Live Feed

02/13/2024

08:00

Tuesday's Political Agenda: Cabinet Council, Trzaskowski in Wilanów, Dworczyk Again Before Investigative Committee, Błaszczak with Bocheński

At 10:00 AM, a press conference will be held by the parliamentary club leader of PiS, Mariusz Błaszczak, and the party's candidate for Mayor of Warsaw, Tobiasz Bocheński.

After 10:30 AM, the investigative committee for the postal vote elections will continue the interrogation of the former Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Michał Dworczyk. Earlier, there will be a discussion about the opinions prepared by the committee's permanent advisors regarding the exclusion of a committee member from its composition.

At 12:00 PM, a PiS press conference will take place with the participation of MP Waldemar Buda and Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska.

At 1:00 PM, a Cabinet Council session convened by the President will be held. The beginning of the session will be open to the media. Around 3:00 PM, after the conclusion of the Cabinet Council, the President will make a statement to the media.

At 3:00 PM, in the Sejm, a session of the Team for the Accountability of PiS Governments will take place, with the participation of, among others, Supreme Audit Office (NIK) inspectors involved in examining matters related to the functioning of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR).

The series of visits by the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw to the city's districts is ongoing. At 6:00 PM, Rafał Trzaskowski will visit the last of them – Wilanów.


08:19

Mastalerek:

If the Ministerial Council Session Were Open to the Media, as Some PO Politicians Suggested, It Would Be a Media Spectacle

- The purpose of this [ministerial] council is simple – its purpose is for these projects to be created, because they are strategic projects. Minister Wieczorek said that the President expects to receive information. No, the President expects these projects to be carried out, and that is one of the reasons why this council will be closed to the media, because he would like to discuss it calmly. If it were open to the media, as some PO politicians suggested, then it would be a media spectacle. However, the President wanted to discuss it calmly – stated Marcin Mastalerek in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Radio Zet.


08:21

Mastalerek:

Conversations are better without cameras, as they are more substantive

- It is indeed better to converse when there are no cameras, because these are more substantive discussions. I am surprised that some PO politicians wanted to orchestrate a spectacle. The President does not want a spectacle for these investments; he believes they are investments for generations - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:27

Kosiniak-Kamysz Announces Brussels Visit: 'Much to Do in Europe, Main Task is to Awaken the Arms Industry'
- We have over 3% [of GDP] from the budget on one hand, over 4% in total in the public finance sector, as the Armed Forces Support Fund is also included here. We are among the world's leaders, not just in Europe anymore - Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News's "Graffiti". - I have a deep conviction that there is not only a continuation in this dimension, but also a social sentiment, enormous public acceptance for defense spending. Is this the case in every country? The further west from the border of the eastern flank of NATO, the smaller it unfortunately is, and this must change. We must not become accustomed to war, hence our offensive by the Prime Minister, Minister Sikorski, and myself – I will also be in Brussels this week – yesterday I spoke with the French Minister of Defence. There are so many things to be done in Europe. Awaken the arms industry – this is our main task - he continued.

08:30

Mastalerek on Trump's words: Duda will not listen to Tusk, it won't be on the agenda. The President wants to discuss strategic investments

- Of course, President Duda will not listen to Prime Minister Tusk, and it will not be [Donald Trump's words] on the agenda of this meeting, because I will emphasize again, the President wants to talk about strategic investments and for them to be created. And this is, of course, an important matter, but then we would have to talk about Donald Tusk's scandalous tweet, which unfortunately undermined Polish policy towards America, because until now there was a consensus that it is in our interest, regardless of who governs in the USA and in Poland, that our relations should be strategic. And Prime Minister Tusk, for the sake of Twitter and some such momentary political bickering on social media, undermined this principle - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:31

Mastalerek:

Duda Acts Oppositely to Tusk. In Such a Way That He Can Cooperate with Every Future US President and Administration

- President Duda acts oppositely to Prime Minister Donald Tusk. That is, he acts in such a way that he can cooperate with every future president and with every administration. And how does Prime Minister Tusk envision cooperation after Senator Graham in Congress printed a large board with Donald Tusk's tweet and showed how he offends Americans? - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:35

Kosiniak-Kamysz to PiS: We Will Not Repeat Your Mistakes. Contracts That Have Been Signed Will Be Continued
- I would like the financing principles - and I spoke about this very directly, and there have already been reactions from the Korean side - to be acceptable to us. Of course, the contracts that have been signed, for which equipment is already being delivered to Poland - yes, they will be continued - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Polsat News's 'Graffiti,' responding to Mariusz Błaszczak's question about whether contracts for Korean K2 tanks and K9 howitzers would be continued. - We will not repeat your mistakes, to put it bluntly [...] to PiS. You made these mistakes; you broke contracts. We have no such intention, if there are no extraordinary circumstances concerning the financing method, of course, there isn't and never has been - he declared.

