Live Feed

03/08/2024

07:32

Friday's Political Agenda: Civic Platform's National Council, Sejm NATO Anniversary Conference, Trzaskowski on 'Warsaw for Women' Program, Women's Abortion Rights Demonstration

The Sejm will resume its proceedings at 9:00 AM – when it will hear a government briefing concerning "the possibility of committing a crime under Article 231 of the Penal Code by the Prime Minister and the Minister Competent for European Affairs, consisting of an official omission that led to the irreversible loss by Poland of a pre-payment from the National Recovery Plan amounting to 4.7 billion euros". This – in addition to deputies' statements – is the only item on today's schedule.

At 10:00 AM, a press conference will be held by Magdalena Biejat, a senator and candidate for the office of President of Warsaw representing Lewica and urban movements, during which a program for Warsaw women will be presented on the occasion of Women's Day.

At 11:00 AM, a conference will take place in the Sejm with PiS MPs Robert Telus, Krzysztof Ciecióra, and Ryszard Bartosik. Earlier, at 9:00 AM, a press conference will be held by PiS MPs Paweł Sałek and Małgorzata Golińska.

At 12:00 PM, in front of the Warsaw Institute of Women's Health, a press conference will be held with the participation of Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski on the summary of the "Warsaw for Women" program.

At 12:00 PM, a conference titled "25 Years of Poland's NATO Membership – From the Cold War to Strategic Partnership" will commence in the Sejm. The agenda includes, among other things, statements by Marshal Szymon Hołownia at 12:10 PM, and at 12:20 PM, a panel discussion will begin with Minister Radosław Sikorski and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, along with MPs Michał Kobosko and Michał Szczerba. The conclusion is planned for 3:00 PM.

At 2:00 PM, the National Council of Civic Platform will be held at the Novotel Warszawa Airport hotel.

Around 2:50 PM, a statement to the media by President Andrzej Duda is scheduled – before a meeting with the Board of the Association of Regional Airports.

At 6:00 PM, a women's demonstration will take place under the slogan "DudaDayAfter". The march will begin in front of the Presidential Palace and end in front of the office of Poland 2050.


07:53

Gawkowski:

No Major Friction in Governing Coalition; Parties Differ on Some Issues, Including Women's Rights
- There are no major frictions in the governing coalition. The political parties that won the elections on October 15th have a common program and are implementing it in government. This is a good government where we make decisions that are good for Poles, such as raises for teachers, in the budgetary sphere, and many other good actions planned for 2024 - said Krzysztof Gawkowski in an interview with Karol Surówka on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) PR1. - However, these parties that won on October 15th, on some issues, a small number, but there are such issues, have different opinions – including regarding women's rights - he added.

08:05

Gawkowski:

Nothing Stands in the Way of a Parliamentary Debate on Abortion. We Are Somewhat Disappointed, as We Hoped for a March Date
- For four years, Lewica has been speaking, fighting, taking to the streets, supporting women, and never giving up in the fight to make abortion available up to the 12th week. We have said this and we want to implement it. We know it is difficult because not all partners in the coalition share this view, but nothing stands in the way of a debate on this matter in the Sejm - said Krzysztof Gawkowski in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1. - Not holding such a debate in the Sejm is a bit of an evasion of the issue, and hence I think we have some misunderstandings regarding parliamentary cooperation, because in the government, everything is in the best possible order - he assessed. - Talks are ongoing [...]. I know there is contact regarding what April 11th should look like. I think Szymon Hołownia has already made a decision on how this should look and when it will be voted on. We are, of course, somewhat disappointed, as we were counting on the March date. What is the difference between March and April, besides the elections – I don't know. […] There are always some elections; we should not hide women's rights behind elections - he continued.

08:12

Gawkowski:

The Left Will Not Blackmail Anyone in the Government. We Will Not Leave the Coalition, But We Will Vigorously Pursue Our Agenda
- No one will be offended by anyone, we will simply implement our agenda. The Left will certainly talk about abortion, it will not let it go, which does not change the fact, I emphasize, that there is agreement in the governing coalition, there will be agreement, and nothing will divide us - said Krzysztof Gawkowski in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1. - The Left will not blackmail anyone in the government. I believe that any blackmail in the government is bad because it causes bad emotions - he stated. - Should I say that today we will break the coalition, which we have been building for a long time, which is a good coalition, which also gives Poles a sense of stability, which has removed PiS from power, which allows democracy to be restored in Poland, thanks to which there are free media, the prosecutor is not politicized, there is no situation where someone is eavesdropping on someone with Pegasus, Hermes, or God knows what else - he continued. - For 8 years, I dreamed of living in a normal Poland. And that is why I cannot imagine blackmailing someone in the government today, threatening to leave the coalition. The Left will not leave the coalition, but it will vigorously pursue its matters and lobby for them, even if it sometimes annoys someone - he declared.

