Live Feed

03/28/2024

00:23

Thursday's Political Agenda: Trzaskowski Opens Pedestrian-Cycle Bridge, Polish-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Consultations, The Left in Legnica and Wałbrzych

At 6:30 PM, the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, will open the famous pedestrian-cycle bridge. Warsaw's first bridge across the Vistula River, exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists, will be 452 meters long. Pedestrians will cover this distance in six minutes, and cyclists in two. The crossing will connect the Vistula Boulevards with Praga-Północ, at the height of Karowa Street on the left bank and Okrzei Street on the right bank.

Today in Warsaw, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM) will host Polish-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations led by the heads of government of both states: Donald Tusk and Denys Shmyhal. At 9:40 AM, a meeting of both prime ministers will take place, followed by a delegation meeting at 9:50 AM. A plenary session is scheduled for 11:00 AM, after which joint press statements from Donald Tusk and Denys Shmyhal are expected (around 12:40 PM).

At 11:30 AM in Legnica, a press conference featuring politicians from The Left will be held. Speakers will include, among others, Robert Biedroń, Krzysztof Śmiszek, and Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus. Furthermore, they will participate in a convention in Wałbrzych, scheduled for 5:00 PM.


08:29

Hennig-Kloska:

If Someone Has Clean Hands and a Clear Conscience, They Have Nothing to Fear
We promised our voters that those who broke the law would be held accountable. Because that's what society expects, and it's also what a state of law requires. However, I'll repeat what my colleagues from today's opposition said: if someone has clean hands, a clear conscience, they have nothing to fear. They will be acquitted in any court - stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska in an interview with Dariusz Ociepa on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

08:46

Hennig-Kloska:

Energy Prices Will Be Acceptable for Almost Everyone from July, and for Those Who It's Not, There Will Be an Energy Voucher

- I can promise that [energy] prices will be acceptable for almost everyone, and for those for whom they won't be, there will be an energy voucher. Because we are preparing an energy voucher for people affected by energy poverty, in order to concentrate aid precisely where it is needed. After the holidays, the matter, new acts, a package of acts concerning energy prices for the second half of the year will go to the government. There will be an income criterion, different for single-person households, different for multi-person households. We will calculate this per person in the family, but also by promoting single-person households more, where for lonely seniors, the prices of electricity and maintaining heat in the home often consume up to 70% of their income - stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska in "Graffiti" on Polsat News.


08:55

Gramatyka on Searches of Politicians' Homes: "The Interpretation That Immunity is Tied to the Person is Close to Me"
- This interpretation, which states that immunity is rather tied to the person, and not... This interpretation was adopted by the services when carrying out activities in the apartments of politicians. [...] From my point of view, what is definitely more important is why these actions are being taken. If you read the NIK report on the Fundusz Sprawiedliwości (Justice Fund)... - said Michał Gramatyka in an interview with Robert Mazurek on RMF FM. - Generally, I am a proponent of the thesis that immunity should not be so broad, it should only cover the parliamentary activities of MPs - he added.

09:03

Gramatyka on the Glapiński Case: I Don't Expect Political Decisions from the State Tribunal
- Yes, I signed [the motion to bring Adam Glapiński before the State Tribunal]. […] The issue of indirect financing of the public finance deficit through the purchase of bonds is, in my opinion, quite serious. Even more serious is the issue of lack of cooperation with the Monetary Policy Council, denying access to documents, information, and allocating time for representatives of the MPC to spend at the headquarters - said Michał Gramatyka in the "Morning Conversation" on RMF FM. - The fate of Governor Glapiński will be decided by the State Tribunal, which is one of the most important tribunals in the Republic, elected by the current Sejm. I do not expect political decisions from the State Tribunal. Political decisions can be made in parliament, but not in the State Tribunal - he continued.

