Aircraft to Support Evacuation of Poles from the Middle East. Tusk Submits Request to the President
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01/02/2024
07:52
Operational Command: Two Pairs of F-16 Fighter Jets and an Allied Air Tanker Activated to Ensure Security of Polish Airspace
- We inform that intense long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation has been observed, which is related to strikes being carried out on the territory of Ukraine - reported the Operational Command of the Armed Forces on Twitter.
"To ensure the security of Polish airspace, two pairs of F-16 fighter jets and an allied air tanker have been activated. Around 5:45 AM, a US pair stationed at the base in Łask took off, and around 6:15 AM, a PL pair from the base in Krzesiny.
We warn that the activity of Polish and allied aviation in our airspace may be associated with increased noise levels, especially in the eastern part of the country."
Informujemy, że obserwowana jest intensywna aktywność lotnictwa dalekiego zasięgu Federacji Rosyjskiej, która związana jest z wykonywaniem uderzeń na terytorium Ukrainy.
— Dowództwo Operacyjne (@DowOperSZ) January 2, 2024
W celu zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa polskiej przestrzeni powietrznej aktywowano dwie pary myśliwców F-16 oraz… pic.twitter.com/qPYsf5HBzu
08:05
Halicki:
I Believe Cooperation Between the President and the Government on Public Media Looks Quite Promising
- Cooperation [between the president and the government on public media] is essential, that's obvious, and dialogue is essential, and I think that today this possibility of cooperation looks quite promising, because in fact, there are no people, and I'm talking about the most important people in the state, but also about average people, i.e., listeners and viewers of Polish Television, who would want to defend this Byzantium and these unbelievable earnings of 1.5 million in eight months, because it's beyond anyone's comprehension, so it's clear that this must be eliminated, fixed. But I also think there's a great relief that there's no hate, that these holidays passed in a different atmosphere - said Andrzej Halicki in "24 pytania" on PR24.
08:06
Halicki on the Situation in Public Media: I Think Half of Poland is Happy with These Changes, and the Other Half Understands
- I think half of Poland is happy with these changes [in public media], and the other half understands. This is an objective situation, but of course, if we are talking about the entire process, it is only the beginning. A law is needed, regulations are needed so that the shape of public media is stable in the first place, so that these media have healthy, rational financing, and so that this restructuring is also accepted - said Andrzej Halicki on PR24.
08:19
Halicki on Morawiecki's KPO Remarks: 'It's Bad He's Trying to Stir Things Up, He'd Better Keep Quiet. Tusk's Government Submitted the Advance Payment Request'
- I think it's bad that Prime Minister Morawiecki is trying to stir things up [regarding the KPO], because he'd simply better keep quiet. It's a great shame that for over two years we haven't had billions that, to quote another prime minister from the same political camp, simply belonged to us. These shortcomings, this war with European institutions, have also cost us a few billion - said Andrzej Halicki in PR24.
- To get the money, you not only have to ask for it, but you have to sign an agreement. There was an implementing act that wasn't signed; it was only now, in December, after Prime Minister Tusk's arrival, that this basis could be activated, as well as the advance payment formally. Because what Prime Minister Morawiecki submitted was a revision of the KPO, in order to be able to use 24 billion euros for the RePowerEU program dedicated to energy. This is the loan portion, and it's very good that Prime Minister Morawiecki submitted this project in August, but to realize this request again, a change to the KPO was needed, and the revision of the KPO in the request Prime Minister Morawiecki is referring to contained this; moreover, the request was corrected - he continued.
- The request for the advance payment, or rather two requests - the first is for the advance payment, the second is for the first tranche [...] of 7 billion euros - was submitted by Donald Tusk's government. We have already received the advance payment regarding the approval of this first request, meaning the first tranche. Specific project settlements are currently being analyzed by the Commission, and the Commission has two months to then present this document for implementation, because the decision is always made by the European Union ministers at the end [...] I expect it will certainly be in the first quarter - he went on to say.
08:25
Zandberg on Public Media Changes: I Have Legal Doubts About Sienkiewicz's First Approach. The Current One is Less Risky
- We are very consistent. We voted for a vote of confidence and said that we would support everything sensible, but if we assess a move as less sensible, we will not pretend to assess it differently - said Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Grzegorz Kępka on Polsat News' "Graffiti".
- In public media, there was a deluge of sewage and hatred. That was wrong and it had to be ended – that is clear. However, it also needs to be done in a way that is legally safe and legally stable. I do not hide the fact that here I think quite similarly to what the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights presented in its statement: critically and negatively assessing what happened at TVP under the Law and Justice government, I have legal doubts about the first path [dismissal of supervisory boards] that Minister Sienkiewicz chose - continued the co-chairman of Lewica Razem.