08:35

Mastalerek:

Poland Must Be Ready for Any US President. Those Who Naively Thought Germany Could Defend Us, Pursued Pro-German Policies, Should Draw Conclusions

- Poland must be ready for any US president, whoever it may be, and we must cooperate with them. Do you know why? Surely, after the Russian aggression against Ukraine, no one has any doubts that it is not Germany that can defend us. This is obvious. Those who naively thought that Germany could defend us, pursued pro-German policies, should draw conclusions - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:38

Mastalerek:

I Interpret Trump's Words as Mobilizing Allies from Western Europe

- Poland spends 4% of its GDP [on armaments]. So these words [from Donald Trump] were not directed at Poland; I interpret them as a call to mobilize allies from Western Europe - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:40

Mastalerek:

The USA Can Guarantee Poland's Security

- The USA can guarantee Poland's security, and 4 months ago, here in this studio, I said before Donald Tusk's election as Prime Minister that I hope in the future he will say: America, America, America, and not Deutschland, Deutschland, Deutschland. Because America means security - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:42

Kosiniak-Kamysz on Army Size: I Spoke of Reaching Approximately 220,000 Soldiers by the End of This Year
- Numbers are very important, and there will be an increase this year too. I spoke of reaching approximately 220,000 soldiers by the end of this year. [The number] will be increased every year - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Polsat News' "Graffiti". - I believe we have enormous potential for increase in the form of an active reserve. These are trained individuals who have taken an oath and are in a reserve that is used in the event of a direct threat - he continued.

08:42

Czarzasty on Government-President Relations: There Will Be No Breakthrough
- There will be no breakthrough [in the relations between the government and the president], I think. The president has the authority to convene the Cabinet Council. These meetings are certainly reasonable because the parties get to know each other. The parties, and I'm deliberately saying it like this, are gaining more and more information about each other, they are getting to know each other's views on fundamental issues. These views differ significantly, but that's life - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty on the program "Onet Rano".

08:43

Mastalerek on Presidential Bid: "I Cannot Answer That Question Today. Nothing Can Be Ruled Out in Life."

- I am with President Duda today and that's all I'm focused on. The elections will be exactly 10 years after 2015. I think no one was concerned in January 2014 with who would be president then. I cannot answer that question today. Nothing can be ruled out in life - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:47

Mastalerek on Bocheński: He won't compete with Trzaskowski, but rather with candidates from Lewica and Poland 2050. This is Kaczyński's poker move

- I think [Tobiasz Bocheński] will not compete with Rafał Trzaskowski, but rather with the candidate from Lewica and the candidate from Poland 2050. He is unrecognized, these are his first elections, this is an extremely risky move and we'll see if it pays off - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.

- This can be called a poker move by President Kaczyński and we will see if he was right or not. Because he is risking a lot, because if the PiS candidate were to be overtaken by Lewica or Poland 2050, it could initiate many undesirable processes for PiS - he continued.


08:48

Czarzasty:

Constitutional Change Will Not Happen This Term
- The Left is very rational in this regard. Constitutional change will certainly not happen this term, because to change the Constitution, a majority is needed, which the democratic side currently does not have [...] however, it is another matter to sit down somewhere reasonable and start thinking seriously about this constitutional change, because this constitutional change is certainly needed. [...] We will not change the Polish Constitution with PiS - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in Onet.

08:51

Mastalerek:

Tusk is Considering the Presidency

- I believe that if PiS fields my candidate, a recognizable figure, such as one of the former prime ministers, then we have nothing to discuss. The PiS candidate is definitely in the second round. I have consistently said for a long time that Donald Tusk will run. This is my political analysis. One thing is symptomatic – Paweł Graś is returning to Polish politics, because there were those who thought Tusk was thinking about a European career; we know Graś probably worked in Brussels. He wouldn't be returning for a few months if he knew Tusk would be leaving for Europe soon and it was time to pack. I think Donald Tusk is thinking about the presidency. It is certainly one of the options he is considering – stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


08:54

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

We Will Cooperate With Anyone the Americans Elect, With Any President
- We will cooperate with anyone the Americans elect. This is an unequivocal declaration. We will not take offense at the Americans' decision. [...] We will cooperate with any president, with any administration - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

08:56

Czarzasty on the Constitutional Tribunal: It must be stated that most resolutions were adopted with blatant disregard for the law and are legally ineffective
- Regarding what would need to be done with this Constitutional Tribunal: it must certainly be stated that most resolutions were adopted with blatant disregard for the law, and thus these resolutions are devoid of legal force and are legally ineffective, and consequently, a number of the Tribunal's rulings are legally flawed – Włodzimierz Czarzasty said on Onet. - This is how the thought can be expressed: this is good, this is bad, this has led to bad, unlawful consequences, and therefore, we will not respect it – he continued.

09:01

Czarzasty:

If the Left Gets Over 10%, PiS Will Not Hold Power in Any Regional Assembly
- If someone has 10% in polls, and considering that half of the constituencies are 5- and 6-member, which is the case in 85 self-governmental districts across Poland for regional assemblies, they always look for a partner, because then we will defeat PiS 100%. This will happen if the Left achieves more than 10% in these local government elections at the regional assembly level. 10.2%, 10.5%, we will fight for that. This will then translate into mandates, and then PiS will 100% not hold power in any regional assembly - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty in Onet.

