Live Feed

04/24/2024

07:52

Wednesday's Political Agenda: Civic Platform Board and National Council, Parliament on Pegasus Scope and Constitutional Tribunal Package, Morawiecki and Buda Conference

The three-day session of the Sejm is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM. The proceedings will commence with the second reading of the government's bill amending the act on so-called government departments. At 12:00 PM, the second reading of the bill amending the act on national and ethnic minorities and regional languages will start, and at 1:30 PM – the second reading of the government's bill amending the act on social assistance.

At 3:00 PM, an information from the Prosecutor General is planned regarding the total number of individuals for whom a request for court-ordered interception and recording of conversations or a request for court-ordered operational control was filed in 2023.

At 5:30 PM, the first reading of a package concerning changes in the Constitutional Tribunal is scheduled – these are two parliamentary proposals submitted by the clubs forming the parliamentary majority. At 8:30 PM, the second reading of the government's bill amending the act on supporting families and the foster care system and the act on promoting employment and labor market institutions will begin.

At 11:00 AM, a press conference with Mateusz Morawiecki and Waldemar Buda will be held, during which topics such as the energy shield and the labor market situation related to company closures in Poland will be discussed.

At 2:00 PM, the Civic Platform National Council will commence. Earlier, at 8:30 AM, the party's board is expected to convene. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced this at a press conference on Monday. The final version of the electoral lists for the European Parliament is expected to be presented during the board meeting.


08:04

Kamiński:

I am an MP, this is not just my position, but the Supreme Court's

- I gave testimony under oath, I had to tell the truth. I am an MP, that is the position not only of mine, subjectively, but of the Supreme Court. On April 11th, I received another decision from the Supreme Court confirming that I am an MP - stated Mariusz Kamiński in RMF FM.


08:07

Śmiszek:

If the National Board Deems Me a 'Workhorse', I Will Run in the European Elections
- I am a soldier of my party. Of course, the European Parliament elections are approaching […], political parties will field individuals who are capable of achieving a good result, increasing their mandate, or securing a positive outcome – Krzysztof Śmiszek stated in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News's 'Graffiti'.

- Nowa Lewica has not yet decided who will run in the European Parliament. It will present its own list […]. Decisions will be made by the National Board within the next 2-3 days. If the National Board deems me capable of being the 'workhorse' in the Lower Silesian-Opole constituency, I will agree, because my party matters to me, and it also matters to me that Nowa Lewica achieves the best possible result, better than in the local government elections – he declared.

08:07

Kamiński on His Words at the Commission: "I Stated a Fact"
- I stated a fact. [Dariusz Joński] is doing dirty tricks, how else would you describe someone who abuses power in this way? It is an abuse of power. And as I said, turning the commission into a spectacle of hatred towards a witness is absolutely unacceptable and unlawful - stated Mariusz Kamiński on RMF FM.

08:09

Kamiński on his words: It was a form of protest

- It was a form of protest. How would you feel if I were to tell you now: yesterday you were either high or drunk while hosting your show. Yes or no? And I'd switch off the microphone, if you wanted to protest against such a brazen, insinuating way of asking a question - stated Mariusz Kamiński on RMF FM.


08:14

Kamiński on European Parliament Candidacy: Decisions Coming Soon. I Received a Recommendation

- Decisions will be made in the near future. Indeed, I have received a recommendation from the provincial board of PiS in Lublin to run in the European Parliament elections. Decisions by PiS authorities on this matter will be made in the coming days. I do not rule out, if such an offer is confirmed by PiS leadership, that I will accept it, because I do not want to allow myself to be eliminated from public life and I have the support of voters - stated Mariusz Kamiński in RMF FM.


08:21

Śmiszek on the Leading Candidate in Silesia: I Urge Everyone to Resolve Such Matters Within the Party, Not on Social Media
- I don't know if it's a severe [argument], 2-3 people are making their presence known and saying what they think. They have the right to do so, but I urge everyone to resolve such matters within the party, not on social media platforms. However, there will always be emotions, there are emotions in every party, someone has some hope, someone's hope won't be fulfilled - said Krzysztof Śmiszek in Polsat News's "Graffiti," when asked about the discussion surrounding who will be the "number one" candidate in Silesia.

