Live Feed

06/13/2024

07:33

Thursday's Political Agenda: Government Session, Sejm Debates Sunday Trading Liberalization and 'Lex Tusk' Commission Dissolution, Changes at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister
Today, the ordinance by the Minister of Interior and Administration regarding the establishment of a so-called buffer zone at the border with Belarus comes into effect.

A Council of Ministers session will be held at 10:00 AM.

The Sejm will resume its proceedings at 9:00 AM with current affairs questions, and at 11:15 AM – at the request of PiS – a current information session on the government's stance and actions regarding the migration pact adopted at the EU level.

At 12:45 PM, the first reading of the draft law, submitted by Poland 2050, to liberalize Sunday trading rules will commence. Later, at 2:45 PM, MPs will address the draft law dissolving the State Commission for the Investigation of Russian Influence on the Internal Security of the Republic of Poland in the Years 2007-2022 – this refers to the body established in April 2023, known as ‘lex Tusk’.

The last item on today's agenda will be the first readings of the government's draft law on Electronic Communications Law and its implementing provisions – the start is scheduled for 4:45 PM.

A press conference by the Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Anita Sowińska, summarizing consultations and the draft of new packaging labeling for the deposit system will be held at 9:00 AM.

At 12:00 PM, a conference by the heads of the National Revenue Administration (KAS) will take place, summarizing PIT tax settlements for 2023.

At 3:00 PM, a ceremony marking changes at the Presidential Palace with the participation of President Andrzej Duda will be held.

08:06

Leszczyna:

If some Left voters have shifted to us, then the Left shouldn't try to differentiate itself from us, but quite the opposite
- We have a coalition government, of course, it consists of several parties, and we have a stable majority in the Sejm, but voters clearly stated a few days ago that the Civic Coalition's program, meaning our 100 concrete points [...] is the program they are willing to vote for again. I think this is something for Third Way, for the Left to consider, and I hope that these parties will recognize that it is indeed worthwhile to implement all those parts of the program where we differ the least, and I think this is the path to our further successes - said Izabela Leszczyna in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti". - If some Left voters have shifted to us, then the Left shouldn't try to differentiate itself from us, but quite the opposite. Of course, they should build their own identity, but without negating what the voters voted for - she continued.

08:17

Leszczyna on Further Work on Health Contribution Changes:

We Are Essentially Ready.
- We Poles have much more to lose than the issue of shopping Sundays and the health contribution for a de facto small group of citizens. Let's be frank, and I am convinced that what I presented with Mr. Domański, the Minister of Finance, is truly acceptable to everyone. Especially since both the Minister of Finance and I assured that there would be no detriment to the financing of healthcare - said Izabela Leszczyna on Polsat News. - I absolutely disagree with Mr. Zandberg [that this is a concession to wealthy entrepreneurs, not the smallest ones]. I mean, well over 90% of entrepreneurs benefit. If Mr. Zandberg believes that almost 100% of our entrepreneurs are tycoons, then I truly assure you: no, they should go to the market, to the bazaar, they should walk through neighborhood shops - she continued. - We are essentially ready [to work in the government, in the Sejm on this project]. However, I think now is a good time. Of course, each party flexed its muscles a bit during the election campaign [...] today we can calmly sit down and, what we promised people, I think we will look for compromises. Each party has something in its program that was not necessarily aligned with the others, but we will definitely reach a consensus - she said further.

08:22

Grabiec on New Regulations: It's About Soldiers Using Weapons Against Regulations in Dynamic Situations
- What we are changing is not that weapons can be used at the border, but that in a situation where weapons are used against regulations, and in a dynamic situation, when we are dealing with an ongoing action, it may happen that out of these 1300 shots, a few shots may occur - although they shouldn't - where these shots are fired contrary to the rules regarding the use of weapons - said Jan Grabiec in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24. - Today, such a situation of violating regulations is treated as a crime. [...] This situation is treated similarly to a bandit who comes out onto the streets of Warsaw, to a playground, and starts shooting at a sandbox. Similarly, soldiers who fire shots unlawfully, against regulations, in a dynamic situation, would be treated - he continued. - Only someone who does nothing makes no mistakes. So we are trying to regulate this situation. If the state sends a person with a weapon, gives them the right to use that weapon in certain situations, and they make a mistake in such a way that it causes no harm, but it is still a violation of regulations, they should not be treated as a criminal - explained the Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. - This situation should be investigated, there is no doubt about that, for the safety of this soldier or other individuals, but they certainly should not be treated as a criminal. We want to introduce this type of regulation - he added.

