Live Feed

02/19/2024

08:45

Kobosko:

Everything Indicates We Will Adopt a Resolution on the Constitutional Tribunal at the Next Sejm Session

- Everything indicates that at the next Sejm session [beginning on Wednesday] we will adopt a resolution concerning the Constitutional Tribunal, everything indicates this. Please do not hold it against us that we will start with a resolution, because everything indicates this, but a real change will be brought about by amending the law; the principle of appointing members of the Constitutional Tribunal will change. We need this institution in Poland, because there is currently no more important institution in Poland that decides whether some law is legal or illegal - stated Michał Kobosko on the Polsat News program "Graffiti".


08:28

Biedroń:

From what I've heard, 7,000 people are on the eavesdropping list in Poland; we're not sure if the President wasn't bugged
- Today I only know that there are several thousand people on this list, probably in Poland, 7,000, from what I've heard, who were eavesdropped on - Robert Biedroń said on PR1. - We are not sure today whether, for example, President Andrzej Duda, who during a meeting with the government, during a Cabinet Council, opened his eyes wide and claimed that this information was new to him, was not eavesdropped on. Therefore, he was probably not informed by the special services, by those in power, about the scale of eavesdropping and who is being eavesdropped on. Today, therefore, the question arises whether, in addition to PiS politicians, members of the President of the Republic of Poland's office, including the President himself, were not also eavesdropped on - he continued.

08:44

Kobosko on Journalistic Provocation: MPs Acted in Good Faith, But Shouldn't Have. Vigilance Failed
Vigilance failed, this aspect needs improvement, especially since we have a parliamentary club for the first time (...) but the matter is fabricated. I am familiar with the institution of journalistic provocation; I was a journalist for many years. I always believe that journalistic provocation is a valuable tool when it serves a cause, does some social good. Here, there was significant commitment from the MPs, the parliamentary apparatus, to address the matter in good faith. Yes, they shouldn't have acted like that, but the whole issue is fabricated. I have doubts about the quality of this journalistic provocation - stated Michał Kobosko on Polsat News' "Graffiti" program.

08:46

Tomczyk:

Kaczyński was deeply shocked when he learned about the joint visit of the Prime Minister and President to the USA

There is a person in the Polish state for whom this is certainly not to his liking, and that person is Jarosław Kaczyński. I think when Jarosław Kaczyński learned that there would be a joint visit of the Prime Minister and President to the USA, he experienced a deep shock, because this man does everything to ensure chaos in Poland – stated Cezary Tomczyk in the program "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.


08:47

Tomczyk:

Security matters are crucial for our country
The security matters of our country are crucial, but I would also like to mention here that this is part of a larger plan, because the visits of Donald Tusk, Radosław Sikorski, but also Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in recent days to France, Germany, at the NATO summit, as far as Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz is concerned, these are key things that are of paramount importance for the security of the state – Cezary Tomczyk said on TVN24.

08:49

Tomczyk:

We Must Realize That the Russian Economy Has Entered War Mode. Europe Must Also Wake Up to This

- The armored coalition is for the purpose of building armored capabilities for Ukraine. Generally, it's about finding that space in Europe and supporting Ukraine with equipment. However, when it comes to the Polish defense industry as a whole and production also for Ukraine, those are slightly different discussions. They are also being conducted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who was in Kyiv and also discussed economic matters – stated Cezary Tomczyk on TVN24.

- We must realize that Russia has changed its economy altogether. They have entered war mode, and Europe must also wake up to this. Europe has been sleeping until now in terms of the defense industry, and the gentlemen I have mentioned, who lead the Polish government, are doing everything to wake Europe up, and we have signals that this is happening. The German decision regarding joining Poland and becoming a co-leader of the armored coalition is not just symbolic, although important, but also a real and visible sign. And there will be many more such projects – he continued.