09:05

Hennig-Kloska:

Today, citizens expect from us not disputes, not quarrels, not feuds, but work and solutions to their problems

- Today, citizens expect from us not disputes, not quarrels, not feuds, but work and solutions to their problems, because that's what they lacked for 8 years, and that's why they decided on a change of government. So, as I said, enough quarreling and let's move forward - stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska in "Graffiti" on Polsat News.


09:10

Bosacki:

Woś Deceived the Parliamentary Committee, Deceived MPs
- In my assessment, Mr. Woś deceived the parliamentary committee because he said that this money was needed to combat the effects of crime; he is saying now that the services needed this type of tool to combat crime. And the law was specifically amended so that such enormous sums could be allocated from the Fund for Post-penitentiary Assistance, which was intended to serve crime victims, towards combating crime – said Marcin Bosacki in a conversation with Sylwia Białek on "Salon Polityczny Trójki". - The Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) should be financed exclusively from the state budget. Meanwhile, the Fund for Post-penitentiary Assistance was not part of the state budget. But one more thing: Mr. Woś keeps saying that he convinced the MPs of the parliamentary finance committee back in 2017 that this money would go towards combating or preventing crime. Meanwhile, I showed him, by presenting the transcript from that committee 7 years ago, that he said something contrary there, that it would go towards combating the effects of crime, meaning things like providing psychological and material assistance to crime victims, etc. He deceived the MPs then; he did not tell them that it was intended for equipment for the CBA or even for combating crime, but rather misled the esteemed parliamentary committee. I think we will continue to explore this thread – he continued.

09:16

Bosacki on the Pegasus Committee: Preliminary Talks Aim to Summon Woś Again in April, This Time in Private Session
- We haven't made a decision yet, but our preliminary talks with the chairwoman, Ms. Sroka, are heading towards holding another session in April, probably shortly after the holidays, to summon the former minister, Mr. Woś, again, this time in a closed session. As I calculated yesterday, he invoked a lack of memory over 20 times, stating he couldn't recall quite crucial facts about the transfer of 25 million to the CBA, and even more frequently said he could discuss something, but only in a private session. I think he will soon have the opportunity and time to tell us, in a private session, what he truly knows - said Marcin Bosacki on Radio Three.

09:21

Bosacki on Allegations Regarding the Justice Fund: In My Opinion, These 7 People Are Not the Full List
- The Justice Fund was one of those political piggy banks of PiS, or the so-called United Right camp. [...] In my opinion, there are so many irregularities there, to put it mildly, that in my assessment, these 7 people are not the full list - said Marcin Bosacki on Trójka.

09:26

Żukowska:

I believe that all projects will be processed on April 11th, then I will go to Speaker Hołownia with flowers

- I believe that on April 11th all projects will be processed, then I will go to the Marshal of the Sejm with flowers to thank him for keeping the decision, which was changed many times, but is ultimately final - stated Anna Maria Żukowska in the program "Poranek Radia TOK FM".


09:28

Bosacki:

Ziobro is Clearly in a State Where He Can Testify Before the Investigative Committee. I Think It Will Be April
- I think [Ziobro will appear before the Pegasus investigative committee] soon too, because we have seen, contrary to what he has been trying to convince the public of for months, that despite being ill, which I absolutely do not deny, he is capable of, within a few hours when he believes it is necessary, not only appearing at his home but, as in the last hours, both in the morning and evening, speaking at length before cameras. Consequently, he is clearly in a state where he can also testify before our committee. I think that will also be in April – said Marcin Bosacki in Trójka.

09:32

Żukowska:

We Must Elect a President in the Next Election Who We Are Sure Will Sign Such a Law
It seems that the President holds very conservative views, which are similar to those of a part of the Polish People's Party (PSL). This is where the problem lies; I know my colleagues are talking, persuading colleagues from other parliamentary clubs, and we will continue to do so. I hope that all these projects will be sent to committee for deliberation. I think we must elect a President in the upcoming election about whom there will be no doubt that they will sign such a law - stated Anna Maria Żukowska on the program “Morning of TOK FM Radio.”

