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04/30/2024

07:38

[UPDATE] Tuesday's Political Agenda: Tusk's Statement, Government on KPO and Extension of Temporary Protection for Ukrainians, Hołownia and Kosiniak to Present TD's EP Lists

O 9:30 AM, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will deliver a statement – the Chancellery of the Prime Minister announced:



At 11:00 AM, the government will address the draft resolution of the Council of Ministers regarding the Multi-annual Financial Plan of the State for 2024–2027, the draft bill amending the act on aid to citizens of Ukraine, and the draft resolution of the Council of Ministers on amending the KPO (National Reconstruction Plan).

At 9:00 AM, a press conference will commence in Warsaw by the Third Way (Trzecia Droga), comprising Szymon Hołownia's Poland 2050 and the Polish People's Party (PSL), with the participation of Szymon Hołownia and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.


07:58

Domański on Raising the Tax-Free Allowance to PLN 60,000: By the End of the Term
- The Prime Minister has tasked me with presenting a plan on how to reach this [tax-free] amount of 60,000 zlotys, and of course, I will present such a plan to the Prime Minister. Thus, we are fulfilling our concrete election campaign commitments and what was stipulated in the coalition agreement – said Andrzej Domański in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. - By the end of the term [the tax-free allowance will be 60,000 zlotys] – he continued.

08:04

Domański:

We Propose a Fiscal Council Independent of the Finance Minister, Which Will Keep a Close Eye on Him
- We are proposing a Fiscal Council, which we will also discuss today at the government meeting. It will be an external body, independent of the Minister of Finance, which will keep a close eye on the Minister of Finance, will examine the assumptions prepared for the budget and how the budget is being implemented. We are the last country in the European Union that has not yet established such a council - said Andrzej Domański on TVN24. - These will not be representatives of the Minister of Finance; there will be representatives of various economic environments there, certainly from the Social Dialogue Council [...] it will certainly be a body absolutely independent of the Minister of Finance - he continued.

08:13

Domański:

Thanks to Higher Economic Growth This Year, the VAT Gap Has a Chance to Decrease
- PiS boasted that the VAT gap was falling during their governance, Mr. Morawiecki spoke about how they were fighting here, it was falling, but over the last two years, 2022-2023, the VAT gap has also been rapidly increasing under PiS governments. [...] Thanks to the fact that economic growth will be higher this year, this VAT gap naturally has a chance to decrease, but this is, of course, still just a forecast - said Andrzej Domański on TVN24.

08:20

Domański:

At this Moment, I am Opposed to Joining the Eurozone
- At this moment, I am opposed to joining the euro. [...] Firstly, I believe that at present, it is a surrogate topic cynically used by PiS in their election campaign. Secondly, I believe that the Polish złoty has played a significant role in dampening so-called external economic shocks. To put it in simpler terms, when things go wrong in the global economy, the złoty loses value, which quickly boosts Polish exports, and this is among the reasons we avoided recession during the global financial crisis. So, the złoty plays a very important role in the Polish economy, and at the moment there is no discussion about adopting the euro. In general, I am a supporter of the złoty - said Andrzej Domański on TVN24.

08:29

Domański on Inflation: Fluctuations of 5-6% are Possible, but Fortunately We Can Forget About Double-Digit Levels
- During the PiS government's tenure, the total inflation reached 48%, and this has demolished the wallets of Polish households, and that is a fact. I think that now, in the first year of Donald Tusk's government, inflation has been very strongly stabilized. It can, of course, still be subject to some fluctuations [...]. We have the lowest inflation in five years [...] I think fluctuations of this type, 5, perhaps 6%, are still possible, but fortunately, in my opinion, according to my forecasts, we can forget about double-digit levels - said Andrzej Domański on TVN24.

08:34

Domański on Health Contribution: We Cannot Run From This Issue. I Will Meet with Third Way Representatives, and a Meeting with the Left is Also Necessary

- The issue of the health contribution is extremely important [...] we cannot run from it, in the coming days I will be meeting with representatives of the Third Way, and in the following ones I would also like to meet with representatives of the Left, of course together with Minister Leszczyna, and together we will seek an agreement, seek a compromise - said Andrzej Domański on TVN24.

