Live Feed

06/06/2024

07:30

Thursday's Political Agenda: Hołownia and Kosiniak-Kamysz in Poznań, Duda in France, Glapiński's Press Conference, Leszczyna on Psychiatry [SCHEDULE]

President Andrzej Duda is visiting France to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. At 11:30 AM, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Polish War Cemetery in Urville–Langannerie, and the President will also give media statements. The final point of the one-day visit will be the President's participation in ceremonies at 4:00 PM.

At 9:00 AM, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak will attend a ceremony honoring Beata Szatanik, an employee of PKP PLK, who thwarted an attempt to blow up railway tracks in Czechowice-Dziedzice.

A press conference with the Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, regarding investments in psychiatry is scheduled for 10:30 AM. Deputy Minister of Health Katarzyna Kacperczyk and Dr. Aleksandra Lewandowska, the national consultant in child and adolescent psychiatry, will also participate.

Today, Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka will be in Katowice and Bytom, where she will meet with youth city councils (12:30 PM) and teachers (3:00 PM).

At 12:30 PM, a press briefing by the Minister of Sport and Tourism, Sławomir Nitras, on the preparations of Polish athletes for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be held at COS Wałcz.

A press conference, including Michał Dworczyk and Mirosława Stachowiak-Różecka, will take place in Wrocław at 9:00 AM.

Lewica's press conferences will be held at: 10:00 AM in Wrocław (with Magdalena Biejat and Krzysztof Śmiszek speaking), 11:00 AM in Olsztyn (Krzysztof Gawkowski and Marcin Kulasek will speak), 11:30 AM in Bytom (where Adrian Zandberg, Maciej Konieczny, and Wanda Nowicka will appear), and 2:00 PM in Warsaw (during which Robert Biedroń and Włodzimierz Czarzasty are expected to summarize Lewica's successes in the European Parliament and outline goals for the coming years).

A press conference with Rafał Bochenek and Kamil Bortniczuk is scheduled for 11:15 AM in the Sejm. Meanwhile, at 1:00 PM – a press conference with Waldemar Buda and Anna Gembicka.

At 1:00 PM in Kalisz, a press conference will be held with Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Krzysztof Hetman, and TD candidates in the European Parliament elections.

At 3:00 PM at the headquarters of the National Bank of Poland, a press conference with NBP President Adam Glapiński will take place, concerning the current economic situation in Poland.

At 4:00 PM in Poznań, the Third Way convention will begin with the participation of Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Szymon Hołownia, and candidates in the European Parliament elections.

Meetings with Deputy Chairman of PiS, Beata Szydło, will be held at 11:00 AM in Trzebinia, at 12:30 PM in Skawina, and at 3:00 PM in Klucze – the latter two also including press briefings.

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9:00 AM - Ceremony honoring a PKP PLK employee with the participation of Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Dariusz Klimczak

9:00 AM - Press conference by Michał Dworczyk and Mirosława Stachowiak-Różecka in Wrocław

10:00 AM - Press conference by Magdalena Biejat and Krzysztof Śmiszek in Wrocław

10:30 AM - Press conference by Izabela Leszczyna

11:00 AM - Press conference by Krzysztof Gawkowski and Marcin Kulasek in Olsztyn

11:00 AM - Meeting of Beata Szydło with residents of Trzebinia

11:15 AM - Press conference by Rafał Bochenek and Kamil Bortniczuk in the Sejm

11:30 AM - Wreath-laying ceremony at the Polish War Cemetery in Urville-Langannerie with the participation of President Andrzej Duda

11:30 AM - Press conference by Adrian Zandberg, Maciej Konieczny, and Wanda Nowicka in Bytom

12:00 PM - Press conference by Andrzej Śliwka and Marcin Przydacz in the Sejm

12:30 PM - Meeting of Barbara Nowacka with youth city councils in Katowice

12:30 PM - Press briefing by Sławomir Nitras at COS Wałcz

12:30 PM - Meeting of Beata Szydło with residents of Skawina and press briefing

1:00 PM - Press conference by Waldemar Buda and Anna Gembicka in the Sejm

1:00 PM - Press conference in Kalisz with the participation of Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Krzysztof Hetman

2:00 PM - Press conference by Robert Biedroń and Włodzimierz Czarzasty in Warsaw

3:00 PM - Press conference by NBP President Adam Glapiński

3:00 PM - Meeting of Barbara Nowacka with teachers in Bytom

3:00 PM - Meeting of Beata Szydło with residents of Klucze and press briefing

4:00 PM - Participation of President Andrzej Duda in ceremonies in France

4:00 PM - Third Way convention with the participation of Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Szymon Hołownia in Poznań


07:37

Kosiniak-Kamysz Reacts to Arrested Soldiers:

Unacceptable.

- The arrest of soldiers firing warning shots towards attacking migrants is unacceptable. The actions of the Military Police towards the arrested will be thoroughly investigated. Soldiers guarding the state's security must be certain that legal procedures protect them. I will always stand by the honor of Polish soldiers - wrote Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Twitter.


07:52

Szłapka on the Soldiers' Arrest:

I Wouldn't Rule Out Provocation.

- This is not within my purview, so it is a surprise to me as a matter of course, but this matter certainly must be clarified. Soldiers must feel safe while performing their duties. Firing warning shots is not, at first glance, any overstepping of authority to apply such measures. The matter must be absolutely clarified; Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz already wrote about this on Twitter last night. I also wouldn't rule out provocation here. Some internal one, perhaps someone from the prosecution still linked to Zbigniew Ziobro is exaggerating something somewhere. This needs to be clarified - stated Adam Szłapka in the TVN24 program "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".