09:01

Mastalerek:

Evangelist Matthew Wrote - You Cannot Serve Two Masters. I Serve the President, Other Matters Do Not Interest Me

- It's not my business [whether PiS will continue with Jarosław Kaczyński]. Those are the president's decisions. My business is working for the president. I'll tell you, do you know what Matthew, the evangelist, wrote? You cannot serve two masters. I serve President Duda, other matters do not interest me - stated Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Zet.


09:06

Czarzasty on Speaker Hołownia: I'm on his team, he's my boss
- Szymon Hołownia is doing a good job [leading parliamentary sessions as Speaker of the Sejm]. I'm on his team, he's my boss, so in all matters he undertakes at the parliamentary level, I help him, I am loyal to him, and this is how I envision cooperation within the coalition. He is managing excellently. If he struggles with something somewhere, it’s in some small room, sometimes one, sometimes another, and sometimes a third person advises him privately in a polite, friendly manner, and that's how it should be – said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Onet.

09:07

Szłapka:

EU and Member State Support for Ukraine Will Be Unwavering. We Will Focus on Strengthening the Defense Potential of the Entire EU

- Both meetings, of course, primarily concern security issues, including what is most important, which is the military security of Europe and each of the Member States, and of course concerning what is today the greatest threat to Europe, i.e., the war in Ukraine. Due to its nature, I don't want to go into details here. However, what can certainly be said is that support from both the EU and individual Member States, including, of course, France, Poland, and Germany, will be unwavering. At the same time, we are all very aware and will focus on strengthening the defense potential of all Member States and the entire EU – stated Adam Szłapka in RMF FM.


09:08

Szłapka on Priorities for European Security: Increased Cooperation on Military Exercises and Encouraging EU Member States to Provide Greater Support for Ukraine

- These discussions about a [European army] have been going on for a very long time, but it's not about creating an alternative to NATO (...) However, it is certain that after February 24, 2022, Europe is waking up from its slumber and realizing that the defensive capabilities of the whole of Europe need to be strengthened – said Adam Szłapka on RMF FM.

- Certainly, tightening and increasing cooperation when it comes to exercises, and certainly pressing, encouraging all EU member states to increase their support for Ukraine – he added.


09:08

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Constitutional Amendment Proposals to be Presented in the Coming Days
- Regarding the Constitutional Tribunal, I am in favor of changing the Constitution, and we will propose such a constitutional change, stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Polsat News' "Graffiti". - Together with PiS?, asked Marcin Fijołek. - It cannot be done otherwise. [...] If someone says: fix the justice system, it cannot be done without changing the Constitution. Today we are in such a deadlock; the Constitutional Tribunal was the original sin, the Deputy Prime Minister replied. When pressed on when the proposals for constitutional changes would be presented, he responded: - I think it's a matter of the coming days. I will not be presenting them, so I would not want to preempt Minister Bodnar, as he is directly responsible for it. - For us, for our political circle, the PSL, it is very important to present a comprehensive project for changes and the repair of the justice system. Not just the National Council of the Judiciary, but let's start with the big issues, which is the Constitutional Tribunal. A resolution, a law, but also, above all, a change to the Constitution, Kosiniak-Kamysz added.

09:17

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

The Third Way Will Have a Joint Candidate for President. Hołownia Has All the Predispositions
- I have already gone through that political school, and it taught me a lot, it strengthened me greatly. [...] The Third Way will have a joint candidate [for President of the Republic of Poland] - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

- He [Szymon Hołownia] has all the predispositions for it. The function of Marshal has been well-fulfilled, contrary to what many predicted and said, that he lacked parliamentary experience […], and he handled it better than probably many of us - he added.

10:59

Błaszczak:

Bocheński is a friend of the Polish Army and will be interested in developing the Territorial Defence Force
- I will emphasize this once again, with full certainty, that the President of Warsaw, Tobiasz Bocheński, will be very interested in close cooperation [in the development of the Territorial Defence Force]. One could say that Mr. Tobiasz Bocheński is a friend of the Polish Army, which he proved while serving as the Mazovian Voivode – stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference in Warsaw.

11:02

Bocheński:

I Would Strongly Support Recruitment for the Territorial Defence Force, Because More Soldiers Mean Greater Security for Warsaw Residents
- I would very intensely and dynamically support the recruitment process that the Prime Minister is talking about, because the more Territorial Defence Force soldiers we have, these are soldiers characterized by very high morale, great discipline, and enormous commitment 24 hours a day, the greater the security for the residents of Warsaw will be – stated Tobiasz Bocheński at a press conference in Warsaw.

