300polityka

07:30

Tuesday's Political Agenda: Government on "Grandma's Benefit," Hołownia Meets Lithuanian Sejm Speaker, Woś Before Pegasus Committee, PiS Settlement Team with NIK Inspectors, Committees on KRS and Confidence Vote for Kierwiński

At 11:00, the government will address the bill supporting parents in professional activity and raising young children, "Active Parent" - colloquially known as the "Babciowe" (Grandma's Benefit), as announced by Prime Minister Tusk - as well as a bill amending the act on the exchange of tax information with other countries.

At 9:00, the Sejm Committee on Justice and Human Rights will convene to discuss the government's draft amendment to the act on the National Council of the Judiciary.

At 10:00, the Pegasus investigative committee will interrogate former Deputy Minister of Justice, Michał Woś.

At 10:15, a meeting will take place between the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, and the Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Lithuania, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. Statements to the press are scheduled for 11:10.

At 15:00, the Sejm Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs will consider the PiS motion of no confidence in the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Marcin Kierwiński.

At 15:30, a meeting of the Team for the Accountability of PiS Governments will be held in the Sejm, with the participation of Supreme Audit Office (NIK) inspectors.

07:52

Żukowska on the Left's Local Election Results: 'It's Not a Good Result, I Was Hoping for More'

- It's not a good result, there's no point in beating around the bush, absolutely not. I was hoping for more, but to be honest, compared to the result from 5 years ago, from the local elections, the result is comparable (…) I was hoping for 8%. Of course, such good gems are pleasing - stated Anna Maria Żukowska on the program 'Signals of the Day' on PR1.

07:53

Żukowska:

Unfortunately, we have democracy within the party, so different structures decide independently how they will run

These elections are quite complicated for voters, more complicated than parliamentary, presidential, or the upcoming European Parliament elections, because they are multi-level, there are many lists, and you often receive 5 ballots. Unfortunately, we have democracy within the party, so different structures decide independently how they will run, for example, in city councils - stated Anna Maria Żukowska in the program “Sygnały dnia” on PR1.

07:58

Hołownia:

October 15th Elections Were Exceptional, Epochal. People Gave Us an Enormous Credit of Trust, So the Warning is Not to Shake This Coalition.

First and foremost, and I am happy about this, [voters] said, just like on October 15th, that the message is the same. I am happy that in Poland, one cannot govern without Third Way, and that PiS has no one to govern with. And that is precisely what we heard. The warning is that it sometimes seems to all of us, not just politicians but also commentators, that since there were once epochal elections on October 15th, the kind that happen once every few decades, because these were indeed such elections, they will be repeated now every few months, because we have already gotten used to it. No, the October 15th elections were absolutely exceptional, they were elections of the century, they were elections that happen once in an epoch. However, now we will have many ordinary elections, perhaps not as exceptional, and we should draw conclusions from what happened on October 15th before such elections. People gave us an enormous credit of trust, they built, they assembled our coalition, so the warning is not to shake this coalition. That if people elected us for 4 years, we have 4 years to ride it out – stated Szymon Hołownia in an interview with Arleta Zalewska on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

08:05

Hołownia:

We Need a Referendum on Abortion, Let Society Have Its Binding Say

- I assess this [poll for TVN on abortion] by saying that we need to hold a referendum, because we conduct polls, and sometimes one poll shows 67% support for liberalization, another time 50%, and yet another time something else. We need to hold a referendum and let society have its binding say. It really cannot be the case that Macierewicz, Hołownia, Czarzasty, and Suski have the right to decide the fate of women, while millions of women, including many I know, will be deprived of this right - stated Szymon Hołownia on TVN24.

08:09

Hołownia Announces Poland 2050's Decision on European Elections:

I Am Not Considering Running with Civic Coalition.