08:25

Leszczyna on measures to cover hospital overperformances:

This is truly enough.
- The first quarter has been paid for in 11 voivodeships, in 5 we have minor shortfalls, and because we have activated, firstly, the 3 billion that the Minister of Finance released, these bonds [...] we will increase the subsidy to the National Health Fund (NFZ) by 2 billion PLN, and that is truly enough to pay for these unlimited overperformances [...] for the first quarter we will need about a billion to cover it, and this will happen very, very quickly, while the remaining funds will also be for these "unlimited" services in the coming months - said Izabela Leszczyna on Polsat News. - It's not that we don't have money in the NFZ, I want to reassure everyone. Hospitals are working, everything that is unlimited is happening - she continued.

08:33

Zandberg:

The Left Must Speak Up Louder When Dissatisfied

- This should be obvious. It wasn't just a promise from the Left's coalition committee [on civil partnerships]. The fact that this matter has still not been resolved, even though it costs not a single zloty and is really simple to implement. I repeat, it costs not a single zloty, and it's something that actually benefits the balance sheet not only of the Left but also of Civic Coalition (KO), Donald Tusk, and Poland 2050, so it seems to me that the failure to implement this particular matter is completely incomprehensible. But frankly, when I said that the Left must speak up louder and more clearly when dissatisfied, I wasn't just talking about this specific issue – stated Adrian Zandberg on the program "Sygnały dnia" on PR1.

08:34

Zandberg:

I Won't Bite My Tongue Anymore for the Sake of the Coalition
When I say that The Left cannot be too polite, that The Left cannot be too accommodating, I am also beating my own chest to be clear, but I also want to say very clearly that I will no longer bite my tongue, that I will no longer remain silent on various issues for the sake of the coalition, I will not pretend that things are not happening, I will not count on something being resolved through backroom talks, because nothing has been resolved through backroom talks. On these very many important matters, and this simply means that one has to be tougher, because if you are not tougher, nothing will happen – stated Adrian Zandberg on PR1.

08:36

Grabiec:

Soldiers Have the Right to Fire Warning Shots
- Soldiers have the right to fire warning shots, and this applies regardless of whether it's current legislation or new regulations - said Jan Grabiec in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. - We are talking about several changes to regulations. Some of them seem obvious and we will likely implement them very quickly. These concern the structure of responsibility itself, whether for soldiers or other officers who use weapons at the border. We know that this weapon is used constantly, every day. This year alone, over 1300 warning shots have been fired, and this is an everyday occurrence for soldiers - he continued. - This situation concerns not only threats but also state border violations and property damage. […] This does not only apply to direct threats, because in a situation of direct threat, it is somewhat difficult to fire warning shots - he continued.

08:36

Leszczyna on the Details of Planned Hospital Changes:

If We Need a Department Somewhere, It Doesn't Have to Be 20 km Further, But There Will Be Another One.
- We are doing this de facto at the request of district hospital directors, who understand that if the situation is such that in one district and another, separated by 30 km, we have the same department and directors have to fight for doctors, because we don't have enough of them, it creates almost pathological solutions, because whoever pays more, which is natural, there is demand, there is supply, so price always plays a role here. We want to end this. If we need such a department somewhere, it doesn't have to be 20 km further, but there will be another department - said Izabela Leszczyna in Polsat News. - We are going with a group of experts, with our know-how, we sit down at the table, but the Marshal, the Voivode, and the Starosts must be involved. We look at the map of health needs, we look at the hospital network, and together with our experts, we say how best to arrange it - she continued. - No facilities will disappear. [...] We have 24-hour surgery, it might become day surgery only. The same may apply to pediatrics. But please remember that we will provide medical transport, emergency medical services, meaning, the patient will always know that the hospital they always went to will always be in this location [...]. The local government decides. If the local government decides that it wants to maintain a very deficit-ridden department, it has the right to do so - she added.