11:08

Błaszczak on Tusk's Actions: What is Happening Now, I Would Describe as an Attempt to Replace US Leadership in Europe with German Leadership
- Please remember that the guarantor of security, including Poland's, is NATO, with the United States being the leader within NATO. Therefore, I am more concerned that Donald Tusk has gone to war with half of the US political world, criticizing the Republicans and now attacking a candidate for the US presidency. Of course, the primaries have not yet ended, but much indicates that Donald Trump will run in these elections, so this attacking of the United States is harmful to Poland. And perhaps in this theory, an alternative resonates, meaning one could seek a theory that Donald Tusk wants to replace the USA with France – stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference in Warsaw. - From a Polish perspective, the most important thing is to arm the Polish army; the PiS government did this, and it was my task as Minister of National Defence. We have many achievements and successes here. What is happening now, I would describe as an attempt to push the USA out of Europe, replacing that leadership with, likely, German leadership – he added.

11:46

Jabłoński Excluded from Envelope Election Investigative Committee

The investigative committee on envelope elections has decided to exclude PiS MP Paweł Jabłoński from its ranks. The basis for this decision is an email from May 2020, in which Paweł Jabłoński, then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, allegedly advised the Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Michał Dworczyk, on matters related to the envelope elections.

According to the law on investigative committees, in the event of a member's dismissal or exclusion from the committee, the Sejm shall conduct a supplementary election.


13:55

Tusk:

Security Must Become a National Priority Uniting Everyone in Poland Without Exception
- Never before have I had the impression, the conviction that the situation around Europe's borders, our borders, is so serious, that regardless of differences in views, regardless of where we come from and how often we argue about various matters, the issue of security must become a national priority that unites everyone in Poland without exception. This is truly a requirement of the moment, and I say this with great concern; this is not a slogan, these are not banalities. At this moment, we are in a very serious situation, and I know that Mr. President knows this just as well as I do, but I will gladly share the full set of information at the appropriate time - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a Cabinet Council meeting.

13:56

Duda at Cabinet Council Meeting: Key Investments for Poland's Future are Nuclear Power Plants and CPK

- First and foremost, I wanted to talk about the major investments planned in the Republic, the vast majority of which are being implemented or are underway. I am thinking here primarily of building a nuclear power plant in Poland, especially the one for which the investment process has de facto already begun. But also subsequent ones, which is of course related to the energy transformation that we must undertake (...) That's the first point. Second, I wanted us to discuss the creation of CPK and the development of related infrastructure. This topic has stirred a lot of discussion recently. I think that's good. Personally, I also consider this investment very important for the future of the Republic, also from the perspective of its security, not so much energy security, but primarily military security. Because it is also related to ensuring that aircraft of appropriate size, aerial vehicles, can land in our country, so that they can, as quickly as possible, potentially bring allied forces here – stated Andrzej Duda at the Cabinet Council meeting.

- I consider these matters absolutely fundamental for the development of the Republic and I want to emphasize this with all my might. From my point of view, it is important that these investments are realized, meaning that Poland will simply obtain these solutions in the future, whether they are related to communication, energy, or economic and trade aspects associated with these investments, and that they become a fundamental element for further development. Because I deeply believe that this is how it will be – he continued.


14:05

Tusk:

I have documents confirming the purchase and use of Pegasus. The list of victims is very long
- I currently have a disclosed document, but this is just a sample of the documents available to you, Mr. President. I have instructed the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General, to hand them over if you are interested in the complete set of documents which, unfortunately, and I say this without satisfaction, confirm 100% the purchase and use, both legal and illegal, of Pegasus, and the list of victims of these practices is unfortunately very long - Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated during a Cabinet Council meeting. - This document, which I have here in my hand, unfortunately confirms what we feared most: that at the initiative of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, a request was made to finance the purchase of Pegasus from the Fund for the Help of Victims of Crime, which was confirmed by Minister Ziobro. I must admit I am very disheartened by this, because we all know what this fund was intended for. So, at least this matter, who bought it and to what use it was put, I consider settled, but of course, the complete set of documents will be at your disposal - he continued.

14:23

Tusk:

Minister Appointed to Morawiecki's Government Most Likely to Finalize Decisions Against the Will of ABW and CBA
- I have absolute conviction that the President was unaware, he had no knowledge regarding the events surrounding a significant nuclear energy project, which were, and are, the so-called small reactors. I prepared this information for the President based on reports and information compiled by the Internal Security Agency and the Central Anticorruption Bureau before we took power, even before the elections on October 15th - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Cabinet Council. - The data is quite dramatic and well explains [...] the complicated situation we, all Poles who want to continue or seriously begin this energy investment, have found ourselves in. I managed to clarify what the negative opinion of our special services entailed [...] and repeatedly the services pointed out that the company that was established and is intended to implement the very ambitious program of so-called small reactors was structured to the detriment of the Polish state's interests. The tragedy is that despite numerous opinions expressed by the special services many, many months ago... This information was on Mr. President Kaczyński's and Prime Minister Morawiecki's desks. To my knowledge, the President was not informed about this, and despite this information, a few days before handing over power to our team, in the two-week government of Prime Minister Morawiecki, a minister was appointed who decided to implement the project named "location of small reactors," which was to be carried out by Orlen Synthos Green Energy, a company in which one of Poland's billionaires and Orlen were to jointly manage this project - he continued. - I do not want to shock anyone with very disturbing information, but in reality, despite these warnings, the minister was most likely appointed to this government solely to finalize certain decisions against the will of ABW and CBA, not to mention that the information that politicians from the previous team found positions on the supervisory board of this company with salaries of PLN 50,000 and in management of PLN 80,000 per month, looks quite ambiguous - he went on to say.