08:50

Kobosko:

Russia's Relations with Poland are Extremely Hostile, an Attack on Our Country is Being Formed on the Kremlin
There is no reason to mock our relations with Russia. These are extremely hostile relations; Putin and his entourage on the Kremlin are creating an attack on Poland. Vladimir Putin should stand before the International Criminal Court in connection with what has been done, the atrocities that have occurred in Ukraine; he alone is our mortal enemy – stated Michał Kobosko on the program "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

08:51

Tomczyk:

The Problem with Modernizing the Polish Army is That it De Facto Began Two Years Ago; From 2014 to 2020, Modernization Programs Were Halted by Macierewicz

- From 2014 to 2020, much more could have been done. At that time, the main modernization programs were halted. Antoni Macierewicz halted the Wisła program, which concerns a fundamental matter today: anti-missile defense. The delays in this area are enormous. Programs like Miecznik were also halted. These are decisions made during the governments of Macierewicz and Błaszczak. They should never have been made; today we would be in a completely different place. Consequently, we have to buy equipment today – and the PiS government did so under urgent operational need, while simultaneously not preparing critical infrastructure to receive this equipment – said Cezary Tomczyk on TVN24.

- The problem with the Polish defense industry and the modernization of the Polish army altogether is that, de facto, modernization with a capital 'M' only began two years ago – he added.


10:55

Błaszczak:

We Demand Tusk's Government Implement a Full Embargo on Agricultural Goods from Ukraine Today

- Tomorrow, farmers will begin their protest against the Green Deal, a protest against the European Commission's policy, but also a protest against the import of agricultural goods from Ukraine into Poland. We demand that Donald Tusk's government, the Coalition of December 13th, issue a regulation today through the Minister of Development and Technology, which will impose an embargo on agricultural goods imported from Ukraine. This is how it should be done; it is in the profound interest of Polish farmers, and therefore in the profound interest of the Polish state. We spoke about this threat last year; at the Convention in Łyse, President Kaczyński said that the crisis that will hit Poland if an embargo is not introduced will also be bad for Ukraine - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.


11:55

Sroka Ahead of Pegasus Committee Hearing: "We Were All Lied to by PiS"

- Today we must admit it - we were all lied to by PiS, who initially tried to deny purchasing the Pegasus system, claiming it was a horse with wings. I think no one has any doubts today that Pegasus is a system that was used by Polish services, and it is not a horse with wings - stated Magdalena Sroka in an interview with journalists in the Sejm.


12:21

Wieczorek on Implementing "100 Specifics" within 100 Days: I Treat It as a Metaphor
- They are being implemented [Civic Coalition's demands from the "100 Specifics" list], the question is whether we will manage, even due to legislative reasons [...]. I treat it more as a metaphor, because realistically we all know that some things cannot be done... I think so [it's a metaphor], 100 days meant that we would begin work on each of these points, that's how I interpret it, because the government began its work on December 13th last year, so now the question is whether we count 100 days from the elections, or 100 days from December 13th – said Dariusz Wieczorek in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's program "Sedno Sprawy" (The Essence of the Matter). - If we are to settle accounts in this way, it makes no sense at all. I think we should look at the government's actions globally, because these actions are indeed coordinated today, each ministry has many current problems, but it is also preparing its strategy, this entire accounting process concerning the previous governments – he continued. - Of course, yes ["100 Specifics" is for the entire term], because I see the desire for such accountability, because if we follow this line of thinking, it's the Civic Coalition's "100 Specifics," so what, are we going to start discussing the 113 points of The Left's program or the 80 points of The Third Way, these are also things that we should implement, but they require the consent of the entire coalition – he went on to say.

12:36

Wieczorek on R&D Spending: The Goal is 3% of GDP After Four Years
- I would very much like [for 3% of GDP to go towards research and development], because we have analyses conducted by Polish scientists, outstanding economists, who say clearly: a zloty spent on research and development yields a 13 zloty return to the Polish economy. I would very much like that, but it all depends on what the budgetary situation looks like. As of today, it is at the level of 1.1% of GDP, and indeed, that is too little. However, I signal one thing: after all these analyses, we are completely failing to utilize the potential regarding funds from the European Union. Therefore, I think that today, the new government's, the coalition of October 15th's, turn towards the European Union, towards being a serious partner in the European Union, will result in increased spending on research and development, because the European Union prioritizes this - said Dariusz Wieczorek on Radio Plus. - I would like there to be progress every year and for these expenditures to increase, and perhaps after four years, we will reach that 3% level; that is the goal. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has heard of this goal, the entire Council of Ministers has heard of this goal - he continued.