08:45

Kobosko:

Gomoła Suspends Activity in Parliamentary Club and Party Membership
We have no information that political corruption is occurring. Indeed, yesterday evening we familiarized ourselves with at least a fragment of the text from „Nowa Trybuna Opolska”. These are very serious accusations leveled against our MP, who is the youngest MP in the Polish parliament, Adam Gomoła from Opolszczyzna. We immediately began investigating the matter. We spoke with the MP last night, and for now, the initial decisions are that the MP is suspending his activity in the parliamentary club of Polski 2050 Trzecia Droga and his membership in the party, and we will thoroughly investigate this matter, checking what the accusations are based on and how serious they are – stated Michał Kobosko in an interview with Roch Kowalski on TVP Info.

08:48

Czarzasty:

There is no possibility of breaking up the coalition
- There is no possibility of breaking up the coalition. There is a possibility of fighting within this coalition for one's views and one's rights. The Left will be the last force to contribute, even by a millimeter, to this coalition functioning worse than it does now, or to its disintegration - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Radia ZET".

08:51

Czarzasty:

We Will Defend Marshal Hołownia
- We will defend Marshal Hołownia if anyone attacks him. This is completely beyond discussion, when it comes to his function, when it comes to how he presides as Marshal, he is a Marshal who conducts Sejm debates well, he is a responsible person - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty on Radio ZET.

08:57

Czarzasty:

2 out of 4 Abortion Bills Are Non-Codified; Sejm Marshal's Signature Can Refer Them to Committee
- There are four draft bills. Two are codified, meaning they are Left Together's proposals on the decriminalization of abortion and women's right to make their own decisions up to the 12th week, and these are codified, so they must be put on the agenda. But two are not codified, meaning Mr. Hołownia's bill and Mr. Donald Tusk's bill. Non-codified bills can be sent to a committee with a single signature, the signature of the Sejm Marshal - Włodzimierz Czarzasty stated on Radio ZET. - I am showing a different path. The other path is this: two of our codified bills enter the session, and two other bills enter the Sejm to a committee. [...] [Marshal Hołownia] knows about this possibility, but he has chosen a different path - he continued.

09:01

Kierwiński:

Farmers are protesting against what PiS has inflicted upon them
It is worth stating that these farmers are protesting primarily against what PiS and, among others, Mr. Bochenek as a PiS spokesperson in the last term, have inflicted upon them. These farmers are protesting against the Green Deal, to which the PiS government agreed, and against what is happening regarding the import of grain from the East into the EU territory, which PiS allowed – stated Marcin Kierwiński on the program "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24. - Any simplifications that PiS politicians are making today are simply unjustified. I know, they are really trying to forcefully attach themselves to this farmers' protest, and this is also very characteristic. For many days, while the farmers' protests have been ongoing, they were peaceful protests […] I am genuinely calm regarding any investigative proceedings within the Warsaw Metropolitan Police, because I know that the police officers behaved professionally – he continued.

09:02

Czarzasty:

A Woman Has Rights, or She Has No Rights; There Is No Third Way
- What is important is who you vote for in these elections, because if there is a situation where there are people who stand on the side of women, then these women will be safe. I want to repeat very strongly: a woman has rights, or she has no rights; there is no third way in this matter - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty on Radio ZET.

09:02

Kierwiński:

Police Will Do Everything to Find Out Who is Dumping Grain on Tracks, but These are Not Simple Investigations

- The police will do everything to find out [who is dumping grain on the tracks], who is responsible for these crimes. Because these are crimes, but these are not simple investigations, for the reason that typically these are criminal acts that are committed somewhere at the end of a train, somewhere almost beyond the sidings, where monitoring does not reach. Where the protection of the railway services is weaker, but the police are doing their job, I am convinced they will catch these perpetrators – said Marcin Kierwiński on TVN24.


