterpretation of the function of parliamentary oversight. However, as long as PiS MPs do not directly interfere with the work of employees, the police will behave very restrainedly in this matter - said Marcin Kierwiński in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the "Guest of Radio ZET" program.

08:48

Kierwiński:

Those Sabotaging Minister Sienkiewicz's Actions Are Mostly PiS Employees or Officials
- For eight years, we didn't have public media in the sense of being for Poles. It was solely and exclusively blunt, PiS propaganda. The people who are today sabotaging Minister Sienkiewicz's actions are mostly PiS employees or officials - said Marcin Kierwiński on Radio ZET.

08:49

Domański:

Funds for TVP Halted, We Will Conduct an Audit, See How Far Savings Can Go, and Then We Will Take Potential Further Steps
Funds for TVP, for public media, have been halted. I want to state this very clearly, unequivocally. Not a single zloty from what is allocated in the budget, or more precisely, not a single bond – we have provisions for transferring bonds to TVP – will flow. We all know why. For the past 8 years, we have seen this factory of hate and lies flowing from Woronicza Street – stated Andrzej Domański in TVN24's "Jeden na jeden" (One on One). The budget was prepared last week, and I will say it again. Funds for TVP are halted. We will conduct an audit of TVP's finances, see how far-reaching savings can be made within this institution, and then we will take potential further steps. However, it is evident to me that savings in TVP are necessary, they are possible, and only after the audit will we proceed with further actions – he continued.

08:50

Domański:

I Can Guarantee No Billions of Zloty Will Flow to TVP

- I can guarantee that no billions of zloty will flow to TVP. They will not flow because we will conduct a financial audit and, from what I have discussed with Minister Sienkiewicz, implement far-reaching savings. And then this amount, if it flows at all, will of course be significantly lower – stated Andrzej Domański on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- 3 billion is planned, in line with what was submitted earlier by the previous government. We have not changed the amount itself here, but a very significant change has occurred, perhaps difficult to notice, but a change nonetheless. Namely, previously in the PiS project, the Minister of Finance was obliged to transfer bonds to TVP at the request of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT). Currently, the Minister of Finance can transfer these bonds, and I would like to assure you that there is no such intention. At least until we conduct a financial audit and see where possible savings can be made – he continued.

08:53

Kierwiński on whether police will escort Wąsik and Kamiński to prison: "If there is such a court order, then yes."
- If there is such a court order [...] then yes, the law must apply to everyone, regardless of whether someone was a minister or is an important politician. If they broke the law, and I am convinced that Messrs. Kamiński and Wąsik broke the law, then they should serve the sentence that the court has ordered - said Marcin Kierwiński on Radio ZET, when asked if the police would escort MPs Wąsik and Kamiński to prison.

08:53

Domański:

We Invite Kurski Back to Warsaw

- We also received a letter from the World Bank confirming the receipt of our letter, information about the resolution adopted by the Council of Ministers. [The World Bank] does not question the resolution, there are changes on their website, everyone can check for themselves, yesterday I saw that they also appeared on social media. So we invite Mr. Kurski back to Warsaw - stated Andrzej Domański on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

08:55

First Foreign Visit: Sikorski Publishes Photo

- First foreign visit; Already here - Radosław Sikorski wrote on Twitter.

09:01

Bosak on Public Media: We Do Not Support the Current Government's Actions, But What Came Before Was Also Indefensible
- It's rather disapproval, although these feelings are strongly mixed, because on the one hand, we assess the actions of the new government [regarding public media] as unlawful and not boding well. On the other hand, at least partly, we are counting on, or already seeing, that the censorship imposed on us by PiS politicians is ending. For example, tomorrow I have an invitation to "Śniadanie Trójki" on Radio Trójka for the very first time, where, as a result of PiS politicians' decisions, we were simply overlooked throughout the entire existence of Konfederacja - said Krzysztof Bosak in a conversation with Łukasz A. Jankowski on Radio Wnet. - We do not support what the current government is doing, we expect it might be the same in the other direction, perhaps a bit more in white gloves [...], however, what was before is also indefensible. Treating them as Polish public media was a misunderstanding – they were party media - he continued.