09:45

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

There's no plan to reinstate compulsory military service as voluntary service is highly successful
- Compulsory military service is suspended in Poland, not abolished. Compulsory service in Poland has been suspended since the 2007-2011 term, as it was suspended at the time under ministers Klich. It is suspended, not abolished, so at any moment, if the need arises, it can be reinstated – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the program "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. - There is no plan to reinstate compulsory military service because there is voluntary compulsory military service, which enjoys enormous success. Over 5,000 soldiers joined voluntary compulsory military service by mid-March, which is an absolute record, so interest in the army is very high. Our plans for this year are 220,000 [soldiers] – he added.

09:49

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

We're Planning Voluntary Training for High School Graduates with the Chief of the General Staff
- We are also planning courses, training, and preparations for high school graduates for times of threat, for those who have not completed basic military service, after the 4th or 5th grade of secondary school. This is usually when the longest holidays are, and during this time, together with the Chief of the General Staff, we want to create the opportunity for one-month or two-month training – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on TVN24.

12:01

Biedroń:

After April 7th, All Local Government Officials Associated with the Left Will Genuinely Separate Church and State
- We want to say clearly and unequivocally: after April 7th, all local government officials associated with the Left will genuinely separate Church and state. This piggy bank, this cash cow, that the state has been until now, will cease to finance the wealthy, recalcitrant [...] Catholic Church, which is capable of sustaining itself with its own funds, which does not need taxpayer money, who work hard for this money to finance its whims, to build more churches, which we pay for as taxpayers, seminaries, and to take over land - said Robert Biedroń at a press conference.

12:08

Scheuring-Wielgus:

There are gentlemen, one in particular, in the Sejm, who believe women's rights can wait. These elections are about women's rights.
- There are gentlemen, one in particular, who sit in the Polish Sejm, who believe that these elections are not at all about women's rights and that we can discuss women's rights at a completely different time. I will no longer mention this gentleman's name, I think you all know who I have in mind. But these elections are about women's rights [...] after all, in our cities [...] there are district hospitals, city hospitals, and provincial hospitals. And residents come to these hospitals asking for help or advice. And it cannot be that residents, whether from Legnica, Świdnica, Wałbrzych, Toruń, or other cities, come to a doctor and find out that a particular doctor will not perform a certain procedure. They won't perform it because they have signed a conscience clause – said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus at a press conference.

12:13

Scheuring-Wielgus on the 'morning-after' pill: I would like to appeal to the President not to hesitate
- I would also like to appeal to President Andrzej Duda. I was recently at a meeting in the Presidential Palace to discuss with President Andrzej Duda the signing of the bill to make the 'morning-after' pill available without a prescription. This conversation was truly substantive, we exchanged arguments, and I know that President Andrzej Duda has a dozen or so hours to make this decision. So from here, from Legnica, I would like to appeal once again to Mr. President not to hesitate - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus at a press conference.

12:21

Śmiszek on the Justice Fund: It's a Criminal Matter, Not Political. The Prosecution is Handling It, There Are No Sacred Cows
- We are also talking about money, about which the whole of Poland is talking today. Not millions, not tens of millions, but hundreds of millions siphoned out of the Justice Fund by the previous government. And I would like to say very clearly, also as the Deputy Minister of Justice: this is not a political matter, this is a plain criminal case that simply needs to be clarified. The prosecution is dealing with it, the special services are dealing with it, and there are no sacred cows. If there is a suspect or if the home of Zbigniew Ziobro, the former Prosecutor General, needs to be searched, then the prosecution's hands are no longer tied. The prosecution is doing its job, the prosecution is entering apartments, entering premises and looking for documents. Several people have already been detained, and several of them will have requests for pre-trial detention - said Krzysztof Śmiszek at a press conference.

12:23

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Excellent News for Our Military

- Excellent news for our military. The US Congress has approved the sale of aerial combat assets to Poland: JASSM-ER, AMRAAM, and AIM-9X. This will significantly strengthen our deterrence and defense capabilities - Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on Twitter.


