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06/20/2024

07:11

Thursday's Political Agenda: Kosiniak-Kamysz Meets with South Korean Defense Minister

At 9:00 AM, in Pruszków, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will meet with the South Korean Minister of Defense. A joint press conference is scheduled.

Meanwhile, at 12:30 PM, at the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Mińsk Mazowiecki, Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda will sign a cooperation agreement with the Korean side regarding the maintenance and service of FA-50 aircraft. An address by the Deputy Head of the Ministry of National Defence is foreseen.

At 9:00 AM, a press conference will be held by Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka and the Head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak. The topic: safe holidays.

At 9:30 AM, a press conference will take place in the Sejm with PiS MPs Robert Gontarz and Paweł Jabłoński. Subsequently, at 1:00 PM – a conference with Anna Gembicka and Marlena Maląg.


07:50

Leszczyna:

We want to restrict late-night alcohol sales at petrol stations, from 10 PM to 6 AM
- The Minister of Health, their mission is to care for the health of society, public health. All studies worldwide indicate two ways to reduce alcohol consumption: [...] increasing the price, and that is the domain of the Minister of Finance, and reducing physical availability, meaning limiting points of sale – said Izabela Leszczyna in an interview with Aleksandra Pawlicka on TVP Info's "Guest of the Morning". - What I am proposing is currently in the analysis phase, but we are finishing these analyses and will soon have a draft law ready. It involves restricting the sale of alcohol at petrol stations during night hours, from 10 PM to 6 AM – she continued. - I hear that petrol stations won't survive at all. I didn't realize petrol stations were de facto liquor stores. I asked the Ministry of Finance for analyses and I have them. Truly, within the entire revenue basket of a petrol station, alcohol constitutes 1%. Truly, nothing will happen to anyone, and some of us will be healthier – she added.

08:01

Leszczyna on Emergency Contraception Access:

What I Cared About Has Been Achieved.
- 1200 pharmacies across Poland have registered for this [pilot program regarding the sale of the ‘morning-after’ pill] program, and more are constantly registering. This means that on average, about 4 pharmacies per county are selling emergency contraception pills. Of course, the distribution in Poland isn't ideal; it's known that in big cities [...] there are more such pharmacies, while in small towns or counties in the eastern border region, there are a bit fewer, but they are present as well - said Izabela Leszczyna in “Gość poranka” on TVP Info. - I believe that what I cared about has been achieved. If a woman or girl needs to use emergency contraception, today in Poland she has that option. All she needs to do is go to the NFZ website; there's an interactive map there, [...] allowing her to check exactly in which nearest town there is a pharmacy where she can get the contraceptive pill - she continued.

08:15

Schetyna on the Border: The Situation Has Calmed Down Slightly Thanks to the Government's Firm Reaction

- The situation [at the border] has calmed down a bit, that's my impression, in recent days, but that is primarily because there was a very resolute response or a response and announcement of government decisions. A very firm reaction in terms of responding to the soldier's death, but here one must be very consistent. I would like, and it is always the dream of every responsible politician, for this matter of the border, security, including soldiers, border guards, police present there, to be taken out of political dispute - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti".


08:15

Leszczyna:

Hospital's fine for refusing a legal abortion must be substantial
- This stems from my regulation, where we speak of 2% of the contract, that can be the maximum penalty. I remind you that the next step could be revoking the contract for that specific department. Of course, this medical entity [...] did not receive the maximum penalty, but I believe it must be a substantial fine nonetheless - Izabela Leszczyna said on TVP Info's "Gość poranka" (Morning Guest). - A patient who presents with a certificate from a doctor stating that her life or health is at risk if she does not terminate the pregnancy cannot be turned away. One cannot ask other doctors, convene any councils, or refer this woman to another facility. Such a patient must be provided with medical assistance that is part of the basket of guaranteed services, for which the National Health Fund (NFZ) pays. [...] I am only concerned with adhering to the law, nothing more - she continued.

08:20

Schetyna on Excessive Deficit Procedure: A Legacy of Predecessors

- This is, of course, a legacy of our predecessors and their policy of handouts and neglecting the budget and responsibility for our wallets. We are in a different situation today, with a stable coalition and a plan for the financial organization and continuation of good social policies, or essential social policies, but also for the implementation of the KPO (National Reconstruction Plan), finances that will primarily help local governments return to their ongoing investments and job creation – stated Grzegorz Schetyna on Polsat News's "Graffiti".