08:40

Leszczyna Announces Draft Legislation:

I See No Reason for People to Buy Alcohol at Gas Stations at Night.
- We have finished the analyses, and I would like to present a bill to the government's work programming team that will restrict the nighttime sale of alcohol at gas stations. I don't think we'll manage to get this done by summer [...] the project will be on the table after the summer, if it is accepted by the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers. I would very much like it to come into effect. I see no reason for people to buy alcohol at gas stations at night - said Izabela Leszczyna on Polsat News.

08:49

Zandberg:

Agreement Needed on US Ambassador Appointment

- I have a feeling that in Polish politics, wounded personal pride is too often an important factor in decision-making, and in this particular matter, in my opinion, there is no room for it. My message here is very simple. We need to reach an agreement [on the selection of the ambassador to the USA] and that's it, and end this unfortunate situation where an internal dispute can have unpleasant consequences for more important matters – said Adrian Zandberg in PR1.

09:02

Budka:

Our coalition partners should be drawing conclusions
Here I am speaking clearly – it is they [our coalition partners] who should be drawing conclusions, while we can only help if they ask for advice – stated Borys Budka on "Sygnały dnia" PR1.

09:03

Budka:

Perhaps Żukowska was referring to agreement within her own coalition

- I am the last person who would want to settle such matters in the media, but perhaps [Anna-Maria Żukowska] was talking about agreement within her own coalition, because I would remind you that the biggest problems sometimes arise for Lewica with its own coalition partner, which is the Razem party. If someone wants to get something done, they know perfectly well that the forum for coalition leaders is primarily for that, and if there is a green light, meaning the PSL primarily decides to support this project, then it will certainly be communicated - stated Borys Budka on PR1's "Sygnały dnia".

09:09

Grabiec on Coalition Leaders' Meetings:

Before and After the Elections. Everything is Fine.
- The coalition leaders are convinced that this coalition is based on partnership. These contacts are constant - said Jan Grabiec in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. When asked if there had been a meeting between Tusk, Kosiniak-Kamysz, Hołownia, and Czarzasty, he replied: - There were such meetings, both before and after the elections. Everything is fine, really. - The gentlemen meet regularly, all four of them. They regularly discuss the situation within the coalition - he assured.

09:16

Grabiec:

The Partnership Law Has Been Prepared and is Being Consulted within the Coalition
- The [Partnership] Law has been prepared, it is currently being consulted regarding our coalition partners - said Jan Grabiec in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. - We are talking about a law that is currently a government bill. This is a slightly more advanced maneuver. Of course, at any moment a group of MPs can submit such bills, but we are not concerned with submitting bills. We are concerned with changing reality - he continued. - We agreed in the coalition that if any of the groups has a separate opinion, it can submit parliamentary bills. But this does not guarantee the passing of this law, of course. And our goal is not to talk about partnership unions, but to change the law in Poland, and I think we are very close to that - he continued.

09:47

One of the Proposals That Could Be Taken During a Government Shift. Müller on the Kosiniak-Kamysz as PM, Morawiecki as Deputy PM Scenario

- You know, I believe that this is one of the proposals [Mateusz Morawiecki as Deputy Prime Minister for Economy in Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz's government] that could be considered during some sort of government shift. In the sense that it would have to be programmatically clear, also in the context of EU matters and so on. And such a proposal would open up to the PSL environment, so that Donald Tusk, simply a pest in Polish politics, wouldn't govern. For some transitional compromises, I emphasize, one could go - stated Piotr Müller in an interview with Łukasz A. Jankowski on Radio Wnet.

10:03

Müller on the New Name for PiS's Electoral Committee:

That's what Civic Coalition Did.

- I don't know [if Sovereign Poland will join PiS]. Is that an option on the table? I don't know if such an option is on the table. I'm not a proponent of consolidating in such a way that it's all under one template. Because, recall, in 2015, United Right won the elections precisely because it had Law and Justice, Jarosław Gowin's party, Zbigniew Ziobro's party, a whole host of various associations, organizations, and all these organizations and all these parties ran under the banner of Law and Justice, but individual entities were still empowered... - stated Piotr Müller in an interview with Łukasz A. Jankowski on Radio Wnet.

- I don't have such a deep conviction [whether the PiS banner should change]. One could possibly consider a decision in the future for a unification on the right to occur, so that the electoral committee itself has a different name. That's what Civic Coalition essentially did, right? And that's something one could ponder. However, regarding a change to the party's name itself, I am skeptical, because, you know, building a brand… Piotr Müller: It could be, for example, that's one of the options, of course, because then it also encourages other circles to join us, right? Because they feel somewhat more empowered because of it - he continued.