- I am not [considering a joint run in the European elections with Civic Coalition]. We had a party board meeting of Poland 2050 yesterday, and we decided that we are going into the European elections either in the Third Way format, which has proven itself twice already, because I believe it also proved itself in the local government elections, we confirmed our result, we are the third force on the political scene, or we are going alone – stated Szymon Hołownia on TVN24.

08:12

Morawiecki:

Are We Losing Two Regional Assemblies? Let's Wait and See. After All, There Are Negotiations and Various Proposals

- We must certainly emphasize [...] that this is not only our highest result, but probably the highest result for any party in over 25 years, counting from 1998, in local government elections. This is a truly huge achievement, considering that just a few days ago, a few days before the elections, various polls gave us fewer percentage points than PO - said Mateusz Morawiecki in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti". - Whether we are losing [two regional assemblies]? Let's wait and see. After all, there are negotiations, various proposals. We have at least four regional assemblies, and we will be fighting for more. Certainly, if democracy in Poland worked as it usually does in the West, meaning normal negotiations, not cordon sanitaire, we could govern in more than half of the regional assemblies. And we will see how it ultimately turns out - he continued. - If it's the case that we on our side have committed sins, and that is certainly true, then we will try to learn this lesson and we will propose various solutions - he added.

08:13

Żukowska on Abortion Law Debate: "Emotions Will Certainly Run High, Because After 30 Years of Abortion Ban..."

- Emotions will certainly run high, because it's difficult, if we've had an abortion ban for 30 years, not to have these emotions and regret that it's lasted so long. These are indeed to be 20-minute, in-depth club speeches, starting at 12 o'clock, which is a good change, (...) the last such debate that took place in the Sejm was at 2 in the morning - stated Anna Maria Żukowska on the program "Sygnały dnia" PR1.

08:14

Hołownia:

The Single-List Format Didn't Work in Previous EP Elections

- If something has worked twice, why change it to something that most likely wouldn't work, as shown by previous European elections, where the 'we all go together' format, the 'let's get him' format, the single list, didn't work - stated Szymon Hołownia on TVN24.

08:18

Hołownia on "Babciowe": We Have Doubts About This Bill

- We have doubts about this bill. It only really appeared before the government yesterday; it has 81 articles, if my ministers told me correctly. We want to have the opportunity to work on it. This is not the subject of our coalition agreement. My ministers, or our ministers, will ask for the opportunity to respond to this project, to analyze it. I gave them such a directive because we believe, as Poland 2050, and there are also such voices within the Third Way, we are not saying no, but this project cannot be unfair – stated Szymon Hołownia on TVN24.

08:20

Hołownia:

I See No Basis for Government Reconstruction at This Time

- I give you my solemn word of honor. There was no conversation involving me about government reconstruction. I see no basis for government reconstruction at this time - stated Szymon Hołownia on TVN24.

08:22

Morawiecki:

If This Continues, the Ruling Coalition Could Collapse Like a House of Cards This Term

- I will only emphasize that the biggest losses among all regional assembly councilors […] were suffered by the PSL, which, by the way, ran together with the Third Way, and this indicates that perhaps this concrete circle that Tusk threw to Hołownia, Kosiniak-Kamysz, or Czarzasty is not very beneficial for them. It works the other way around, because the Civic Platform leader can boast that as a whole, the ruling coalition has a sort of result. It's a poor result, let's be honest, they were counting on much more - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Polsat News's "Graffiti". - If this continues, the ruling coalition could collapse like a house of cards this term. If their coalition continues like this, meaning blaming each other, stealing voters from each other. We see that the Left, for example, has suffered a tremendous defeat - he continued.

08:22

Hołownia:

The coalition agreement isn't the Holy Scripture, and if it needs renegotiation, we will renegotiate it

- In 1.5 years, we will be in a different era. There will be presidential elections in May, and much can still happen along the way. However, I don't see any topic at the moment for us to discuss this. Another thing is that the coalition agreement isn't the Holy Scripture, and if it needs renegotiation, we will renegotiate it. After all, we are one of the partners as the Third Way, Poland 2050, without which this majority wouldn't exist - stated Szymon Hołownia on TVN24.