- I will be meeting with representatives of the Third Way, and a meeting with the Left is also necessary - he continued.


08:59

Siemoniak:

We Discussed the Largest Fuel Company. Actions Will Be Taken, and Minister Bodnar Will Inform About Them

- The Prime Minister should be informed about ongoing investigations. This time, we discussed the largest fuel company, because these are matters important for the state, for the state's security. Prosecutor Minister Bodnar will communicate the effects of this meeting or take actions. I don't want to preempt facts, but Minister Bodnar will undertake certain actions of an informational nature - stated Tomasz Siemoniak on the program "Gość Radia Zet".


09:04

Siemoniak:

You Could Say Obajtek Was More Important Than the Government

- You could say that Daniel Obajtek was at times more important than the government, the whole PiS party, they all somehow couldn't cope with the situation when he was doing things that are incomprehensible. Yesterday's information is truly shocking because it shows that we are no longer dealing with doubts about whether to buy media or not, but simply with hard threats to society, and Obajtek doesn't care about any of it - stated Tomasz Siemoniak on the program "Gość Radia Zet".


09:13

Siemoniak:

Pegasus Surveillance Lists Include Individuals Linked to the PiS Circle

- I can confirm that the Pegasus surveillance lists include individuals linked to the PiS circle, and that's all I can say. As for whether this specific person is on the list, I can neither confirm nor deny - stated Tomasz Siemoniak on the "Gość Radia Zet" program.


09:16

Petru:

I hope we will secure at least one seat in the Lower Silesia-Opole constituency for the European Parliament

- Yes, [I am running for the European Parliament from the Lower Silesia, Opole constituency], but I am running from the third position there. Our candidate in the first position is Ms. Róża Thun, and I hope we will secure at least one seat in the European Parliament from this constituency - stated Ryszard Petru in the program 'Graffiti' on Polsat News.


09:25

Żukowska:

If the Eurozone Changes, We Can Talk About Joining. I Don't See It Happening Here and Now
- No, I am not for it [adopting the euro]. I was for it once, I thought it was an element that would facilitate exports, many things that could be useful to people running businesses. But it could, firstly, risk price increases, but prices are rising anyway, so this is something that could potentially worsen the situation, but it wouldn't be the worst - said Anna Maria Żukowska on TV Republika's "Jedziemy". - The worst would be that in the situation we were in, during the COVID crisis, and during the outbreak of the second phase of the war in Ukraine, we wouldn't be able to conduct an individual policy and perhaps we would have been in a worse situation - she continued. - If the Eurozone changes, if it introduces more mechanisms that could allow member states to have a say, so that it isn't just the European Central Bank making decisions, then we can talk about it. But it seems to me that we keep saying, 'we will strive for it,' 'we will strive for it,' while in reality, we need to talk about what is happening here and now. Here and now, I don't see such a possibility for many reasons, including constitutional changes, and the fact that the COVID crisis showed our ability to react quickly without having to wait for ECB decisions - she further stated.

09:26

Petru:

A situation where 1.6 billion flows out of Orlen would indicate a deliberate attempt to siphon funds out of the company

We are not familiar with this contract, however, a situation where 1 billion 600 million flows out of state or concern control, despite earlier warnings, would indicate that it was a deliberate attempt to siphon funds out of the company – said Ryszard Petru on Polsat News.

I don't believe that one could arrange for slightly cheaper oil from Iran in this formula, because it is inconsistent with Poland's state interest, and if a company is state-owned, such actions could not have taken place. Such companies do not do such things, meaning they do not attempt to acquire something slightly cheaper that is hazardous or dangerous, I am referring to geopolitical issues, of course – he continued.


