Live Feed

01/12/2024

08:11

Morawiecki:

Games are meant to distract Tusk and his team from the fact that work on electoral promises, the so-called 'concrete steps', is not progressing

- These kinds of games are meant to distract Tusk and his team from the fact that work on electoral promises, the so-called 'concrete steps', is not progressing much, in reality, nothing is happening in this regard at all, and this is political revenge. There is not much left to check here, because the President has made a decision to pardon - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet.

08:08

Hołownia:

The President's Initiation of Pardon Proceedings is a Good De-escalatory Decision
- Of course, the decision [to initiate pardon proceedings for Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik] is a good one because it is a de-escalatory decision, aimed at finally acknowledging – as the president did yesterday – that there is a guilty verdict from the district court, that the previous pardon was ineffective, and to initiate the pardon procedure once again for Messrs. Kamiński and Wąsik – said Szymon Hołownia in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

08:09

Paprocka:

Documents Delivered to the Prosecutor General Yesterday, the Question is How He Will React to the President's Decision
- Yesterday, the documents were immediately delivered to the Prosecutor General, and now the question is how Minister Bodnar will react to the President's decision. These are two elements: the President, in addition to the decision, which is a formal document, also sent a letter to the minister indicating the president's expectation of immediate use of the authority held by the Prosecutor General. And within the procedure that is being carried out, only the Prosecutor General, based on the Code of Criminal Procedure, can order a suspension of the sentence until the pardon proceedings are concluded. Today, this is Minister Bodnar's personal decision - said Małgorzata Paprocka in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

08:10

Morawiecki:

Kamiński and Wąsik Are Still in Prison, They Are Political Prisoners

- I have information that [Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik] are still in prison, they are political prisoners, and as such they should also be the subject of political debate today, because it is something unprecedented that people who fought corruption have become the subject of political attack, political revenge, and ultimately ended up in custody, in prison - stated Mateusz Morawiecki in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Radio Zet.

08:11

Morawiecki:

I could come here wearing a "Constitution" t-shirt and feel very good about it

- That decision [to pardon] was already made in 2015, that decision is important. Solely due to the violation of law, the violation of fundamental democratic principles by our opponents, and let's say it out loud, the violation of the Constitution. I could come here wearing a "Constitution" t-shirt and feel very good about it - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet.

08:12

Hołownia:

The President Did Not Use Presidential Pardon. He Chose a Path That Can Last Six Months
- The problem is, as we also know from yesterday's numerous consultations [...] with criminal law specialists, that the President did not use the presidential pardon under Article 139, which could have resulted in Messrs. [Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik] being released from prison yesterday, and that was within his competence. Instead, he opted for a path under the Code of Criminal Procedure, which is lengthy and can last up to six months - said Szymon Hołownia in "One on One" on TVN24.

08:14

Morawiecki on Wąsik and Kamiński: If They Leave Prison, They Have the Right to Sit in Our Lower House and Vote. I Will Want to Bring Them Back

- If Messrs. Wąsik and Kamiński leave prison, they have the right to sit in the lower house of our parliament and vote. Absolutely, I will want to bring them back. This is like the case of police intervention, or like the case of breaking all good customs and the police entering the Presidential Palace - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

08:16

Hołownia:

With his decision, the President recognized the district court's ruling, and therefore the fact that Kamiński and Wąsik no longer hold parliamentary mandates.
- From my perspective as the Marshal of the Sejm, one thing is clear – the President has recognized the district court's ruling, because he is pardoning them from it or from the penalty that this ruling brought upon Messrs. [Mariusza Kamińskiego and Macieja Wąsika], thus he has also recognized the fact that both of them no longer hold parliamentary mandates – said Szymon Hołownia in "One on One" on TVN24.

08:19

Morawiecki:

If the German online portal Onet reports 120,000 people yesterday, it means there were at least 200,000.