08:24

Hołownia:

Trzaskowski's Hand Has Significantly Strengthened After This Weekend

- In my opinion, Rafał Trzaskowski's hand has significantly strengthened after this weekend. Whereas before this weekend, many had doubts, were wondering if there should be primaries, or maybe someone else, he has confirmed his position at the front of the pack within Civic Coalition (KO). The question is what times we will face, because the times can be calm, they can be less calm, and then we will have to consider how to proceed - stated Szymon Hołownia on TVN24.

08:29

Morawiecki:

The result we achieved without TVP not only pleases us but also makes us think about how that aggressive campaign contributed to our previous outcome

- I'm not running that fast now, and besides, I don't usually run onto the stage under such circumstances at all. I was among the leadership of the winning party, and I didn't even notice who else ran up at the very end - said Mateusz Morawiecki in "Graffiti" on Polsat News, when asked about Jacek Kurski's presence at the PiS election night.

- For several months now, journalists from TVN and "Gazeta Wyborcza" have been shaping public television, and PiS's result is definitely the best. So, perhaps it's worth considering whether, without the loud, intrusive, aggressive politics of public television, the parliamentary election result wouldn't have been even better. I leave that for reflection, but the result we achieved without public television not only pleases all of us […], but also makes us think about how that aggressive campaign contributed to our earlier outcome - he stated.

08:35

Morawiecki:

Yes, Kurski's Media Policy Was a Ball and Chain for PiS

- Yes - said Mateusz Morawiecki in Polsat News's "Graffiti," when asked if Jacek Kurski's media policy was a ball and chain for PiS. - If there was too much aggressiveness from our side at the end of the campaign, then from today's perspective, I believe we should have focused more on substantive issues, as we did now, during this campaign. We talked about CPK, rising energy prices, rising food prices, and also about what is very important to Poles, namely security and migration policy. This turned out to be a bullseye - he continued.

08:41

Czarzasty:

We Failed to Reach an Agreement with Civic Platform. If We Had Signed That Deal, PiS Would Rule Two Voivodeships, Not Five to Six.

- This year, we also failed to reach an agreement with Civic Platform. [...] We did not form a coalition; this is not Donald Tusk's mistake, it was simply a decision. I will tell you what would have happened if we had signed that deal: PiS would have ruled in two voivodeships, not in five or six, as it will ultimately look - Włodzimierz Czarzasty said in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Radia ZET".

08:46

Czarzasty:

I want to remain the leader of The Left because we need to achieve a good result in the EP elections

- Such matters are decided by the party [who is a co-leader of The Left] [...]. A person should be responsible. I want to remain the leader because, at this moment, we need to achieve a good result in the European elections, and if someone thinks stably about what could have happened, what has happened, and in this specific matter, I'm speaking about myself personally, I knew how this system would work, therefore, it is not, I'll say honestly, without any smugness or arrogance, anything new for me - Włodzimierz Czarzasty said on Radio ZET.

08:48

Morawiecki:

We will support 'Babciowe,' but it's currently a significantly scaled-back project compared to the original. We will submit amendments.

- Of course [we will support 'Babciowe'], let's also note that according to current scenarios, it is an activation project that is significantly scaled back compared to what it was originally intended to be. Therefore, we will propose that it at least be in its original form […]. Absolutely [we will submit amendments] - said Mateusz Morawiecki in "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

08:50

Czarzasty on whether the Left will give a ministry back to the PSL: There are no such demands

- Firstly, there are no such demands - Włodzimierz Czarzasty said on Radio ZET when asked if the Left would give a ministry back to the PSL. - Nothing like that has happened - he continued, when pressed about demands that were allegedly made by the PSL after the local government elections.