08:15

Brudziński:

They Staged Photo Ops in Front of Cameras. At the Same Time, 'Bodnar's Men' Handcuffed Polish Soldiers Leaving Barracks

- What a deceitful bunch they are. When polls showed it would be beneficial to be seen against the backdrop of the border, uniformed officers, and soldiers, they staged photo ops in front of cameras. At the same time, 'Bodnar's men' handcuffed Polish soldiers leaving barracks. What awaits Poland and Poles if this clique lets thousands of 'engineers' with machetes into our country on December 13th? - wrote Joachim Brudziński on Twitter.


08:37

Fogiel:

Soldiers injured at the border might be victims of their colleagues being detained while defending themselves
- We are dealing with an absolute scandal. If the prosecution, if the Military Police are pursuing soldiers who are defending the border, but also defending their health and lives [...] that's how I wanted to conclude: perhaps we are currently observing, this soldier stabbed with a knife, this soldier who, we heard two days ago, was severely hit on the head with a branch, perhaps they are precisely the victims of the fact that when their colleagues were actually defending themselves against a threat, they were detained in handcuffs in front of all their comrades-in-arms. This could paralyze today not only soldiers, but also the Border Guard - said Radosław Fogiel in the "Morning Interview" on RMF FM.

08:46

Charges Against Polish Soldiers. Fogiel Announces Parliamentary Inspections at Ministries
- Today, parliamentary inspections by our MPs will take place at the Ministry of Justice, and likely also at the Ministry of Defence. We want to find out what has been happening over these past two weeks – Radosław Fogiel stated on RMF FM. - Both these matters, the charges against the soldiers, which I repeat once more, is a scandal, it should never have happened, but also the fact that Adam Bodnar [...] is appointing a special team of investigators who are to prosecute the Border Guard for defending the border – he continued.

08:55

Budka:

Heads Should Roll in the Military Gendarmerie If the Border Situation Was as Described by Onet

- Primarily, I do not know the details, but from what the media are reporting, this situation seems unacceptable. These actions against soldiers are scandalous, but I say this more as a politician than a lawyer. I am aware that the prosecutor was guided by certain premises. I am pleased with Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz's statement that this matter will be clarified immediately, because today the most important thing is that Polish soldiers have the feeling that when it comes to their safety, they can do everything in accordance with procedures to defend their health and life. They are at the border precisely to defend Poles from bandits and at the same time to be sure that no one will prosecute them if they act in accordance with the law - stated Borys Budka in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- I hope that any charges from the prosecutor's office and the Military Gendarmerie will be made public as soon as possible, but here I am absolutely on the side of those who say that Polish soldiers should not be treated like this. It was scandalous by the Gendarmerie - he continued.

- If [this situation] took place in the circumstances that journalists are writing about, it is unacceptable, scandalous, and heads should roll in the Military Gendarmerie if it was exactly as [Onet] describes, if there isn't some hidden second meaning - he added.


08:56

Fogiel on Szczerba Ahead of Kaczyński's Interrogation:

I Advise You From the Bottom of My Heart to Prepare Thoroughly.
- Certainly, there will be many threads there that are of interest to public opinion, such as the fact that Chairman Szczerba also interfered in the visa process [...] I advise from the bottom of my heart, from a good heart [...] that Chairman Szczerba prepare thoroughly for this interrogation of Jarosław Kaczyński - said Radosław Fogiel on RMF FM.

09:02

Fogiel on the Potential Dissolution of Suwerenna Polska and its Merger with PiS:

Purely Hypothetically, the Statute Allows for This Possibility.
- Purely hypothetically, the statute allows for this possibility, but it would have to be a political decision primarily by the politicians of Suwerenna Polska - said Radosław Fogiel on RMF FM, when asked if he could envision the dissolution of Suwerenna Polska and its merger with PiS.

09:31

Wąsik:

Yesterday They Arrested MPs for Fighting Corruption, Today They're Arresting Soldiers for Defending the Border
- Yesterday they arrested MPs for fighting corruption! Today they're arresting soldiers for defending the border! Tomorrow they'll arrest you for being a Patriot! This is bad governance! - Maciej Wąsik wrote on Twitter.

09:36

Błaszczak:

The Truth Was Hidden. We Demand Immediate Explanations and Exoneration of Soldiers from Charges
- Reports on the situation at the Polish-Belarusian border prepared by the Ministry of National Defence Monitoring and Analysis Centre should regularly land on the desk of the head of the Ministry of National Defence. Ministers Kosiniak-Kamysz and Tomczyk MUST have known about the soldiers' detention. The truth about this incident was hidden for about 2 months. We demand immediate explanations and the exoneration of soldiers from charges! - wrote Mariusz Błaszczak on Twitter.

09:42

Morawiecki on the Arrest of Polish Soldiers:

Tusk Should Resign.
- The Prime Minister is responsible for what is happening there. The Prime Minister is responsible for the fact that this matter [the arrest of Polish soldiers] was simply hidden there, that this matter was concealed for two months. Why? All of this took place at the turn of March and April, what was at the turn of March and April – the local government elections were on April 7th. They hid it from the public because they were afraid it would affect the elections, this is a scandal and that is why Tusk is responsible for this and that is why I believe he should bear full political responsibility for this, he should resign – stated Mateusz Morawiecki in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program "Gość Radia Zet".