09:02

Kierwiński:

PiS is responsible for the migration pact. We will not agree to forced relocation
- This agreement [in the EU on migration] is the result of PiS's policy. Of course, PiS is responsible, they were the ones negotiating. For now, we are waiting for the final text, which will be subject to a vote. We will oppose such a mechanism, but in this agreement, in the current working document, there are various [...] solutions that Poland can take advantage of [because it accepted Ukrainians] - said Marcin Kierwiński on Radio ZET. - After all, they were the ones negotiating, they were the ones traveling to Brussels and they couldn't build the right majority and convince others to Poland's arguments. We are saying very clearly: Polish borders will be safe, but we will not agree to any forced relocation. We will use all mechanisms that will free Poland from this - he continued.

09:10

Śmiszek:

I am convinced that no one has crossed any legal boundaries

- I am convinced that no one has crossed any legal boundaries, everything was carried out based on universally binding law. We have resolutions from the general meeting, which will now be verified by the National Court Register, an independent court – stated Krzysztof Śmiszek in an interview with Marcinek Fijołek on Polsat News's program “Graffiti”.

09:10

Śmiszek:

PiS Didn't Expect the New Government to Implement its Program Step by Step, Day by Day

- It is very clear today that Law and Justice is in absolute shock. That is, they did not expect the new government to implement its program step by step, day by day. Law and Justice is the last party, the last entity, that can accuse anyone of anything when it comes to deviations from savoir-vivre, because of what Law and Justice did with the judiciary, with public media, with human rights or the freedom of the courts... - stated Krzysztof Śmiszek on Polsat News.

09:11

Śmiszek:

Wąsik and Kamiński's Appearance in the Sejm Chamber Was a Display of Contempt and Arrogance

- One thing is certain – Wąsik and Kamiński, their mandates have been invalidated. Their appearance in the Sejm chamber was in fact a display of contempt towards the Marshal's decision, but in reality, it was a display of contempt towards the majority of society – stated Krzysztof Śmiszek on Polsat News.

09:11

Śmiszek:

PiS Has Some Kind of Problem with Culture

- PiS has some kind of problem with culture. Whether it's the absolutely offensive eye-rubbing incident or showing the Kozakiewicz gesture, it all testifies solely to arrogance, contempt, and the certainty that nothing will ever happen to them and not a hair will fall from their heads - stated Krzysztof Śmiszek on Polsat News.

09:11

Kierwiński on Appointing His Chief of Staff to PWPW: "I Made Urgent Changes at the Company, All Procedures Were Followed"
- I made urgent changes at PWPW, a company subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and Administration, because we had signals that the previous board intended to sanction things there that are unacceptable from the perspective of the state treasury. [...] We had signals about bonuses that were to be approved and about recent purchases that were to be made, so the changes had to be swift. As part of this change, while adhering to all procedures, I directed MSWiA employees to this board – said Marcin Kierwiński on Radio ZET, when asked about the appointment of his chief of staff, Magdalena Roguska, to the supervisory board of the state-owned company.

09:12

Śmiszek:

No one rational, and certainly no one with legal authority, recognizes this type of presidential pardon decision.

- No one rational, and certainly no one with legal authority, recognizes this type of presidential pardon decision made before a legally binding verdict as valid - stated Krzysztof Śmiszek on Polsat News.

09:15

Kierwiński:

Today I Will Sign the Order Appointing a New Acting Chief of Police
- Today I will sign the order appointing a new person to the position of acting chief of police [...]. This will be an experienced police officer, a person who guarantees a new quality in the Polish police, although I also want to say very clearly: the person currently heading the Polish police has been doing so very well over the past week of our cooperation. [...] Please wait another 2-3 hours, everything will be clear. [...] It will not be one of the provincial police commanders. It will be a police officer with many years of experience - said Marcin Kierwiński on Radio ZET.

09:26

Bosak:

Changes in Public Media Signal a Hard and Brutal Government – We Know and Remember Tusk for Such Politics
- This is a signal [of changes in public media] that the government will act hard and brutally. By the way, we know and remember Tusk for such politics. Anyone who had illusions that they were dealing with a nice, smiling eurocrat prime minister who would engage in dialogue with everyone here has been mistaken. We are dealing with a brutal politician who is also sending a clear signal that there is no point in resisting, whether legally or not, and that the takeover of further institutions will now proceed. This is, I would say, a twin-like mirroring of PiS's organizational culture. [...] This confirms our diagnosis as Konfederacja that PiS and Civic Platform are extremely similar parties – said Krzysztof Bosak on Radio Wnet.