08:55

Czarzasty on Who is a Better Presidential Candidate: First, the Left's Candidate, Second, Trzaskowski, Because Hołownia is Against Abortion Rights

- First, the candidate from the Left, and second, Trzaskowski certainly, because Hołownia is against women's right to abortion - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty in Radio ZET, when asked if Trzaskowski is a better presidential candidate than Hołownia.

09:05

Czarzasty:

There won't be a drama if I don't become Sejm Marshal, but I would pour some cold water on the heads of my friends

- There won't be any drama [if I don't become Sejm Marshal], but using such arguments, I think I would pour some cold water on the heads of my friends. Using arguments like, if such a bill or another bill isn't passed, we'll leave the government, is generally not reasonable. Using such an argument two days after the elections to justify one's result... by the way, all coalition parties received a lower result than we ran for in the parliamentary elections. If in Trzecia Droga the results compared to five years ago [back then] decreased by 2% after merging two parties, then it requires, just like in Lewica, reason and reflection - said Włodzimierz Czarzasty on Radio ZET.

09:40

Nitras:

Trzaskowski Appears to Have Taken a Significant Step Towards Becoming a Presidential Candidate

- It seems that [Trzaskowski] has taken a significant step in this direction [of becoming a presidential candidate], but I think decisions will be made after the holidays. I am also a member of a political formation, we have internal procedures, this is not an evasion. Simply put, if we agree on something, on certain procedures, then going out ahead of the orchestra and saying 'I think this, even though we haven't decided yet' is rather proof of a lack of political maturity, or some over-excitement, and I would not want to demonstrate either of these – stated Sławomir Nitras in an interview with Renata Grochal on the program 'Bez uników' (Without Evasion) on PR3. - The cooperation between Tusk and Trzaskowski brings a lot of good to Poland, also to Civic Platform (KO), also to the current government coalition. I believe that one should not look for any area of dispute between Tusk and Trzaskowski, it is completely unnecessary – he continued.

09:47

Nitras:

I would like us to try to find an agreement with TD, at least with PSL, before the EP elections

- I wouldn't want to form a coalition in a radio studio. I have this temptation and I would like us to try to find an agreement at least with PSL, maybe TD, since they are united by an alliance, and try to go together. But it's not even about overtaking PiS, although that is also our goal, of course, but about building a strong representation within the EPP, in the European Parliament, because that will give us a stronger negotiating position when it comes to an important commissioner's portfolio in the future European Commission. This will give us real influence, to have an impact on the EC's agenda – stated Sławomir Nitras on PR3.

09:50

Nitras:

The Left Must Consider Its Future, It Must Reach an Agreement, These Disagreements Affect the Entire Coalition

- It seems to me that today the Left should itself consider the coherence of this environment, because it appears there's too much friction, and my diagnosis is this: The Left, in its current form, must consider its future, it must reach some kind of agreement, because we don't fully know if Razem is part of the Left, or part of the coalition, or not. Perhaps the [argument] about abortion is unnecessary, but these disagreements within the Left also affect the entire coalition, and this is becoming a problem not just for the Left, but a problem for the entire coalition, which we must deal with – said Sławomir Nitras on PR3.

11:43

Hołownia:

I Don't See Room for Renegotiating the Coalition Agreement Right Now

- I don't see such room at the moment, but if it does appear, I don't react to such a conversation with fear. If we have agreed on something, we can check if it's working or if something needs improvement, because we really take this seriously. The time will come when we may need to sit down and discuss the coalition agreement, but in my feeling, it is certainly not the immediate future - stated Szymon Hołownia during a media appearance.