09:46

Morawiecki on the Work of Parliamentary Inquiry Committees:

These Are Not Real Interrogations.
- They think it's very possible that he [Obajtek] will come right after the elections. Why do they want to use Joński and Szczera as an element of their election campaign? You know, he could have hung his banner there, "Dariusz Joński," or "Szczerba – Running for the European Parliament," that's what these interrogations looked like. These are not real interrogations, they turn off the button every moment, they don't abide by the law, the basic rules of procedure – said Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet.

09:49

Morawiecki:

They Granted Me Protection Because They Got Scared After Fico's Assassination Attempt
- No, the Tusk government did not behave with class, because they received a file of my information about this and letters stating that I am threatened with death, my family is threatened with death, that I am receiving emails, SMS messages, that people are shouting death threats at me under my house, and they took away my protection. They got scared after the assassination attempt on Robert Fico, it's worth thanking them for getting scared, well, I don't know – stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet.

09:51

Morawiecki on a Potential Presidential Run:

I'll Make That Decision in a Nanosecond.
- This is a decision for our board. It's not a "yes, I want" or "no, I don't want" situation, but rather politics is a team game. We play together on one team, and if such a decision is made, I will do it. I will make that decision in a nanosecond after I hear what the political leadership's decision is – stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet.

09:53

Morawiecki on Romanowski: I gave him until June 10th to apologize
- I haven't filed a lawsuit, I gave him [Romanowski] until June 10th to apologize for those words, or to say that those tapes are manipulated, falsified – said Mateusz Morawiecki on Radio Zet.

09:57

Tusk Reacts to Soldier Detentions:

I Expect Swift Conclusions and Organizational, Legal, and Personnel Decisions.
- I have received a report from the Minister of National Defence. The proceedings of the Prosecutor's Office and the Military Police against our soldiers raise legitimate concern and anger among people. I expect swift conclusions and organizational, legal, and personnel decisions - Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on Twitter.

10:45

Charges Against Soldiers Intervening at the Border. Bodnar Announces "Urgent Meeting"
- I have invited the Deputy Prosecutor General for Military Affairs, prosecutor Tomasz Janeczek, for an urgent meeting tomorrow morning. The conversation is intended to provide full information about the circumstances and the prosecutor's office's actions regarding the charges against the soldiers who intervened against a group of migrants attempting to illegally cross the state border of the Republic of Poland - Adam Bodnar wrote on Twitter.

11:33

Kosiniak-Kamysz on details regarding the detention of soldiers:

At the end of March, an incident occurred which I was informed about by the Military Police.
- At the end of March, an incident occurred which I was informed about by the commander of the Military Police. The commander of the Podlasie Border Guard Unit made a decision to forward material, which he received from the Border Guard, film material to the Military Police, and the Military Police then made further decisions to forward it to the military prosecution authorities - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference. - All of this took place at the end of March, and the entire situation unfolded at the beginning of April. It initially concerns three soldiers, later two soldiers, and an investigation is being conducted by the Military Police regarding exceeding authority at the request of the Podlasie Border Guard Unit [...]. A situation has arisen which, like any other, needs to be explained. For example, in May, weapons were used by soldiers approximately 700 times within this alarm system. If any commander analyzes this later and has any doubts, they are also obliged to take specific actions, and that is what happened in this case - he continued. - I deeply believe in our soldiers [...]. Those soldiers who were detained, but were never arrested [...] there was no request for arrest from the prosecution, furthermore, the prosecution will issue a statement today and I think everything will be clarified there [...]. Immediately after the incident [...] General Artur Kozłowski went to the location to his soldiers [...] with a lawyer, with a psychologist, and throughout the entire time [...] the soldiers who are suspended, not arrested, are being informed about the availability of legal assistance and support for them - he went on to say.

11:44

Detention:

If Anyone Exceeded Their Authority, They Will Be Punished'. Kosiniak-Kamysz on the Method of Soldiers
- Regarding the detention itself, as it is something that is outrageous to me and, I believe, to the entire public opinion, it is strictly a decision of the Military Police and those carrying out the detention; they themselves decide on the methods. Neither I nor other representatives, nor the Prosecutor General, nor other ministers, are informed about how it is done, because the decision is made by the person performing these actions. However, immediately after receiving this information, I ordered an investigation, because I believe it was, in my opinion, this is of course my assessment, overzealousness in such a case. But the commission appointed within the Military Police will clarify this. If anyone exceeded their authority, if anyone went beyond their powers, they will be punished, consequences will be drawn - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference. - I was informed about the incident and that the Military Police and the prosecutor's office were taking all necessary actions. As for the method of detention itself, because it is outrageous to me, I did not have information about the method of detention until inquiries were made by the Onet portal and until the text was subsequently published - he continued.

12:05

Exchange Between Ozdoba and Kosiniak-Kamysz at a Press Conference:

You Have No Shame, Just Recently You Spat on the Polish Uniform.

At a press conference held by Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Jacek Ozdoba appeared, claiming to be present under the auspices of a parliamentary intervention. The head of the Ministry of National Defence (MON) allowed him to ask a question.