09:27

Biedroń:

We Will Fight for the Church Fund to be Abolished, This is Also a Promise from Our Coalition Partner

- We will fight for the church fund to be abolished; this is also a promise from our coalition partner. We will see how Third Way behaves in this matter. We did not manage to include this in the coalition agreement through Third Way. In the coming months, we will be convincing our colleagues from Third Way that leaving the church fund in place is a mistake – stated Robert Biedroń on the program “Salon Polityczny Trójki”.

09:31

Biedroń:

The pathological National Media Council has operated for years; it must be liquidated, and we will make such decisions in the coming weeks.
The pathological National Media Council has operated for years; it must be liquidated, and we will make such decisions in the coming weeks. Consequently, we must seek effective legal methods to resolve this situation. For me, the most important thing is to finally take these toys away from politicians; this is dirty work today – stated Robert Biedroń on the program “Salon Polityczny Trójki”.

09:40

Biedroń on Public Media: There is Cooperation with the Presidential Palace, there is Dialogue on This Matter

- There is cooperation with the Presidential Palace, there is dialogue on this matter. The President, I think, will try to influence the shape of this law in a certain way, but if this law ultimately takes away these toys from politicians, then it's good - stated Robert Biedroń in the program "Salon Polityczny Trójki".

10:32

Kaczyński:

We Will Strive to Gain or Retain the Widest Scope of Power at District and Municipal Levels
- There are two versions of such a vision. The first is at the voivodeship level, where Law and Justice is one of the voting options. At the district level, at the municipal level, we will simply strive to gain or retain, because in many places we already hold this power, the widest scope of power - said Jarosław Kaczyński on Radio Wnet.

10:33

Kaczyński:

I Would Certainly Want a Very Broad Coalition Due to the Threat to Independence
- This is the question of whether it will be a broader coalition, or if it will be just the Law and Justice party and its allies, those who are already with us, or possibly some new ones, but that won't be a new quality. I would certainly want a very broad coalition precisely because of this threat to independence. I hope that at the decisive moment, this broad coalition will exist. Whether we will manage to create it so quickly, I don't know - Jarosław Kaczyński said on Radio Wnet.

11:14

Members of the "Envelope Election" Parliamentary Committee Want to Question Morawiecki, Sasin, Kamiński, and Witek, Among Others

Mateusz Morawiecki, Jacek Sasin, Mariusz Kamiński, Elżbieta Witek, Michał Dworczyk, Jarosław Gowin, and Michał Wypij – these are the individuals who, at the request of MPs Joński, Karnowski, and Filiks, are to be summoned by the parliamentary committee investigating the "envelope elections." The committee's session has been underway in the Sejm since the morning.

11:15

Verbal Exchange Between Filiks and Jabłoński: "You Will Regret This"
- I would ask, Mr. Chairman, because this may have escaped your attention, but it is truly important to me to have recorded in the committee's minutes what happened a few minutes ago. Mr. Jabłoński used my surname three times and repeated three times: Ms. Filiks, you will regret this. Three times. I asked if he was threatening me. He said yes and that I would regret it. I would like what Mr. Jabłoński said to be included in the committee's minutes - said Magdalena Filiks during the session of the investigative committee on the postal vote elections. - I confirm, Ms. Filiks, you, Mr. Chairman, all of you who are conducting this in such a manner, you will regret this, because you are introducing a precedent that will also be used against you. Yes, I confirm, you will regret this. I ask for this to be recorded - replied Paweł Jabłoński. - I understand that this is an idea and a strategy for this committee. However, threatening committee members and confirming that it is a threat and that someone is being threatened, I think this is an element of your strategy that has gone too far - stated the Civic Platform MP.

11:16

Buda Demands Kidawa-Błońska Be Questioned by Electoral Commission on "Envelope Elections"

- I would like to submit what is essentially a key motion in the form of questioning a witness, Ms. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, currently the Marshal [of the Sejm], but during the conduct of the postal elections, she was the Civic Platform candidate for the office of President of the Republic of Poland - stated Waldemar Buda during the session of the investigative committee on "envelope elections".