13:20

Act:

Every Child in Poland Up to 35 Months Will Be Able to Count on State Assistance." Government Adopts the "Grandma's Benefit

- This word "babciowe" (grandma's benefit) doesn't fully describe all the advantages and all the solutions contained in the act that we, as the government, adopted an hour ago. Every child in Poland, every child without exception, up to 35 months of age, meaning until they can go to kindergarten, will be able to count on state assistance. [...] What's so exciting about this "babciowe" is, let's say a mother, because it will more often be a mother than a father, after those 18 weeks decides to return to work because she wants to earn [...] she can go back to that job, and the state will help her, that's the 1500 PLN of the so-called "babciowe", so she can use that money for childcare - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference. - Fathers will receive support from the state for nurseries. Also up to 1500 PLN, depending on the cost of a nursery in a given town. And as a side effect, but a very important one, this will also lead to the development of the nursery network. We're okay with kindergartens in Poland, but with nurseries [...] it's not so easy, they can be expensive [...] especially outside of big cities, these services are not that widespread at all - he continued. - This idea is also about helping Poland. Every mother, every father who decides to take advantage of this will pay contributions. They are not on parental leave, but are working, and therefore pay contributions, pay taxes. [...] Even if we were talking about the minimum wage, the revenue from contributions and taxes will largely balance out the expenditures resulting from this act - he went on to say. - We also offer help to those who stay at home [...]. Those parents, one of whom, for some reason, doesn't want to or cannot go to work, will also not be deprived of help, but will receive, and this is all in addition to the 800+, just to be clear, will also receive financial support from the state, and that is 500 PLN, and unlike in the past, we will pay this 500 PLN for each child [...]. If the Sejm and the President don't cause us problems here, then from October 1st, this benefit should be available in every Polish home - he added.

13:22

Gajewska:

We Will Genuinely Support Families. As Someone Very Experienced Said, 'Let's Not Do Politics, Let's Build Bridges,' and I Would Like to Paraphrase: Let's Build Nurseries

Every child will be covered, every young child, up to 3 years old, will be covered by a form of support. We will give parents a choice and remove barriers. When I travel around municipalities, I've already been to 6 voivodeships, I've met with representatives of over 400 municipalities, the same argument is constantly repeated - lack of access to nursery care. We must create an opportunity for parents to make a decision. But for them to be able to choose and make that decision, we must ensure a nursery in every municipality. This is our campaign commitment and we will fill these white spots with the happiness of families, happy children who are developing in nurseries, and the peace of mind of parents – stated Minister Aleksandra Gajewska at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM). We will genuinely support families, because as someone very experienced said, 'Let's not do politics, let's build bridges,' and I would like to paraphrase, let's build nurseries – she continued.

13:26

Tusk:

On October 15th, supporters of change were euphoric. Today, we have the same result.

- The facts are unequivocal. I highly value facts and numbers in these political narratives. When it comes to the nationwide average, the votes cast in the regional assembly elections, which paint a complete picture, the results from Sunday and October 15th are almost identical, almost 1:1. This applies to both the main opponents, PiS and KO, as well as smaller parties, so we can grasp what truly happened on the political scene. Therefore, in terms of nationwide support, the status quo from October 15th has been largely maintained. See how people on our side are growing in their expectations and ambitions. On October 15th, despite PiS also being in first place, all supporters of change fell into euphoria – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM).

- I remember the shouting, I myself was shouting. Today, we have the same result. And people say: well, it should be more. Of course, it should be more, but to these facts, I want to add, I have already mentioned this publicly on social media, in Polish cities – and we are not talking about the largest cities here, about all cities, about the entire pool – PiS can speak of a defeat, not a loss. PiS certainly maintained a strong position in the Polish countryside and in the eastern regions, but when it comes not only to votes but to taking power away from PiS at the voivodeship level, then 11:5 here is really not 8:8. So from my point of view, the fact that today we have 11:5 in the regional assemblies, and it was 8:8, don't be angry, but I won't pretend that this is a defeat – he continued.

13:30

Tusk:

I Strongly Disliked the Squabble Between the Leader of The Left and the Sejm Marshal

- I strongly disliked that squabble, even if I would say it was personal, between the leader of The Left and the Sejm Marshal. Many words were unnecessary. I understand the emotions, I myself feel strongly about women's rights issues and am also very involved - Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

13:30

Tusk:

Strong Indications We Will Vote All Projects on Women's Rights and Legal Abortion to Committee

I hope for swift work on the draft bills currently in the Sejm. On Thursday, the entire coalition of October 15th, as I hope and strong indications suggest, should vote together in the Sejm to pass all these laws concerning women's rights and legal abortion. I'm talking about the vote so that the work can move to the committee stage and nothing will be rejected – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM).