- If the German online portal Onet reports that yesterday there were 120,000 people, it means there were certainly 200,000, and if you add everyone who arrived later, including those who were in the detained buses, there were significantly more. Please allow me to thank them at this moment - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

08:20

Paprocka:

The President Wanted No Expert or Court to Question the Pardon Procedure. It's Not the Longest Formula
- We are in a completely different moment from a legal point of view. When the President made the decision in 2015, there was no legally binding judgment, as we all remember, and the procedure concerning so-called individual amnesty, i.e., the application of the right of grace before a legally binding verdict, is not described in the Code of Criminal Procedure, nor is the constitutional norm supplemented by a statute - said Małgorzata Paprocka on Polsat News, when asked why the president did not choose a "direct act of grace" but the path involving the Prosecutor General. - At this stage, the situation is completely opposite. The President wanted no expert, of course, I don't guarantee this, nor any court, it's also difficult to guarantee this these days, to question this procedure, so that it would be perfectly consistent with the Constitution and the Code of Criminal Procedure. [...] This is not the longest formula; it is the initiation of proceedings by the President, the decision of the Prosecutor General, and the President decided that he would not seek court opinions in this matter, which also likely influences the time - she continued.

08:24

Morawiecki:

I Don't Believe Now is the Time for Snap Elections

- The court ruled the elections are valid, yesterday, time is running fast. The elections took place three months ago, I don't believe now is the time for snap elections - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on the program “Guest of Radio Zet.”

08:25

Morawiecki:

I would like the President to remain PiS leader for as long as possible, and then I would like to run in that honorable race

- I would like the President [Kaczyński] to remain the leader of PiS for as long as possible, to unite our camp, and then I would also like to run in that honorable race, in that competition [for the head of PiS]. Yes [that's what I would like in the future] - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet.

08:25

Paprocka on Whether the Pardon Procedure Applies to Other Convicted Individuals: "At the moment, no, due to the lack of a request, but I do not exclude such a situation."
- At the moment, no, due to the lack of a request, but I do not exclude such a situation. It depends on the will of the other gentlemen - Małgorzata Paprocka said on Polsat News, when asked whether the pardon procedure, in addition to Kamiński and Wąsik, also applies to other individuals convicted in the process.

08:32

Paprocka:

We are a democratic state; no one can pick and choose courts and rulings that suit them
- The Speaker [of the Sejm] deigned to disregard two rulings from the Chamber of Extraordinary Control. I don't know if he noticed yesterday's ruling from the same chamber confirming the validity of the elections. Does the Speaker have a parliamentary mandate? Will he recognize the ruling of the Chamber of Extraordinary Control that the elections were conducted validly? We are a democratic state; no one can pick and choose courts, no one can pick and choose rulings that suit them - said Małgorzata Paprocka on Polsat News.

08:34

Morawiecki:

I Will Vote to Strip Braun of His Immunity

- I will vote to strip Mr. Grzegorz Braun of his immunity - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

08:37

Hołownia:

PiS MPs Threatened to Recreate the Capitol Attack, to Hold Parliament in the Column Hall, and to Show Me What They're Capable Of
- And do you think that if they were not at liberty [Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik], would it change anything? Their colleagues will ensure that parliamentary obstruction and the conduct of its proceedings will be carried out in the way they are already announcing in the media, which is fortunate for us because we know what to prepare for - said Szymon Hołownia in TVN24's "Jeden na jeden". - They are going around and talking about how they will drown out the Sejm's proceedings by serially singing the national anthem, how they will physically block the podium. There have been voices suggesting attempts to carry the gentlemen in – of course, if they are at liberty – in a so-called rugby-style carry. […] Fortunately, they quite readily share these things that are going through their minds - he continued. - They have already threatened me that they will create a second Capitol in the Sejm, that there will be a second Sejm in the Column Hall, that we don't yet know what opposition means, that now they will show me. PiS MPs [came with such threats]. Please forgive me, but until we stood publicly face-to-face at a press briefing, I will not mention [who specifically]. However, attempts at such blackmail have occurred more than once […] I asked: do you really want this? Are you telling me now that you will be the total opposition that you criticized so much? - he went on to say.

08:43

Scheuring-Wielgus:

The President Chickened Out, He's a Wimp. He Could Have Pardoned Kamiński and Wąsik Immediately, and There Would Be No Discussion
- I think that President Andrzej Duda didn't make a decision, he fled from making a decision, because, as a classic saying goes, he behaved like the proverbial wimp, since President Andrzej Duda could have pardoned [Kamiński and Wąsik] immediately yesterday and there would have been no discussion. Anyway, he would have acted somewhat against what he had been saying for the last few days, that he wouldn't do it, but he didn't want to make that decision - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus on Polsat News. - He could have also made another decision, meaning to wait for information from the court [...]. However, he chickened out, he behaved like a wimp and passed this matter to the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General [...]. Let's not kid ourselves, this is an escape, this is an abdication of responsibility, and this is a refusal to admit a mistake. President Andrzej Duda broke the law many years ago when he pardoned Kamiński and Wąsik. In recent days, he has been saying that he will never repeat it. He used this situation for that, meaning Kamiński and Wąsik entering prison, their arrest, with the involvement of the wives of these very politicians, because, I will say it again, he is simply a wimp and did not want to take responsibility for this situation - she continued.