09:28

Hołownia on EP Elections: 'This is not another popularity contest for Polish political parties, these are elections that will decide Europe's future'
- The European Parliament elections, the most important such elections since we joined the EU. This is not another popularity contest for Polish political parties, these are elections that will truly decide the future of Europe, and Poland's place within it – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference. - We are going into this Europe as the Third Way. What does that mean? It means we are taking a path that is broad, because it is broad, as many of us find ourselves on it, between uncritical euro-fans and euro-haters who want to flee Europe in panic. Our narrative is about the development of a strong Poland in Europe and the benefits that ordinary people, citizens, each of us, will gain from it - he continued.

09:28

Petru:

We Have a PLN 40 Billion VAT Gap, All of Morawiecki's Talk About Better VAT Collection is Worthless

- Prime Minister Morawiecki always said he was fighting the VAT mafia, but he fought so hard that it has reappeared after the recent years of the government. We have a PLN 40 billion VAT gap, which is a lot, and this gap has risen terribly in recent years, as economic growth has slowed. Therefore, all this talk about better VAT collection is worthless, because it turned out that in the recent years of the government, the VAT gap was very similar to what it was at the beginning of PiS's rule - stated Ryszard Petru on Polsat News.


09:40

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

No Victory Without the Third Way. The Third Way is a Chance That Must Be Reaffirmed in These European Elections
- There is no more important issue than the good, security, peace, and opportunity for development for us, for future generations in Poland and in Europe. This is why we are going to Europe as the Third Way, because the Third Way is truly needed. The Third Way brought victory on October 15th, the Third Way brought victory in many voivodeships in the local government elections. Without the Third Way, there is no victory, and there is no security, and there is no development. The Third Way is a chance that must be reaffirmed once again in these European elections – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.

09:43

Tusk:

Today I would say with full conviction - you want peace? Prepare for elections
- We have become a wise and strong nation, which is why we are safe today, but as the well-known saying goes, "If you want peace, prepare for war." Today I would say with full conviction - you want peace? Prepare for elections. Poland's special, historically significant position today lies in being secure, in protecting ourselves from what Russia has inflicted, for example, on Ukraine. We do not have to go to the front today. Today, we must protect Poland and Europe from those who, from the outside or from within, undermine the European Union, our independence - stated Donald Tusk at a press conference.

09:52

Tusk:

People Want to Know If We Will Hold the Previous Government Accountable for Abuses. I Want to Assure You That No One is Forgetting Anything.
- When we speak of Poland as European, as Western, we also speak of politicians' responsibility for their actions. Yesterday, I invited the Prosecutor General, the Minister of Justice, and the Coordinating Minister to a meeting here, explaining this obvious societal need [...] which is that people want to know if we will hold those who lost on October 15th accountable for abuses of power - Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated in a press release. - I want to assure everyone, and the prosecutors, the National Prosecutor, will confirm this today at a press conference at 1 PM, that no one is forgetting anything and no one will forget the evil that happened before October 15th either. This Western Poland also means that the prosecution operates independently of political pressure and will not fulfill the wishes of even a quite important person in the state, such as the Prime Minister. However, I want to assure you that these matters are proceeding. Paradoxically, the prosecution currently has so much work with cases from before October 15th that we initiated [...] precisely because there are so many such cases, we will, perhaps, need a bit more time for this - he continued.

13:40

Korneluk:

One of my priorities is prosecuting crimes committed between 2016-2023. I personally take responsibility for these proceedings.
- One of my main priorities as the National Prosecutor is to prosecute crimes committed between 2016 and 2023, meaning crimes committed during a time when prosecutors did not pursue representatives of state authority. This is essential for restoring faith in the state and the law - said Dariusz Korneluk at a press conference. - I understand how crucial the role of the prosecution and prosecutors is here. I assure you that we are very determined in this regard. Therefore, we are treating these cases with priority, they are being handled by the best prosecutors, under my personal supervision, and I also personally take responsibility for these proceedings - he emphasized.