09:03

Kierwiński:

If the Orlen CEO Ordered the Search for Dirt on Opposition MPs, It Was Pathological Governance
I don't believe, and this is conjecture, but I don't believe that this million was spent on these types of reports. I rather assume that these reports are a certain cover for much more aggressive actions that were carried out against opposition MPs. I suspect, for example, sending detectives, taking photos, finding out who met with whom, simply looking for dirt […] If the Orlen CEO, or Orlen authorities in general, commissioned such services to look for dirt on opposition MPs, then that is pathological governance – stated Marcin Kierwiński on TVN24.

09:13

Czarzasty on Hołownia: A man with presidential ambitions cannot show such inconsistency; therefore, he knows that what he said, he said.
- He has presidential ambitions. For God's sake, do not allow for the possibility that Marshal Hołownia two weeks ago said it would be at this Sejm session, two days [ago] he said that the deadline [...] the most important and only, irrevocable one, is April 11th. [...] A person who has presidential ambitions cannot show such inconsistency, because in the matter of, for example, war with Russia, or no war, imagine not the Marshal, but the President in general, to whom someone comes and says, "Are we deciding on war, or some armed actions?", it's Monday, "Yes, but come back on Tuesday." Someone comes on Tuesday, says "Are we deciding on this?", "No, but come back on Wednesday." In politics, a word and what one says are important - stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty on Radio ZET. - This is not an accusation, I am simply asking not to attack him. He has presidential ambitions and therefore knows that what he said, he said - he continued.

09:19

Czarzasty:

If We Have Enough Strength in Local Governments, We Will Eliminate the Conscience Clause
- In local governments, we will change things, if we have enough strength, meaning, quite frankly, because I don't want to be hypocritical, if people vote for the Left, we will be in local governments, and we will bring about a situation where there is no conscience clause, and doctors will not apply this conscience clause. And that if women's health or life is threatened, operations will be performed in this regard - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty on Radio ZET.

09:22

Czarzasty:

On the Approach to Women, Hołownia is Closer to Konfederacja Than to the Left
- Regarding the approach to women, to Konfederacja. As a side note, the penultimate session, or [...] sessions of the Sejm Presidium showed that he votes on this matter together with Konfederacja, i.e., with Bosak and Braun - Włodzimierz Czarzasty said on Radio ZET when asked whether Hołownia is closer to Konfederacja or the Left.

09:35

Zandberg on Abortion Bill: 'I'm Interested in Us Voting for a Change'
- I'm interested in us voting for a change in this matter. I'm interested in ending the threat to women's health and safety in Poland. I'm interested in ending a situation where Polish female citizens are denied rights enjoyed by citizens in almost all European countries. We want European standards - stated Adrian Zandberg on the program "Salon Polityczny Trójki".

09:36

Zandberg on Constitutional Tribunal Resolution: Statutory Changes Will Also Be Necessary, and No Resolution Can Replace That
If we're talking about cleaning up the mess that the authorities have made in the judiciary, including the constitutional judiciary, then statutory changes will also be necessary, and no resolution can replace that. The ball is now in Mr. Bodnar's court, and I think this process will take time - stated Adrian Zandberg in the program "Salon Polityczny Trójki".

09:48

Zandberg:

I'd show the Sejm Marshal a card saying 'Szymon, don't delay'

- I would show the Sejm Marshal a card with the inscription 'Szymon, don't delay', because it makes no sense at all. I don't understand this argument that we cannot address a law that millions of Polish women are waiting for before the local elections, because these are local elections - stated Adrian Zandberg in the program "Salon Polityczny Trójki".


09:54

Wojciechowski:

No Fallow Land by 2027

- I can declare that in any case, there will be no fallow land until 2027. I don't know what will happen after 2027; that will be decided by the next European Commission, the next European Parliament – stated Janusz Wojciechowski in an interview with Łukasz A. Janowski on Radio Wnet.

- Such a project is foreseen. I am convinced that it will gain the support of both the European Parliament and the Council, and this is the main message for farmers, because this fallowing was indeed such a bone of contention – he continued.