08:46

Hołownia:

Parliament Will Cope with Obstruction Attempts
- My task as Marshal of the Sejm is to effectively pursue conclusions and conduct proceedings. And we will conduct these proceedings effectively. We currently have the budget bill to pass […]. The Sejm will cope with obstruction attempts - said Szymon Hołownia on TVN24's "One on One". - The question is how those who today have only destruction on their banners, and are unable to build anything, create anything, form any coalition, reach any agreement, or achieve something real for their voters - how will they look them in the face later? But that is their problem, not mine. The Sejm will work effectively - he continued.

08:48

Scheuring-Wielgus on Kamiński and Wąsik: They weren't convicted for eight years of demolishing the services, that's still ahead of them
- They [Kamiński and Wąsik] were not convicted for the fact that for eight years they were demolishing the services, because that is all still ahead of them. I will point out that we have the illegal use of the Pegasus system [...]. They were convicted for something they did between 2005-2007, and that's what needs to be discussed. So, they are being punished for that, they are criminals, and this is a warning to every male and female politician to never use such methods - Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus said on Polsat News.

08:57

Scheuring-Wielgus:

PSL and Poland 2050 are halting abortion law liberalization. If necessary, I will submit this bill a second, third, fourth time.
- No, I am absolutely not disappointed [that the abortion bills are not being processed], but let's be clear, the reason there is no debate on issues related to abortion law liberalization at the moment, we need to say who is blocking it [...]. Yes [Szymon Hołownia], but PSL and Poland 2050, and I hope that this reflection will eventually reach the politicians from these two parties, because their voters also want abortion law liberalization - Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus said on Polsat News. - I have no complaints because I know Marshal Hołownia's views on this matter, but both Mr. Hołownia and Mr. Kosiniak-Kamysz must realize that we won the elections because women who want abortion law liberalization voted for us [...] I am not giving anyone a deadline; if it's necessary, I will submit this bill a second, third, fourth time, and I will do it - she continued.

09:08

Hołownia:

Barricades in front of the Sejm will only be erected when truly necessary and will be removed immediately
- The barricades were up for 24 hours. I'm going to the Sejm right now, I hope they are no longer there. That was the agreement with the police. The police came and asked for them because we didn't want these barricades to be erected, and they had one argument: the health and lives of officers and protesters - said Szymon Hołownia on TVN24's 'One on One'. - If tens of thousands of people come, and the cordon were only human and someone pushed someone, in a crowd you cannot - even with the best will of the demonstrators - control certain things, someone could fall, hit something, someone could be pushed. We didn't want that - he explained. - They will not be there for 8 years, as they were, separating people […]. They will only be put up when there is a real need, and they will be removed immediately - he assured.

09:13

Hołownia:

No Early Elections, as There Are No Constitutional Grounds for Them
- MP Gosek is perhaps formulating certain conclusions too quickly. There will be no shortening of the Sejm's term, there will be no new elections, because there are no constitutional grounds for it - said Szymon Hołownia in the program „Jeden na jeden” on TVN24.

09:14

Morawiecki:

I Will Vote Against the Removal of Bosak
I believe that all clubs should be represented in the Sejm presidium, and it is not the role of the parliamentary majority to choose who can be a Deputy Marshal and who cannot. We made the same decision and we are waiting for this action, which breaks parliamentary custom, to be reversed. We proposed Marshal Witek and are waiting for consent on this matter - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet. - Yes [I will vote against removing Krzysztof Bosak from the Sejm presidium] - he added.