13:55

Korneluk:

Three Main Investigations into Orlen Underway
- One of these matters requiring absolute accountability is the Orlen case, naturally with CEO Obajtek at its head, as well as the entire management structure of this company. Matters concerning Orlen are also very important from the perspective of state security, including energy security - Dariusz Korneluk stated at a press conference. - At the moment, concerning Orlen, three main, largest investigations are being conducted. This is the merger of Orlen with LOTOS, as well as the approval granted on August 22, 2022, for the sale of 30% of shares in Rafineria Gdańska to an entity named Saudi Aramco. In this case, the damage today is a substantial financial loss amounting to 4 billion Polish zlotys - he continued. - The second investigation, also very serious and large-scale, which we are conducting, concerns the issue of artificially low fuel prices on both the wholesale and retail markets in the autumn of last year, which could be linked to the parliamentary elections - he further elaborated. - The third, very alarming case, recently revealed, is the transfer of over 1.5 billion Polish zlotys to the OTS company without oversight - he indicated.

13:56

Kaczyński on the 60,000 PLN Tax-Free Amount: Such Deceptions Should Be Accounted For, Especially Since It Would Have Been Possible Under Our Rule
- Today is the last day for tax settlements [...] everyone can calculate how much they have been cheated by Donald Tusk, because it was supposed to be 60,000 tax-free, meaning if someone earns 60,000 PLN, they are close to the so-called median at the moment, then they lose 5400 PLN - Jarosław Kaczyński said in a statement. - After all, Tusk is not a person [...] who was unaware that this was a promise impossible to fulfill during the period it was made, and therefore he consciously deceived. But such deceptions should be accounted for, especially since I am convinced that if we had been in power, perhaps not as quickly, but it would have been possible to implement it - he continued. - Now we want to take a citizen's initiative in this matter - he went on to say.

14:07

Kaczyński on CPK: It's the 10th, 12th airport in Europe, so no megalomania, it's a desire to make Poland a normal European country
- Poland cannot be a peripheral, provincial country. We must resolutely oppose this. We don't have a large airport, and we should certainly have a large airport commensurate with our country, because [...] CPK [...] is the 10th, 12th airport in Europe, so no giant, that's a fairy tale, no megalomania, it's simply a desire to make Poland a normal European country - said Jarosław Kaczyński in a statement. - It has significance not only economically, but also in the military sphere, because this port with its 4-kilometer runways can also be used for landing heavy transport aircraft for military purposes, military transport, and also, in the event of such situations, heavy combat aircraft - he continued.

14:11

Kaczyński:

European Parliament Elections Will Be About Whether This Historical Curse Burdening Us For So Long Is Finally Rejected
- These elections, which are currently ahead of us, although they are European elections, will also be about this matter: whether, yes, or micromanagement, whether a normal strong European country, whether this historical curse that has been burdening us for such a long time is to be finally rejected, or not - stated Jarosław Kaczyński in a statement.

14:17

Korneluk:

Searches Conducted, Including at Obajtek's Residence, Regarding Investigations into Fuel Price Manipulation and Orlen-Lotos Merger
- Both of these proceedings have been initiated. Actions are being carried out, including searches of the CEO of Orlen, as well as the entire management team and directors. A considerable amount of information and data has been gathered, which is currently undergoing analysis. Both of these proceedings, concerning price manipulation and the [Orlen-Lotos] merger, are very complex from both a legal and factual perspective. We are collecting materials and have over 100 witnesses to interview – stated Dariusz Korneluk at a press conference. - I have information that searches were also conducted at the CEO's [Daniel Obajtek's] residence, yes. […] Interrogations are also planned, although we do not yet know in what capacity – he noted.

14:24

Tusk:

I am not a vengeful person. My goal is for independent courts and prosecution to effectively hold politicians accountable.
- I am not a vengeful person. I am the Prime Minister of a democratic government in a large European country. My task is to ensure the independence of the judiciary and prosecution. My goal is for independent courts and prosecution to effectively hold politicians accountable. Not at my command, but based on the law - Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on social media.