- We've often chanted it at matches, so I think many would like such a name. Yes, I personally like that name [Biało-czerwoni - White-Reds]. An association was also founded some time ago with exactly that name. I think it would also capture the spirit of what these right-wing circles would see, namely the fight for white-red interests - added the former government spokesperson.

10:14

Sikorski on Civil Partnerships:

It's High Time to Take Care of It.

- Civil partnerships are a matter of respect, security, and the right to happiness. In my personal opinion, it's high time to take care of it - Radosław Sikorski wrote on Twitter.

10:17

Mastalerek on Tusk:

It's good he changed his mind, but he should still apologize.
- President Andrzej Duda has been consistent on the border issue from the very beginning, since 2021, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk has changed his mind. It's very good that he changed his mind, but it seems that Prime Minister Donald Tusk should still apologize for what his politicians did in 2021, to the soldiers, the Border Guard, the officers - said Marcin Mastalerek in a conversation with Jacek Prusinowski on the program "Sedno Sprawy" (The Essence of the Matter) on Radio Plus. - The President said at the National Security Council that there are politicians in Poland who should apologize, and what is Donald Tusk doing? Sending a man who ran around with pizza somewhere near the border to the European Parliament? - he continued.

10:26

Mastalerek on Kolarski's Result:

The notion that President Duda isn't a support and that one can fight for the presidency in 2025 without him is quite amusing.
- Minister Kolarski was an unknown figure. He was up against one of the most popular female ministers, arguably the most popular in the Law and Justice government, who was responsible for the 13th and 14th pension, and for the 800+ program – Marlena Maląg. She could have easily outpolled practically any top candidate in Poland, and Ryszard Czarnecki has been in the European Parliament for 20 years. Wojciech Kolarski, on the other hand, was running for the first time and simply paid his dues - said Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Plus. - I spoke yesterday with a researcher who said that in such a short time – after all, Minister Kolarski found out which constituency he was running in just 41 days before the election, as he was supposed to run in a different one – it's impossible to effectively reach all voters with the message that the president supports him. Is it a defeat? Certainly, I'm not afraid of the word "defeat" because conclusions must be drawn from it - he continued. - Drawing conclusions that President Duda, thanks to whom Law and Justice came to power in 2015, and who then achieved a record 10.5 million votes in 2020, is not a support and that one can fight for the presidency in 2025 without him, is, if Law and Justice draws such a conclusion, quite amusing. Because I would remind you that many candidates endorsed by President Jarosław Kaczyński were overtaken by individuals from lower positions on the ballot - he went on to say.

10:39

Centrist-Right Parties Should Leverage the Great Strength of President Duda. Mastalerek on How He Interprets Ardanowski's Words
- It is the centrist-right circles, whether it is Law and Justice, or other formations within it, that should strive for the president to support them in some way, one way or another, and this is how I interpret Minister Ardanowski's words. However, as far as I know, President Andrzej Duda is not heading towards party politics, because he has never been a party politician; he has always been a statesman, always working either as a minister or in parliamentary committees - said Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Plus. - Of course [he had party membership], but he was chosen by unfavorable, left-wing weeklies as the best parliamentarian. He is a pro-state individual, and I don't think he is thinking about a party career. However, Minister Ardanowski's words – and I believe that his dismissal as Minister of Agriculture was a great mistake, because he was an excellent Minister of Agriculture and it was one of the biggest mistakes Jarosław Kaczyński made, dismissing Minister Ardanowski – I interpret these words as precisely such a message that centrist-right organizations and parties should take advantage of the great strength that President Andrzej Duda represents, who has achieved much higher results than Law and Justice - he continued. Previously, Jan Ardanowski told Super Express that "a new entity must emerge on the right, a new party, focused around conservative circles. Andrzej Duda should become the leader of such a camp."