12:40

Scheuring-Wielgus:

I Don't Want a President or Speaker of the Sejm Who Pretends to Support Women's Rights. I Don't Want This Deception.
- Sometimes someone says to us, to the female MPs from The Left, who are fighting for women's rights, something like this: girls, finally get these men out of power, because you have to be in charge. No more of these men. Get rid of them. And I tell them then: but I don't want to get rid of my colleagues for a very simple reason, because these colleagues of mine, who are at the head of the party, hold exactly the same views as I do, and if there is a law in the Sejm and if there is any action related to women's rights, I simply know 100% that my colleagues from my party will always stand on our side - said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus at a press conference. - Symbols are important, marching in demonstrations is also important, but it doesn't reflect what we do on a daily basis. I know perfectly well that when I travel to various cities across Poland and talk to my colleagues, both male and female, who are left-wing activists in different cities, we all hold the same views, there's no pretence here, there's no deception. I really don't want a president, male or female, who pretends to support women's rights, or a Speaker of the Sejm who pretends to support women's rights. I don't want this deception - she continued.

13:03

Tusk:

It must be clear to everyone, in Poland, Ukraine, and the world, that no one and nothing will undermine this solidarity, cooperation, and friendship.

I am very happy that we met today in Warsaw for intergovernmental consultations between the governments of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland. In addition to the two prime ministers and ourselves, many members of the Ukrainian and Polish governments participated in this meeting. This final meeting in Warsaw today was preceded by hundreds of hours of discussions, sometimes negotiations, between our ministries, experts, and also social stakeholders. I want to emphasize very clearly that this meeting, all these discussions, have confirmed once again a truth that is obvious to both of us: regardless of the issues we have to resolve daily, and sometimes these are difficult matters, even among the closest friends conflicts of interest, different interests, and points of view occur, we are able to discuss them extremely honestly, without any hidden agenda,” stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a press statement with the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

I am very encouraged by this atmosphere, and regardless of the sometimes difficult issues and conflicting interests, we conclude these talks today with an even deeper conviction that there is no force in the world, in Ukraine, or in Poland, that could undermine our friendship, our solidarity, and our cooperation, especially in the face of the common threat posed by Russian aggression against Ukraine and Russia's aggressive policy towards the entire European community and the West. It must be clear to everyone, in Poland, in Ukraine, and in the world, that no one and nothing will undermine this solidarity, cooperation, and friendship,” he continued.


13:07

Tusk:

We Seem to Be One Step Away from the EU Imposing a 50% Tariff on Russian and Belarusian Agricultural Products

- We discussed, of course, matters that excite certain social or professional groups. We are looking for good solutions for both sides, and in the matter of agriculture, we have moved a step forward. Firstly, as we agreed in Kyiv, Poland has undertaken a diplomatic offensive regarding the blocking of Russian and Belarusian grain and other agricultural products, and we have achieved an effect equivalent to an embargo. We are still awaiting the final, formal decision, but it seems we are indeed one step away from the EU imposing a 50% tariff on Russian and Belarusian agricultural products, which de facto means fulfilling our common goal of blocking Russian and Belarusian exports to Ukraine – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a press conference with the Prime Minister of Ukraine.


13:14

Tusk:

Seeking Solutions to Protect Polish Farmers and Ukrainian Producers

- We are also looking for solutions that will provide a sense of security to our producers and our farmers. I want to emphasize this very clearly. It's nothing new that some people want to sell cheaper, and some may have problems because of it. We need to be able to talk about this, to seek solutions that will not be detrimental to Ukrainian producers, and from my point of view, primarily to Polish farmers and producers. We are looking for such solutions, and I am glad that today we have agreed that solutions that function well in terms of protecting the Romanian and Bulgarian markets will also be applied in our relations – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a press briefing with the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

- We are looking for solutions that may not be delightful for all sides, but which will protect the fundamental interests of Polish farmers, Polish producers, and on the other hand, Ukrainian ones as well. We are looking and are close to solutions. As I have already mentioned, this concerns the quantity of products that can reach Poland once we establish this. We are close to solutions so that transit passing through Poland does not disrupt the Polish market, and this is also the intention of the Ukrainian side – he continued.