13:33

Tusk Sets Timeline for Government Reshuffle and Hints at Ministers' European Parliament Candidacies

-  Regarding the government reshuffle – it will certainly happen, and I have already said that the turn of spring and summer seems like an appropriate moment for it. It will depend solely, and exclusively, on the substantive assessment of the ministers, or their political decisions. You know what I'm referring to; there are EP elections, and signals are emerging that perhaps some ministers will want to strengthen those lists and run for the EP – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

13:37

Tusk:

I will expect the new head of Orlen to immediately present proposals that increase the sense of security and fuel availability in Poland

- This week we will learn who the new head of Orlen is, and I, as Prime Minister, will expect – because the state controls companies like Orlen – that they immediately present proposals that increase the sense of security and fuel availability in Poland – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

13:37

Tusk on EP Elections: 99% Certain We'll Contest Them Like Local Elections. Final Decisions a Matter of Hours

- Speaker Hołownia has, I believe, informed about Poland 2050's decision or intention to rather repeat the model from the local elections, and I respect that. On 99%, we will go in such a constellation as for the local elections, everything points to that [...] there isn't much time, we need to start registering committees, collecting signatures, so it's a matter of hours, not days, when these decisions will ultimately be made. But expect rather such an arrangement as we had for the local elections - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference.

13:44

Dziemianowicz-Bąk:

"Active Parent" Program to Fund Childcare Up to 35 Months of Age with PLN 1500

The "Active Parent" program fulfills the postulate of "grandma's allowance", directed, of course, to grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles, and aunts, depending on who the parents decide to entrust the care of their little one to, but it also promotes freedom of choice. Because if a family, if parents want to entrust the child to the care of a grandmother, aunt, grandfather, or nanny, they will receive PLN 1500 in support from the state, provided they are professionally active. However, if they prefer to send their child to a nursery and want to receive state subsidies for the cost of that place, they will receive such support from the state up to PLN 1500. If, however, they follow a more traditional family model and stay at home with their children, they too will be able to count on state support – stated Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk at a press conference in Warsaw. This program will cover not only parents who, after the act comes into force, decide to return to the labor market, to professional activity, but also those parents of children up to 35 months of age who are already active, because activity and work should be appreciated, and families should be supported. Family and work do not conflict. Family and work go hand in hand – she continued.

13:47

Tusk:

The Problem is That Referendums in the Polish Legal System Decide Nothing

- The problem is that referendums in the Polish legal system decide nothing. If the turnout is okay, over 50%, a referendum does not constitute law in Poland. We can approve the Constitution in a referendum and decide on matters such as joining the EU. Then the referendum is binding, and politicians have nothing to say about it - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM).

13:52

Marciniak:

We Didn't Achieve a Turnout Record, but We Have a Record for Announcing Results

- We didn't achieve a turnout record, but we have a record for announcing the results of the local government elections. And I'm not comparing this to the unfortunate year of 2014, but to the previous local government elections in 2018, when the election results were announced on Wednesday evening, one announcement, and another on Thursday morning. Whereas today we are meeting 40 hours after the polling stations closed - said Sylwester Marciniak at the National Electoral Commission (PKW) press conference.

13:58

Tusk:

I will personally ensure no situation arises that could be described as resembling the 'Kałuża situation'

- I will personally ensure no situation arises that could be described as resembling the 'Kałuża situation'. You remember, five years ago in Silesia, we had exactly such a situation, and Mr. Kałuża became a symbol, at least for all decent people, a symbol of political corruption - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

13:59

Marciniak on Election Turnout: 51.99% of Eligible Voters Cast Valid Ballots

- There were 28,990,776 people eligible to vote [...]. In total, 15,078,833 ballots were issued at polling stations and through postal voting. 15,071,733 voters participated in the election, casting valid ballots, which translates to 51.99% of those eligible to vote. 14,873,064 valid votes were cast, representing 98.68% of the total number of votes cast – stated Sylwester Marciniak at a press conference of the National Electoral Commission (PKW).