- I wanted to ask you, aren't you ashamed in a situation where a full-blown hybrid war is raging beyond our eastern border, our soldiers' lives and health are at risk, and you're not standing up to defend the Polish uniform? You are inconsistent, because I expected you to come out and say that you had spoken with the minister, the Prosecutor General, regarding the order from the regional prosecutor in Lublin, who appointed an investigative team whose goal will be to gather [...] evidence concerning the conduct of officers towards foreigners who have crossed the Polish-Belarusian border - said Jacek Ozdoba.

- Do you realize that today, the use of direct coercion measures, the protection of officers' own lives will be burdened by the fact that you are not standing behind them? [...] You have no shame, because just recently you spat on the Polish uniform, along with Donald Tusk, you allowed Polish soldiers to be insulted, and the film "Green Border" was even included in the campaign scenario, and you didn't react when celebrities, your politicians, at the border, played into the scenario of the Russian Federation - he continued.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz provided a response.

- You see the difference, I allow everyone to speak, even those who sometimes speak untruths [...]. Did you build a barrier that is impassable, because that's what you said? No, we have to strengthen it today. Did you change the regulations regarding the use of weapons? No, we have to do that now. Did you provide legal aid for soldiers if they are in a situation where investigations are being conducted against them? No, you didn't do that for 8 years. Why didn't you implement these changes, why don't you also have the honor now to beat your own chest? - replied the head of MON.

- I invite cooperation on this matter, because the security of the Polish state should not have party colours. Because it is above that, and I voted for fortifications on the border when I was in opposition and did not criticize such actions. You behave differently [...]. The Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General, participates in every security committee, and these issues have been and will be considered in this committee, and work on these issues is ongoing. The head of the National Security Bureau also participates in these works, as he is also present at every security committee meeting - he continued.


12:31

Duda Convenes National Security Council Meeting

- Given what has been happening in relation to this recently and in recent months, I have decided to convene the National Security Council. I don't want to do this now, during the campaign period, because there are a lot of emotions and the situation is truly very heated, but on Monday we will already be after the elections, and I would like the RBN to be convened in the afternoon, most likely at 4:00 PM - stated President Andrzej Duda at a press briefing in France.


12:46

Duda on Border Shootings: Why Weren't We Informed? Was There an Attempt to Conceal This Situation?

- This is a very shocking matter, especially considering that our soldiers have been attacked several times recently right there at the border by assailants from the Belarusian side. What is also shocking is the way the Polish soldiers were detained, effectively arrested, because from what we know today, the soldiers were detained by the Military Gendarmerie, handcuffed, it was a very harsh detention. This is shocking because these soldiers are today defenders of the Republic of Poland's borders, they often serve in very difficult and incredibly exhausting conditions. This additional treatment of the soldiers who defend the borders, who perform a very difficult service in difficult conditions, is very shocking and it is a matter that must be explained - stated President Andrzej Duda at a press briefing in France.

- Why such far-reaching coercive measures were used against the soldiers is a shocking issue and it must be explained, and if the use of such coercive measures was unjustified in this case, absolutely decisive consequences must be drawn - the president continued.

- What is enormously shocking to me – this situation, the shots at the border took place two months ago. From what I have learned, in March. Why was there no information about this, why was I, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, nor the National Security Bureau, informed about it? Was there an attempt to conceal this situation, was it an attempt to sweep this situation under the rug, while at the same time treating Polish soldiers in this manner, it is indeed enormously shocking - he added.

- I don't know what the reason for concealing this was. I don't know if it was the election campaign that is currently underway. Or if any other reasons existed for the authorities to conceal this fact, not to inform either the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces or the public about it - emphasized PAD.


14:12

Brudziński:

Standing with the Polish Uniform – Always, Not Just When Polls Align
- We know today that when [Donald Tusk] went to the border, when he began to declare his miraculous conversion, billions of zlotys for the construction of the East Shield, he already knew about it – since he was Prime Minister, he had to know – that Polish soldiers had been detained and led away in handcuffs for protecting the Polish border - said Joachim Brudziński at a press conference in Świdwin. - I want to repeat the words we have always said […] – "standing with the Polish uniform". Always, not when the polls show that Tusk should go to the border and convert to realism - he stated.

14:19

Kaczyński:

This Government is a Shame and a Disgrace
Indeed, this government is a shame and a disgrace, but I do not intend to multiply various descriptions here. I just wanted to say what the essence of the matter is. The essence of the matter lies in the fact that although the narrative has been changed, and radically so, as was shown [in the film material], the policy has not essentially changed, because behind this narrative are precisely those who detain soldiers, who do what is their duty and have every right to do so - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a PiS press briefing.

14:27

Kaczyński:

The Curtain Has Been Torn, and Now We See How It Truly Is

- This is the essence of what is happening, of this unprecedented scandal that is taking place today. There is no prime minister, there is no government. We have some unbelievable confusion regarding the decisions being made, but this confusion, in my opinion, is not accidental. It is simply an attempt to get out of this situation, where on the one hand there are commitments to the West, which also practically means to the East, meaning towards Germany, but that also means at least to some extent towards Russia, and on the other hand, we cannot, at this moment, open this border, we cannot allow an invasion, because that would end badly for this government. The curtain has been torn, and now we see how it truly is - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a PiS press briefing.