14:30

Tusk on CPK: We Want Less Propaganda and Ostentation in This Project
- Regarding the Central Communication Port (CPK), I know that the President has repeatedly signaled his strong desire for the Central Communication Port to be built. Where are we at this moment? To date, 2 billion 700 million zlotys have been spent on the Central Communication Port. The company employs 750 people. Their salaries alone have cost 286 million zlotys, external consulting 10 million zlotys, remuneration for the management 11 million zlotys, and 27 million zlotys have been spent on promotion, lobbying, and propaganda surrounding the CPK. This, incidentally, quite explains why the debate on the CPK occupies so much public space. The maintenance of the office and IT services cost 112 million zlotys. Half a billion has been spent on the railway program, but not even one kilometer of track has been built, and there are no construction permits, with the exception of the tunnel under Łódź, but even there, the tunneling has not yet begun. 708 million zlotys have been spent on the airport program - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Cabinet Council. - Let us remember that we are talking about an investment planned for a minimum of 155 billion zlotys. All previous expert analyses that we have had the opportunity to review call into question both the initial and final data concerning this investment. [...] We will demonstrate, Mr. President, the best of intentions, and together with you, we will continue to monitor this issue, not in order to further block or halt it. Both my colleagues, ladies and gentlemen ministers, and I personally have repeatedly confirmed: we want the development of communication, air, and rail infrastructure. But because we are talking about gigantic sums of money and a fundamental issue, as you noted, Mr. President, of security, we want public funds to be spent rationally, wisely, frugally, and that particularly in this project, there should be less propaganda and less of this ostentation - he continued.

14:31

Tusk to Duda: You can count on full cooperation from the government on the CPK matter
- I deliberately chose the CPK and the most ambitious project in nuclear energy so that we are all aware that we are emerging from very deep and winding ruts into which we were led for various reasons. From corrupt ones, through incompetence, sometimes fatal management, conflicts of interest. Mr. President, you probably don't know this, but imagine that CPK went to the prosecutor's office with Polish railways - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a Cabinet Council meeting. - Please do not be surprised that billions of zlotys have been spent, and apart from social unrest related to expropriations, we have no practical effect, but as I said, you can, Mr. President, count on full cooperation from the entire government also on the CPK matter - he continued.

14:33

Duda:

Let's Not Fall into Populism by Saying Money Was Spent on CPK. It Had to Be Spent.
- Of course, I have nothing against you examining the issues of whether the money was spent optimally or not. But let's be aware that everyone involved in investments knows that before the first shovel is struck and construction begins, which is visible in such large investments, land must be acquired and people must be paid fairly for it. Documentation also needs to be prepared; this process usually takes several years for large investments before the investment can be seen at all – said Andrzej Duda at the Cabinet Council session. - However, regarding the issue of whether the money was spent optimally, I have nothing against you investigating this matter. But let's also be aware, let's not fall into such populism as to say that some money was spent [on CPK] because it had to be spent, and there was simply no other way to do it – he added.

14:33

Kaczyński:

Tusk's Statement Harms Poland's Fundamental Interests
This is a statement [by Donald Tusk] that harms Poland's fundamental interests, and it concerns not only the reparations themselves – because that is the correct term – but also our status, not just politically, but also culturally. I remind you that not so long ago, Germany was still paying reparations to the French for World War I, that they paid significant reparations to Israel, and that they are currently undertaking discussions, or are even already paying reparations to certain African countries, including those that were German colonies. Yet, towards Poles, they adopt an attitude that can only be described as frankly racist, and extremely racist – stated Jarosław Kaczyński during a PiS press conference.

14:34

Kaczyński:

Tusk Committing a Criminal Offense Under the Penal Code

- Unfortunately, Germany has simply not changed in its relationship with Poles, and Donald Tusk is fitting into this, which is extremely harmful and disgraceful, and at the same time, it is also a criminal offense from the perspective of the Polish Penal Code. There is an offense under Article 127 of the Penal Code, which Prime Minister Tusk has been committing for some time. It concerns the violent alteration of the state's system, and this is another one, because it concerns causing harm in relations with other states - stated Jarosław Kaczyński during a PiS press conference.


14:36

Kaczyński:

PO is a German party, and its leader is essentially at Germany's service

- I have repeatedly stated for a very long time that PO is a German party, and the leader of this party is essentially at Germany's service. If anyone hasn't believed this so far, and I know there are such people, they now have further proof, and there have been many such proofs, that this is indeed the case. No decent Polish politician could have done anything like this – stated Jarosław Kaczyński during a PiS press conference.