11:36

PiS MPs Want to Summon Trzaskowski and Budka Before the Investigative Committee

During the sitting of the investigative committee on the envelope elections, PiS MPs Paweł Jabłoński and Przemysław Czarnek submitted motions to summon Rafał Trzaskowski and Borys Budka for hearings.

12:06

Kierwiński Makes Decision on New Police Chief

By decision of the Minister of the Interior and Administration, Marcin Kierwiński, Inspector Marek Boroń has been appointed acting Commander-in-Chief of the Police.

12:17

Tusk Announces: We Will Address the Church Fund and Transferring Funds from TVP to Children's Oncology on Wednesday

- I wish to reassure those interested: we will address the matter of the Church Fund and the transfer of funds from TVP to children's oncology this coming Wednesday at the Council of Ministers - Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on Twitter.

12:20

Siemoniak:

I am convinced that we will not transfer 3 billion PLN to TVP
  • - The Minister of Finance spoke about suspending this decision [funding of TVP]. Everyone knows how it looked. Prime Minister Morawiecki, in the variant of a two-week government, did not submit the budget to the Sejm, and we were faced with the necessity of working through the budget in the Council of Ministers in practically a few dozen hours - stated Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on the program “Sedno Sprawy” on Radio Plus.
  • - This is the result of being forced to not have time to prepare our own budget, where all matters, oncology, TVP, and so on, would be regulated. Instead, we effectively adopted what Prime Minister Morawiecki prepared with minor adjustments - he continued.
  • - I am convinced of this [that we will not transfer 3 billion PLN to TVP]. While working as a member of the Council of Ministers on this budget, I saw it. The budget has thousands of items. It's a matter of, as I say, we extended the budget in the Sejm with the assumption that, because there is a doubt here whether the 4 months for adopting the budget do not run from the end of September, that we must do it by the end of January. This is with the assumption that many things we have doubts about, that there is no time to change them. There is the Sejm, there is the Senate, and I am convinced here that appropriate amendments will be submitted - he added.

12:25

Siemoniak:

There is a government, and the Minister of Culture, in this case, is responsible for a certain segment of the state and has the right to make decisions

- The end never justifies the means, however, restoring law, restoring a certain constitutional order, sometimes happens with great emotions. There are no unlawful moves here; the Minister of Culture had the right to act as a general meeting. I don't want to tell the whole long story here; I think those who follow these issues know. [On what basis did he have this right?] The Commercial Companies Code, simply the Commercial Companies Code. And just as in a state of law, all decisions can be subject to later review, let them be - stated Tomasz Siemoniak in the program “Sedno Sprawy” on Radio Plus.

- There is a government, and the Minister of Culture, in this case, is responsible for a certain segment of the state and has the right to make decisions within that segment - he added.

12:28

Siemoniak on CBA Liquidation: No Quick Fixes in Q1 2024, Just a Thoroughly Consulted Government Project

- This requires legislation, we are working on it, we have started work on this project, so it requires a few weeks of preparation, then a government procedure, interdepartmental consultations, then the Sejm, the Senate. [So, the first quarter of 2024 - Jacek Prusinowski.] Yes, I believe that legislative work in this area should not involve quick fixes or individual MPs' bills, but a proper, well-consulted government project. This is because the coalition's intention is clear: the fight against corruption must be even more intense, and other institutions need to be prepared for this - stated Tomasz Siemoniak on Radio Plus.

- I will propose that the CBŚP [Central Bureau of Investigation of the Police] should handle it, or a new structure within the police, modeled after the CBŚP, but dedicated to fighting corruption. The CBŚP has its own tasks, let it continue to carry them out well. The question is, and this is a discussion I am having with police officers and experts, whether the CBŚP should be further burdened with fighting corruption, or whether a central structure for fighting corruption should be created, similar to how the bureau for cybercrime was established based on the CBŚP model - he continued.

- I believe that the CBA [Central Anticorruption Bureau] should not deal with corruption in small municipalities or such matters. The ABW [Internal Security Agency] already has such tasks today; from the very beginning of the fight against corruption at managerial positions, this branch should be strengthened. Meanwhile, the entire segment concerning the verification of financial statements of politicians at all levels, and tax returns - the National Revenue Administration. They have this information in their computers, and those who control it should be there. It seems to me that it is a waste on a state level that a special service employs people who check hundreds of financial statements, contacting the National Revenue Administration when they have a problem - he added.