14:55

Czarzasty:

I Believe Kosiniak-Kamysz Will Control the Situation
- Of course, the entire state must stand behind the soldier and the soldiers, this is obvious, and playing with this topic, using it for any matters related to the election campaign or propaganda, is senseless. The entire coalition, the left, and I think everyone, including the opposition, firmly stand with the Polish soldier who in turn guards our security - Włodzimierz Czarzasty said at a press conference. - I wanted to urge everyone to maintain distance. There will be a lot of fake news. There will be a lot of interpretations contrary to the truth. There will be many invented things and accusations thrown by one side onto the other. All these matters need to be clarified. Where there is a need to improve and change the law, it should be done calmly. I warn everyone one by one against building an atmosphere of sensationalism, either over someone's death or the use of weapons at the border. I also warn because, as a result of the war in Ukraine, I think Russian services will also want to say a lot on this matter - he continued. - I listened today to the speech of Mr. Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz. I believe he will control the situation; I urge for enormous transparency. I see that, and rightly so, nothing will be hidden. [...] For our part, we believe Kosiniak-Kamysz that he will quickly, first, clarify all these matters, second, that the prosecution and military services will close all procedures and inform all Polish men and women about what happened, whether it had to happen, and we also believe that these situations will never happen again - he went on to say.

15:02

Biedroń:

We Demand Secure Borders, But Ones Where No One Dies
- Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Polish soldier today, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Polish border guard today, we, as the left, demand secure borders, but also borders on which no one dies, from either side - said Robert Biedroń at a press conference.

15:26

Kaczyński on Obajtek: "I Wouldn't Appear Before a Committee If I Were Him"

- Regarding the CEO [Daniel Obajtek], if I were in his place, I wouldn't appear [before the investigative committee regarding the visa scandal], because, to put it very colloquially, what's pie got to do with the windmill? What does the CEO have to do with these matters? This was about some supposedly gigantic scandals. It was a gigantic operation aimed at deceiving society, which brought results - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a PiS press briefing.


15:28

Sasin:

Podlaski Voivodeship Office is Sending Letters to Local Government Officials Ordering Them to Find Locations for Illegal Migrant Centers

- It has begun. The Podlaski Voivodeship Office is sending letters to local government officials ordering them to find locations for illegal migrant centers! Let's stop these dangerous pests this coming Sunday! - wrote Jacek Sasin on Twitter.


15:31

Kaczyński:

I Will Appear Before the Investigative Committee

- Yes [I will appear tomorrow for questioning before the investigative committee on the visa scandal] - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a PiS press briefing.


15:33

Morawiecki:

Prosecutor Bodnar Has Blood on His Hands
- Dear soldiers, dear officers. I thank you. I thank you on behalf of the Republic, on behalf of all Poles for your brave stance, for not hesitating to defend us, our borders, in defiance of what those currently in power are doing. And what are they doing? They are appointing, it is Prosecutor Bodnar, who has blood on his hands for what has happened, appointing a team [...] to apprehend such soldier behavior that could lead soldiers to arrest – said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

15:45

Morawiecki on the Arrest of Soldiers:

They Wanted to Hide This Situation Before the Elections.
- Recently, we witnessed an absolutely disgraceful event. One such case where soldiers defending the Polish border [...] were forced to defend themselves by firing shots, resulted in these soldiers being handcuffed and taken to custody. A soldier in handcuffs, a soldier who defends us. This is disgraceful, what happened and it should be condemned by all means - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference. - The ruling party concealed information about the bringing [...] soldiers, about bringing soldiers to custody and handcuffing them for over two months. Why? The reason is simple. This disgraceful act occurred at the end of March, beginning of April [...]. This means they were afraid that what happened then would influence the local government elections. They wanted to hide this situation before the European Parliament elections - he continued.

16:06

Tusk Bids Farewell to Fallen Soldier:

The Fatherland and its Citizens Will Not Forget This Sacrifice.
- A young soldier, Mateusz, gave his life defending the border of the Republic. The Fatherland and its citizens will not forget this sacrifice. To his loved ones, I extend my deepest condolences - Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on Twitter. Earlier, the General Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced in a statement that the soldier from the 1st Armoured Brigade, who was stabbed at the border with Belarus, died this afternoon at the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw.

16:38

Glapiński Predicts Inflation Increase

- Unfortunately, we expect inflation to rise in the near future, i.e., in the second half of the year. We know that laws have been passed regarding the partial abandonment of anti-inflation shields concerning energy, heat, and gas. The partial dismantling of this shield will, of course, cause an increase - stated Adam Glapiński at a press conference.

- If these legislative decisions complete their legislative process, we can expect that by the end of the year, it will gradually deviate, it will be deviating from the inflation target and by the end of the year, it will be over 5% - he added.


16:50

Glapiński Does Not Rule Out Interest Rate Hikes

- The Council acts pragmatically, it will not hesitate to cut rates when the time comes, it is difficult for me to say when, but perhaps in 2025 inflation will again fall to a rational level and there will be no tendency in the coming quarters for it to increase, or unfortunately, for interest rates to increase if the trend of rising inflation continues – stated Adam Glapiński at a press conference.