09:56

Wojciechowski:

I am convinced that in the coming days I will receive the EC's approval for the legislative changes I have proposed

- This is how I interpreted Prime Minister Tusk's words, that it was something of a call to passivity, whereas I am undertaking very active measures that address the demands of farmers protesting both in Poland and in other countries – stated Janusz Wojciechowski on Radio Wnet.

- In the coming days, I am convinced that I will receive the European Commission's approval for the legislative changes I have proposed, changes to regulations concerning the common agricultural policy, and changes that will address the fundamental demands. This includes the issue of land set-aside, but also certain simplifications within the common agricultural policy – he continued.

- Well, I haven't heard of any concrete proposals that Prime Minister Tusk has put forward, and I don't think he will present anything other than what I am already presenting to the Commission – he noted.


10:53

Sikorski:

The Hour of Trial Has Struck, We Cannot Fail – All of Us – and We Will Not

- The choice is simple. We can face Putin's defeated army on NATO's eastern border, or Putin's victorious army on NATO's eastern border. Poland's and Europe's interests are identical in this matter. Which scenario materializes depends, among other things, on our actions. I think everyone in this hall feels the gravity of the moment. The burden of history, the fact that dark clouds are again gathering on the horizon for our country. That we are facing dilemmas that our ancestors faced. The only difference is that, unlike in the past, Poland is not alone today. It is a member of the strongest military alliance in the history of the world, which is why we have a chance for things to go our way this time. The hour of trial has struck, we cannot fail – all of us – and we will not – stated Radosław Sikorski at a conference at the University of Warsaw.


12:12

Hołownia:

There's a Huge Chance All Abortion Bills Will Be Referred to an Extraordinary Committee on April 11th
- This April 11th, which I proposed as the date for considering all four bills concerning changes to abortion law introduced in the chamber, has a really strong chance of being recorded in the history of the Polish parliament as the first day in almost 30 years [...] on which any bills regarding changes to abortion law have proceeded to a second reading, not being rejected in the first reading - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - I have spoken at length in recent days with representatives of all political groups who stand on this side, who can ensure a parliamentary majority today. [...] I cannot tell you with 100% certainty today that there is a majority [...] but I want to say that there is a huge chance that on April 11th all these bills will be referred to an extraordinary committee, which the Sejm will establish precisely for the purpose of calmly considering them. That they will not be thrown in the trash. In this political war [...] the chances, if we were to proceed with them today, that they would all be thrown in the trash, were significant, if not bordering on certainty - he continued.

12:15

Hołownia:

I am fighting for bills that go against my conscience
- I am doing all this because I hear the voices of women, I hear their impatience. [...] I say very clearly: I am fighting for bills that are inconsistent with my conscience and inconsistent with my position. I am fighting for them, I don't want them to fail, I want them to be processed in the Sejm, for MPs to consider them, for there to be a debate on them – said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

12:19

Hołownia:

Based on my knowledge, regardless of the abortion bill we pass, the president will veto all of them
- Let's be honest: I don't know what will happen during the committee stage, because the committee will decide. And of course, in the end, each of us will vote according to their own conscience and beliefs. [...] Based on my political knowledge and assessment of the situation, regardless of which bill we pass, President Duda will veto all of them. Therefore, we will pass a bill, but until the occupant of the palace at Krakowskie Przedmieście changes, there will be no change in Polish law in this regard. That is why we in Poland 2050 are talking about a referendum - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

12:26

Hołownia:

If Allegations Against MP Gomoła Are Confirmed, I Will Recommend Ending Cooperation with Him
- I haven't heard the tapes, but yesterday this news reached me, very sad news about what MP Gomoła most likely participated in. However, [...] we are at the stage of our internal explanations within the party on this matter. We want to hear what MP Gomoła himself has to say about his case, how he sees these events that have now been revealed and published. My position on this is clear: the party and the club have done exactly what they should have done [...]. MP Gomoła has been suspended from his rights as a club member, and because this is our statute, there is no other procedure, he himself has suspended himself from all rights as a party member - said Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - If this accusation, which MP Gomoła is facing, is confirmed, or at least if I continue to have doubts about how he behaved in this matter, then I will recommend to both the club authorities and the party board that we end our cooperation with MP Gomoła. However, also in accordance with certain fundamental principles, my colleagues will have appropriate talks with him today, and we will make decisions on this matter quickly - he continued.