13:40

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

KPO amounts to PLN 7.1 thousand per citizen
- The KPO for every citizen means PLN 7,100 per citizen of the Republic. That's really a lot. It means, if we invest these funds well, about an additional 0.7 percentage points of annual GDP growth, and the entirety of these funds is about 7 percent of Poland's annual GDP - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz at a press conference.

14:01

Sikorski in Kyiv: Poland is on Your Side
- Thank you very much for the invitation to Kyiv. This air raid siren you hear is the reason why I am here. It is completely unacceptable for a neighboring country to attack its neighbor under any pretext and to bomb cities, destroy entire provinces, deport children, and prepare for the annihilation of a neighbor who has done them no wrong. In this titanic effort, Mr. Minister, Poland is on your side - said Radosław Sikorski at a press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

14:05

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz Identifies Three Areas for Initial KPO Fund Allocation
- I want to point to three very important investments that will be significantly undertaken in this initial period, also based on the advance payment we have requested - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz at a press conference. - Firstly, it will be the elimination of "white spots" concerning access to broadband internet. These are places where it is not commercially viable to provide broadband internet. [...] Thanks to funds from the KPO, nearly a million households will gain access to broadband internet. Once this program is effectively implemented within the KPO framework, we will be able to say that these "white spots" [...] will no longer exist in our country - she continued. - The second very important area related to energy transformation is the thermal modernization [...] of multi-family buildings, blocks of flats. This will involve 115,000 apartments, [...] the assumptions of this investment are that there must be a very high threshold for increasing energy efficiency, by 30% - the Minister of Funds continued. - Funds have been allocated for the "Active Parent" program, so that parents who want to go to work can receive additional benefits that will allow them [...] to leave their child. [...] Meanwhile, in Poland, 3/4 of rural municipalities do not have nurseries. Half of all municipalities in Poland do not have nurseries. This problem will be addressed within the KPO, already in the first stage of the KPO's duration. In total, almost 50,000 places in nurseries will be equipped, created [...] and then parents will be able to decide whether they want to go to work and leave their child with someone for care, or whether they want to send them to a place where children will have institutionalized care - she explained.

14:09

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

Lasek Appointed Prime Minister's Plenipotentiary for CPK
- CPK is part of the "development policy" administrative department, it is within the ministry. Secretary Maciej Lasek is taking on this area within his competencies, simultaneously serving as the Prime Minister's plenipotentiary for CPK - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz at a press conference.

14:15

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

First KPO Funds May Reach Poland Around Q1/Q2 2024
- The first payment [under the KPO], for which we have applied, amounts to 31 billion zlotys [...]. The fundamental issue that will be resolved and which will cause these funds to flow into Poland sometime at the end of Q1 or the beginning of Q2 [of the year] concerns issues related to the rule of law - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz at a press conference.
- A comprehensive path forward has been prepared and presented by the Ministry of Justice [...]. We are not doing this for the European Union, for some abstract Commission that would set us conditions. The rule of law is something that Polish citizens need: independent courts, judges who judge without political pressure [...]. By achieving this, we will simultaneously fulfill the assumptions on the basis of which we gain access to the KPO funds - she continued.

14:58

PiS Announces No-Confidence Vote Against Sienkiewicz
The PiS parliamentary club has decided to submit a motion of no-confidence against the special services colonel delegated by Donald Tusk to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz. We accuse Colonel Sienkiewicz of breaking the law by illegally taking over public media. This involves violating the Constitution by depriving citizens of their right to information, as well as breaking other laws, primarily the Act on Radio and Television, which stipulates that company management is appointed by the National Media Council, not through the Commercial Companies Code – stated Mariusz Błaszczak in the Sejm. We also hold Colonel Sienkiewicz responsible for the losses incurred by state-owned companies – not one, but three, which are being illegally taken over based on this special operation. The exclusive signal of TVP Info on December 19th undoubtedly caused losses for this company. This already constitutes criminal liability – he added.

15:24

KRRiT Adopts Appeal to Tusk

- Today, the National Broadcasting Council adopted an Appeal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, calling for an end to the escalation of lawlessness in Poland. The Appeal was adopted by the votes of Council Members: Agnieszka Glapiak, Hanna Karp, Marzena Paczuska, Maciej Świrski - informed the head of KRRiT, Maciej Świrski, on Twitter.