08:37

Schetyna:

This Coalition Has No Alternative. Swallowing Difficult Issues at Times, We Must Make Decisions

- I believe not [conflicts will not break the coalition], because this coalition has no alternative. Either the coalition forms a majority and effectively governs the state, solves the problems of Poles, and fulfills electoral promises, or it doesn't have a majority, and then the alternative is early elections. So, I believe that in a difficult way, sometimes swallowing difficult matters, we must make decisions - stated Grzegorz Schetyna in "Graffiti" Polsat News.


08:40

Schetyna on Zandberg's Words: Anyone Undermining the Government's Logic and Effectiveness Works for PiS

- Anyone who today seeks to undermine the logic and effectiveness of this government is acting in favour of PiS and their return to power. If [Adrian Zandberg] attacks this government and wishes it ill, it means that the alternative to this government is not a government formed by the Together party, but by PiS, and MP Zandberg should be aware of this – stated Grzegorz Schetyna on Polsat News's "Graffiti".


08:44

Nitras on the Partnership Act:

It will likely be some compromise.
- I would like it to be that way [that the partnership act would be a government bill]. I am observing this discussion in the government, this discussion is much calmer than the one that is taking place in the media [...] I am counting on a certain responsibility from both Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz and Minister Kotula, as well as other representatives of The Left in the government, because observing this discussion within the government, I see that it is conducted in good faith and there is a desire to find some agreement, and it would certainly be a good signal if the coalition managed to develop a common position at the government level, I am counting on it - said Sławomir Nitras in "Sygnały Dnia" PR1. - I am convinced that a wise agreement, which will likely be some compromise unfortunately, I say unfortunately because from the perspective of people who are waiting for this act, every word of compromise is associated with some fear that their rights will not be fully guaranteed here, but I believe that such a solution can be adopted - he continued.

08:49

Nitras on Sovereign Poland:

This is the Cancer of Polish Politics.
- I think so. This is the cancer of Polish politics, Sovereign... the party, Sovereign, I don't want to mix Poland with it here, because these are people who believed that they could gain popularity in Poland through anything, through lies, contempt, and theft, and thus be effective in politics. This is simply a cancer that has been eating away at Polish politics - Sławomir Nitras said on PR1, when asked if this is the end of Sovereign Poland.

08:51

Schetyna on the Border Situation with Belarus: No More Families with Children

- These are also a different kind of refugees. It's very different these days; basically, there are no more families with children, as there were at the beginning, in that first stage of pushing through or this migration. Today, it's a well-organized crew that knows how to force the fence, how to break down the bars or rods. This is a system - stated Grzegorz Schetyna on Polsat News's "Graffiti".


08:55

Morawiecki Releases Video:

Beware, Inflation is Coming.

- Lies chase lies. On April 1st, the zero VAT on food was abolished. We have to pay almost 12% more for food additives. Confectionery products have soared by almost 11%. Non-alcoholic beverages by 8%. And this is just the beginning. Energy prices will not only not fall, but will increase, as Donald Tusk is unfreezing tariff and distribution prices. We will have to pay as much as 27% more for energy. Gas prices will increase by almost half. This, of course, means an avalanche of price increases for other goods as well. Beware, inflation is coming - says the narrator in the new clip, published on social media.


09:37

New School Reading List: Nowacka Announces Publication Date
- "Chłopi" will be included in excerpts, "Pan Tadeusz" will be included in excerpts, because I believe that this is the canon of literature, and that's what I also asked the Polish language teachers, who co-created this program, to take into account not only their current approach, but also that someone might have reservations about it – stated Barbara Nowacka on Radio Zet. - The reading list will be published at the end of the month, probably on the 29th [of June]. However, I am not actually compiling the reading list; I asked for the canon to be preserved, even in excerpts. I asked for contemporary works to be added, and I asked for a wide opening for teachers to choose with their students. If it doesn't work out, after a year there will be feedback, and we are able to change it – she continued.

09:40

Nowacka on Changes to Religion Classes:

This is Something I Promised.
- This is something I promised, which I believe must be kept, and which I also consider to be good from the perspective of the student and the functioning of the school. We promised a single-shift system and religion classes as the first and last lessons, and we can arrange religion classes as the first and last lesson, in a large school, when the timetable needs to be structured so that the religion class is scheduled that way. Therefore, one religion lesson is fair in that we look at the curriculum; children today have more religion classes than biology, chemistry, and physics combined. However, one religion lesson from September 1, 2025, is what I intend to implement – said Barbara Nowacka on Radio Zet.