12:38

Hołownia:

De-escalating internal conflict is the foundation of Polish security

- For politicians, for everyone who bears responsibility, not just a uniform, to remember that de-escalating internal conflict is the foundation of Polish security, that only an integral society, a society that differs among itself, but a society that can talk to each other, that knows how to manage conflict, dispute, is a safe society - stated Szymon Hołownia at the conference "25 Years of Poland's Membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization" in the Sejm.


12:56

Trzaskowski:

Vote for KO, because we are absolutely convinced that access to abortion is an absolutely fundamental right
- The issue of women's rights has been an absolutely fundamental matter for me and for all of us standing here. We have taken care of it from the very beginning of my term to do everything together, not just to talk about it, but simply to implement these demands in practice, and at every level – stated Rafał Trzaskowski at a press briefing in Warsaw. - The times have been very difficult over these eight years, but we have simply been implementing this program. And today it is absolutely clear to me that the issue of abortion should be a decision for women, and only for women. I hope that regulations in this regard will appear as soon as possible. Today, a lot of emotions accompany this, but it was a commitment of KO, we have always spoken about it. Vote for KO, because we are absolutely convinced that access to abortion is an absolutely fundamental right and that the decision can only and exclusively be in the hands of women – he continued.

12:58

Gajewska:

We Want Key State Figures to Believe Women's Rights Are Not a Political Tool
- What I also wanted to tell you, and this stems deeply from my convictions and, I believe, ours, is that today various wishes are being made. And we [women] have a deep conviction that we want our rights to be respected, and that we want equal rights. We want the most important people in the state to be convinced that our rights are something subjective, and not a tool in the hands of politicians, which they can use in the face of upcoming elections – stated Aleksandra Gajewska at a press briefing in Warsaw.

13:02

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

The Polish Army and Poland Have Proved Themselves Security Leaders and Will Continue to Act Decisively

- Poland is today an authentic leader of NATO, and this has changed over 25 years. When we joined, as I speak with those who were then young soldiers and are now in the reserve, they were the ones who brought the Polish Army into NATO. They said, 'We had concerns, whether we would manage, whether we would be sidelined, whether we would be treated like a poor relative'. The Polish Army and Poland have proven that they are security leaders and will continue to do so with extreme resolve – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the conference '25 Years of Poland's Membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization'.


13:09

Kosiniak-Kamysz on Homeland Defense: We Must Be Ready Here and Now. Universal Information Must Reach All Our Allies

- We must be ready here and now, not in a year, not in 5, not in 10 years, but here and now. This universal information must reach all our allies, and it must also be universal within Poland. We have clearly initiated this communication with society, and there is no beating around the bush here. Homeland defense consists of three things: national community, a strong, well-organized army, and a strong alliance, NATO and the European Union. These are our three values, which we inscribed first in the coalition agreement – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the conference “25 Years of Poland’s Membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.”


13:20

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Investing in the Security Economy is Paramount Today

- Becoming accustomed to the crime of war is unacceptable. It is becoming accustomed to death, which is unacceptable for our civilization (...) now everyone in Europe and around the world is starting to repeat this; it only took two months of our government to awaken Europe in this regard. There is a proposal from the European Commission to stimulate European industry, which in my opinion is symbolic for now. Regarding the KPO (National Reconstruction Plan), I believe that if we haven't utilized the funds, and we won't, not just us but all countries won't utilize them, COVID is no longer the most important issue. The post-COVID economic revitalization is not what is most important today. Investing in the security economy, in the defense industry, is what is most important today - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the conference '25 Years of Poland's Membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization'.


14:19

Tusk:

You have no right to get carried away by polls, not even for a moment

- You have no right, I have no right, and you have no right, not even for a moment, to get carried away by polls that show that PO and KO, that we have become leaders in the eyes of public opinion, of this political scene - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the National Council of PO.


14:21

Tusk:

In People's Eyes, There's Still Great Hope, But Also Warning Signs

- I ask you to look at these polls and when you look people in the eye, to see what's in their eyes. In this, there is still great hope, but there are also warning signs. If you don't manage, they tell us this every day, if you fail, especially in these fundamental matters, you will fall off this horse very quickly - Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated during the National Council of Civic Platform (PO).