15:38

Hołownia:

Now We Await the Promised Move from Wąsik and Kamiński
- No [Wąsik and Kamiński have not responded to my letter]. [...] I believe they should refrain at least until the conclusion of the trial, which everyone is aware of [...] I perceive this as a form of demonstration, but I also deliberately tried not to escalate anything - Szymon Hołownia told journalists. - We are now awaiting the move from Mr. Wąsik and Mr. Kamiński, which they have announced. The filing of an appeal against my decision is done through the office of the Marshal of the Sejm. Such an appeal has not yet been received. If it does not arrive today, it will arrive after the holidays. We will immediately forward it to the Supreme Court, and we will see what the court rules - he continued. - We can engage in a dispute regarding this matter [whether Kamiński and Wąsik should vote in the Sejm], because lawyers themselves are divided on this issue. Please remember that we are in an unprecedented situation [...]. I interpreted it in such a way, and I take responsibility for it, as if in favor of Mr. Wąsik and Mr. Kamiński, allowing them to participate in the deliberations yesterday, allowing them to use voting cards, assuming that the appeal serves them and let this procedure conclude. Then, when we know its outcome, decisions will have to be unequivocal - he went on to say.

15:39

Hołownia on Kamiński: He's at Prison Gates. I Understand He Might Experience This Differently
- I was also asked about Mr. Kamiński's gesture, which he made in the chamber. Regarding the customs prevailing in the chamber, such things should not happen. However, we are talking about a man who is at prison gates. I understand that in such situations, humanly speaking, people can react differently, have different resilience, and experience it in different ways. So, humanly, I somewhat understand that one can react in an above-standard way when in such a situation, where one might soon end up behind bars – said Szymon Hołownia in a conversation with journalists.

15:40

Hołownia on the Church Fund: It's probably impossible to resolve this situation now, we must ensure system stability
- We had a discussion yesterday among the leaders of the parties in the October 15th Coalition, and we addressed this issue. The conclusion was that we are preparing for some solution to this situation. It's probably impossible to do it now, because this Church Fund is something that serves, for example, to pay social security contributions for clergy; we must ensure the stability of the system. However, in our program, which I am very committed to, is the liquidation of the Church Fund and its replacement with some mechanism for individual support of the church, the religious community to which someone belongs - said Szymon Hołownia in an interview with journalists.

15:48

Hołownia:

I hope public media won't be PiS's media, but they also won't be the media of the October 15th Coalition
- Today, what is happening [with TVP] must be assessed in the context of what happened before. It should be looked at as a whole. I hope, I can say this much, that the situation surrounding public media will stabilize quickly and be resolved by law as soon as possible [...]. I only hope that public media will now move forward and not be the media of PiS, but also not the media of the October 15th Coalition, because that would be a real misfortune. Public media must be public - said Szymon Hołownia in a conversation with journalists.

17:31

Jaki:

What Tusk's team is doing is an attack on the state's system

- What Tusk's team is doing is an attack on the state's system. If anyone thinks we are exaggerating as usual, because a new government coming in has the right to change public law, and we are only defending our public media, and so on, then in principle, yes - stated Patryk Jaki in a conversation with Beata Lubecka on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

17:53

Patryk Jaki on the New Government: They Also Occupied the Sejm and Did So Completely Illegally. Well, Not All of Them, Because Some Were in Madeira
They also occupied the Sejm and did so completely illegally. Well, not all of them, because some were in Madeira at the time. They did it illegally, just as they are now trying to take over public media. Let's recall once more. The current law is in effect, and it is the source of law in Poland. The only way to change it is through the legislative process, not political will. This, we agree, is precisely what a state of law entails – stated Patryk Jaki on the program “Guest of Radio Zet”.

19:04

PiS Announces Protest Against "Breaking the Law and Eliminating Freedom"
- Enough. We must all actively oppose the breaking of the law and the elimination of freedom. As Law and Justice, we call on citizens to Warsaw, to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland – we will all meet on Thursday, January 11th at 4:00 PM. Let's not allow them to build a state of lawlessness and censorship! - Adam Andruszkiewicz wrote on Twitter.