13:21

Jaki:

"This is the collapse of the state" – Tusk has turned the prosecutor's office into PO's private office for gangster dealings

- Right now, Tusk has turned the prosecutor's office into his private office for Civic Platform (PO) gangster dealings. First, they gangster-style seized the prosecutor's office premises, and it must be remembered that at this moment the prosecutor's office is operating without legal authorizations, because, I remind you again, the dismissal of the National Prosecutor required the President's consent. They could not dismiss the National Prosecutor, and therefore they took over the offices by force, and all their decisions in this regard are invalid – stated Patryk Jaki at a press conference in the Sejm.

- This is the collapse of the state. What is happening right now, and I want you to know that we are documenting all of this very thoroughly and there will be very specific actions on our part regarding this matter. Enough is enough – he continued.


13:22

Kaleta:

Bodnar's People Broke into Ziobro's House and Could Have Planted Anything

- Given that Minister Ziobro's house was broken into in such a way, any finding that the prosecutor's office or services claim to have made on site is debunkable. This is precisely why procedural guarantees exist during searches, so that every action taken is credible. This action lacks credibility, and one might as well claim that evidence was found in Minister Ziobro's house proving that Elvis Presley is alive. It carries the same weight, because Bodnar's people broke into Minister Ziobro's house and could have planted whatever they wished – said Sebastian Kaleta at a press conference in the Sejm.


18:04

Korneluk:

Analyses Underway for Motions to Revoke Parliamentary Immunities

- This cannot be ruled out [further arrest warrants]. The investigation is in its very initial stages, although a very extensive body of evidence has already been gathered. I have spoken with the assigned prosecutors on the team handling this matter. Yes, further actions are planned. For obvious reasons, I will not share them. I can only say that the investigation plan indeed encompasses a very wide range of activities – stated Dariusz Korneluk on TVN24.

- Decisions in this regard concerning the revocation of any immunity, because we cannot speak of probably a single immunity here, will be the decision of the assigned prosecutors, not mine. They are currently analyzing a very extensive body of evidence, significantly enriched by recent activities that have taken place. Yes, analyses are currently underway with a view to preparing motions to revoke parliamentary immunities – he continued.


19:56

Arłukowicz:

I'm Not Surprised by Jaki and His Colleagues' Nerves; Now Ziobro Says: It Wasn't Me, the Boys Did It
- Stop whining, PiS boys, boys don't cry. You should have thought about what you were doing with that money from the Fund for Justice, I don't want to say 'siphoning off' because there's no evidence yet, but what you were doing with that money from the Fund for Justice. So now is not the time for tears. I'm watching Minister Ziobro, who has mysteriously reappeared and started speaking, denying everything. Therefore, I'm not surprised by the nerves of Patryk Jaki and his colleagues from the ministry, who signed various documents. Now Ziobro says: it wasn't me, it was them, it was the boys, not me. No, Mr. Ziobro, justice will come for you too, because you played your role in all of this. You were the Minister of Justice for many years and the head of all these gentlemen at whose places searches were conducted - said Bartosz Arłukowicz in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

20:05

Arłukowicz:

Ziobro's allies got the Justice Fund, Bielen's allies got NCBR. Do we really want to believe Kaczyński sat at home, unaware of what the guys were up to?
- They've effectively divided the state. Some got the Justice Fund, the so-called Ziobro's allies. Others got, Bielen's allies, NCBR. The prosecution will now investigate all of this. Do we really want to accept the premise that President Kaczyński was just sitting at home, oblivious to what these guys were stirring up in his backyard? – said Bartosz Arłukowicz on TVN24. - This was about significant money being siphoned off to friendly foundations, associations, brothers-in-law, and neighbours, all to finance their political parties, conventions, and other activities – he continued.