14:28

Tusk to Coalition Partners: You Have the Right to Hold Your Views, But That Doesn't Absolve You of the Duty Not to Impose Them on Others
- I appeal once again to all our partners: you have the right to hold your views. You spoke about them openly, more or less openly during the campaign. But this does not absolve you of the duty, it's a matter of basic decency, at least it should be in the October 15th Coalition, not to impose your views and the consequences of your views on others who hold different views and want to decide for themselves - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform's National Council.

14:28

Tusk:

There's No Need to Restore Any Compromise by Law, as the Constitutional Tribunal's Ruling Did Not Change the Law in Poland
The Third Way's proposals to legally restore the compromise that existed before the ruling of the so-called "Przyłębska Tribunal" are unfair argumentation. There's no need to restore any compromise by law, as the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling did not change the law in Poland – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform National Council meeting.

14:32

Tusk:

We Will Change Procedures Overnight So Przyłębska's Ruling Doesn't Burden Polish Women's Lives and Safety

- It is worth, today, given that it will take us some time, that the change in the legal status in Poland, so that this legal status, which exists today, is not burdened by this pseudo-ruling of Mrs. Przyłębska's tribunal. Within the framework of the law, which also applies today, I commit to this today before you, we must and will change the practice of proceedings overnight so that, despite the unsatisfactory legal situation, this Przyłębska ruling does not burden the lives and safety of Polish women – stated Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform National Council.


14:33

Tusk:

Civic Coalition and I Will Consistently Strive to Pass Legislation Granting the Right to Safe and Legal Abortion

- Today, we are all impressed by the debate that has reignited in Poland, a debate about, as we believe, women's rights, or rather, I would say, human rights, fundamental civil rights, human rights. This includes a woman's right to decide about her body, about her motherhood. We certainly feel that expectations here were unequivocal, just as our promises were unequivocal. I want to emphasize this once again: Civic Coalition, Civic Platform, and I personally will consistently and firmly strive to pass a law that will ensure Polish women have the opportunity to decide about their bodies, their health, their freedom, and their motherhood. Therefore, a law in which legal and safe termination of pregnancy will be our right – stated Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform National Council.


14:33

Tusk:

Hospitals Risk Losing NFZ Funding for Gynecology if They Refuse Pregnancy Terminations Without Clear Justification, Endangering Women's Health and Lives

- I have addressed the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, and the Minister of Health, asking them to present guidelines to the relevant institutions and individuals, according to which, for example, in the case of a refusal of a justified pregnancy termination, a hospital will lose its contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ) in the area of gynecology if it refuses a pregnancy termination without clear justification and thereby endangers the woman's health and life - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform National Congress.


14:39

Tusk on Abortion: I Will Expect the Prosecutor General to Initiate Investigations Ex Officio in Every Case of Refusal, Regardless of Tragic Consequences

- We will expect the national consultant for gynecology and provincial consultants to review all conscience clauses, and every refusal to perform a procedure will be reported to the prosecutor's office ex officio. From today, the prosecution will be obliged to investigate why someone endangered a woman's health and life, not why someone decided to save a woman's health or life - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the National Council of Civic Platform.


14:52

Leszczyna:

We are changing the general terms of contracts between the National Health Fund and hospitals with gynaecology and obstetrics wards. If they refuse a woman a legally permissible abortion, they lose their contract.
On Monday, I am sending a regulation for social consultations. We are changing the general terms of contracts between the National Health Fund and hospitals with gynaecology and obstetrics wards. If they refuse a woman a legally permissible abortion, they lose their contract - stated Izabela Leszczyna during the National Council of Civic Platform.

14:53

Trzaskowski on the Upcoming Elections: We Have a Chance to End Those Who Manipulated and Lied, We Showed How to Fight Populism in the Parliamentary Elections
- I'm not surprised, Mr. Prime Minister, that a note of realism sometimes creeps into what you say, because these are indeed hellishly difficult times. But I've spoken with many of our friends in Europe, and they all repeat, 'Donald, it's not for you to say, but they all say that you are, and we all, and you all are, hope for Europe. That we've shown that we know how to fight lies, manipulation, that we know how to fight populism. That's why these local government elections are so incredibly important, to end this era of populism once and for all. Because these parliamentary elections were the first step, and now the local government elections, the next European and presidential elections, we truly have a chance to end those who manipulated, who lied – said Rafał Trzaskowski during the National Council of Civic Platform (PO).