09:49

The Presidential Election Will Be Won by the KO Candidate. Nowacka on Hołownia's Chances
- No, [Hołownia has not buried his chances in the race for the presidency]. You know, your question presumes that he had great chances for president, which is why I cannot answer this question with a 'yes' or 'no'. Everyone has a chance, every citizen, but looking at previous results, I believe that the presidential election will be won by a KO candidate – stated Barbara Nowacka on Radio Zet.

11:01

Civil Partnerships and Child Adoption: Zgorzelski's Clear Declaration
- I have the impression that most of our club, if such a solution were to exist, would simply not vote for it - said Piotr Zgorzelski in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus's program "Sedno Sprawy" (The Core of the Matter), when asked about the potential adoption of children in the case of civil partnerships. - No - he continued, when pressed whether the Polish People's Party (PSL) would agree to a government bill containing such a provision.

11:07

Zgorzelski on the Future of the Third Way and the Presidential Candidate Choice:

I'm in Favor of the Project Continuing.
- The project, even if its last jump in the triple jump was a bit worse, does not mean that one immediately needs to, I don't know, shed tears or dismantle a project that has proven itself in the previous two elections and yielded good results, and above all, in the October 15 elections, it allowed democratic forces to restore the sense of this idea functioning in our country – said Piotr Zgorzelski in Radio Plus. - It is my opinion that the Third Way should have its own candidate – he continued, when asked whether PSL and Poland 2050 would go together to the presidential elections. - This is a decision for the leaders. One of them will certainly articulate their desire to run. We know that Szymon Hołownia... let them first agree, present us with the situation in the club, and we will move forward. I am in favor of the Third Way project continuing – he added, when pressed on whether the Third Way should have one common presidential candidate.

12:25

Obajtek:

The Circus That Szczerba Orchestrated Ended on Election Day

- So please ask Mr. Szczerba, because the circus that he orchestrated ended on election day. If the commission wishes for me to appear, I will gladly do so. I want to emphasize again that I do not avoid state bodies, but one cannot organize this circus a week or two weeks before the elections - stated Daniel Obajtek in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.


12:57

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

It was our priority to enhance PGZ's production capabilities

- This was our key proposal to improve technology transfer and production capabilities in Poland, to gain these production and co-production capabilities in Poland through the Polish Armaments Group. The structure of the Polish Armaments Group is changing, in terms of personnel, there is a new management board. This week, we had another meeting between the Ministry of State Assets and PGZ, preparing PGZ for tank production, for example in Poznań, as I declared, to take place in several locations in Poland. After today's visit, we have full confirmation of the will to cooperate in this area, as well as the swift transfer of technical information so that Polish armament plants can develop – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.


13:06

Kosiniak-Kamysz Announces Next K2 Tank Contract

- Unfortunately, we inherited a very delayed situation from our predecessors, particularly at PGZ, where it wasn't raised to the group's board level, but rather remained at a regional company level, which proved ineffective. They did nothing in this regard; we have to catch up and make up for lost time. This is a significant effort by PGZ, with all NATO forces and resources directed towards commencing production as quickly as possible. We are talking about another executive agreement for 180 K2 tanks, which we intend to sign in Kielce during the fair – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.


14:01

Lichocka on Nowacka's Words: It Reminds Me of the Worst PRL Times, Such 'Gomułka-ism'

- It turns out that the head of the Ministry of National Education is a person who boasts about her ignorance. Because referring to the most outstanding Polish poet of the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries as 'some Rymkiewicz' reminds me of the worst times of the PRL, such 'Gomułka-ism'. In my opinion, Ms. Nowacka is also a continuator of such ignorance characteristic of communist apparatchiks, who knew nothing about anything, but knew everything about indoctrination – stated Joanna Lichocka on Radio Wnet.


16:11

Zgorzelski on Partnership Unions:

The World is Moving in a Progressive Direction. Conservative Politicians Must Keep This in Mind.
- The world is moving in a progressive direction. Conservative politicians must keep this in mind. There is strong pressure from people in partnership unions to make their lives easier. We can consider this in a way that does not compromise one's conservative identity - wrote Piotr Zgorzelski on Twitter.