14:45

Kaczyński on Tusk: My Deceased Brother Said He Was a Terrible Liar. He Hasn't Changed, His Illness is Just Worsening

- I've heard so many different fairy tales from Donald Tusk, for instance regarding the Smoleńsk catastrophe, even recordings that later turned out to be completely false, that if there's anyone I don't believe at all, it's Tusk. When I didn't know him yet, but my deceased brother did, he said even some good things about him, but at the same time said he was simply a terrible liar, you absolutely couldn't trust him. Those were very old years, we were young people then, he was 8 years younger, but we were also quite young. And that's how it was. He simply hasn't changed, his illness is just getting more and more severe - stated Jarosław Kaczyński during a PiS press conference.


14:49

Kamiński:

Enough of Tusk's Insinuations. I Await the Pegasus Investigative Committee to Show Poles the Scale of Manipulation in This Matter
- Enough of Donald Tusk's insinuations! The matter of so-called Pegasus is not a topic for political lies and partisan attacks. I await the Pegasus Committee to show Poles the scale of manipulation in this case - wrote Mariusz Kamiński on social media.

14:49

Kaczyński on Pegasus: To My Knowledge, Morawiecki Was Certainly Not Eavesdropped On

- I can only answer you like this. I know that all eavesdropping was approved by both the prosecutor's office and the court, and to my knowledge, though I have no precise knowledge on this matter, Prime Minister Morawiecki was certainly not eavesdropped on. That's all I can say, and that in general, this whole thing is so very ugly, as I might say, I don't want to specify what this ugliness consists of, it's an inflated balloon. In fact, all civilized countries have it, because you can't not have it, there's access, you pay for every action, and it's not any device either, it's a much more complicated matter. In any case, everything that was undertaken was consistent with the Polish national interest, the needs of the services, the fight against both criminal and espionage-related crime - stated Jarosław Kaczyński during a PiS press conference.


16:31

Duda:

Investments like CPK and the Nuclear Power Plant are fundamental for Poland's development. I want them to be realized.
- We discussed implemented and planned major development investments in Poland - that is, the energy transformation, i.e., the construction of nuclear power plants in Poland [...], CPK, the modernization of the Polish army, the development of Polish seaports - said President Andrzej Duda during a statement after the Cabinet Council meeting. - My primary goal, which guided me in convening this Cabinet Council meeting for the first time during the term of the new government [...], was to clearly state that from my point of view, as the President of the Republic of Poland, these investments are of a fundamental, absolutely basic character for Poland's development. And I very clearly stated to the Prime Minister and the ministers that, above all, I want them to be realized - he continued. - The issues of details, specifics related to them, and timelines are, of course, matters that should be analyzed, examined, and, if necessary, verified, but first and foremost, the investments must be realized. Poland needs these investments - he stressed.

16:43

Duda:

I am very satisfied with the Cabinet Council meeting. It was a substantive discussion
- I am very satisfied with this meeting. I also feel satisfaction because Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expressed his satisfaction with this meeting at the end. He said it was a very good meeting because it was indeed a substantive discussion on concrete actions that are being carried out and planned - said President Andrzej Duda during a statement after the Cabinet Council meeting.

16:45

Duda:

Discussion during the Cabinet Council reveals no controversy regarding investments themselves; they are necessary
- For me, the discussion indicates that for the most part, there is no controversy regarding the investments themselves, that these are necessary investments which not only should be, but must be implemented - stated President Andrzej Duda during a statement following the Cabinet Council meeting. - There are areas where there are doubts, but I said: ladies and gentlemen, you have been entrusted with your tasks by the voters as well. Please carry out these tasks. I also have my tasks. I hope that for all of us, the most important thing is to ensure future developmental opportunities and security, not only for Poland here and now, but above all for future generations too - he continued.

16:54

Duda:

If Necessary, I Will Convene Another Cabinet Council. I Will Visit Investment Sites and Talk to Residents of These Areas
- The issues discussed today are and will remain the subject of my constant political interest, because I consider them to be truly absolutely fundamental - said President Andrzej Duda during a statement after the Cabinet Council meeting.

- If necessary, I will convene another Cabinet Council to discuss issues related to their [investment] implementation [...]. I will visit the places where investments are being carried out, and I will also want to talk to the residents of the areas where investments are to be implemented - he announced.


18:41

Kierwiński on the Cabinet Council: It was a good discussion about important investments

- It was a good discussion in the classified part, while the public part, with the address of the President and, most importantly, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, truly showed what happened during the recent years of the PiS government – stated Marcin Kierwiński on TOK FM.

- I can say that the topics discussed [at the Cabinet Council] were outlined in the agenda proposed by President Duda concerning important investments, and the discussion revolved around that. So, as I said, the fundamental issues regarding Polish security, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk also wanted to show to the public opinion, were presented in the public part – he continued.


18:42

Kierwiński:

Minister Coordinator of Special Services Conducting Deep Inquiry into Pegasus Usage
These are matters that I, myself, probably don't know in their entirety [how many people were monitored by Pegasus], and even if I did know, I wouldn't be able to share this information with you, because it is classified. However, from what I know, the Minister Coordinator of Special Services is conducting a very deep inquiry into how and against whom Pegasus was used – said Marcin Kierwiński on TOK FM.