12:49

Tusk:

Poland and Sweden are at the forefront of those most committed to aiding Ukraine
Poland and Sweden, both countries, are at the forefront of those most committed when it comes to aiding Ukraine. We spoke at length about the need to tighten defense and military cooperation, both in Europe, among all member states, and bilaterally, between Poland and Sweden. We already have a long tradition of cooperation; we are connected by geography. The Baltic Sea is our shared responsibility concerning the security of this region, but we are also united by our views. We hold precisely the same opinion regarding Russian aggression against Ukraine, the need for assistance to Ukraine, and the necessity of maintaining transatlantic ties – said Donald Tusk at a press conference with the Prime Minister of Sweden. Your decision to join NATO also gives us all a greater sense of security and solidarity. Cooperation between us, including within NATO, is something very promising – he added.

12:52

Tusk on Pegasus: Everything That Can Be Revealed, Will Be Revealed

- The issue of using the Pegasus system for wiretapping and surveillance of our citizens must be fully explained. That is what the investigative committee is for. I am not here to formulate any expectations, because this investigative committee and the actions of the prosecution in this matter, not just the investigative committee, are not for some political order. We must clarify the matter, for obvious reasons it is unthinkable that what is publicly known, that we would just move on from the fact that with the help of mechanisms like Pegasus, politicians or public opinion leaders were wiretapped, whose only fault was that they were critical of the actions of the PiS government - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

- I will not use any of these types of matters as a tool for political struggle, therefore please do not expect me to extract any of the juiciest pieces from this documentation and flaunt them to public opinion. That is what the relevant services are for, and a level of real responsibility is recommended here, it is a matter of respect for our institutions and regulations. Everything that can be revealed, will be revealed. The President, I told him very openly during that meeting, all documents are at the President's disposal if he expresses interest - he continued.


12:52

Tusk on Pegasus: Everything is at the President's disposal. He hasn't expressed interest yet

- Unlike my predecessors, I will not use classified investigation materials to put the President or any of my opponents in an awkward situation. If the President expresses a desire to review any document, the relevant services, starting with the Prosecutor General, the Minister of Justice, who is present here today, will confirm this with a nod. Everything is at the President's disposal. He hasn't expressed interest yet. It is not my role to judge why, but if he wishes to have insight into any of the documents, the Prosecutor General, the Minister-Coordinator of Special Services are at the President's disposal - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.


13:03

Tusk:

The Very Fact That the Belief is Growing in Poland that PiS Wiretapped Everyone, Including Each Other, is Difficult to Endure

- The very fact that the belief is growing in Poland that PiS wiretapped everyone, including each other, is difficult to endure. So, if only the decision of the Prosecutor General and the special services regarding the disclosure of part or all of the documents, if they are ready for it, I will be happy that this spectacle will finally end - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

- Unfortunately, I have no doubt that the issue of using Pegasus against the opposition, public opinion leaders, is only a fragment of a grim reality. Pegasus was a very costly and complex procedure. The real problem is that this pressure from PiS services, including the use of the police, CBA, and wiretaps, is not just a matter of Pegasus, but also of traditional methods of operation - he continued.

- I don't know if we will ever be able to learn every detail of these people's actions against their own citizens, but as long as the prosecution and services deem it possible, we will disclose every one of these actions - the Prime Minister added.


13:10

Tusk:

Kaczyński Recently Claimed to Know Who Was Wiretapped, Despite Never Hearing of Pegasus
- You will not hear from me what President Kaczyński recently stated: that while he has never heard of Pegasus and knows nothing about it, he knows exactly who was wiretapped. Therefore, I cannot confirm what Mr. Kaczyński is saying on this matter - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM).

15:18

The 'March of a Million Hearts' Must Continue': New Civic Platform Video

- Nobody has given us anything forever. This march of a million hearts, it must continue to roll on - says Donald Tusk in a new video clip published on social media. The material uses statements from Civic Platform (KO) leaders from the recent weekend convention.

- We will reclaim Poland, for sure and for good, because we are loyal to our values and we are credible - says Rafał Trzaskowski.

- On October 15th, Poles showed that they can stand on the side of good, decency, the rule of law, and democracy. If, even for a moment, we think we've done enough, evil will return. We are going for victory in order to give power back to the people. That is the goal of these elections - adds the Prime Minister.


15:56

Pegasus Committee Summons Witnesses, Including Jarosław Kaczyński

The parliamentary committee investigating the use of Pegasus spyware has summoned several prominent figures as witnesses, including Jarosław Kaczyński, Beata Szydło, Maciej Wąsik, Zbigniew Ziobro, Krzysztof Brejza, Mariusz Kamiński, Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, and Marian Banaś. The committee rejected proposals to summon witnesses such as Rafał Trzaskowski and Ewa Wrzosek.