09:25

Hołownia on the Dismissal of Deputy Marshal Bosak: We're Still Discussing, We'll Likely Decide on the Last Day
- We are still discussing this, because although I believe there should be no institutional representative of Grzegorz Braun in the Sejm Presidium… We are considering it, because we also see value in Krzysztof Bosak – I mean from the Third Way – being in the Sejm Presidium as a representative of the opposition. We will likely make a decision on the last day before this vote […], we are also talking with our coalition partners about how to resolve this matter – said Szymon Hołownia in the TVN24 program "Jeden na jeden". - Of course, PiS, we already know, will be in favor of dismissing Krzysztof Bosak […]. To put it bluntly, I often don't feel like playing PiS's game. It is too obvious and too black-and-white to succumb to it so easily. The Left has the right to do this [submit a motion for dismissal], but PiS is fueling it and wants to use it for their political gain. And I don't like being a pawn on PiS's political chessboard – he continued. When asked if Deputy Marshal Bosak would remain in his position, he replied: We'll see.

10:09

Bielan:

President is trying to maintain the rule of law in Poland despite the Tusk government's actions
- At a time when we are dealing with such butchers, who, after all, have organized provocations under the Russian embassy, setting fire to a booth, these people are not playing chess, they are swinging a baseball bat, so I absolutely would not consider this a defeat. The President stands guard over the Constitution and is trying to maintain the rule of law in Poland despite the Tusk government's actions - said Adam Bielan in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on the program "Sedno Sprawy" on Radio Plus.

10:20

Bielan:

One Would Have to Be Extremely Naive Not to Believe Gowin and Kamiński Discussed a Plan to Replace the Sejm Marshal
- The postal vote was expanded by Jarosław Gowin's vote on March 28, 2020. At that time, Jarosław Gowin and many other MPs, including those from Civic Platform, voted to grant over 10 million Poles the opportunity to vote by mail, in a procedure that, in my opinion, was entirely unfeasible, meaning via registered mail. [...] In Poland, roughly 50 million registered mail items are sent annually [...], and the post office was supposed to send about 10 million registered mail items in just a few days to everyone over 60 years of age. That was a completely unrealistic version - Adam Bielan said on Radio Plus. - I was in favor of, while organizing elections within the constitutional deadline [...], implementing the variant [that proved successful in the Bavarian local elections] and checking if this variant was possible. I urged Gowin to do so. I will also remind you that on May 6, after all these unsuccessful talks about a government change, a change of marshal [...], Gowin finally admitted that he was at Michał Kamiński's home precisely on the days when Michał Kamiński, in Super Express, proposed his candidacy for Sejm Marshal. And one would have to be extremely naive not to believe that such a plan was not discussed then at Kamiński's home. Fortunately, Gowin lacked the sabers; he did not have a sufficient majority to replace Mrs. Marshal Witek and replace her. But after all this, on May 6, Gowin signed an agreement with Jarosław Kaczyński, in which he commits to conducting elections in Poland exclusively by mail - he continued.

10:24

Bielan:

Warsaw Has Never Seen Such a Large, Multi-Thousand Demonstration in January, on a Weekday, in Extreme Cold
- Peaceful demonstration of opposition to the rulers breaking the law is an absolutely fundamental civic right, and there is nothing novel or new about it, except that this demonstration, which took place yesterday and went through the streets of Warsaw, was the largest of its kind under such weather conditions, because Warsaw has never seen such a large, multi-thousand demonstration in January, during the week, on a weekday, in extreme cold - said Adam Bielan on Radio Plus.

10:35

Bielan:

The President Was Forced Into His Decision. We'll See How Bodnar Reacts, Who for a Month Has Endorsed Government Actions Resembling Martial Law
- The President was, in a way, forced into this [decision to pardon again] because he stands by the position, and I share that position, that he effectively pardoned Messrs. Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik in 2015. This decision by the President is not respected by the Tusk government and its subordinate services - Adam Bielan said on Radio Plus. - It is enough to follow the social media of these people who made these decisions to see how heated the judges are, to quote a classic, namely former president Bronisław Komorowski. These are politicians, simply, not judges. Politicians of one option, who did everything to put Messrs. Kamiński and Wąsik in prison against the law, against statutes, against the constitutional prerogatives of the President. The President was forced into this decision due to the circumstances - he continued. - We will see what the reaction of the Prosecutor General, Mr. Adam Bodnar, will be, who not long ago was the Ombudsman, who had his mouth full of platitudes about protecting civil liberties, and for a month has been endorsing his government's actions resembling martial law - he continued.

11:59

Kierwiński on Kamiński and Wąsik's Mandates: The Discussion is as Pointless as Flat Earth Speculation
M. Wąsik and M. Kamiński are not MPs. The discussion on this matter is as pointless as speculation about a flat Earth – wrote the Minister of Interior and Administration, Marcin Kierwiński, on Twitter.