08:22

Kamiński:

There was no reason for any service to wiretap Morawiecki

- I know he wasn't. I know he wasn't [wiretapped by Pegasus, Mateusz Morawiecki], because there was no reason for any service to wiretap Prime Minister Morawiecki. No, he wasn't, these are ordinary intrigues and insinuations - stated Mariusz Kamiński on RMF FM.


08:28

Śmiszek:

The outflow of young people observed in the months after the October elections is concerning
- The outflow of young people that we observed in the 3-4 months following the October elections is concerning. Because these are mainly young people who decided to stay home, and previously they had the determination to go to the polls on October 15th – said Krzysztof Śmiszek in “Graffiti” Polsat News. - I believe that young people have the right to be impatient, that is the privilege of youth, they have the right to expect faster changes. In these European Parliament elections, we must talk primarily, and Lewica will talk primarily, about concrete solutions that interest young people. For example, I talk a lot and will continue to talk [...] about the plague that affects young people, namely free graduate internships – he continued.

08:36

Żukowska:

Kamiński allowed himself to be provoked, and I don't think he came out of it well
- Yes, the question [by Joński to Kamiński about sobriety] was provocative, but this is an investigative commission, I will remind you that an investigative commission has powers similar to those of a prosecutor's office, so it employs such investigative techniques to extract information from a witness, from a summoned person - said Anna Maria Żukowska in "TVP Info Morning." - He allowed himself to be provoked, and I don't think he came out of it well - she continued.

08:40

Śmiszek:

I Love the Words of Kamiński and Company, Who Are Suddenly Becoming Defenders of Judicial Independence and Wisdom
- I love the words of Mariusz Kamiński and company, who are suddenly becoming defenders of judicial independence and wisdom today. [...] Truly, it’s a laugh riot, a kind of historical chuckle. A person who denied the entire independent judiciary is now trying to hide behind the fact that it was, after all, the judges who gave consent. So let’s look at how these judges were informed, how the special services could use the courts just so PiS could weave its network, its spiderweb, across the entire country - said Krzysztof Śmiszek on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

08:47

Żukowska on Differentiated Abortion Bills: In Such Situations, a Leading Bill is Chosen Through Voting, and Amendments Are Proposed Accordingly
- I think that several months of work on four bills is not an excessive amount of time - said Anna Maria Żukowska on TVP Info, referring to the extraordinary committee working on the abortion bills. - In such situations [when the bills differ greatly], one leading bill is chosen from among several projects through voting, of course, and work is done on it, and amendments are proposed to it as needed. Those parties whose bills were not chosen as the leading one can amend that single bill - she continued.

08:50

Śmiszek:

Ban on Hate Speech Will Be Applied Only in the Most Egregious Cases. I Am Convinced the Government Will Adopt This Project in May
- Criminal regulations are a last resort. If civil or administrative tools do not work, then we apply criminal law. The ban on hate speech will be applied solely and exclusively in the most egregious, disgusting, and human-dignity-degrading cases. First the prosecutor, and then the court [will decide on this] - said Krzysztof Śmiszek in Polsat News's "Graffiti". - The ban on homophobic or sexist hate speech, which, by the way, already functions in many other countries, not just in Europe, works quite well, because we are a diverse society. Everyone has the right to live in dignity and without humiliation - he continued. - I am convinced that the Council of Ministers will adopt this project as early as May - he added.

08:52

Żukowska on Cimoszewicz and Belka's European Parliament Candidacies on the Left's List: 'I Think So'
- The board will formally approve these [European Parliament] candidacies on Friday, so at this moment I cannot officially confirm them yet, but we will present 13 'number ones' to you on Saturday - said Anna Maria Żukowska on TVP Info. - We have had discussions with them, they were good discussions, they declare cooperation, I think so - she continued, when asked if Cimoszewicz and Belka's participation in the European Parliament elections on the Left's list was a foregone conclusion.

09:02

Żukowska on the 'Start Loan': This Project Isn't Even on the Government's Agenda; It Would Be the Most Just Solution If It Stayed Within the Government
- This is not [the start loan] our program, nor is it the program of our biggest coalition partner, Civic Platform. There are many doubts, because we have observed how housing prices increased after the program introduced by PiS, the 2% [mortgage], and now there's supposed to be a 0% [mortgage] on top of that. So, it seems to be a highly risky program when it comes to stabilizing housing prices in Poland [...]. This project is not even on the government's list of planned work yet, so from my perspective, it practically doesn't exist - said Anna Maria Żukowska on TVP Info. - I think it would be the most just solution [if this project didn't go beyond the government] - she continued.