15:32

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

It was the change of government and the restoration of the rule of law that led to the first KPO funds arriving in Poland
- It was the change of government, it was the restoration of the rule of law, it was the focus on professionalism that decided that the first funds from the KPO have already reached Poland, a considerable sum, the largest single transfer in history, 27 billion, has already arrived in Poland, 600 billion is coming to Poland, thanks to the government of our coalition, thanks to our decisions, this is simply possible. We must repair public finances, the minister will talk about this, he will present what was the effect of our predecessors' governments: incurring debt, looking for money often in places that cost a lot, taking out loans, issuing bonds, lack of security for many of these undertakings, and today enormous operating costs – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference after a Council of Ministers meeting.

15:36

Domański:

Government Adopted Multi-Year Financial Plan for 2024-2027, We Expect Polish Economy to Grow by 3.1% This Year
- The government today adopted a multi-year financial plan for the years 2024-2027, with key macroeconomic parameters naturally being the dynamics of economic growth. We expect the Polish economy to grow by 3.1% this year, and next year we anticipate economic growth in Poland will further accelerate to a level of 3.7%. This will make the Polish economy one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU. I would just like to recall that in 2023, the Polish economy practically did not grow; the growth dynamic was merely 0.2% – stated Andrzej Domański at a press conference following the Council of Ministers' meeting. - The multi-year financial plan includes assumptions, I think, of two new regulations that are significant from the perspective of transparency and stability of public finances. The first is a regulation concerning the establishment of a Fiscal Council. The Fiscal Council, which will provide opinions and monitor adherence to budget implementation, as well as opine on macroeconomic forecasts and assumptions. Poland is the last EU country that has not yet established such a Fiscal Council – he continued.

15:37

Domański:

We Will Systematically Repair Public Finances and Work Towards Their Stable and Good Condition
- In the multi-year financial plan, we also presented assumptions regarding changes, or rather an update to the expenditure rule. We know that our predecessors did a lot to circumvent the expenditure rule, which has placed public finances on a dangerous path. According to the public debt management strategy adopted by the previous government, the actual trajectory of public debt indicated a breach of the 60% debt-to-GDP level as early as 2026. We will systematically repair public finances, step by step, we are increasing transparency, I spoke about the Fiscal Council, we have improved the transparency of financial reporting, and we will continue to work towards ensuring public finances are in a stable and good condition – said Andrzej Domański at a press conference following a Council of Ministers meeting.

15:39

Domański:

Mandatory e-invoicing system to come into effect from February 1, 2026
- The second project adopted today by the Council of Ministers concerned changes to the act on the National e-Invoicing System. Our predecessors, as Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz mentioned, effectively laid a mine under the Polish economy. The National e-Invoicing System was absolutely unprepared to be implemented from July 1, 2024. The audit conducted by us at the Ministry of Finance clearly indicates that numerous errors and omissions were made during the design and development stages of the National e-Invoicing System. Consequently, it is necessary to effectively start the work anew and create a new architecture for the National e-Invoicing System. We plan for the mandatory e-invoicing system to come into effect from February 1, 2026 – stated Andrzej Domański at a press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting.

16:13

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

The Electromobility Fund, which some associate with Izera, had to be moved from the grant portion of the KPO to the loan portion
- One such project, which not so much cannot happen, but had to be moved from the grant part to the loan part, is the Electromobility Fund. Some associate it with Izera, but I emphasize, the word Izera is not mentioned in the KPO. Why did this fund have to be moved from the grant part to the loan part? Because in the grant part, all investments must be completed by mid-2026. The state of this investment is such that its completion, meaning cars rolling off the assembly line by mid-2026, is absolutely not promising, and there are limited possibilities to make up time on such a significant investment - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz at a press conference after the Council of Ministers meeting.

16:22

Kosiniak-Kamysz on Potential Non-Extension of Residence Permits for Ukrainian Men of Conscription Age: We Are Interested in European-Level Solutions
- We also discussed this today at the Council of Ministers. If Ukraine requests support, assistance, we will always provide support and assistance to that extent. It is very important, and we discussed this, that these be European-level solutions, and I know that talks between Ukraine and Brussels, between Kyiv and Brussels, are ongoing on this matter. European-level solutions will ensure the full effectiveness of this action, and we are interested in such solutions – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference after a Council of Ministers meeting, when asked if he confirmed that Poland would agree to Ukraine's potential request not to extend residence permits for Ukrainian men of conscription age.