12:23

Bosak:

Next Week We Will Present Our Proposals for a Constitutional Reset
- I am appealing for different political forces, all present here in parliament, to sit down for a discussion and, despite mutual dislike or perhaps even hatred, to start discussing how, in a lawful manner – meaning by passing laws subsequently signed by the president and consistent with the Constitution, and also by potentially discussing amendments to the Constitution and passing them validly – to extricate the judiciary and other elements of the supreme state organs from this conflict, so that this gangrene, consisting of the legal and constitutional system splitting into two branches, which we are currently facing, does not spread to further areas - Krzysztof Bosak said at a press conference. - I am appealing to all political forces to sit down for a normal conversation with each other about how to restore the unity of the state so that this state is governable and lawful. Next week, we will present our proposals for a so-called constitutional reset. Proposals for resolving this mess through mutually agreed upon amendments to the Constitution. We believe this is currently the only lawful path. Continuing further into this conflict, where everyone will have their own judges, their own rulings, their own laws, and their own tribunals – some domestically, others abroad – is a dead end that can only lead to a deeper societal conflict, even deeper conflict between state institutions and politicians, and consequently to some form of physical altercation, which we believe everyone in Poland must avoid [...]. We are counting on our proposals being met with normal discussion and normal criticism - he continued.

14:28

Hołownia:

Kamiński and Wąsik are not MPs, therefore they will not be able to participate in Sejm debates
- Well, what can I say, the gentlemen [Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik] are not MPs, therefore they will not be able to participate in the Sejm debates. However, if they ever wish to participate in any events in the Sejm in the capacity of former MPs, as they sometimes do, then of course. But it's hard for me to comment on such announcements, we'll see what happens. I hope everything will be in accordance with the law and everyone will also respect the status of the parliamentary chamber, which the PiS MPs fought so passionately for just a few weeks ago, as I myself witnessed. They took great care to ensure that no one who was not an MP was in the chamber for even a moment. Now there will be an opportunity to bear witness to the values they profess - stated Szymon Hołownia in a conversation with journalists.

14:32

Hołownia on the Pardon Procedure: The President Took a Step to Order the Chaos, but at the Same Time Avoided Responsibility
- First and foremost, if anyone wanted the gentlemen to be released from custody as soon as possible, the President had all the keys in his hands. He did not use them. There is Article 139 of the Constitution; the President had the key in his hand that could have opened their cells yesterday. These gentlemen could have left the correctional facilities they are in yesterday. He decided to hand this key over to Adam Bodnar and to a very complicated procedure. Because the procedure under the Code of Criminal Procedure can take months. I hope it won't take that long here, because no one wants that, but now the Minister of Justice must carry out all the formalities, since the President has taken a step that, on the one hand, orders this chaos, but on the other hand, avoids responsibility – Szymon Hołownia told journalists.

14:39

Hołownia:

Today I am sending correspondence to President Prusinowski asking what is happening with the documents sent to the Labour Law Chamber
- The termination of the mandates occurred at the moment of the verdict. It was the court that terminated them, not the Marshal, that is a fact. However, regarding the confirmation of this termination, which is a necessary action to commence the procedure for filling the mandates of these former MPs, that is a completely different story. And while there is no doubt about the confirmation I sent to the Labour Law Chamber, and subsequently the appeal of Mr. Kamiński, which was also sent, and it has been processed, today I am sending correspondence to President Prusinowski, firstly asking what is happening with the documents that were sent to the Labour Law Chamber, because I directed them there, to the Supreme Court, and I would like to know what happened, whether someone stole them, whether they are being processed, whether they are lying in a drawer, or whether there will be some ruling. Because I need to have knowledge before I make decisions, what happened with the official documents and the MPs' appeals – stated Szymon Hołownia in a conversation with journalists.