- It was his decision, but it involved legal risks that it could be quickly challenged. And it seems to me that it is important regarding these changes in public television that they are lasting, that it is not another space that will be antagonistic for the next months - he continued.
- The minister made a decision. In a free Poland, we have such a mechanism that such decisions must ultimately be settled in court. We will see how it turns out. In my opinion, the path that was chosen later, the current one [putting into liquidation], is legally much less risky - he stated.
08:29
Halicki on Poland in the Eurozone: Stabilization and Development Potential are Greater, but Today We Lack the Conditions to Start the Process, or at Least Define a Specific Calendar
- Of course, yes, I share this opinion [that Poland is losing out by not being in the Eurozone and should introduce this currency], but [...] we will still be a long time from having the conditions met to actually discuss this in practice. [...] I would refer to the report by President Skrzypek [...] the President of the National Bank of Poland, who did not come from our political option, but from the option created by Jarosław Kaczyński's camp. It was he who estimated the losses of the Polish economy at several billion annually due to the necessity of currency conversions, but also issues of the economy's credibility - said Andrzej Halicki in PR24.
- Within this larger organism, of course, stabilization and the potential for development are greater, but today we do not have such conditions to start this process, or at least to define some specific calendar - he continued.
08:35
Zandberg:
I Share the View of Those Skeptical About Rapid Euro Adoption
- I don't think it's true that economists agree that every year without the euro brings losses to Poland. I think there are different economists and different beliefs in Poland […]. I, for one, share the view of those who are skeptical about the rapid adoption of the euro. I believe this is not something we should focus on in the next year or two - said Adrian Zandberg on Polsat News's "Graffiti".
- We first need many convergence factors to occur for a discussion about the euro to make sense. Poland currently does not meet the accession criteria. […] We are in favor of first significantly increasing common EU public investments and ensuring that convergence of social rights and wages takes place. Then it makes sense to talk about a common currency - he continued.
08:51
Zandberg:
Political Blocs are the Natural Way to Contest European Elections, Just as They Form in the European Parliament
- In Krakow right now, MP Daria Gosek-Popiołek, along with Łukasz Gibała, is building a bloc of change, a democratic one, but also one that is an alternative to what has been happening in Krakow's city hall. This is a good example of our pragmatic approach when it comes to local elections. We reach agreements at the local government level – on local government matters, it's simply different – with forces that we would certainly not agree with in parliamentary elections, Adrian Zandberg said on Polsat News's "Graffiti".
- We believe that in European elections, the natural format for contesting them is for political blocs to run, just as these political blocs later form in the European Parliament, he continued.
08:57
Lubnauer:
We Want to Introduce Some Programmatic Changes from September 1st This Year, But Major Changes Must Wait
- We want to introduce some programmatic changes from September 1st this year, however, the major ones must wait because they need to be prepared through broader social consultations, involving changes to textbooks, etc. - stated Katarzyna Lubnauer in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program “Gość Radia Zet”.
08:59
Lubnauer:
The proposed solution states that religious education lessons should not be interspersed with other classes.
-The proposed solution states that religious education lessons should not be interspersed with other classes. One religious education lesson before or after other classes, without a grade for religion counting towards the average that determines a "red-banner" diploma. We would like this to take effect from September 1st - stated Katarzyna Lubnauer on the "Gość Radia Zet" program.
09:04
Szczucki:
I Count on PiS's Regional Performance Being Better Than in Previous Local Elections
- I am convinced that PiS's result will be good, and I count on its regional performance being better than in the previous local elections – stated Krzysztof Szczucki in a conversation with Beata Michniewicz on "Political Salon of Trójka".
09:07
Lubnauer:
We Would Like Programmatic Stances to Be Slimmed Down by Up to 20 Percent
- We would like the programmatic stances to be slimmed down by up to 20 percent, meaning that 5 to 20 percent of the content would disappear. Also, the issue of limiting the number of readings, currently there are some exorbitant amounts of readings, which students and teachers complain about greatly, because it doesn't give them any possibility of choice outside of this canon that is imposed from above - stated Katarzyna Lubnauer on the program "Gość Radia Zet".
09:24
Szczucki:
There Will Be More Demonstrations in the Future
- It's impossible to say now how it will be. Certainly, there will be more demonstrations in the future, there will be further ones, but whether it will be a series or not, we'll see how the dynamics of political life develop. We simply will not agree to such actions, actions that are contrary to the law - stated Krzysztof Szczucki in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on "Trójka's Political Salon".
09:44
Szczucki:
TV Republika's Growing Influence May Cause Concern for Those Aiming for Media Monopolies in Poland
- TV Republika is simply exercising media freedom, and I believe that the fact that its position is growing may also cause concern for those who – as I stated at the beginning of our broadcast – would like to establish such a media monopoly in Poland – stated Krzysztof Szczucki on "Trójka's Political Salon".