16:18

Duda on Regional Airports Post-CPK Construction: The Opinion is Unambiguous, There Will Be Enough Passengers for Everyone
- Without a doubt, the development of aviation, air traffic, and air communication in our country will increase. The prosperity of our society is growing, which makes me very happy. This air travel offering is becoming broader and broader, and in light of this, the fundamental question arose today. I asked the presidents whether they believe, as experienced presidents of regional airport boards, that CPK genuinely threatens the development of the aviation sector in a regional context. Do they believe it will limit the development opportunities for their airports, reduce their passenger numbers, or decrease interest in their offerings? Ladies and gentlemen, the opinion is unambiguous. The cake is predicted to be so enormous over the next 15 years that to consume it through all air communication possibilities in Poland, there will certainly be enough passengers for everyone – stated President Andrzej Duda at a press conference in Krakow.

16:20

Duda on CPK: If We Don't Have a New, Larger Airport, in a Few Years We Won't Be Able to Handle Expected Air Traffic
- There is interest [in air traffic in Poland], and it will grow. If we want to meet this challenge, because this issue has two sides, it's not a question of whether regional airports will cope with CPK's competition, quite the opposite. If we don't have an airport that will be a central hub, considering the capacity limitations of our current, as we symbolically call it, hub, which is Warsaw-Okęcie Airport. If it turns out that we won't have a new airport, a larger airport, with a greater capacity to accept passengers and also to accept cargo, it will turn out that in a few years we won't be able to handle the air traffic that will potentially be expected by passengers in our country – said President Andrzej Duda at a press conference in Krakow.

17:07

Sienkiewicz on the Vandalism of the Warsaw Mermaid: Barbarism. Those Who Strike at Culture Destroy Humanity's Most Universal Language
- Today another incident occurred, namely the Warsaw Mermaid monument being doused with paint. Some time ago, recently, the same activists interrupted a concert at the [National] Philharmonic - stated Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz in a recording published on social media, referring to the recent actions of climate activists from the group "Ostatnie Pokolenie" (Last Generation). - Climate activists have chosen art as the target of their actions. Culture, as a way to draw attention. I want to say that regardless of ethical or any other justifications, attacks on culture are an attack on the only universal language of humanity, in which everything can be expressed, including anxieties related to climate change. Those who strike at culture destroy humanity's most universal language - he continued. - I condemn these actions and want to appeal to these people to stop doing this. If you want to fight climate change, then douse people, douse me, but do not douse culture and do not destroy culture. This is simply pure barbarism - he appealed.

19:55

Gomoła Expelled from Poland 2050

On March 8, 2024, the National Board of Poland 2050 Szymon Hołownia passed a resolution by which Member of Parliament Adam Gomoła was expelled from the party.

All members of the Poland 2050 party, in accordance with the statute, are obliged to adhere to generally accepted ethical norms, as well as to conscientiously and diligently perform the functions entrusted to them in elections to public bodies based on the party's recommendation. The situation that has arisen leaves doubts as to whether the standards of clarity and transparency were maintained in the case of Member of Parliament Adam Gomoła. In connection with this, based on the vote of the national board members of the party, Member of Parliament Adam Gomoła was expelled from the Poland 2050 party today – reads the statement.


19:59

Wojciechowski:

I am working on a very serious package of changes to the Common Agricultural Policy, which will be a Commission proposal
- I meet with farmers in many EU countries, including Polish farmers. [...] Farmers know well what actions I personally take to solve their problems. I put political opinions aside, I primarily focus on what farmers say and try to listen to their voices - said Janusz Wojciechowski in an interview with Grzegorz Kępka on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń". - Right now, I am working on a very serious package that will soon be presented as a European Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council. There will be quite significant changes to the Common Agricultural Policy; certain things need to be verified. We already have initial experiences with this new Common Agricultural Policy, and these will be good changes for farmers - he announced. - It is a matter of days when the EC's draft will be ready, most likely next week. We must work quickly so that the current European Parliament, which has its last session in April, manages to adopt these changes - he added.