14:42

Bodnar Presents Draft Amendment to the Act on the National Council of the Judiciary
This is another important step in restoring the rule of law in Poland. At the same time, it is the first legislative act prepared by the Ministry of Justice regulating one of the systemic spheres of Polish judiciary – informed the Ministry of Justice. The draft bill presented today by Minister Adam Bodnar restores the credibility of the KRS and frees it from political pressure. The principles of electing the Council's composition stipulated in the act are consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and treaty regulations. Here are the most important changes: Judges who are members of the KRS will not be elected by the Sejm. 15 judges (out of 25 Council members) will be elected by judges nationwide in direct and secret elections; The Council will be represented by judges from the Supreme Court, common courts, administrative courts, and military courts; The right to nominate candidates, beyond the specified group of judges (depending on the court the candidate will come from), will also be held by the Supreme Bar Association, the National Association of Legal Advisors, the National Prosecutors' Council, bodies authorized to grant scientific degrees in the field of law, as well as a group of at least 2,000 citizens; The right to nominate candidates will not be granted to individuals appointed to judicial positions with the participation of the National Council of the Judiciary in a composition shaped by the act of December 8, 2017; Only actively practicing judges who have simultaneously expressed their consent to run for candidacy may be nominated as candidates; Judges who are or have been delegated to the Ministry of Justice or another executive authority office, or appointed with the participation of the National Council of the Judiciary in a composition shaped by the act of December 8, 2017, in the three years preceding the announcement of the election date, will be excluded from the right to run for the KRS; Under the new regulations, it will not be possible to combine the function of a Council member with the position of a court president, chamber president, deputy court president, deputy head, disciplinary spokesman, or their deputy; The National Electoral Commission will be the body managing elections to the KRS; A Social Council will be established alongside the KRS, tasked with providing opinions on candidates for judicial and associate judge positions. The Council's operation will minimize the risk of political pressure on the courts. The mandates of judges-members of the KRS elected based on the 2017 regulations will expire on the day the results of the elections for new Council members are announced. The elections will be conducted in accordance with the new act.

15:02

Bodnar on potential suspension of sentences for Wąsik and Kamiński: 'No other actions have been taken at this stage'

- We are aware that in light of yesterday's events, the topic of the National Council of the Judiciary is important to you, but perhaps not as fundamental as what is connected with yesterday's declaration or announcement of actions from the President. Indeed, the President has initiated the pardon procedure, which he announced publicly yesterday, and this morning I received a letter from the National Prosecutor's Office concerning the President's matter - stated Adam Bodnar at a press conference.

- Of course, in connection with such a request, the Prosecutor General is tasked with initiating proceedings, which is precisely what he is supposed to do regarding Article 567, Paragraph 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and these proceedings have been initiated by me. He is also tasked with requesting the case files, and these actions are also being taken. At the current stage, no other actions have yet been taken in the matter - he added.

15:29

Bodnar:

I hope the President will not veto the law in this form

- I am counting on the law in this form being approved by the President and that he will not veto it, that we will manage to solve this problem. Well, if that were to happen, we would try again, perhaps we would make some modifications, but I will not cease in my efforts to bring about the reform of the KRS in spirit of the organ's compliance with the constitution - stated Adam Bodnar at a press conference.

17:35

Ministry of Justice: Barski Ceases to Serve as National Prosecutor
- On January 12, 2024, Prosecutor General Professor Adam Bodnar, during a meeting with National Prosecutor Dariusz Barski, handed him a document stating that his reinstatement to active duty on February 16, 2022, by the former Prosecutor General Zbigniew Ziobro, was carried out in violation of applicable regulations and had no legal effect. This is because a provision of the law that was no longer in force was applied - the Ministry of Justice informed in a statement. - As a result, from the date of the above-mentioned statement by the Prosecutor General, i.e., from January 12, 2024, Mr. Dariusz Barski remains in retirement, which makes it impossible for him to hold the office of National Prosecutor - it was stated. The Ministry of Justice justifies that Zbigniew Ziobro's decision was based on provisions that ceased to be effective in May 2016. The Ministry added that from January 15, Adam Bodnar will officiate at the headquarters of the National Public Prosecutor's Office, and "in the near future, the appointment of a person performing the duties of National Prosecutor, and ultimately also a National Prosecutor, is to be expected in the manner and on the principles defined by the current regulations." It was also indicated that all executive decisions made by Barski during his tenure "remain in force to the extent that Prosecutor Dariusz Barski acted under the authorization and on behalf of the Prosecutor General."

18:28

Ministry of Justice: Bodnar Appoints Acting National Prosecutor

Jacek Bilewicz, a prosecutor at the National Prosecutor's Office, has been appointed Acting National Prosecutor, the Ministry of Justice announced.