10:49

Mastalerek on ambassadors:

Tusk fears running for president, but wants presidential prerogatives.
- I would remind you that the government cannot recall an ambassador; it can only and exclusively summon them to Warsaw, and the embassy can be headed by a chargé d'affaires, which would be unserious in the most important country for Poland today, the United States [...]. If the government behaves this way, if Minister Sikorski does this, he will be acting in a completely irresponsible manner - said Marcin Mastalerek on Radio Plus. - Of course, [the president] will not recall Marek Magierowski [....]. Ambassadors in Poland are appointed and recalled by the president [...] Donald Tusk fears running for president, but he would like to have the prerogatives of the president. He would like ambassadors to be ambassadors of the government, and ideally ambassadors of Civic Platform. I hope that finally, after this defeat that occurred in the Third Way and the Left, the gentlemen and ladies from the Third Way and the Left will stop agreeing to such anti-state policies of Donald Tusk and Radosław Sikorski, and they will finally say: hello, this is an ambassador of the Republic, this is not an ambassador of a party, the Sejm must decide, the government must decide, and the president must decide - he continued.

11:22

The Left Opposes Trade on Sundays:

Petru's Concept is Motivated by Gallery Owners' Lobbying.
- The idea of a bill allowing trade on Sundays is returning to the Sejm once again. It's an idea that we, as the Left, disagree with, and we disagree because we always stand on the side of employees and their rights. In this situation, employee rights can be violated, and this hard-won piece [...] of greater rights, the right to rest, the right to family life, which has been in place for the last few years and to which trade has already adapted in terms of logistics and work organization, and which Poles have also accepted over the years, we believe that the concept of Mr. MP Ryszard Petru is motivated by the lobbying of shopping mall owners; it is really only they who care about restoring trade on Sundays - said Anna Maria Żukowska at a press conference. - Our goal is to achieve a shortening of the entire work week, which will be beneficial for all employee groups. But in order to do that, let's not limit the rights that have already been won by this professional group working in trade - she continued. - Free Sundays were a step in the right direction, and we cannot afford to take two steps back now. It won't be Ryszard Petru unloading those pallets in the store on Sunday. It won't be Ryszard Petru running around a large hypermarket all day, which already has too few people working in it. It will be a mother of three children spending that day at work with no chance to look after her family. It will be trade employees who will lose their only chance to spend the whole day with their family, with friends, go to the park, or, if they prefer, to church - said Maciej Konieczny.

11:57

Polish Patriots Defend Polish Skies, and That Won't Change." Tomczyk Announces Decision on American Battery

- The American battery will be replaced by a battery from another part of the world. Poland did not agree to the handover of a Polish battery. Polish Patriots defend Polish skies, and that won't change - Cezary Tomczyk wrote on Twitter.

12:15

Pomaska Becomes New Chairwoman of Parliamentary Committee on EU Affairs

Civic Coalition (KO) MP Agnieszka Pomaska has been elected as the new chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Union Affairs. She will replace Michał Kobosko, who secured a seat in the European Parliament in the recent elections.

12:44

Witek:

Suing the Migration Pact in the CJEU Should Be the Government's Duty

- Suing this disgraceful migration pact in the Court of Justice of the European Union should be your primary duty, in the face of the deception you committed against our citizens in 2023 during the election campaign for our Polish parliament, do you remember? At that time, a referendum was also held, one of the referendum questions concerned the acceptance of illegal migrants from Africa and the Middle East, you did everything to ensure this referendum failed, and it did fail, but out of over 12 million citizens who took referendum ballots, over 96% of citizens said no – stated Elżbieta Witek in the Sejm.

13:07

Duda:

The Three Seas Initiative is not an abstract entity, but primarily a space for security
- The Three Seas Initiative is not some abstract political entity, some discussion group for heads of state or government who meet once a year at summits as some kind of social gathering. We all know very well that the Three Seas Initiative has a very concrete dimension. […] It is primarily a space for security, but not military security, because for those matters we have the North Atlantic Alliance. I am thinking primarily of security understood in the economic and social context, which is comprised of high-quality transport, energy, and digital infrastructure – said President Andrzej Duda during the Samorządowy Kongres Trójmorza in Lublin. - Of course, it cannot be denied that in connection with Russian aggression against Ukraine and the obvious, growing threat from the East today, from Russia, for the entire area of our part of Europe, we are also thinking about how to use the infrastructure being developed within the Three Seas Initiative also for military purposes – he continued.