20:12

Dziemianowicz-Bąk:

If the President Throws Spanners in the Works for Those Needing Emergency Contraception, Our Government is Here to Lend Them a Helping Hand
- This law [on the 'day after' pill] restores normality, this law restores the right of girls and women to decide and react to unexpected situations. […] I want to trust that the President will consider making a sensible decision, right up to the last moment […]. It could be tomorrow, it could be today, as long as it is the right decision, meaning one that involves signing the law and restoring over-the-counter emergency contraception - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24. - Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna has a plan B, she has already announced it publicly. It will be necessary to reach for the possibility of pharmaceutical prescriptions through a regulation […]. Of course, this is not an optimal solution, of course we would want and prefer the President to sign the law […]. But if the President throws spanners in the works for people who need to use emergency contraception, then the Ministry of Health and the government of the October 15th Coalition are there to lend them a helping hand - she continued.

20:29

Kołodziejczak:

I am Still on the Farmers' Side

- I am still on the farmers' side, and these are very important discussions, not just about agriculture. These are discussions not only about business, not only about farmers, but about food security, which must be maintained in Poland. These are discussions about what Poland will look like in 5 or 10 years and how we will prepare for it all. These are the first serious discussions with the Ukrainian side in two years - stated Michał Kołodziejczak on the program 'Gość 19:30' on TVP Info.


20:36

Dziemianowicz-Bąk on Shorter Work Week: "Today We Are Conducting Research and Listening to Poles Who Say: We Don't Have Time for Family, for Love, for Friendship"
- On the one hand, we are observing the experiences of Polish companies that are already introducing a shorter work week. On the other hand, I can imagine that such serious [...] changes require piloting, and being spread out over time. Today, we are conducting analyses, research, and listening to the voice of Poles. And they say: we don't have time for family, we don't have time to start a family, we don't have time for love, for friendship, for a walk, for meeting friends - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.

20:44

Kołodziejczak:

Polish-Ukrainian Talks Moving in a Good Direction

- We are in the process of reaching agreements, these Polish-Ukrainian talks are moving in a good direction. We also see that the Ukrainian side doesn't want to budge much when it comes to farmers. They have grown accustomed to the fact that these talks have been too loose so far. Yesterday, nearly 5 hours, or perhaps over 5 hours of talks, difficult, exhausting. We can also see from the photos that fatigue is taking its toll - stated Michał Kołodziejczak on the program “Gość 19:30” on TVP Info.


20:49

Ziobro:

I Don't Just Want To, I Must Appear Before the Investigative Committee. I Will Have the Opportunity to Show the Truth

- I don't just want to, I of course must appear before the [investigative] committee, because above all, in response to the reactions, insinuations, and lies being told about me and my activities as Prosecutor General, I will thus have the opportunity to show the truth of how it looks, that I took actions guided by the public interest and the good of Poles, their security - stated Zbigniew Ziobro on Polsat News.


21:10

Ziobro:

I Legally Obtained the Files

- Indeed, as the Prosecutor General, I had access to all possible files, and yes, I had the right to access the ones you are asking about as well, because I was being attacked by the media, and I was verifying certain facts that were related to accusations made against me by some media outlets in connection with my father's death. I had the right to familiarize myself with them. I don't know if they were original files, as the prosecution claims today in a statement; they were not shown to me - stated Zbigniew Ziobro on Polsat News.

- I fully legally came into possession of these files, and certainly all the files, most, a vast majority, I returned when I left office, but I left under completely extraordinary circumstances, which we have discussed - he continued.

- When a certain dynamic of the situation, a very serious illness that attacked me, made it such that not all tasks, which under normal circumstances I could carry out efficiently, I was able to effectively perform, because I was occupied with a primary, different goal, which became the greatest challenge in my life - Ziobro added.