19:09

National Prosecutor's Office: Bodnar's Actions Unlawful, Barski Continues to Serve as National Prosecutor
- The National Prosecutor's Office declares that Dariusz Barski holds the office of National Prosecutor. The letter from Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar dated January 12, 2024, in which he indicates that, in his opinion, the National Prosecutor remains a prosecutor in retirement starting from his transfer to retirement under the procedure defined in the non-operative act of October 9, 2009, amending the previous act on the prosecution service, produces no legal effects - informed the National Prosecutor's Office, which described the actions of Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar as "unlawful". - The letter from the Prosecutor General dated January 12, 2024, should be treated as an attempt, unsupported by any actual legal basis, to deprive the National Prosecutor of the ability to perform his duties by circumventing the statutory mechanism for dismissal from this position defined in the Act on the Prosecution Service, which requires the consent of the President of the Republic of Poland for its effectiveness - it was written. - The letter from the Prosecutor General, which is solely his opinion, cannot and does not produce any legal effects, and in particular, does not affect the official status of Prosecutor Dariusz Barski and the function of National Prosecutor he holds in accordance with applicable law - it was stated.

20:08

Tusk:

Kamiński and Wąsik's Mandates Have Expired. There Is No Room for Negotiation Here.

- The mandates, according to the court's decision, confirmed by the Marshal of the Sejm, have expired for these two MPs. Consequently, there is no room for negotiation here - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

- I would also urge all participants in public life, including the media, politicians, interested individuals, officials, everyone without exception, not to succumb to the temptation of seeking a compromise between truth and falsehood, between something that is a legal provision and perhaps bending the rules a bit, if the law is inconvenient, then we won't apply it - he continued.

20:09

Tusk:

It may be surprising that the President decided on clemency, but did not issue an act of grace
- What may be surprising not only to me is that the President decided on clemency, but did not issue an act of grace. In reality, and this may also be tiring for your stations' viewers, it is not entirely clear whether the President wants to pardon them, has pardoned them, or is waiting for the Minister of Justice to decide on the release of Messrs. Wąsik and Kamiński from their place of detention. [...] If the President pardons Mr. Kamiński and Mr. Wąsik, they will be free - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

20:18

Tusk:

You Can't Even Imagine What Poland Will See in the Coming Weeks

- You can't even imagine what Poland will see in the coming weeks, the scale of financial abuses by the highest PiS officials, especially in SSP. It makes your hair stand on end - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview with TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

20:21

Tusk:

I Don't Want to Establish a Nice Compromise with Kaczyński
- I must protest against the construction of this symmetry, that there is some legal dualism. This is not a PiS-Platforma dispute or a Kaczyński-Tusk dispute over a legal model. Today, we want to restore elementary, completely fundamental principles that should apply in every democratic state, and the first principle is respecting court rulings, whether we like those rulings or not – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP. - I don't want to establish a nice compromise with Mr. Kaczyński: a bit yours, a bit mine, I have some prosecutors, you have some, you have the second channel, I have the first one on television, this is absurd. This is not about negotiations, how much law and how much lawlessness there should be – he continued.

20:22

Tusk Announces Meeting with President Regarding Kyiv Visit

- I don't have to imagine it. At the moment when this crisis, also related to President Duda's stance defending Mr. Wąsik and Mr. Kamiński, reached such a very high temperature, I turned to the President with a proposal for the earliest possible one-on-one meeting to establish the absolutely, unquestionably necessary space for cooperation between the President and the Prime Minister. Primarily in foreign policy, security policy, and so that we can rebuild at least this minimal space – stated Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

- Therefore, I requested this meeting to talk about it in detail, and it will take place on Monday at 11 AM. I will go to the President, among other things, to discuss the details and the nature of my mission, because I will be in Kyiv in the coming days – he continued.

20:23

Duda:

Bodnar Tries to Remove Barski as National Prosecutor, Lacking Authority. This is Another Gross Violation of Law

Minister A. Bodnar is attempting to remove D. Barski from the position of National Prosecutor, a task for which he possesses no independent authority. He has conveyed his "decision" on this matter to Prosecutor Barski. According to the law, changing the National Prosecutor is the competence of the Prime Minister and the Prosecutor General, in cooperation with the President. Minister A. Bodnar's actions without the involvement of the Prime Minister and the President constitute another gross violation of the law (the act and Article 7 of the Constitution) - wrote President Andrzej Duda on Twitter.