18:43

Kierwiński on Kaczyński's Words: Delusions of a Man Unable to Accept He's No Longer Impunity

- These delusions of Mr. MP Kaczyński, who cannot come to terms with the fact that he is no longer beyond reproach and I understand that he fears what he and his people did over the last eight years, so he is trying to attack. Apparently, the best defense is attack, that's the theory, but in the case of Mr. MP Kaczyński, it looks quite grotesque and clumsy – stated Marcin Kierwiński in TOK FM.


18:43

Kierwiński:

We Will Present the Civil Defence Bill by the End of March

- Such very advanced assumptions for this [Civil Defence] bill, perhaps even the initial provisions of this bill, are expected around March. This is a very complex bill. We have a good foundation prepared, as we worked on it during the previous term, focusing more on population protection. We were looking for solutions to effectively divide responsibilities among different authorities and utilize state resources in this area; this bill will likely be expanded. As I said, this is the perspective, to speak responsibly, by the end of March – said Marcin Kierwiński on TOK FM.


19:46

Budka on the Cabinet Council: I Confirm the President's Words, a Substantive Meeting
- I confirm the President's words. The [Cabinet Council] meeting was substantive; we informed the President about investment matters, the most important ones, and we discussed energy security and armaments issues - said Borys Budka in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń".

19:51

Budka:

Prime Minister Showed President Declassified Document – Pegasus Was Purchased with Ziobro's Consent from the Justice Fund
- The Prime Minister informed and showed the President an official document, declassified by the relevant services, which proves in black and white what has been discussed in the public sphere – namely, that the Pegasus program was purchased with the consent of Zbigniew Ziobro from the Justice Fund. A spyware program that allows data of, among others, politicians who were surveilled by this system to be located on servers of foreign countries – said Borys Budka on Polsat News's „Gość Wydarzeń”.

19:56

Siemoniak:

Prime Minister Informed President He Will Hand Over a Copy of the Pegasus Purchase Agreement
- The Prime Minister informed the President that he would hand over to him a declassified copy of the agreement for the purchase of this system [Pegasus] from the Justice Fund. Thereby, the Prime Minister publicly confirmed that this system existed and was used. I would like to remind you that PiS politicians denied this for a long time – said Tomasz Siemoniak in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

20:04

Mastalerek:

Tusk himself admitted at the end of the Cabinet Council that it was a very good idea and thanked the President for it

- The most important investments should be continued, and Prime Minister Tusk himself admitted at the end of the Cabinet Council that it was a very good idea and thanked President Duda for it. It was also a good idea of the President not to stage a media spectacle, because some people wanted it to be broadcast. The President decided it should be confidential - stated Marcin Mastalerek in TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:05

Mastalerek:

Cabinet Council Fulfilled Its Purpose. President Considering Another This Autumn

- This Cabinet Council fulfilled its purpose, because the President's primary concern is that these investments materialize. Of course, we will see how it looks in the future. The President has already announced that he is considering another Cabinet Council in the autumn to check whether the announcements made today will be fulfilled or not - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:06

Budka on Pegasus: Polish Services Collected Data on Foreign Servers – This Constitutes Treason
- The most dangerous aspect – and in my opinion, this will require explanation and the bringing of charges against those responsible – is the architecture of this spyware, which grants the system operator, located in Israel, full control over the data collected during surveillance […]. Sensitive data, including – based on the information we have – that of key politicians in Poland – stated Borys Budka on Polsat News’ “Gość Wydarzeń” (Guest of Events). - Someone who allowed Polish services – knowing it would be outside Poland – to collect data, conversations, SMS messages, communications, photos on foreign servers, in my opinion, this is something that constitutes treason – he declared. - If the information regarding who was spied on by this program is confirmed – yes, the thesis is justified that individuals should be held accountable not only for dereliction of duty or exceeding their authority but also for very serious crimes against state security – he continued.

20:07

Mastalerek:

Tusk Arrived With Something That Could Have Been Read in the Media 6-8 Weeks Ago

- The information that Prime Minister Tusk presented today and tried to engage public opinion with, is old information that was released in the media a long time ago, meaning Prime Minister Tusk arrived with something that could have been read in the media some 6-8 weeks ago - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:07

Siemoniak on the List of Those Illegally Surveilled by Pegasus: I Will Not Share It, This is All Strictly Classified Material
- The Prime Minister very clearly stated that he is handing over a copy of the declassified contract for the purchase of this system [Pegasus], he did not speak about anything else [...]. The Prime Minister did not mention the list [of people illegally surveilled by Pegasus]; of course, the Prime Minister is the head of government and he will decide what materials he wishes to provide to the President - said Tomasz Siemoniak on TVN24. - I will not share this knowledge because I know that these are not matters for some political game, for speculation, for saying it was this way or another. Let us respect the state, let us also respect those people who [...] were treated this way, like Krzysztof Brejza and his family; we cannot allow a situation where some list of names will be circulating - he continued. - I will not say what categories are on this list; I think the well-known and confirmed case of Krzysztof Brejza shows that inconvenient politicians for this government ended up on this list [...]. This is all strictly classified material, these are operational materials of the services, and they cannot be the subject of some game; we cannot behave as PiS behaved, where materials extracted from Krzysztof Brejza's phone ended up on TVP. [...] I think so, it will be within the purview of the prosecutor's office and the investigative committee, however, I believe the matter is so serious that at some point the public should be informed; this is also a question for those individuals, whether they agree to it - he went on to say.