20:07

Sikorski on Military Equipment Production for Ukraine in Poland: There's Great Potential for Cooperation, I Was Surprised by the Lack of It
- Definitely yes [more military equipment should be produced in Polish factories for Ukraine], and upon my return, I intend to resume my discussions with the Minister of Industry. Companies in the defense sector also have a role to play here and stand to gain significantly, as Ukraine, even during the war, has already produced drones that we don't have, or maritime drones that we don't have. They possess missile technology, and we are a safe production base - said Radosław Sikorski in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach" (Facts After Facts). - There is a great field for cooperation here, and what greatly surprised me in my conversations with my interlocutors here in Kyiv is that this kind of industrial cooperation with Poland practically doesn't exist at the moment, and it should - he continued.

20:10

Morawiecki:

Will Parliament Resolutions Soon Allow a New Team to Amend the Constitution?

- In effect, this will lead to a situation where a new team might soon be amending the Constitution or even other legal acts through parliamentary resolutions, and then, following their lead, change our reality through accomplished facts. This has nothing to do with democracy - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on TV Republika.

20:10

Morawiecki:

Gagging the Media Has Nothing to Do with Democracy

- Closing, gagging the media also has nothing to do with democracy. Democracy functions when the media are truly free - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on TV Republika.

20:13

Morawiecki:

Tusk and his team's main concern is that no one watches them

- Let's be blunt, Tusk and his team's main concern is that no one watches them, because a fundamental act concerning the fate of Poles is currently going through the EU Council, namely the so-called migration pact. It has an innocent name, but I'll say it straight away - this pact concerns the necessity, the obligation for the Republic of Poland, for all member states, to accept illegal immigrants. But I'm interested in Poland - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on TV Republika.

20:15

Sikorski on the Protest of Carriers at the Polish-Ukrainian Border: These Matters Are Terribly Complicated and There is No Unambiguous Blame on Either Side
- I held meetings and was briefed by the ministers of agriculture and infrastructure, i.e., transport, and deputy ministers accompanied me and held meetings with their Ukrainian counterparts. They tell me that things have moved forward, but I don't want to jinx it, and I believe it is the ministers of agriculture and infrastructure who should announce any good news - said Radosław Sikorski on TVN24. - After these conversations with our ministers, I already know that these matters, both in the field of agriculture and infrastructure, are terribly complicated and there is no unambiguous blame on either side - he continued.

20:22

Sikorski:

I Have a Subjective Impression That I Am Rebuilding the Foreign Ministry
- It's not easy to enter a ministry [of foreign affairs] that is empty, that has fallen into some kind of stagnation. Officials tell me that for the last four months, during and after the election campaign, absolutely nothing has been happening in the ministry, so I have a subjective impression that I am rebuilding this ministry - said Radosław Sikorski on TVN24.

20:26

Morawiecki:

These are simply Belarusian standards
Yes, these associations are entirely appropriate. Moreover, I spoke with foreign correspondents with embarrassment, defending Poland, saying that we are a sovereign country here and we handle our affairs in Poland, but they kept pushing me to explain what these changes entail – they couldn’t believe it. This is something unprecedented, these are simply Belarusian standards – stated Mateusz Morawiecki on TV Republika.

20:31

Sikorski:

We Will Restore the Non-Partisan Nature of the Foreign Service
- Here, I have the impression of a lack of agreement with Mr. President, who said, and publicly confirmed, which we appreciate, that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has the right to work with a representative to the European Union whom he trusts, who, in his opinion, will fulfill these tasks and has fulfilled them, because money from the European Union is already flowing in our direction - Radosław Sikorski said on TVN24. - The previous government did not hide the fact that it politicized the foreign service, meaning that it considered ambassadors to be representatives of a specific government, not of the entire Polish state. We must draw conclusions from this, but above all, we need to restore professionalism. Let's recall that one of PiS's first decisions after coming to power in 2015 was to abolish competitions in the civil service [...] the same was done in the diplomatic service, standards were lowered [...] we will restore competitive principles, restore professionalism, and restore the non-partisan nature of the foreign service - he continued.