16:54

Sikorski:

Today, Russia and Belarus Have More Political Prisoners Than the USSR Under Brezhnev
- The wife of Alexei Navalny, Yulia, spoke to us, appealing for sanctions against individuals supporting Putin's regime. Those already on Navalny's list and those who will become involved in organizing and promoting the electoral farce in Russia, referred to as presidential elections - said Radosław Sikorski at a press briefing in Brussels, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers. - On behalf of several countries, I spoke about Belarus, where fake elections are also to take place. We all remember that the last presidential elections were falsified. We all remember [...] that the wave of repression in Belarus is not subsiding. These are, in proportion to the population, worse repressions than we experienced during martial law. I remind you, today both Russia and Belarus have more political prisoners than the Soviet Union under Leonid Brezhnev - he continued.

17:02

Sikorski:

No Progress on Ammunition Supplies for Ukraine. The Situation is Becoming Dramatic
- The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke remotely, appealing for the most urgent supplies of ammunition. I must unfortunately state that there is also no progress in this matter, as there are countries that continue to block the establishment of a special financing line for Ukraine's defense within the European Peace Facility, and no other sources of financing for ammunition supplies are visible - said Radosław Sikorski at a press briefing in Brussels, after a meeting of EU heads of diplomacy. - The situation in Ukraine is becoming dramatic. I appealed to make a decision […]. As we know, Avdiivka has already fallen, the Russians are advancing in several directions, and it might already be almost too late - he continued.

17:09

Sikorski:

We Don't Know Exactly if Putin Allowed or Ordered Navalny's Murder During the Munich Security Conference
- This is a demand [sanctions on Russia for the death of Alexei Navalny] from Mrs. Yulia Navalnaya, supported by me and several colleagues. This is a fresh matter, so let's give countries time to reflect - said Radosław Sikorski at a press briefing in Brussels, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

- Putin allowed or ordered – we don't know exactly – Navalny's murder during the Munich Security Conference. It seems he is not concerned about the political consequences. The situation is becoming truly serious - he noted.

20:17

Czarzasty to Third Way Leaders: I've Had Enough Personally. You're Blocking Women's Rights
- I know what we will say, because frankly, I've had enough of this personally, and my colleagues from the club and my formation feel the same - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Piotr Kraśka on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach" (Facts After Facts). - I will not take responsibility, the formation I represent […], nor the formation of Ms. Biejat and Mr. Zandberg, will take responsibility for the fact that the bills we submitted on the first day in the Sejm, concerning the right to one's own body, in fact, abortion up to the 12th week, and the decriminalization of the entire abortion process, are being blocked by Hołownia and Kosiniak - he stated. - You will not hear me say that I am against the governing coalition, […] we have democracy at this moment, we are fighting for its shape. I will not take responsibility for someone blocking such things, and it needs to be called what it is - he declared. - Polska 2050 is fantastic, PSL is fantastic, Kosiniak and Hołownia are fantastic. Hołownia is my boss. I accept and support him at every step. But for God's sake, on the issue of women? Gentlemen, you are blocking women's rights, let's be clear - emphasized the co-chairman of Nowa Lewica (New Left). - I have a proposal […]. Szymon, Szymek, Władysław, Władek – vote for it, and then let the president veto it. Let him do it. […] It cannot be that we submit bills and we simply don't act on them, because we don't act - he added, when asked about the argument raised in the discussion over liberalizing abortion law that the president will definitely veto such a bill.

20:24

Brejza:

The Court Ruled That Fabricated Messages From My Phone Were Published. These Are Soviet Methods
- I saw my own SMS messages on the screen of the rabble-rouser, the former TVPiS. My wife and I filed a lawsuit, submitted a notification, and after several years of legal battle, we won the case two months ago, and the court ruled in our favor. The court acknowledged that fabricated, old messages from my phone were published, compiled – these are Soviet methods, these are methods used in Belarus, in Russia – said Krzysztof Brejza in the program "Gość i9:30" on TVP Info.