09:04

Horała:

Kamiński's Candidacy for EP Would Solve a Problem Created by One Side, It's a Pro-State Action

- I think it would above all be a very pro-state action, because if Mr. Mariusz Kamiński were elected to the European Parliament, he would then resign his parliamentary mandate and this issue, although it is legally clear, of course. It means he is a Member of Parliament, so it would be a resolution to this problem created by one side, just to be clear, nevertheless a resolution – stated Marcin Horała in the program ,,Rozmowa Piaseckiego” on TVN24.


09:05

Horała on Kurski's European Parliament Bid: 'I Would Have Big Doubts Personally; He Left the Role of an Active Politician Long Ago'

- Personally, I would have big doubts here; it's not my decision, because Jacek Kurski left the role of an active politician a long time ago, and the question is whether one can leave and return like that. [He left] when he became the president of TVP; he was clearly not an active politician, he wasn't an MP, he wasn't a party activist, I don't think he was even a party member. [...] It just so happens, and again, with all due respect to Jacek Kurski, whom I know personally and like, he is a very interesting person, but this is a person who twice left PiS and ran against PiS, so let's not exaggerate about that loyalty etched in his heart. It's a bit of the same story, because Daniel Obajtek, I know him too, I also value him immensely. He has huge successes in managing Orlen; the period of his governance at Orlen saw historic profits, many times larger than before. And here again, the question arises between the world of business and politics – said Marcin Horała on TVN24.


09:05

Horała:

I regret that CPK was not promoted more widely
We lived, and I also lived, under great pressure to minimize expenses on promotion and marketing, to keep them below the EU's 1% of project value indicator, but sometimes a normal person is unable to predict what accusation might arise in a sick mind. Now I regret that this project, which besides its essential benefits for the economy, society, etc., could also have been a wonderful story about Poland developing, dynamic, joining the most developed countries in the world. It was not promoted much more widely, because as we can see, by minimizing it to the absolute minimum, the accusation will arise nonetheless – stated Marcin Horała on TVN24.

09:18

Mentzen on Joński vs. Kamiński: We All Lost This Clash, the Entire Commission Too

- We all lost this clash, the entire commission too. I would like the commission to focus on seeking the truth and on what can be done to prevent such matters from recurring in the future - stated Sławomir Mentzen in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the "Gość Radia Zet" program.


09:21

Mentzen on Kamiński's Hearing: I Have the Impression That Most Committee Members Are Busy Stirring Up a Ruckus and Making Good Recordings for Themselves

- I have the impression that most committee members are busy stirring up a ruckus and making good recordings for themselves. I remember the Rywin committee, the Orlen committee, I remember Rokita's, Nałęcz's, or even Giertych's performances, it was a completely different level. Those people genuinely cared about establishing what was actually happening, and today they are basically constantly insulting each other - stated Sławomir Mentzen on the program "Gość Radia Zet".


09:30

Mentzen:

We have a scandalous situation in the Polish army. The military lacks mobilization capabilities because decrees have not been issued.

- We have a scandalous situation in the Polish army. It turns out that in March 2022, the Act on the Defense of the Homeland was adopted, and to this day, 12 executive decrees are missing for this act. Now the military lacks mobilization capabilities because the decrees have not been issued. There is no possibility of mobilizing equipment or people because the decrees for this have not been issued. The previous government and the current government have failed. This government has time for a lot of nonsense, but they forgot to issue key decrees - stated Sławomir Mentzen on the program "Gość Radia Zet".


10:14

Sasin:

We have a signal that Tusk, by saying PiS has disappeared, is speaking more of his dreams than reality
- We very much want these lists to be as strong as possible, for strong players, strong candidates to be on these lists. We do not hide that we are very much counting on winning these elections, that this will be another victory after the local government elections [...]. We have such a good signal that Law and Justice can win, that it is vital, that this action to destroy us or corner us has not succeeded, and that Donald Tusk, by saying PiS has disappeared, is speaking more of his dreams than reality - said Jacek Sasin in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on the program "Sedno Sprawy" on Radio Plus.