13:28

Duda:

We Need Ambitious Projects with Transnational Impact – Like CPK
- We are the driving force of this [Three Seas Initiative] format. We are the largest economy in the region, the most numerous nation inhabiting the area of the Three Seas Initiative [...]. It is for this reason, but also due to the need to formulate and provide further impulses for development, that we need to implement further ambitious projects with an impact far beyond Poland's borders, extending beyond our borders, going broader – said President Andrzej Duda during the Local Government Congress of the Three Seas Initiative in Lublin. - I am thinking here of projects like CPK, [...] which, according to our assumption, is intended to be a transport hub not only for Poland but also for all those who will want to get from our part of Europe to the farthest corners of the world [...], excellently connected with all the most important centers of our country by both high-speed rail and road networks – he continued. - This has an obvious economic and business dimension, and of course, also a strategic dimension – security. This is to be an airport where any plane can land, where huge quantities of equipment and huge numbers of people can be delivered in a very short time, if the need arises to relocate support from across the Atlantic or any corner of Europe to our part of Europe – he went on.

13:42

Duda:

Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, and Western Balkan states must be included in our security zone
- The Kremlin regime must suffer defeat in Ukraine at all costs, and subsequently lose its influence in Belarus and in other areas of Eastern Europe. […] If we allow them to win in Ukraine, they will want to go further – said President Andrzej Duda during the Samorządowy Congress of the Three Seas in Lublin. - This monster, which is Russian imperialism, is insatiable; if it is not chastised, if its teeth are not knocked out, it will continue to bite, gnaw, tear, take away freedom, and drink the blood of subsequent nations, taking their resources, enslaving them, destroying them economically, and attempting to introduce its alien – I want to emphasize this – cultural patterns for us, and above all, patterns of morality – he noted. - The Russian world is something alien to us, something we have always defended ourselves against, and I hope we will continue to defend ourselves effectively, and that we will continue to help our neighbours from Ukraine until success, so that they too can enjoy freedom – he continued. - The inclusion of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkan states into our zone of security, freedom, and prosperity must be an overarching goal. I say: of Polish foreign policy, but here, at this forum, I dare to say: also of the policy within the Three Seas region, and also of European policy – the President emphasized.

13:49

In the Sejm about Sunday trading:

This is a debate about what kind of country Poland should be.

- Today's debate on liberalizing Sunday trading is about more than just Sunday shopping. It is a debate about what kind of country Poland should be. Should it be a country of freedom, a secular state, a state of trust, economic growth, and prosperity, or a country of orders, punishments, a country promoting scheming, where in the name of ideology, the earning potential and freedom of Poles are restricted. It is a debate about how deeply the state should regulate our lives, telling us how we should live, work, and spend our time. It is a debate about freedom, individual freedom, which in the last 8 years has been replaced by the omnipotence of the state – stated Ryszard Petru in the Sejm.

13:55

Petru:

Sunday Trading Ban Led to the Collapse of 30,000 Shops

- The Sunday trading ban has led to the collapse of 30,000 shops, Polish shops, and contributed to the dominance of two discount chains and Żabka. In 2023 alone, 3,000 small shops were closed – stated Ryszard Petru in the Sejm.

14:00

Petru on Sunday trading:

I am for seeking a sensible compromise.

- I am open to seeking a sensible compromise, a sensible solution in Poland. Such possibilities include opening shops, for example, in tourist areas or specific opening hours on Sundays. What would be the best solution is to transfer the competencies in this area to the local government level – stated Ryszard Petru in the Sejm.

16:07

Dziemianowicz-Bąk on Sunday Trading Liberalization: Shopping Malls Want It. Small and Large Shops, Employees, and Poles Do Not.
- First and foremost, employees, primarily female employees in retail, because it is mainly women who work in this sector, do not want an increase in working Sundays, commercial Sundays, and the lifting of restrictions on Sunday trading. This applies regardless of the trade union they belong to. Both Solidarity and OPZZ are against changes to current regulations - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in the Sejm.

- Entrepreneurs also do not want this. This includes small, medium, and larger ones. The Polish Chamber of Commerce, which associates around 30,000 entities, is even sounding the alarm […] that the entry into force of the proposed regulations will deprive small traders of the chance to compete with large discounters. Moreover, they point out that when small, district shops collapse, their suppliers […] who cannot compete with larger wholesalers will also face collapse - she continued.

- Interestingly, large retail chains do not want these changes either, because they inform that they are already short of staff, there is no one to work on Sundays, or no one wants to. […] Finally, as shown by, for example, public opinion surveys from May, Poles, i.e., consumers, do not want these changes - she continued.