20:30

Bosacki:

I presented a document clearly stating the head of CBA requested the first tranche for Pegasus from the Minister of Justice
- Today, during the first substantive meeting of the committee, I presented this document. I requested it from the Minister of Justice. This document, revealed and declassified last week, clearly states that the head of the CBA, which was PiS's political police at the time, asked the Minister of Justice to transfer the first tranche of 13 million 360 thousand zlotys for the purchase of Pegasus - said Marcin Bosacki on TVP Info. - These funds were transferred from the Fund for the Support of Victims of Crime, a fund that was supposed to help crime victims - he continued.

20:36

Trzaskowski:

Paid Parking Zone Has Always Been Supported by Most Residents; It's Simply Good for Warsaw

- The paid parking zone has always been supported by the majority of residents in the given zone. It's simply good for Warsaw, which is why I question the credibility of candidate [Bocheński], not his seriousness, because I treat everyone seriously – stated Rafał Trzaskowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.


20:38

Bosacki:

As Far As I Know, the President Has Not Expressed a Desire to Review Classified Pegasus Documents
- One document [concerning Pegasus] has been revealed, while Prime Minister Tusk approached the president stating that other previously classified documents, which were not provided to the president during the PiS government, are at his disposal and that Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar can provide them. As far as I know, this is my knowledge as of Friday, the president has not yet expressed such a desire, which I find extremely surprising, because this matter is truly on the scale of at least the Watergate scandal in the United States, and I say at least, because hundreds of people were likely subjected to surveillance here, including many individuals from the Law and Justice circle - said Marcin Bosacki on TVP Info.

20:40

Trzaskowski to Biejat: A Politician Who Wants to Be Effective Doesn't Issue Ultimatums, But Works Towards a Good Solution

- I am surprised by this framing of the issue, because the Razem party seemingly wants to distance itself from the government. The Left co-creates this government, and Ms. Magdalena Biejat is a candidate of the Left. We are constantly in discussion, both I personally with Prime Minister Tusk, and on Friday and today I spoke with the Minister of Finance, because we are simply working on changing the financing of local governments. A politician who wants to be effective doesn't issue ultimatums, but works towards a good solution, and that is precisely what we are doing. We are working towards a good solution, and moreover, Minister Domański is preparing such a solution. I believe that if one co-creates a ruling coalition, and the Left certainly co-creates a ruling coalition, they should rather engage in dialogue, not issue ultimatums to anyone – said Rafał Trzaskowski on Polsat News.


20:40

Czarzasty:

We Don't Want a Referendum Saying a Woman Has the Right to Her Body. Is a Referendum on Whether We Have the Right to Breathe Sensible?
- We don't want a referendum that says a woman has the right to her body. That's the situation. Is a referendum on whether we have the right to breathe sensible? That is your right, my right, everyone's right. It's simply life, and you can't decide in a referendum whether a woman has the right to do this or that, because it's her life, her responsibility, her conscience, but above all, her right - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

20:42

Trzaskowski:

I am implementing a very ambitious investment program today, despite the budget deficits and the resulting inconveniences for Warsaw residents

- I am implementing a very ambitious investment program today, despite the deficits in the city's budget, and unfortunately, this causes inconveniences for the women and men of Warsaw. We had a pandemic, a war, and constant work across Europe. And in a year, Warsaw will be dug up, because PKP will commence the renovation of the cross-city line, and Warsaw will be dug up from Rondo Zawiszy to Powiśle – stated Rafał Trzaskowski in Polsat News.


20:48

Sroka on Pegasus: I am determined to absolutely clarify every thread of this scandal

- I am determined to absolutely clarify every thread of this scandal, which shows that the PiS government used eavesdropping and surveillance tools to listen in on politicians, not only of the then-opposition, but also to use this tool within their own ranks. That is why it is so important for us, as a committee, to work substantively, based on the materials, so that we can show Poles what the PiS state looked like, a government that dreamt of absolute power - stated Magdalena Sroka in an interview with Monika Olejnik on the TVN24 program "Kropka nad i".


20:49

Wipler:

The Pegasus Commission Exists So We Feel Like We Live in a Free Country

- The commission exists so that we in Poland feel like we live in a free country, where regardless of our views, regardless of who is in government, people are not afraid that someone will illegally surveil them, eavesdrop on them, and make political or business use of that data. It's not just politicians who feel surveilled, but also entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens, and the authorities very often conducted show trials, proceedings where evidence of very questionable quality was produced - stated Przemysław Wipler on TVN24's program "Kropka nad i".