20:09

Mastalerek:

I haven't spoken to Kaczyński in 9 Years. The President in About 3

- I deeply apologize, but I haven't spoken to Chairman Kaczyński in 9 years. I think President Duda hasn't had a face-to-face conversation in about 3 years - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:12

Siemoniak:

The role of the investigative committee and the prosecutor's office is to clarify whether Kaczyński ordered surveillance of individuals
- He is co-responsible for this very thing, for this pathology; he was the de facto leader of the state and the de facto head of government for many years. It doesn't matter who was prime minister; President Kaczyński ruled, he even joined this government and served as Deputy Prime Minister for Security. [...] It is the role of the investigative committee and the prosecutor's office to clarify Jarosław Kaczyński's role in this, what he knew, whether he ordered someone to be surveilled, whether he was behind certain materials ending up at TVP – said Tomasz Siemoniak on TVN24.

20:14

Mastalerek on Pegasus: If Tusk has doubts, he can certainly refer the matter to the prosecutor's office

- If Prime Minister Tusk has doubts about this, then of course he can refer the matter [of Pegasus] to the prosecutor's office, and the courts will clarify it - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:16

Budka:

Polish Services Warned Against Orlen-Lotos Merger. Kaczyński May Face Criminal Responsibility
- A guilty conscience is a sign of a thief. It's clear that Mr. Jarosław Kaczyński is very afraid of these documents [concerning Pegasus]. What's more, I had the opportunity to see documents that were devastating from the perspective of state security, which – according to the distribution list – were sent to Prime Minister Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister Kaczyński, Sasin, and Mariusz Kamiński – stated Borys Budka on "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News. - These were documents from Polish services that warned against the merger of Orlen with Lotos. […] Polish services under the rule of PiS also warned against other transactions involving key State Treasury companies. They warned about individuals who are decision-makers in these companies – indicated the Head of the State Assets Treasury. - I think Jarosław Kaczyński must very seriously fear that if he became acquainted with the documents, he may face criminal responsibility for neglecting his duties. And if he did not become acquainted with the documents that were addressed to him, among others, he also neglected his duties […]. He was Deputy Prime Minister responsible for security for a long time – he continued.

20:16

Siemoniak on the Liquidation of the CBA: The Process Has Begun
- The process has begun. I announced that we would present the draft law by the end of March, and work is underway. I outlined the directions, meaning that a central bureau fighting corruption within the police will be established, modelled after the Central Investigation Bureau, that the anti-corruption division within the Internal Security Agency will be strengthened, and that the National Revenue Administration will handle asset declarations. We are working in this direction. There are a whole host of details, and of course, we will meet the deadlines - said Tomasz Siemoniak on TVN24, when asked about the liquidation of the CBA.

20:21

Mastalerek on Trump's Words: 'A Statement for the Election Campaign'

- First and foremost, it is a statement [by Donald Trump] for his election campaign, for his own voters – stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" (The dot over the i).

- It is for the election campaign, that is obvious. Secondly, it concerns, we all know that President Trump has made many such statements in the past. And thirdly, which countries do not pay 2% of GDP? France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain. Poland pays 4%, and the president obviously said that this does not concern us – he continued.


20:23

Mastalerek:

I Remember Who Stopped Nord Stream 2. It Was Trump and His Administration

- I remember who stopped Nord Stream 2. It was Donald Trump and his administration. He explained it to the Germans - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" program.


20:26

Budka:

New Orlen Leadership to Be Appointed Through Competition
- There will be competent authorities appointed through a competition, not a person who ended up at Orlen, and before that in an energy company, and before that in a government agency, solely thanks to a change in the law and the possibility to pull Obajtek from the dock - said Borys Budka in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

20:32

Budka:

No one will ever artificially inflate margins or manipulate fuel prices for electoral purposes again
- There will be a well-managed Orlen, there will be very good changes from the drivers' perspective... It's difficult for the Minister of State Assets to say when the supervisory board will select a new management board. A competition was supposed to be announced, and frankly, I don't know if it's tomorrow or the day after. There will be competition conditions, there will be professional authorities at Orlen, and I think that very good changes await Polish drivers and consumers - said Borys Budka in 'Gość Wydarzeń' on Polsat News. - I can assure you of one thing: no one will ever artificially inflate margins again, no one will ever manipulate fuel prices for electoral purposes, as was the case - he declared.