14:46

PKW:

Second Round of Local Elections in 748 Municipalities and Cities

- In 748 municipalities and cities, none of the candidates for mayor, town administrator, or city president received more than half of the validly cast votes, of which 569 are municipalities with up to 20,000 inhabitants and 179 are municipalities with over 20,000 inhabitants - said Sylwester Marciniak at a press conference of the PKW (National Electoral Commission).

15:43

Kaleta:

Kierwiński Bears Full Political Responsibility for Riots During Farmers' Protest

- Mr. Marcin Kierwiński, the Minister of the Interior and Administration, bears full political responsibility for the riots that occurred on March 6, 2024, during the protest of Polish farmers near the seat of the Sejm of the Polish Republic. The statutory tasks of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration include, among others, supervision over the Polish police and ensuring the protection of safety and public order. The events of recent weeks show that Marcin Kierwiński is not properly fulfilling his basic constitutional duties – stated Piotr Kaleta at a meeting of the Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs. - The day before the protest, Minister Marcin Kierwiński gave a very, and I think this needs to be strongly emphasized, provocative interview, a media statement, announcing a ban on agricultural machinery entering Warsaw and the difficulties that would be applied to farmers heading to the protest. On the day of the protest, police patrols appeared on the streets of Warsaw, equipped, among other things, with road spikes, which is unprecedented. Such provocations may indicate an attempt to completely and deliberately inflame emotions among the protesting and desperate farmers who intended to come to Warsaw on March 6, 2024. Minister Marcin Kierwiński also bears full political responsibility for the decision to send police units equipped with pepper spray and smoothbore weapons to the protest site – he continued.

19:36

Szydło:

After Official Local Election Results, We Have a Great Chance to Win European Parliament Elections

- I deeply believe, following yesterday's official local election results, that we have a great chance to win the European Parliament elections. Of course, all of this will depend on how we conduct our campaign and how we engage. The chance is there, but the final result will come on election day - stated Beata Szydło in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events) on Polsat News.

19:40

Szydło:

No decision yet on who will lead EP campaign

No decision has yet been made as to who will be responsible for the European Parliament campaign, nor who will run in these elections. We are working on this and it will likely be announced soon. I will say this: Jacek Kurski is being attacked and criticized very strongly, but the more effective he was, the more his actions brought results, the greater the criticism and attacks became – stated Beata Szydło in the program „Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

19:43

Szydło Asked If She Supports "Grandma's Pension": If They Keep Their Word and It's Implemented, Then Of Course

- If they keep their word and it's implemented, then of course, yes. I am a fervent supporter of various social projects supporting families, like 500+, which PO politicians criticized. It not only provided financial support to families at the time but also became an engine for the Polish economy - stated Beata Szydło in the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

19:58

Grabiec:

Publicly Demonstrating Differences on Crucial Issues Like Women's Rights Does Not Serve the Governing Majority Well

- The simplest explanation is that we didn't mobilize as many of our voters as PiS did to achieve a higher level of mobilization; that's the obvious answer. I think it's a matter of, and I say this admitting it and patting myself on the chest a bit, the communication style between us, as a government, as a coalition after October 15th, and the voters. Although many matters have moved forward, and a lot of things are being successfully implemented [...] this communication style, especially at the end of the election campaign, wasn't the best. We know this from our experience even from the opposition days: whenever the democratic opposition publicly airs grievances against each other, everyone on the democratic opposition side loses, their electorates lose mobilization - said Jan Grabiec on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach," when asked why KO came in second place in the regional assembly elections. - A brawl might be too strong a word, but publicly demonstrating differences on such important issues as, for example, the issue of women's rights, certainly does not serve the governing majority well - he continued.