10:27

Sasin:

Tusk is a chameleon, he follows directives from Brussels and Berlin; he can say whatever he wants, but his personal opinion won't matter much
- Firstly, the ruling coalition does not [share the same view as PiS on the migration pact], because we already have the results of the vote on the migration pact, and we know that a significant portion of the ruling coalition's MEPs did not vote against these solutions. Meanwhile, Donald Tusk is a chameleon, it's all clear and we've known it for a long time; he'll say anything. I don't believe Donald Tusk has actually changed his mind on this matter, and even if he has, it won't make much difference - said Jacek Sasin on Radio Plus. - Donald Tusk is not an independent politician; Donald Tusk is a politician who, shall we say, executes directives from Brussels, from Berlin. Therefore, he can say various things here, but when it comes to decisive decisions concerning, for example, treaty changes, I am convinced that his personal opinion, which I assume might be sincere, will not hold much significance here. He will simply have to submit to the trend that will be imposed from Brussels - he continued.

10:35

Sasin:

Joński's question was exceptionally rude, intended to humiliate the witness. Kamiński's reaction was understandable.
- I have already been, shall we say, interrogated by this commission, and one needs truly iron nerves to withstand what Chairman Joński and those commission members representing the parliamentary majority today are doing there. Such a level of rudeness, arrogance, and haughtiness is truly hard to find anywhere else, constant microphone cut-offs, not allowing one to speak, refusal, as was the case with me, of the opportunity to make a free statement, which is a right guaranteed by law – Jacek Sasin said on Radio Plus. - Indeed, the question that MP Joński formulated yesterday was exceptionally rude, and Minister Kamiński's reaction was entirely understandable – he continued. - There is a category known as insinuating questions, and I believe this question had precisely that purpose, it was intended to humiliate the witness, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, on which the investigative commission operates, clearly states that questions cannot humiliate a witness, so it was a transgression of all limits, and Minister Kamiński's reaction, in my opinion, was adequate – he went on to say.

11:00

Hołownia:

Our Lady Ministers Will Not Run for the European Parliament

- I have no information that anyone [from Poland 2050 representatives in the government] wants to, or has any plans [to run for the EP]. There's no such thing as "must." No one has to do anything; we are a party that builds relationships not on coercion, but on partnership and dialogue. No one in our party has to do anything, so I do not foresee a situation where Minister Buczyńska, because we're talking about three ministers, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, or Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, who currently have so much work they committed to, would suddenly move out of the government after a few months. You agreed to do a job, so finish it, and our lady ministers will not run for the EP – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm.


11:01

Hołownia:

Kobosko Will Run for European Parliament

- Michał Kobosko will run [for the EP], there is no doubt about it, the club will be depleted by his absence without a shadow of a doubt. But I think 4 or 5 people who will have the right to take over his mandate are people from Poland 2050, so the club will be emptied, the club will feel lonely, because without Michał Kobosko in it, it won't be the same anymore, but the party wants him in a responsible European role - stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm.


11:22

Trzaskowski:

European Parliament Lists Will Be Very Strong and Will Include Ministers

- We will be approving them at the National Council, so then there will be full confirmation, which is why we should hold back a moment until they are fully approved by all statutory bodies. Our task is to make these lists as strong as possible because we want the turnout to be as high as possible. You know that the turnout in local elections, we would like it to be higher. It is an absolutely fundamental issue for everyone to realize that a very large part of the dilemmas that are important to us are resolved through our participation in the European Union, which is why our delegation in the European Parliament must be as strong as possible - stated Rafał Trzaskowski during a media appearance.

- These lists will be very strong and will include ministers - he added.


11:29

Hołownia:

The Constitutional Tribunal Exceeded its Authority with its Ruling on the NBP President, Therefore I Will Not Comply
- A motion to bring Adam Glapiński, the President of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), before the State Tribunal has been submitted to the Sejm, and I have received a copy of the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling from April 17th. This is a freezing, so-called self-securing, ruling, the conclusion of which is that neither the Marshal of the Sejm, nor the Sejm, nor any of its committees, nor anyone in this building has the right to touch, deal with, or do anything whatsoever with the motion for the State Tribunal against Adam Glapiński. Why? Because it is strictly forbidden by the Constitutional Tribunal of Ms. Julia Przyłębska, and why? Because the Tribunal forbids it – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm. - I want to state very clearly that we have conducted very intensive legal analyses of what we have received, and I want to state with full force that the Constitutional Tribunal, by issuing this ruling, has obviously exceeded its authority. The Act on the Constitutional Tribunal states when a safeguard can be issued, and this is in the case of a constitutional complaint filed by a citizen, or when there is a dispute of competence being resolved between two state bodies. As the Marshal of the Sejm, I stand guard over the dignity of this Chamber, but also over the rights of the Sejm, and I cannot imagine a situation where someone would unlawfully infringe upon the competencies and constitutional powers of the Parliament of the Republic of Poland. Therefore, I inform you that I will not execute this ruling sent to us by Ms. Julia Przyłębska and will continue to process the motion to bring Mr. President Glapiński before the State Tribunal, in accordance with the law – emphasized the Marshal of the Sejm.