17:35

Hołownia:

Soldiers on the border have the right and should shoot attacking bandits
- We are all here today with the family of that heroic soldier, with his loved ones. I know that the Polish state, the Polish Army, will offer them all necessary support. He gave his life in service to the homeland - said Szymon Hołownia at the Third Way electoral convention in Poznań. - Looking at what is happening on the border, we must be very clear, because I think we all feel it today, that there is no possibility that the soldiers serving there do not feel the support of all of us: citizens of the Republic, politicians and non-politicians, all those who care about Poland's well-being. We offer this support, we are with them, we will stand behind them like a wall and we will not step back a single inch - he emphasized. - If you ask me today: does a soldier have the right to shoot a bandit who is attacking him, coming from the other side, it is obvious that he has the right. What's more, he should do it to defend himself, his colleagues, to defend all of us. No one should ever have any doubts about that - stressed the leader of Poland 2050. At the same time, he noted: - Any use of weapons, especially in such an area, must be subject to strict regulations; in military terms, this is called "rules of engagement". [...] Why is this so important? Because remember, what place are we talking about: we are talking about a place where the Belarusians, and therefore simply the Russians, want to carry out a provocation. For something to happen that will become, perhaps, a casus belli for them. - They will not hesitate, and if necessary, they will put their soldiers, their border guards in the line of fire, just to provoke us. Therefore, we, the Polish state, must react ruthlessly towards bandits in such situations. However, we must strictly adhere to the regulations, rules, and the letter of the law. And we must not allow ourselves to be provoked, because that is exactly what our adversary wants - he continued.

17:57

PAP is 'screaming'... Gawkowski's gaffe

- Let's take the example of PAP, which was also 'screaming' on Friday... It was carried out. The entry and the possibility of this attack were caused by the fact that an account of one of PAP's users was infiltrated and taken over, by introducing malware onto their device, because it was used inappropriately - stated Krzysztof Gawkowski in an interview with Karolina Lewicka on TOK FM.


17:58

Hołownia on the Arrest of Soldiers: We Must Not Be Divided and Trust That State Institutions Will Clarify This
- Today, in the face of reports about Polish soldiers who have been subjected to prosecutorial proceedings in connection with the use of weapons at the border, we must remain calm. We must not be divided and trust that state institutions – the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Justice, the government – will clarify whether the law was broken with regard to these soldiers, or whether it was not – said Szymon Hołownia at the Third Way electoral convention in Poznań. - The sight of Polish soldiers at the border, in handcuffs, also evokes feelings in me that I cannot describe with civilized language. However, being a politician and taking my share of responsibility for the state, I must clearly state and be able to explain to you […]: do we have procedures? Are we applying them? Are we safe knowing that we will not be provoked? Because they will provoke us as long as their strength in this does not wane. And this is where our strength should lie today. We must draw conclusions from what is happening today – he continued.

18:01

The Left Suspends its Campaign:

In a Sense of Responsibility for the State and the Democratic Process.

- In a sense of responsibility for the state and the democratic process, in the face of tragic events at the border and awaiting explanations, the Left's campaign team has decided to suspend its election campaign ahead of the European Parliament elections. We do not want the death of a person and events at the border to be politically exploited in the election campaign. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased soldier - informed Katarzyna Kotula on social media.


18:21

Hołownia Refers PiS MP's Immunity Waiver Request to Committee. 'I'm Waiting for More'
- The prelude to any development in Poland must be sensibly conducted accountability. We shouldn't drag our feet on this, we shouldn't delay. We must hold them accountable to the last penny – Szymon Hołownia argued at the Third Way electoral convention in Poznań. - Today, as the Marshal of the Sejm, I have referred the request for immunity waiver for Minister [Michał] Woś to the Committee on Rules of Procedure, MP Affairs and Immunities. I hope the committee will not delay and we will quickly deal with this request during this session – he continued. - But where are the requests, and I am waiting for them, regarding the next gentlemen: Romanowski, Matecki, Ziobro? […] We must settle accounts with them, and the Polish state must settle accounts with them. But at the same time, the Polish state must immediately show people how to follow the path of development, where we want to go. To have a vision for Poland – he emphasized.

18:52

Kaczyński:

In Any Democratic Country, A Government Would Have to Resign After Something Like This

- This shows what this government's politics are truly about. A government that, in any democratic country, would simply have to resign after something like this. I can tell you one thing for sure – they won't resign, there's no doubt about that – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.


18:58

Kaczyński:

These Smiles Towards Lukashenko and Putin Continue Unabated
- These smiles towards Lukashenko and Putin continue unabated, because that's how it should be understood. This is something truly terrible, something that calls our security into question. It weakens us, it causes a soldier to simply cease to be a soldier, because he is a soldier when he has a weapon and can use it – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.

19:02

Kaczyński:

Tusk Lied About the Migration Pact

- We must speak clearly – these elections are about whether this will happen or not. Because that Tusk lied is clear. He said it didn't concern us, that Ukrainians would be counted. They are not being counted, and this is already evident from the general letter that was sent out, stating that we will even be beneficiaries of this, and later he added that he was against it and would block it. Strange, why, if we are to be beneficiaries, why should he block it? It's simply about the fact that this government, under his leadership, is leading us simply to misfortune, to grave misfortune – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.


19:03

Kaczyński:

This is a government implementing an agenda not Polish, but that of our Western neighbor

- These are foreign interests, because it is also a government of external forces, to put it mildly. This is a government that implements an agenda that is not Polish, but that of our Western neighbor, it is visible at every step – stated Jarosław Kaczyński during a meeting in Chełm.


19:08

Kaczyński:

As soon as they get into power, the money's gone again

- We have this whole big event associated with the abolition of our safeguards, our shields, which means an increase in energy prices, which in effect means an increase in the prices of everything (...) as soon as they get into power, the money's gone again, it's not hard to guess why - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.


19:12

Kaczyński on 'Climate Madness':

It's All Based on a Huge Deception.