- Therefore, one must ask: who is in favor? And answer honestly that there is someone who is in favor. That someone is shopping malls. Not small shops, not large shops, not employees, and not Poles. Malls. […] Is the need of shopping malls, standing in opposition to the needs of the other actors mentioned, such a significant social need? I think you can answer that for yourselves - she concluded.

16:50

New Head of the Presidential Chancellery Appointed

President Andrzej Duda has dismissed Grażyna Ignaczak-Bandych from the position of Head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland and has appointed Małgorzata Paprocka, previously a Secretary of State in the Presidential Chancellery, to this role.

19:55

Morawiecki:

All Purchase Decisions During the Global Pandemic Were Made with Patients' Health and Lives in Mind

- All purchase decisions during the global pandemic were made with patients' health and lives in mind. Officials and representatives of state-owned companies searched worldwide for protective equipment to ensure the safety of both patients and medical personnel. This was one of the most difficult periods in our state's history - wrote Mateusz Morawiecki on Facebook.

"At that time, the production and import of personal protective equipment, such as masks, gowns, face shields, and disinfectants, took place under difficult conditions, with disrupted supply chains, global shortages, and fierce competition.

Officials and employees of state-owned companies did everything in their power to deliver the necessary materials to hospitals, care homes, and frontline workers.

Now they are being attacked for it. Everything indicates that the sole reason is the fact that United Right ruled at the time. Political struggle conducted with such methods is not only shameful and simply dishonest but will have serious consequences in the future."

19:59

Budka Declares Intention to Submit Motion to EU Parliament to Lift Obajtek's Immunity
- This episode, which I hope will be a swift one, will be the presentation of a motion to lift Mr. Obajtek's immunity. Of course, if there is a need, I will be very happy to present what has been gathered here in Poland regarding him. But this is still a matter of likely a few months and the work of the prosecutor's office - said Borys Budka in TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach," when asked by Grzegorz Kajdanowicz about his plans in the European Parliament. - The most important thing for me is that the prosecutor's office translates into trial material what I saw in the documents that were gathered by Polish services. In my opinion, Mr. Obajtek should stand trial, he should answer for what happened during his tenure at Orlen - he stated.

20:08

Dziemianowicz-Bąk:

Workers, Traders, Small and Large Stores Don't Want Sunday Trade. Shopping Malls and Petru Do.
- For 6 months, I have been meeting with various groups at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy [...] If I were to summarize, it's this: female employees, not just employees, do not want Sunday trade, regardless of which trade union we are talking about, whether it's Solidarity or OPZZ. Traders don't want it, the Polish Chamber of Commerce doesn't want it, small shops, which are afraid of going bankrupt, don't want it, not even the large stores. Shopping malls and Ryszard Petru want it - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in 'Fakty po Faktach' on TVN24.

20:12

Budka:

Our Coalition Partners Couldn't Cope. It's Crucial They Learn From This
- Our coalition partners couldn't cope. It's very important that they draw conclusions from this. The coalition is ongoing and will continue to be – Borys Budka stated on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach" program. - It's important to maintain these elements of partnership. Because unfortunately, when the time comes when someone loses, feels worse, they may then make further mistakes, announcing something in the media somewhere. No, now we need to sit down, talk about what can be done together, because there are many challenges ahead of us – he continued.

20:14

Dziemianowicz-Bąk on Public Sector Wage Hikes: 'I Conceded to the Finance Minister's Position on the Minimum Wage, and the Finance Minister Conceded to My Position'
- The proposal adopted today by the Council of Ministers for an increase in wages in the public sector is indeed at the level of inflation, 4.1%. [...] Trade unionists postulated 15%, my amendment [...] was 7.6%, meaning at the level of minimum wage growth [...]. In this matter, I conceded to the Finance Minister's position on the minimum wage, and the Finance Minister conceded to my position; that is also how cooperation works - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk on TVN24 when asked about the amount of increases for the so-called public sector.

20:18

Budka:

Everything Points to Trzaskowski Being the Presidential Candidate
- Everything points to Rafał Trzaskowski being the candidate [for President of Poland]. Donald Tusk has spoken on this matter many times. In my opinion, it is very probable – Borys Budka said on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach" program. - Donald Tusk is the leader of our party. Many things can change within a year, although I do not foresee [him running in the election] – he continued. - Just as in 2020, he was supported by me, and I did everything for the national board to accept this candidacy without a dissenting vote, when it depended on me, so I think he will be the candidate for Civic Coalition (KO). I will always try to persuade other groupings to also support Rafał Trzaskowski being the candidate for the entire camp – he concluded.