11:29

Trzaskowski:

Buzek Will Not Run for European Parliament

- Unfortunately, Jerzy Buzek will no longer be running for the European Parliament. We all lament this, we urged the former Prime Minister to do so because he is one of the most distinguished individuals and, perhaps along with Jan Olbrycht, our most respected MEPs. I regret this, but they have made such a decision - stated Rafał Trzaskowski during a press briefing.


11:42

Budka on European Parliament Candidacy: Buzek Won't Run, Tusk Appointed Me. If National Council Approves, I'll Take on Any Challenge

- Everything is here [in the file]. The National Council will decide. We'll see, everything points to it. Of course, if the Prime Minister wishes it, then yes [I will run for the EP]. Until now, for 20 years, our leader and the best person was Prime Minister Buzek, but given that he will not be running, I have taken on this role. Prime Minister Tusk appointed me to this. If the National Council approves it, then of course I will take on any challenge - stated Borys Budka in an interview with journalists.


12:03

Morawiecki:

Major Energy Price Hikes Looming. We Appeal to the Government to Get to Work
- Major price hikes are on the horizon, and these are the ones that most affect ordinary Poles. Increases in gas prices, heating prices, electricity prices, and water prices. And perhaps I'll start by saying that the entire structure of these increases is designed in such a way that if someone has a house with a swimming pool, they will be able to heat it relatively cheaply. But if someone has a small business, a bakery, a hairdressing salon, or if someone runs a hospital, or another sensitive entity, a school, a kindergarten, a nursery, all of them will have to pay more for electricity - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference. - We appeal to the government to finally get to work, not look for substitute topics, but prepare real shields. [...] Water prices are going up by 30 to 60%. Electricity prices by at least 26%. Lack of any guarantees for maximum prices for sensitive entities. [...] Heating price increases could be in the tens of percent. The high cost of living from July 1st is becoming increasingly certain - he continued. - Since the government is sweeping these issues under the rug, I have a request for Marshal Hołownia: let him get to work. This is clearly a different center of power, the Sejm [...]. I know he's now hastily and panickedly trying to unfreeze something, because he already sees that the freezer is starting to bother him [...]. Therefore, we request that our shield proposals be adopted immediately. [...] For schools, for hospitals, for pensioners, for ordinary Polish homes [...] there we demand at least a 15% reduction in heating energy, because that's what market prices are today, at least a 15-20% reduction in electricity and a guaranteed price - he went on to say.

12:14

Morawiecki:

The Constitutional Tribunal's functioning should not be questioned. It's a pillar of democracy when democracy is partially disabled, when the Constitution is not in force.
- The functioning of the Constitutional Tribunal, subjected to a huge political witch hunt, should not be questioned. I believe it is a pillar of our system, a pillar of democracy today, given what is happening in this government. [...] An atmosphere and wave of understanding is rising, so to speak, in Europe, among free countries, that democracy in Poland today is, so to speak, partially disabled from application, just like the Constitution. The Constitution is at least partially disabled from application, the Polish Constitution is not in force. In such circumstances, the role of the Constitutional Tribunal is fundamental - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

12:20

Morawiecki on potential government changes: "Rats are fleeing from an increasingly leaky ship to Brussels"
- According to the testimonies we are getting from the media [...] there is panic in the Civic Platform, and Minister Kierwiński is reportedly going to the European Parliament, after just a few months, as the media reports, several ministers are to be quickly evacuated, in haste, from this severely leaking ship. [...] Generally, I see panic and I hear what is happening, that rats are fleeing from this increasingly leaky ship to Brussels - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

12:23

Morawiecki on EP Elections: We'll Show All Lists in 2-3 Days. I Rule Out Running Myself
- In another 2-3 days, we will present all the lists. They will certainly be very, very strong lists, because we want everyone to be able to fight, everyone to be able to prove themselves - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference. - I rule out my own candidacy - he continued.