20:25

Tusk:

I have no doubt we don't have two National Prosecutors
- I have no doubt that we do not have two National Prosecutors. I want us to acknowledge that if someone calls themselves the National Prosecutor, despite the decision of the Prosecutor General, it's not the case that they still are. No, they are not - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

20:27

Tusk Responds to Duda's Tweet: 'Unfortunately, He Abuses Strong Phrasing, Clearly in Some Emotion'

- In my opinion, the President unfortunately abuses such strong phrasing; he is clearly in some emotion. I have confidence not only in legal instinct but also in crystal legal decency. Professor Bodnar was the Ombudsman, respected in Poland and worldwide, and he is the last person we could suspect of wanting to violate legal provisions - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

20:34

Tusk:

I Won't Forget That the President is the Author of the Constitutional, Systemic, and Judicial Turmoil
- I would prefer to look for common ground with the president, but I also won't forget that the president is the author of this constitutional, systemic, and judicial turmoil. 2015, 2016, 2017 - these are joint decisions by Mr. Kaczyński and President Duda – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

20:43

Tusk on Public Media Funding: We'll Find a Way, but Significantly More Frugal Than Under Kurski and His Successor
- For now, we are dealing with the actions of President Duda, who vetoed the act, and the National Broadcasting Council, which does not want to allocate funds for public media. We will find a way, but it will be incomparably more frugal than that Byzantium under Kurski and his successor. I am absolutely convinced that public media are a public good and deserve support, but it cannot be a money-making factory for people who have never really had anything to do with journalism and media - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

20:44

Tusk on Bieńkowska: I'm genuinely amused, as I haven't seen such inaccurate predictions in a long time

- I also read about these names in some media outlets, and I'm genuinely amused, because I haven't seen such inaccurate predictions in a long time. [Elżbieta Bieńkowska is a completely inaccurate prediction]. I deeply respect the minister, deputy prime minister, commissioner, my close collaborator. Someone is doing her a disservice - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

20:52

Tusk:

There are Many Reasons and Many Paths to Glapiński's Criminal Accountability
There are many legal possibilities to reveal the full truth about the actions of Mr. President Glapiński. I don't want there to be any impression that this is about hunting down Mr. Glapiński. Although his recent decisions also indicate that he does not wish the government well, meaning he does not wish Poland well, I am talking about his financial decisions too. But there are many reasons and many paths to Mr. President Glapiński's accountability, whether it be accountability before the State Tribunal. In my opinion, this strange verdict of Mrs. Przyłębska is not binding, but there are also other ways to achieve such criminal accountability for Mr. Glapiński, for what he did as president, and we will find those ways – stated Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

21:00

Tusk:

I haven't convinced Hołownia and Kosiniak-Kamysz on legal abortion up to 12 weeks. If the Third Way doesn't change its mind, there likely won't be a majority in the Sejm on this issue.
- Regarding the law on legal abortion up to 12 weeks, so that a complete set of documents can be submitted to the Sejm. Civic Coalition will also submit its own bill, one that grants the right to safe abortion up to 12 weeks, with certain conditions, of course, but generally it's about legal and safe abortion up to 12 weeks. Will there be a majority in the Sejm for this? I can also take responsibility for Hołownia and Kosiniak-Kamysz, but they haven't hidden that they have a different view on this matter, and they received their 15% of votes – Donald Tusk said in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP. - Because I haven't convinced the Speaker and Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz to accept the bill on legal abortion up to 12 weeks, we will try to vote it through in the Sejm. Will there be a majority of votes for this? If the Third Way doesn't change its mind, then probably not - he continued. - At the moment, we are primarily working to ensure that, regardless of progress or lack thereof in legislation, the practice in Polish hospitals changes radically, meaning doctors will have full awareness – this will be served by specific regulations and recommendations – that they are responsible for the woman's safety - he went on to say.

21:05

Tusk:

I have no doubt that if there had been an early election, we would have won it more clearly than on October 15th
- If President Duda or PiS had come up with some not entirely legal methods, the consequence of which would have been the dissolution of parliament and the calling of early elections, then I have no doubt that we would have won that election – and more clearly than on October 15th – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview for TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

21:24

Tusk:

I'm Against an Abortion Referendum, but if it's the Only Way to Liberalize, We'll Revisit the Question – Should We Do It or Not?
- We will return to this conversation if it turns out that a referendum is the only way to liberalize abortion law. I am against it […], but if it’s the only way, then we will revisit this question – should we do it or not? But of course, we must ask women about this – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview with TVN, Polsat, and TVP.

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