20:02

Biedroń:

Hołownia Deceived Women
- This is a war for the dignity of women, who brought about the fact that thanks to them, we can today live in a different Poland, a democratic one, and it was with these hopes that Polish women went to the polls on October 15th, and today, in my opinion, they have been deceived, again by men, men who think – Robert Biedroń said on Polsat News. - They have names and surnames, and of course, I'm referring to the Third Way and Szymon Hołownia, who didn't make agreements with women like this. That freezer, today the smiling cold store of Marshal Hołownia has been freezing these projects for four months and is doing nothing with them. [...] Regarding the draft laws, he agreed that there would be no freezer; today, it's a smiling cold store. Regarding the procedure of the projects, he agreed that during this Sejm session, partly because it is March 8th, these projects would be processed, and he deceived women, and today this must be said clearly and explicitly – he continued.

20:04

Biedroń:

Perhaps it's high time to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution
- Perhaps it is high time to enshrine the right to abortion in the Polish Constitution. Just as it has happened in France - said Robert Biedroń on Polsat News.

20:09

Wojciechowski on the Green Deal: Pesticide Reduction - Withdrawn. Fallowing - We Want It to Be Voluntary and Paid for Farmers
- There [in the Green Deal] are actually two things that worried farmers. The first thing is the reduction in pesticide use, which in itself is right, because that's what we should strive for for the health of people and animals. However, there was a bad idea to have all countries reduce it equally by 50%, and usage is very different in different countries. [...] I opposed this approach from the very beginning, and ultimately this proposal has already been withdrawn - said Janusz Wojciechowski in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News. - The second issue is the already famous fallowing. [...] It did not come into force and will not come into force, I want to reassure all farmers. We are preparing changes so that fallowing will be voluntary and paid for farmers - he continued.

20:09

Biedroń:

Hołownia Knows That Regarding the [Health] Contribution, Whatever He Says, a Coalition Agreement is Still Necessary
- Szymon Hołownia knows that regarding the [health] contribution, whatever he says, a coalition agreement is still necessary. We have our position on this matter, we believe that healthcare should be adequately funded, and we are ready to discuss many aspects of how contributions are structured in Poland. It is not fair, and we all know it. However, Szymon Hołownia will not leave this coalition, because he derives specific benefits from it - said Robert Biedroń in Polsat News.

20:12

Biedroń:

Hołownia and Kosiniak-Kamysz, Hand in Hand with Parish Priests, Try to Maintain the Status Quo of Women's Enslavement
- I think that today many people, when they hear Szymon Hołownia, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, these politicians who, hand in hand with parish priests, try to maintain the status quo of women's enslavement, certainly regret their vote for the Third Way - said Robert Biedroń on Polsat News.

20:18

Wojciechowski's Appeal to Tusk: Please Don't Hinder Me Either
- I do not accept such an appeal [from Prime Minister Donald Tusk] that would boil down to me ceasing some actions. I simply have to do this, I am doing what is necessary for the farmers, and I will do it thoroughly and to the end. I simply do not accept such instructions from any government, including the Polish one, and from the Polish Prime Minister - said Janusz Wojciechowski in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News. - I am performing my duty with the best intentions. I am preparing really significant changes in the common agricultural policy, and please do not hinder me either; I can make such an appeal to the Prime Minister - he declared.

20:19

Biedroń on Gomoła Case: Law Enforcement Should Get Involved. Hołownia Can Expel Him, But the Law is There to Judge This Gentleman
- He should not only be expelled [from the party], but law enforcement should definitely get involved. This is serious trouble that Poland 2050, Mr. Hołownia, have fallen into, they will have to explain themselves for this; they promised a different kind of politics, and unfortunately, everything that was worst has returned - said Robert Biedroń in Polsat News. - Mr. Hołownia can expel him, but the law is there to judge this gentleman appropriately - he continued.

20:30

Wojciechowski:

EU and Poland Greatly Benefit from Free Trade with Ukraine. The Entire Economy Benefits, Agriculture Loses, So Losses Must Be Compensated
- Both the EU and Poland greatly benefit from free trade with Ukraine. Polish exports to Ukraine amount to 11 billion euros, imports to 4 billion euros. [...] The entire economy benefits, agriculture loses, therefore these losses must be compensated to farmers - stated Janusz Wojciechowski on "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events) on Polsat News. - This is something the Prime Minister should address, namely applying for public aid for farmers. This is something I managed to introduce into European legislation, ensuring farmers are covered by this possibility of assistance - he continued.