13:49

Müller:

PiS Lists Likely to be Announced Around Friday. Decision Made for Full Mobilization, Many MPs Will Run
The lists will be, as I say, likely announced on Friday. I expect that discussions will still take place today and tomorrow, and probably around Friday, at the latest at the weekend, because they need to be registered soon. However, we are relying heavily on individuals who have been in [the European] Parliament so far, but also, I won't hide it, it's probably not a secret anymore, or at least it won't be soon. There is also a decision for a full mobilization, and many MPs will run, despite the fact that they themselves previously, well, didn't necessarily want to run for the European Parliament, but we have a sense that we simply need to strengthen the lists - stated Piotr Müller in an interview with Łukasz A. Jankowski on Radio Wnet. I don't know [if I will be an addition], that's a decision for the party's political leadership. I didn't put myself on a waiting list, so to speak, but I also understand if such a decision is actually made - he continued.

14:20

Tusk:

European Parliament Elections Among Most Important in Post-War Polish History
These elections, not everyone may believe it, not everyone may grasp it, but these elections are among the most important in Poland's post-war history, even though they are elections to the European Parliament, so it might seem that they concern matters and places quite distant from daily life. Never have the issues that will be decided in the European Parliament, across all of Europe, in all European capitals, never have they been so important and had such a radical impact on our daily lives as they do now, in a time of war, of threats that Europe hadn't even considered a few years ago – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform National Council meeting.

14:30

Tusk:

A United Europe, a United West is Ukraine's Only Chance for Effective Defense Against Russian Aggression. There Is No Alternative.

- I want to tell you that if we are not united as the entire West, and our particular responsibility lies with the EU, and we have a chance to take a leading role, but if we do not meet this challenge, if we are not united, then Ukraine will not win this war. Ukraine's only chance for effective defense against Russian aggression is a united Europe, a united West, which is capable of helping Ukraine in this war. There is no alternative - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform National Congress.


14:36

Tusk:

If We're Incapable of Organizing Defense at the Level of Poland and All of Europe, There Will Be War; Russians Won't Stop in Ukraine

- If we are weak, quarrelsome, divided, incapable of organizing defense at the level of our country and all of Europe, then there will be war. Russians – we can say many things about them, almost all bad, I'm not talking about the nation, but the Russian state and its authorities – are not fools and they calculate well. If we are weak, they will not stop in Ukraine. If Europe, including Poland and the entire West, is unable to maintain Ukraine as an independent, integral state, without territorial concessions, without political concessions to Moscow, if we fail, if we are as divided as it is sometimes shamefully visible, I'm not just talking about Poland, I'm talking about the entire Western world – stated Donald Tusk at the National Council of Civic Platform (PO) in Warsaw.


14:37

Tusk:

Who Will Listen in the European Parliament to People Leaving Poland with the Stigma of Theft, Crimes, and Abuse of Power?

- Some politicians from the former ruling camp are heading to the European Parliament, because gentlemen Wąsik and Kamiński are seeking illusory security. We are sending Kierwiński after them, and therefore it will be... Forgive me this joke, Marcin, but it practically suggests itself, but speaking completely seriously, who will listen in the European Parliament to such people who are leaving Poland with the stigma of theft, crimes, and abuse of power? I won't even mention other skills, I'll mercifully remain silent about those - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform National Congress.


14:43

Tusk:

The European Parliament Cannot Be a Place for Political Idiots

- The European Parliament cannot be a place for sleepwalkers, it cannot be a place for political idiots. I will tell you, someone might say I am using unnecessarily strong words, but these are not strong words, because the real question is whether what we are witnessing in our country, but also across all of Europe, is a lack of reason, is it this political idiocy, or perhaps it is treason. Unfortunately, we already have ready answers to this – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform (PO) National Council.


14:46

Tusk:

We want a secure future for our children and grandchildren; we cannot leave Poland and Europe in the hands of lunatics or traitors
We want peace, we must win these EP elections. We want a secure future for our children and grandchildren; we cannot leave Poland and Europe in the hands of lunatics or traitors. These are truly the words that describe our reality today, and I want to tell you that few in Europe have the right to such hope as we do - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the National Council of Civic Platform (PO).