20:35

Biedroń:

Minister Sienkiewicz Should Be Even More Determined to Resolve the Public Media Situation
- I have no [objections]. I believe that Minister Sienkiewicz should be determined, perhaps even more determined, to resolve this situation. Concrete, very decisive actions are needed here when it comes to depoliticizing public media and achieving pluralism and reliability – said Robert Biedroń on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach" (Facts after Facts). - The scenes are appalling when lawfully dismissed CEOs, for example, of PAP, barricade themselves in their offices, when the fully legitimate new CEO of PAP cannot perform their duties. […] It’s not about the police [having to remove them]. I believe we should resolve this situation as quickly as possible, because these scenes are appalling to society – he continued.

20:35

Sikorski on the Poczobut Case: As soon as there is a way to influence Lukashenka's regime, we will use it
- His ties to Lukashenka, on whom we in the West have very limited influence, and we don't even have contact with Mr. Andrzej Poczobut, so I can only express my admiration for his steadfastness. As soon as there is a way to influence Lukashenka's regime, we will use it, but please understand that this is not something that the authorities of our country or any other country control – Radosław Sikorski said on TVN24.

20:47

Bodnar:

I Trust Minister Sienkiewicz's Actions and How Control Over the Media Was Regained

- I trust Minister Sienkiewicz's actions and the way control over the media, which are of fundamental importance to every Pole, has been regained. We, as citizens, have the right to have media that are truly public, that reflect the broad worldview and ways of thinking of Poles, and not just serve party interests – stated Adam Bodnar on the program "Guest of Events" on Polsat News.

- It seems to me that we must, however, draw attention to this very specific context in which we find ourselves. Let's recall at least one thing: Polish television was accused of influencing the previous presidential elections and the current parliamentary elections. TVP has been accused many times of various actions that were simply harmful to different social groups. LGBT+ individuals, judges, prosecutors, and the question arises: should the person who de facto manages or exercises power over TVP, which is the minister responsible for culture and national heritage, agree to such continued treatment? – he continued.

20:50

Biedroń:

I Think We'll See Kamiński and Wąsik in Their Place After the Holidays - in a Cell
- Mr. Kamiński, the MP, also voted, among other things, for the law that will be applied to him today, meaning not a summons from a judge overseeing such a case to report for serving a sentence, but he voted for the arrest and apprehension of convicts. I hope that the law they voted for will catch up with them - said Robert Biedroń in TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach". - I understand that there are probably 3 days to bring these gentlemen to be incarcerated. After the holidays, I think we will see both gentlemen [Marius Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik] already where they belong - that is, in a cell - he stated.

21:04

Biedroń:

Concrete Decisions on the Church Fund and Public Media Funding to Be Made on Wednesday
- This budget, which we inherited from PiS, is solely a technical budget. We need to amend this budget. On Wednesday, very concrete decisions will be made regarding not only the Church Fund but also the funds allocated to public media. I believe public media should not receive a single zloty – and we as Lewica will defend this – until a full audit is conducted there and we are certain they will provide reliable, pluralistic information - said Robert Biedroń on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach". - We will be determined to liquidate the Church Fund. It is an anachronism. Moreover, the agreement between the state and the Church, which is faltering in many areas today, needs to be renegotiated - he stated.

21:24

Bodnar:

We Currently Have Three Drafts Regarding the National Council of the Judiciary

- We currently have three draft laws regarding the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS). One draft was prepared by the judges' association Themis, the second by the association Iustitia, and the third is a Senate draft that has been on the Senate's website for two years. Now, my role, or the role of the ministry, is to take the best elements from these three drafts and present them as a single bill – said Adam Bodnar on Polsat News.

recommended

Aircraft to Support Evacuation of Poles from the Middle East. Tusk Submits Request to the President

Hot Topic

Why Doesn't Gasoline in Poland Cost 5.19 Zloty, as Promised?

- Błaszczak on Tusk's Announcement

Hot Topic

Interest Rates Down? The Monetary Policy Council Has Decided

Hot Topic

When Will the Government Prepare Shielding Measures?

- PiS Questions the Government

Hot Topic

I Won't Say a Bad Word About the President Today.

- Tusk on the Need for Cooperation on Security Matters

Hot Topic

Nothing indicates this conflict will end in the coming hours or days

- Tusk

news

Previous days

Wczoraj

03.03.2026

02.03.2026

27.02.2026

26.02.2026

25.02.2026

24.02.2026

23.02.2026