10:51
Ujazdowski on Sienkiewicz's Actions: An Option for Rapid Public Media Recovery, I'd Wait a Few Months for a Final Assessment
- I understand that [Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz's actions] are an option for the rapid recovery of public media and freeing them from what we have witnessed in recent years, especially the last few months, because what was happening on television controlled by PiS was absolutely extraordinary against the backdrop of the entire history of free Poland since '89. [...] I would wait a good few months for a final assessment of whether this legal form was correct and rational, because in reality, the final answer [...] depends on what the public media will be in a few months - said Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Poranek Siódma9.
- Jarosław Kaczyński would launch a radical and aggressive protest against any form of change in public media [...]. We really need to take very seriously the reservations and conclusions being formulated by some non-governmental organizations - he continued.
10:59
Ujazdowski:
We haven't seen anyone serious on the other side attempting to curb TVP's propaganda and propose a compromise
- An element of this situation is that on the side of the ruling camp, I'm speaking primarily about President Andrzej Duda, there was not a grain of reflection on what was happening in public television, nor a sign that would indicate the president wanted to stop this disgusting, terrible propaganda that took place just a few weeks ago, and that no signs are emanating from the presidential palace that he is ready to reform the media in an evolutionary way – Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski said on Poranek Siódma9.
- We have not dealt with a situation where someone serious on the other side was trying to limit this terrible propaganda and propose a compromise solution. Absolutely not, that didn't happen. [...] I'm speaking primarily about the President, who today is protesting against these changes – he continued.
11:03
Ujazdowski:
It's Very Good That the Head of the Ministry of Defence is Someone Who Will Restore Basic Peace and the Ability to Cooperate with the President
- Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, the leader of PSL, has all the qualifications and good experience to effectively take care of this area [defence], which is crucial for Polish strategy and Polish security [...]. Starting with this very important element, which is the ability to cooperate with the President [...] it is very good that the head of the Ministry of Defence is someone who will restore basic peace and the ability to cooperate with the President - said Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski on Poranek Siódma9.
13:30
Arłukowicz:
Duda's Address Was Full of Frustration, Political Helplessness, Aimed at Conflict
- The two addresses were completely different. Donald Tusk's address was unifying, showing hope and a desire for change, while President Duda's address was, in my assessment, full of frustration, political helplessness, and aimed at conflict. This all shows that we will be dealing with this for the next year. We will have a president who will be the president of the PiS camp, and Prime Minister Tusk and the government will be building, will try to build unity and community – stated Bartosz Arłukowicz on Radio Koszalin.
17:22
Halicki on Pietrzak's Words on TV Republika: Scandal, No One Will Try to Defend This
- A scandal and such words that no one will try to defend, just like with Braun before. I think even within his circle, because he has his allies and various helpers. He received huge amounts of money for distorting God knows what, he has his foundation and association, and that's really millions. He probably considers himself beyond reproach. I want to point out one thing: the reaction must be ruthless, immediate, and one hundred percent - stated Andrzej Halicki on the "Gość Radia Zet" program.
17:28
Halicki:
I'd prefer President Duda to be someone who consistently learns, as he once emphasized
- I'd prefer President Duda to be someone who consistently learns, as he once emphasized. It's good that this is very important to him, and that he learns from the better. That is, the address, which was short, was really sympathetic, because it's Donald Tusk's New Year's in a rather important place, because for the first time one could hear Donald Tusk saying something different than what was being broadcast about him. His presence alone does not mean his message was present there, because he didn't have the opportunity - stated Andrzej Halicki on the program "Gość Radia Zet".
17:36
Halicki on Wąsik and Kamiński: If I were malicious, I'd say the President can't even pardon effectively
- If I were malicious, I'd say the President can't even pardon effectively, because this whole situation wouldn't have happened if not for his overzealousness and intervention at a certain point. It also took place under pressure from that political center, which I haven't mentioned before, but everyone knows perfectly well - stated Andrzej Halicki on the program "Gość Radia Zet".
19:48
Bartoszewski:
I Will Not Shake Hands with the Russian Chargé d'Affaires. It is Not in Our Interest to Cozy Up to Criminals
- Normally one does [shake hands], but I apologize, I will not shake hands with the Chargé d'Affaires, meaning the number two at the embassy of the Russian Federation, which Russian Federation is guilty of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and likely genocide. These people should end up at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and Poland wants to bring that about. I do not greet criminals - stated Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events).
- I represent the interests not only of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but also of the Polish state, and it is not in our interest to cozy up to criminals - emphasized the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
19:52
Bartoszewski:
The Missile Was Russian, There Are No Doubts About It
- This is a form of symbolic protest [the summoning of the Russian Chargé d'Affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs], but at the same time, I said very clearly that if they escalate this, they will lose. That missile was Russian, there are no doubts about it. We and our allies tracked this missile from the very moment it was launched - said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.