20:06

Grabiec on how farmers voted: Absurd, rationally incomprehensible

- In a rational sense, when it comes to thinking about one's own interests, it seems absurd, because it was PiS that did the most harm to farmers in Poland, and today, if farmers are protesting, it's because Ukrainian grain has been flooding Poland and our neighbors for two years, PiS allowed this, brought this about. So, in a rational sense, it's incomprehensible. On the other hand, we know that often, to a much greater extent than interests, attitude, worldview, and how one sees reality, are decisive, and in these rural areas, for example, the voice of the Church still matters a lot, sometimes more than recognizing one's own interests concerning who can ensure more stable conditions for agricultural development - said Jan Grabiec on TVN24, when asked if he understood that 57% of farmers voted for PiS.

20:12

Grabiec on Reconstruction and How Many Ministers Might End Up in the European Parliament: It Won't Be a Mass Phenomenon, Closer to Two Than Five

- It won't be a mass phenomenon, however... closer to two than five [ministers might end up in the EP], but beyond that there is also a very important factor, and that is the issue of individual ministers fulfilling their obligations. The Prime Minister has announced an acceleration, and in many ministries this acceleration is happening, and if we are not effective, the head of government has the right to assess us - said Jan Grabiec on TVN24, when asked about the government reconstruction.

20:17

Grabiec on the Election Formula for Civic Coalition, Third Way, and The Left to the European Parliament: Leaders Will Decide in Minutes. It Seems There's No Chance for a Single List

- In a few minutes, the leaders will be deciding on this, jointly considering various options - said Jan Grabiec on TVN24, when asked whether Civic Coalition, Third Way, and The Left would run separately in the European Parliament elections. - One must play with the cards one has. If we cannot have what would seem ideal, that is a united, consolidated team that goes to the European elections together [...]. Today, it seems there is no chance for a single list, so the issue of alliances remains. Regardless of the leaders' decisions, we will certainly fight for victory, it just so happens that Civic Coalition can fight for this victory over PiS - he continued.

20:22

Grabiec on potential government changes following Left's election results: No grounds to question any party's position

- The results for the Left and other groupings are similar to those on October 15th, so there are no grounds here to question any party's position. Moreover, we agreed at the beginning that regardless of the results in various elections, we commit to four years. Therefore, there are no grounds to alter the balance of power - Jan Grabiec stated on TVN24, when asked about potential government changes in light of the Left's performance in the local elections.

20:27

Grabiec:

Reshuffling Within PiS. I Think Kurski is Trying to Show He Has a Higher Position Than He Actually Does

- There are reshuffles ongoing within PiS, it's clearly visible that PiS is divided regarding the idea of who should be the leader or the driving force of this grouping, because Jarosław Kaczyński's position is not under threat, but everyone sees that he is increasingly less able to engage in all the political problems concerning a large political party - said Jan Grabiec on TVN24. - I think he is trying to show that he has a higher position than he actually has within PiS; Jacek Kurski has always been an excellent self-promoter - he continued.

20:47

Szczucki on the Governing Coalition: These are Not Credible People

- Madam editor, just one sentence. The coalition makes many statements, just like Prime Minister Tusk who spoke about gasoline at PLN 5.19, and today he said he cannot do it. These are not credible people. If I ask you about documents or findings from state services, and you answer that the Minister of State Assets was here, that is completely incredible to me – stated Krzysztof Szczucki on the program "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.

20:47

Petru:

PiS's Success Lies in Having a City Where Their Candidate Reached the Second Round

- PiS's success indeed lies in having a city where their candidate reached the second round, and that is their biggest success. I recall that in the past, PiS had better results, and in most cases, the dispute was between the PiS candidate and the current coalition candidate – stated Ryszard Petru on the program "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.

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ZAPYTAJ GEMINI