20:23

Dziemianowicz-Bąk on an Alternative Scenario for Partnership Unions:

I Want to Give the Ruling Coalition a Chance to Deliver This in June.
- The bill on partnership unions is the government's responsibility [...]. I would very much like this project to be presented to the government in June, because there is no point in waiting any longer - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk on TVN24. - I would prefer it to be a government project, Lewica would prefer it to be a government project, but just as individuals, families, and LGBT partners do not want to wait any longer, we will not wait indefinitely either. I hope it will be a government project; if it is not a government project, we will consider other solutions - she continued. - I want to give the ruling coalition a chance to deliver this in June, but if that doesn't happen, there are such voices within our club, there is such readiness from Lewica [...] for it to be a parliamentary bill, but naturally, I would prefer it to be a government submission - she added.

20:24

Mastalerek:

Magierowski Could Only Receive a Dismissal Letter Exclusively from the President

- Such a letter dismissing him from his [ambassadorial] post could only and exclusively be received from the President of the Republic of Poland. The President of the Republic of Poland appoints and dismisses ambassadors. Foreign policy, according to the ruling from 2008, is a shared responsibility between the government and the president. This directly follows from the Constitution - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

- I was at a meeting with Joe Biden, President Duda was there. Do you think he was on a sightseeing trip? No, he was conducting foreign policy - he continued.

20:25

Mastalerek on Magierowski: Was a Single Argument Presented, or is He Simply a Bad Ambassador?

- But why? I have a question: was a single argument presented, or is he a bad ambassador? Have you heard anyone in the public sphere say that he is a bad ambassador? – stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

20:27

Mastalerek to Tusk: If You Want Presidential Powers, Run for Election

- I would like to appeal to Prime Minister Tusk, if I may. Mr. Prime Minister, if you want to have the powers of the President of the Republic of Poland, then do not be afraid, run in an election, and then you will be able to appoint and dismiss ambassadors. For now, that is the president's job - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" program.

20:30

Mastalerek:

I Cannot Rule Out Running for President

– Of course, one cannot rule out such a matter, but I haven't said I want to run. I cannot rule out [running for president], and I will likely make that decision, like other candidates, between November and January – stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

20:34

Mastalerek on Klich: He Was Simply a Weak Minister of National Defence

- He was [Bogdan Klich] simply a weak Minister of National Defence. The President's opinion is clear, he was a weak minister and was minister when two catastrophes occurred. Not just one. He was a minister during whose tenure more soldiers died than I can recall since I don't remember when - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".

20:46

Mastalerek on Civil Partnerships:

A Certain Compromise is Only Possible Here.

- The President seems to have spoken twice during the election campaign that for him, the limit of compromise is something like the status of the closest person, and I think that a certain compromise is only possible here - stated Marcin Mastalerek on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" program.

20:54

Bocheński:

I Wouldn't Rule Out PiS's Coalition Capabilities
PiS is the only party that has twice achieved results allowing it to govern independently. Once effectively, because Leszek Miller's Left [SLD] left the stage and wasn't in Parliament, and the second time under completely different conditions, and these are results still achievable. Besides, the political situation is dynamic, it can change, we even see this in our current Parliament, so I wouldn't rule out PiS's coalition capabilities in the future. The fact that we have stable results shows how trusted our voters are and how they respect the political decisions we make – stated Tobiasz Bocheński in the program "Pytanie Dnia" (Question of the Day) on TVP Info.

20:54

Bocheński on Running for President:

If Anyone Makes Me Such an Offer, I Will Consider It.

- We don't know who will be running [for President of Poland]. I can't rule it out, as no one has even asked me yet. I will decide when someone makes me such an offer, I will consider it. I have never made such a declaration; I said that if I were 50 years old, I could then sit in your studio, if I were a serious political leader, and say, 'Yes, I would like to.' Today I am 37 years old, and no one has offered it to me except for the editors of Gazeta.pl and other portals, whom I greatly respect – said Tobiasz Bocheński on TVP Info.

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