14:50

Tusk:

Sending Idiots, Traitors to European Parliament Would Be One of Modern Poland's Worst Political Mistakes

- Individual votes sometimes decide the geopolitical future of entire nations. These votes for the European Parliament will also decide this; if Poland, if votes from Poland, from the mouths of Polish MEPs, undermine EU unity daily, it could ultimately mean war because it will mean a weaker Europe. It's not as if everyone loves us there. It's not as if everyone in Europe wants to help Ukraine, so they will look for any pretext, and because Poland's voice is heard, if we send sleepwalkers there, if we send idiots there, if we send traitors, it will be one of the most significant, one of the worst political mistakes in the history of modern Poland – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Civic Platform's National Convention.


14:52

Trzaskowski:

There's a chance we're regaining power in other regions, and that's important because PiS today is focused on dividing money

- There's a chance we're regaining power in other regions, and that's important because PiS today is focused on dividing money, on positions. When we win local government elections, we show them that there is no chance for this, no chance to enrich themselves at the expense of people, no chance to get through difficult times - stated Rafał Trzaskowski during the National Council of Civic Platform (PO).


15:11

Sienkiewicz:

I Have Resigned as Minister of Culture

- In connection with the approval of the candidate lists for the European Parliament by the National Council of PO, I have submitted my resignation from the office of Minister of Culture and National Heritage to Prime Minister Donald Tusk - wrote Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on Twitter.


15:58

Bodnar:

Pegasus Used Against 578 Individuals by CBA, ABW, and SKW; Prosecutor's Office Reviewing Cases for Potential Abuses
- Today's report is, I think, of a special nature, because I considered it to be in the public interest not only to present data concerning the use of operational control but also statistics regarding the use of software popularly known as "Pegasus" [...]. In 2023, all authorized bodies submitted a total of 5973 requests for orders of control, recording of conversations, or requests for orders of operational control against individuals. The courts ordered control and recording of conversations or operational control in relation to 5835 individuals [...] refused [...] in relation to 22 individuals, and requests [...] did not receive the prosecutor's consent in relation to 116 individuals - said Adam Bodnar during a Sejm session. - In comparison to previous years, the following trends can be observed: there has been a slight decrease; in previous years, it was slightly above 6,000 individuals, in 2021 it was around 7,000 individuals. However, I think a characteristic feature is that a high level of consent approval by courts and the prosecution is maintained, and I believe this is a factor that should provoke reflection [...]. From the information provided by the Central Anticorruption Bureau, the Internal Security Agency, and the Military Counterintelligence Service, it appears that these three services used operational control of end-user devices [with Pegasus] against a total of 578 individuals between 2017 and 2022. In 2017, this involved 6 individuals, in 2018 it was 100 individuals, in 2019 140 individuals, in 2020 161 individuals, in 2021 162 individuals, and in 2022, 9 individuals - he continued. - A review of all cases in which Pegasus was used is currently underway at the prosecutor's office. The aim is to verify how many of the individuals subjected to this software became victims of violations of the right to privacy and informational autonomy. The prosecutor's office, in conducting this verification, will be guided by the following criteria: firstly, the credibility of the information that formed the basis for initiating operational control. [...] Secondly, [...] from the perspective of the proportionality of operational control, whether the measure was used in a way that minimized interference with the right to privacy. [...] The third point, the adequacy of operational control [...] perhaps appropriate knowledge could have been obtained by checking call records, or through ordinary surveillance of the target - he went on to say. - The goal of the prosecutor's office's work at this stage is to identify clear cases of system abuse and instrumentalization of the system for achieving other objectives. The investigative team will regularly provide findings to the public, to the extent, of course, that it does not prejudice the investigation - he added.

17:37

Bodnar:

Given our focus on the right to privacy, as a government and Prosecutor General, we cannot simply reveal the list of Pegasus-spied individuals.
- Since we are paying attention to the right to privacy, then even more so we, as the government, and even more so as the Prosecutor General, cannot simply take a list and say: oh, here is the list [of those spied on by Pegasus], dear public opinion, journalists, rejoice and now check who, where, what, how, and why. Because firstly, we would lead to the disclosure of data from which, for example, foreign intelligence services could benefit, because even if this software was flawed, but it was used, I assume that in some situations it could have been the case, that it was used for a good purpose, someone was suspected of espionage, it was applied, something was established, right, then we should not now inform that person that 'you were a victim of Pegasus' - said Adam Bodnar during a Sejm session. - Even if some person was a victim, for various reasons, they might not want everyone to talk about them. So, they themselves must find out. Therefore, this is not about the prosecution wanting to keep something for itself, but rather we want to inform those individuals about whom we are convinced that there was an instrumentalization of law, an abuse, and secondly, we want to give them a chance to decide whether they want to talk about it more widely, so that their cases are discussed - he continued.