- Climate madness – we must say in the European Parliament, in European institutions, and also here in Poland, that it is all based on a huge deception, on a gigantic deception. It is all untrue, and please do not confuse this with the fact that we must strive for clean air, because of course we must – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.

- This is nothing that has a real connection with this madness, with this zero-emission principle – he continued.


19:17

Kaczyński:

Prime Minister Morawiecki Managed to Halt All Immigration Plans

- Here sits such a humble prime minister [Morawiecki]. Well, but he managed to halt all these immigration plans and achieved it. It was we, our government, our prime minister who were effective in this fight. Of course, in various ways, we were harassed there, discriminated against, but we kept moving forward all the time, contrary to the stories of our opponents. All sorts of rankings, tables, hierarchies created by the EU itself, organizations, especially the OECD, show that these 8 years were a great success - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.


19:18

Kaczyński:

We Don't Want to Live Under the Boot, We Want to Matter in the EU
It's about a centralized state where two state entities, namely Germany and France, will have decisive significance. A few larger Western countries will probably be able to defend their interests there somehow, and the rest are to be under the boot. We don't want to live under the boot, we want to matter in the European Union - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.

19:30

Kaczyński:

On Sunday, it will be a big Poland-Germany match

- Shortly, there's a match with Ukraine, a friendly match, a testing one, but on Monday, although there's a match with Turkey, there will also be a match on Sunday. A big match, Poland-Germany. Who should win? Poland. The White-Reds - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.


19:34

Kaczyński:

We Have Over 100,000 Signatures for the Energy Price Hike Bill

- We already have signatures, well over 100,000 signatures. We will submit them to the appropriate place, which is the Sejm, and the bill is a bill against [energy price] hikes. A bill that is meant to restore the shield, that mechanism that we could somehow afford, but they cannot afford it - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.


19:36

Kaczyński:

When We Return to Power, Judicial Reform Will Be Carried Out Regardless of Brussels' Disapproval

- Remember, ladies and gentlemen, that when we return to power, we will not need much time, although I won't mention 100 or 400 days, for things to return to their proper state. And what we failed to achieve during these 8 years, for example, judicial reform, will be carried out regardless of who turns up their nose in Brussels - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a meeting in Chełm.


20:03

President Duda Urges Participation in European Elections in an Address:

Let’s Change Europe in the Interest of Our Homeland.
A few days ago, we commemorated the anniversary of the first partially free elections in 1989. This date reminds us of the great value of Polish democracy. It reminds us that we must decide on Polish matters ourselves, that no decisions should be imposed on us – stated President Andrzej Duda in an address to the nation.

But we must strive for democracy every day. It is stronger the greater the engagement of citizens. That is why I always urge people to vote. And I am immensely pleased by high turnout. This was the case in the last presidential and parliamentary elections. I hope it will be the same this time in the extremely important European elections! – emphasized PAD.

Let’s go to the polls! Let’s encourage our loved ones, neighbors, and friends to do so. Let’s change Europe in the interest of our Homeland. Let’s shape Europe in our interest! Long live Poland! – he stressed.

Below is the full text of the address.

*****

“Ten years ago, I was elected a Member of the European Parliament. Perhaps not many people remember this today, but after the 2014 elections, I had the honor of representing Poland and Poles in the European Union for a year, fighting in Brussels for Polish interests. I saw firsthand how important decisions are made in the European Parliament, how much can depend on our representatives, and how crucial it is for our representatives to effectively and consistently advocate for Polish affairs.

Next Sunday, June 9, we will again elect Polish Members of the European Parliament. We are reminded every day how incredibly important these elections are. The Migration Pact or the Green Deal are currently stirring immense public emotions. The consequences of decisions made in the European Parliament affect Poland, each of us, and will affect us even more in the future. This is precisely why these elections are so important. Because it is we, Poles, who can, on this very day, choose our representatives who will make the most important decisions on our behalf. For Poland, but also for all of Europe.

Europe is at a crucial historical moment. The coming years will determine the direction in which the entire European Union will move. Will it be, as the founding fathers of the Community wished, a Europe of fatherlands that respects the history, culture, tradition, and identity of individual member states, or will it be a centralized European state, as Brussels bureaucrats would like, where EU treaties will be changed by the powerful, and Poland's influence on making the most important decisions will be limited.
As a Pole, as a politician, and as President, I have always been, am, and will be for a sovereign Republic that decides for itself on matters most important to Poles! In the spirit of the principle that the stronger Poland is in Europe, the stronger the European Union will be!

Twenty years of our membership in the Union have shown this best. This period has been a great success for Poland, a great success for Poles! We have managed to utilize it excellently. Our Homeland has developed dynamically. We have not only caught up with but also surpassed many EU countries.

But we are an ambitious nation. We think about the future of ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. In another twenty years, Poland must be even stronger, even safer, and even more prosperous. This is precisely the key task for the Polish authorities, but also for our representatives in the European Parliament.

A few days ago, we commemorated the anniversary of the first partially free elections in 1989. This date reminds us of the great value of Polish democracy. It reminds us that we must decide on Polish matters ourselves, that no decisions should be imposed on us.

But we must strive for democracy every day. It is stronger the greater the engagement of citizens. That is why I always urge people to vote. And I am immensely pleased by high turnout. This was the case in the last presidential and parliamentary elections. I hope it will be the same this time in the extremely important European elections!

Let’s go to the polls! Let’s encourage our loved ones, neighbors, and friends to do so. Let’s change Europe in the interest of our Homeland. Let’s shape Europe in our interest! Long live Poland!”