16:46

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

No Tax on Combustion Cars, Instead Subsidies for E-Mobility
- For me, such a decision, which will remarkably change the lives of Poles, is the liberation from the tax that the PiS government wanted to impose – from the tax on combustion cars. There will be no such tax. Poles will not pay tax for combustion cars. There will be something else; there will be subsidies for e-mobility. There will be subsidies for those who need them, not for the wealthiest, but precisely for those who cannot afford to buy an electric car today – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference after a Council of Ministers meeting.

16:56

Kolarski:

President Duda has invited Prime Minister Tusk to a meeting on May 1st for the 20th anniversary of Poland's EU accession
- President Andrzej Duda has invited Prime Minister Donald Tusk to a meeting on May 1st for the 20th anniversary of Poland's accession to the EU. We all see that the Prime Minister is already holding political meetings. For PAD, cooperation on security matters and the realization of our interests in the EU are most important – Wojciech Kolarski wrote on social media.

20:03

President Duda in Address: Our Presence in the Union is Poland's State Interest, but We Stand for a Europe of Free Nations, a Europe of Fatherlands. The Interests of EU Bureaucracy and Some Member States Often Conflict with Polish Ones

"By being in the Union, we can influence its shape and set key directions. Our voice matters. Therefore, every day we must advocate for Polish affairs within the European Union" - said President Andrzej Duda in his address.

"Our presence in the European Union is Poland's state interest, but we stand for a Europe of free nations! A Europe of Fatherlands"

"Our great countryman – Saint Pope John Paul II – said to us: 'Europe needs Poland, and Poland needs Europe.' These words are still relevant today. Therefore, we must actively participate in shaping the Community, in accordance with the values we have held for over a thousand years. From the moment we joined the family of European Christian nations. Today, we are witnessing a great debate about the future shape of the European Union. Disturbing tendencies towards federalization are emerging, and there is talk of treaty changes that would limit the sovereignty of member states. Our presence in the European Union is Poland's state interest, but we stand for a Europe of free nations! A Europe of Fatherlands!" - said President Duda.

"EU politicians and officials can sometimes be a difficult partner – we have learned this many times in recent years. The interests of EU bureaucracy and some member states often conflict with Polish ones"

"We know that EU politicians and officials can sometimes be a difficult partner – we have learned this many times in recent years. The interests of EU bureaucracy and some member states often conflict with Polish ones. In the Union, a struggle is ongoing every day, a tough fight for the interests of individual countries, and they must be effectively pursued. That is why the elections to the European Parliament, which will take place on June 9th, will be so important. The direction the Union will take, and how Polish affairs within the Union will be conducted, will depend on who we elect as our representatives. I encourage you to participate in these elections." - said the President.

"Poland is safe today, it is developing dynamically, it has good prospects, but precisely our history teaches us that nothing is given once and for all"

"Our presence in the European Union is part of our great, magnificent history. The history of Poland, which is a history of freedom. Poland is safe today, it is developing dynamically, it has good prospects, but precisely our history teaches us that nothing is given once and for all. Therefore, the prosperity and good future of our Homeland must be constantly striven for." - said the President in his address.


20:21

Biedroń:

It's Wrong That the President Started the PiS Campaign

- It is wrong that the President has started the PiS campaign, and his alignment with President Kaczyński's narrative in that address was very evident. It's a shame that in that address, as well as on a daily basis, the President so rarely mentions something fundamental for the future of Poland and Europe, namely security. In that address, there was not a single word about security, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the greatest threat to our community. This is certainly very disappointing - stated Robert Biedroń on TVP Info.


20:36

Biedroń:

We Promised an Efficient Prosecutor's Office That Would Be Independent

- I think we promised an efficient prosecutor's office that would be independent of political pressure. I think that this Augean stable, which the Polish state inherited from the rule of the PiS party prosecutor's office, still needs to be tidied up at a faster pace, because we promised Poles faster tidying of this stable – stated Robert Biedroń on TVP Info.