17:44

Sejm Debates Package on Constitutional Tribunal; Gasiuk-Pihowicz: This is the Will of 12 Million Citizens

- The commitment of the coalition formed on October 15th was to fix the Constitutional Tribunal. This is the will of 12 million citizens, the fruit of the work of lawyers, specialists in constitutional law, human rights law, as well as legal organizations and associations committed to defending the rule of law - stated Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz in the Sejm.

- The project is supported by several dozen non-governmental organizations, it underwent expert consultations during three scientific conferences before it reached our hands. And today, with pride and honor, we are the conveyors of the will of the citizens and a group of constitutional law experts - continued the Civic Platform MP.


17:47

Gasiuk-Pihowicz:

We are taking the Constitutional Tribunal back from the former party of power and returning it to the citizens

- We are taking the Constitutional Tribunal back from the party of power, the former party of power, and returning it to the citizens. We are taking the Constitutional Tribunal back from politicians, but returning it to the Constitution - stated Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz in the Sejm.


19:19

Schetyna:

We Must Put Polish Politics at the Forefront of European Policy-Making

- We want to convince people that turnout and the elections are important because the security situation in Europe, the entire continent, and the presence of a sensible team of serious, good, responsible politicians for the European community, will be needed there in Strasbourg – said Grzegorz Schetyna on RMF FM.

- Today, Poland's good position after October 15th, after our election victory, needs to be politically leveraged, I would say. We must put Polish politics at the forefront of European policy-making, and I believe this is possible and these elections will serve that purpose – he continued.


19:19

Schetyna:

Sienkiewicz to be an important element of the EPP parliamentary group

I can say – Sienkiewicz will be an important element of the EPP parliamentary group – stated Grzegorz Schetyna on RMF FM.


19:20

Schetyna:

Joński Must Conclude the Envelope Election Commission by June 9th

- [Joński] must conclude this by June 9th. I know that the last hearing, months ago when the commission started, by the way, President Kaczyński's, was scheduled for May, meaning it doesn't preclude him running or conducting the rest of the election campaign. This is his commitment, and it was part of the resolution, he must finalize the report and present it, and close down the commission's operations – Grzegorz Schetyna said on RMF FM.


20:07

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

If There Are No Recognizable Names on the EP Lists, No One Will Vote
- There are several reasons why many people decide to run [in the EP elections] or are asked to run. I will speak about the PSL, because I am responsible for that. These are very difficult elections in terms of turnout. After a series of elections where people are already tired, local government elections showed this well, with increasingly lower turnout, from 75% to around 40% […]. European elections [typically have] a turnout of 25-30%. After a series of elections, I fear it may be even lower - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń". - If there are no recognizable names on the lists, then absolutely no one will go to vote. And the percentage result is important at the end of the journey - he stated. - Here, it's not just about personal ambitions or desires. It's a certain strategy of political parties that we must adopt to achieve good results. We will meet after the elections, and you won't ask me if this or that person ran, but what our result was - he continued.

20:19

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

The Hetman Had a Mission, and This Stage Has Largely Been Completed
- He [Krzysztof Hetman] ran for the Polish parliament to support the formation […]. He made himself available, but also clearly told me at the time that he performed well in the European Parliament, that is his place. He had a mission to accomplish with ZUS holidays, the first deregulation package, calming the economic situation, stimulating the economic situation, and appreciating entrepreneurs. This stage has largely been completed - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Polsat News’s “Gość Wydarzeń” program. Asked who could replace Hetman as minister, he replied: We are definitely prepared for that. - I am staying, Minister [Czesław] Siekierki is staying, and from Trzecia Droga, Polski 2050, in line with the public declaration made today by the Marshal, none of the female ministers will be running - he continued.

20:27

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Sienkiewicz is an experienced player, he will carry out any task
- Nobody is sure of their fate in a political party that makes final decisions today, as we hear. It might have also been such a task, and he [Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz] was given the task of running [for the EP] at the end of the road. He is already an experienced player, so he will carry out any task - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in "Gość Wydarzeń" Polsat News.