20:11

MFA Demands Belarus Identify and Extradite Suspect in Murder of Polish Soldier
- In connection with the tragic events on the Polish-Belarusian border, which resulted in the death of a Polish soldier on duty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksiej Ponkratijenka – the diplomatic ministry communicated. As noted, in the protest note handed to the Belarusian diplomat, Poland firmly demands an end to provocations on the Polish-Belarusian border and the organization of migratory movements. - Given that the crime occurred on the Polish side of the border, and also in connection with the investigation conducted by the prosecutor's office, the MFA also demands the identification and extradition of the suspect in the murder of a Polish citizen – it was added.

20:21

Kobosko:

The Situation at Our Border is Changing Due to Actions by Moscow and Minsk

- Of course, such a situation should not be repeated. We should all act in such a way, especially those responsible for the functioning of our services, for the safety of our soldiers and officers, so that such a situation does not happen again. Should actions be accelerated? It seems to me that they are already very advanced today and are proceeding at a very high pace, because the situation at our border is changing quite dynamically due to the actions of Moscow and Minsk, meaning a regular hybrid war is already underway – stated Michał Kobosko in the program "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.


20:23

Scheuring-Wielgus After Soldier's Death:

I Can't Imagine Running a Campaign Now.

- In the face of this tragedy that has occurred. Out of a sense of responsibility for the state, we cannot imagine running this campaign. This situation has shocked and saddened us; we have all been following the doctors' fight for the soldier's life in recent days. I cannot imagine running a campaign now. I cannot imagine that we, as responsible politicians, would use this situation for an election campaign and to incite any negative sentiments – stated Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus on the program "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.


21:01

Sienkiewicz on Soldiers' Arrest: If I Were to Indulge in Conspiracy Theories, I'd Say We're Dealing with an Underground PiS State
- I believe that this [the arrest of soldiers for firing warning shots at the border] will certainly be thoroughly investigated. That's why the Prime Minister demanded explanations from both the Minister of Justice and the Minister of National Defence. However, there is a certain sequence of events in this that is very disturbing - Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz said in an interview with Justyna Dobrosz-Oracz on TVP Info's "Pytanie dnia" (Question of the Day). - I don't know if it's a trap, but I am stating facts. First, the prosecutor who supervised this investigation says he knows nothing about it, and then a document is found confirming that he had to approve everything in this investigation as the supervisor. Prosecutor Janeczek, who is also one of Zbigniew Ziobro's closest associates. This looks a bit strange - he continued. - Frankly, if I were to indulge in conspiracy theories, I would say that we are dealing with some kind of underground PiS state that is starting to show its claws here - he added. - How is it possible that the Minister of Justice knew nothing about this and – as I understand it – the highest authorities in the state also did not find out about it. […] Suddenly it turns out that this story is being told by Zbigniew Ziobro's closest associates on forums gathering Ziobro-affiliated prosecutors and on the Karnowski brothers' portal, a long-standing, ударной propaganda outlet of PiS. This adds up to a disturbing picture, and that's why I believe it should be thoroughly investigated, and the Prime Minister has indeed announced this - he went on to say.

21:04

Sienkiewicz:

We are struggling with a mafia defended by Kaczyński, Morawiecki, and Duda
- Prime Minister Morawiecki used the phrasing that the Prime Minister bears full responsibility for what is happening. Actually, this gentleman should remain silent on this matter, because according to that logic – and the truth – he bears responsibility for the entire organized thievery of the United Right camp over 8 years, during which he did nothing, and Ziobro’s prosecution did nothing, initiated no proceedings. Now we are struggling with this organized mafia, which seems to be defended by Kaczyński, Morawiecki, and Duda - Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz said on TVP Info’s “Question of the Day”.

21:05

Sienkiewicz:

We Voted Against the Barrier, Saying It Would Be Propaganda and Wouldn't Stop Anything – It All Came True
- Yes, we voted against [the barrier on the border with Belarus], saying it would be propaganda, that it wouldn't be any barrier, that it wouldn't stop anything. That you would spend billions and not secure the Polish border. And all of that has come true. It takes 15 seconds with a regular car jack to get to the Polish side – said Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz in TVP Info's „Pytanie dnia”. - A plan was announced not only for a real barrier, but for fortifying the eastern border. And this is one of the government's priorities. We are dealing with a neighbour against whom we must fortify ourselves, preventing misfortunes like those that have occurred so far – he continued.

21:07

Sienkiewicz on Obajtek: The Steamroller is Rolling and Will Eventually Catch Up to the Jester
- I treat this as a kind of buffoonery that will continue until Mr. Obajtek has to account for the transactions he made, for the 1.5 billion that was stolen from Orlen in Switzerland, for that incredibly suspicious deal which was the sale of the Polish fuel market to pro-Russian Hungary. Then this clowning around will end - said Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz in TVP Info's 'Pytanie dnia' (Question of the Day). - Mr. Obajtek is currently living somewhere in Hungary and pretending to campaign in Podkarpacie, dropping in there for a moment because he is not wanted by any arrest warrant. But the moment will come when he will have to flee from the prosecutor - he continued. - The most important thing is that the steamroller is rolling. And you can play the fool in front of the steamroller for some time, but eventually this steamroller will catch up to the fool. These are normal procedures that are part of the law - he stated. - A European Parliament mandate does not protect against criminal liability in one's own country - he emphasized.