- That is why four F-16 fighter jets were scrambled then, which unfortunately did not manage to intercept the missile at the last moment. Now we have also scrambled F-16s in connection with the shelling of Kyiv and Lviv. We are in control of the situation: both the Polish army and the head of NATO forces in Europe - he continued.
20:10
Bartoszewski:
Ukraine Can Win This War with Greater Western Aid
- I do not share that opinion. This is a kind of pessimism [that Ukraine will sooner or later lose the war with Russia]. […] A bit of moderation. Ukraine can win this war with greater Western aid. Ukraine still does not have the appropriate types of weapons - said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski on "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.
20:17
Bartoszewski Announces Ambassador Recalls:
Some of these people are clearly not suited for it.
- This is within the purview of Minister Sikorski. But it is obvious to me, as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the previous term and the Vice-Chairman of that committee, that we had to approve candidates for ambassador, people who were absolutely not suited for it. For various reasons - lack of experience, knowledge, language skills, poor character, as well as other things - said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski in “Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.
- Some of these people are clearly not suited to be ambassadors of the Republic of Poland, and some of these people will be recalled. Not all of them. [...] We have one hundred or so ambassadors, so by no means half. Some percentage, we will have to review post by post - he announced.
- I know of posts where someone nominated by the PiS government, meaning put forward by Minister Rau, is fantastically suited to be Poland's ambassador. I know of some where it is pathetic… Some names are widely known. There are people who have a very rich and inglorious career in the ministry, there are people who are unable to speak the language of the country to which they are accredited - the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs continued.
- I assume it will be relatively soon, but it will not be a sudden process, because some people can be recalled to the country without any problems, with certain names we will certainly discuss with the President. Because any ambassador can be recalled to Warsaw, but they cannot be stripped of the title of ambassador. That is decided by the President. I think we will be able to reach an agreement with the President in many cases in this matter - stated Bartoszewski.
20:27
Bartoszewski on Pietrzak's Words: It's Unacceptable to Use Such Comparisons Lightly
- Mr. [Jan] Pietrzak's ignorance goes so far that he spoke of barracks in Treblinka. There were no barracks there, and there aren't any. People were only sent there to be murdered. These are tasteless jokes, and not jokes at all. It's scandalous. [...] It's unacceptable to use such comparisons lightly and make such jokes - said Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń".
20:29
Bodnar:
Knowing What's Happening in a Case is Different from Interfering with the Process
- Knowing what is happening in a case is one thing, because the Prosecutor General bears responsibility, and interfering with the process, meaning saying 'you absolutely must do this and that,' is another thing - said Adam Bodnar in an interview with Monika Olejnik on "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.
- I think that [when Zbigniew Ziobro was Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General] we had situations more than once where very specific actions and measures were ordered to be taken within the prosecution service - he continued.
20:35
Bodnar:
The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights' Stance Missed Highlighting What Happened with Public Media Over Recent Years
- The President, of course, has the right to various opinions, but here I see no violation of the Constitution or abuse of power, so I don't understand the President's great outrage - said Adam Bodnar on TVN24, referring to the President's stance on changes in public media.
- Of course, I am familiar with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights' position on this matter, but I think what was missing from that stance was drawing attention to what has been happening with public media over the past few years, specifically to what extent they contributed to spreading disinformation, to spreading hatred towards certain social groups or certain individuals, and how deeply entrenched the state of using public media solely for the political purposes of one particular environment had become - he continued.
20:44
Bodnar on Reclaiming Money Paid to Adamczyk and Olechowski: I Think There Are Ways
- I think there are ways to [reclaim the money they received]. We have provisions in the Civil Code that allow for indicating that remuneration for certain matters was contrary to the principles of social coexistence. It's a rather difficult procedure, but not impossible - said Adam Bodnar on TVN24 when asked about the earnings of Michał Adamczyk and Jarosław Olechowski at TVP.
- I think, firstly, a court must decide this in a ruling, an appropriate lawsuit must be filed. However, I think that such possibilities should be considered - he continued, when pressed on whether the money should be reclaimed from "people who pretended to be journalists" or from the management board that agreed to such amounts.
20:57
Bodnar:
We are preparing comprehensive solutions for the Constitutional Tribunal
- We are preparing for this, I would say, we are preparing for such comprehensive solutions related to the Constitutional Tribunal. I would not like to preempt now, because I think that what will be presented will be important from the perspective of building such a proper and responsible approach to the functioning of the Constitutional Tribunal - said Adam Bodnar in an interview with TVN24 when asked whether there would be a resolution regarding the Constitutional Tribunal.
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