18:55

Kotula on Talks with Kosiniak-Kamysz:

We Took a Small, But Important Step Forward.
- We've had a truly very long, very substantive, and also very detailed conversation about specific proposals that we would like to include in a law regulating the issue of registered partnerships, both for people living in same-sex unions and for heterosexual couples - stated Katarzyna Kotula in an interview with journalists. - We also presented data, statistics, and analyses concerning people living in informal unions, as this is a very important argument in this discussion. An increasing number of children today are raised in families within informal unions, outside of marriage, and also an increasing number of heterosexual couples are choosing not to marry. We strongly desire that the execution of judgments from European courts will lead to the regulation of registered partnerships. It was a long, good conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, as well as with representatives of PSL (Polish People's Party) - she continued. - I am convinced that today we have taken another small, but nevertheless very, very important step forward, and I am convinced that if we manage to reach an agreement on regulating partnerships for people living in informal unions, it will be a small, minimal, but still a great step forward - she added.

19:11

PSL Club to Discuss Civil Partnerships Bill. Kotula Names Timeline
- Next week there is a Sejm session, but the PSL parliamentary club is also meeting this week, and everything that has been presented and explained in detail by us today, and to which we have also answered specific questions regarding specific provisions, will be presented at the PSL club meeting – Katarzyna Kotula told journalists. - We will be in contact, as I said [with Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz]. Today, the decision has been made that during the upcoming session, within the PSL, these discussions will take place, they will talk about the detailed proposals that we put on the table today – she continued.

19:53

Wielichowska on Civil Partnerships:

I'm urging Minister Kotula to prepare a parliamentary bill together.
- I think this discussion [on civil partnerships] will conclude in June. June is Pride Month. If it turns out this won't be a government bill, then I will personally urge, and in fact, I am urging Minister Kotula, that we prepare a parliamentary bill and start the proceedings in the Sejm - said Monika Wielichowska in an interview with Grzegorz Kajdanowicz on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

19:59

Kamiński:

None of the Parties Forming the Government Made Abortion or Civil Partnerships a Condition for the Coalition's Survival
- The coalition that forms the government today was founded by four entities. None of these entities made the issue of abortion or civil partnerships a condition for this coalition's survival. There was time for that when creating the government's program. Neither Civic Platform nor The Left said: we must include the issue of civil partnerships or abortion in the government's program - said Michał Kamiński on TVN24. - Let [the voters] have complaints. If they voted for Civic Platform and The Left, let them ask the leaders of Civic Platform and The Left: "Why didn't you put this issue on the line when creating the government coalition? Why did you prefer to fight for positions instead of fighting to push through the matter of civil partnerships and abortion?" [...] Because everyone knew what Kosiniak's views were on abortion and civil partnerships for 100 years - he continued.

20:03

Kamiński:

Confederation Has Adopted Sovereign Poland's Ideological Agenda
- If Sovereign Poland had any ideological agenda that distinguished it from PiS, then the Confederation has adopted that agenda. And it has adopted it much more credibly, much more effectively, than a party that co-governed with Morawiecki could do - said Michał Kamiński on TVN24.

20:07

Wielichowska:

Together Wants to Have Its Cake and Eat It Too, But That's Not Possible
- Adrian Zandberg and Together would like to have their cake and eat it too, but that's not possible, Mr. Editor, ladies and gentlemen. They have to decide on something: either they cooperate with the government and try to implement at least elements of their program, or they should indeed go... within the framework of the Left if the Left cannot agree amongst themselves, if it doesn't sort out certain matters, if it doesn't perhaps rebuild itself and rearrange its pieces, they received a very strong red card during the elections - said Monika Wielichowska on TVN24.

20:14

Kamiński:

We're Keeping Our Fingers Crossed for the Left, but a Sensible One That Doesn't Undermine What's Driving Poland Forward – Tusk's Government
- We are pleased that the Left is with us today, but unfortunately, for the past 20 years, there hasn't been a strong presence of the Left in Poland. Perhaps we would wish for different choices, but the reality in Poland is this: either the PSL and Platforma [Civic Platform] govern, whether it was 10 years ago or is now, or Law and Justice governs. And the politicians of the Left must also ask themselves what caused us to fall short of a majority by a few votes in '15. Because Poles in '15 did not elect Law and Justice to a majority. In '15, Poles elected exactly the same majority that governs today. And it was only because the divided Left did not enter parliament in '15 that we were demolished for 8 years – said Michał Kamiński on TVN24. - It was bad that the Left wasn't in parliament [...] it's bad for public debate, it's bad for public life in Poland. We have too much of a tilt towards the conservative side in the Polish parliament. [...] We are keeping our fingers crossed for the Left, but for a sensible Left that doesn't dismantle what is driving Poland forward, simply put. That is, Tusk's government – he continued.

20:43

Kotula Sets Deadline for Coalition Decision on Partnership Unions:

It Matters Most to Me.

- This fight for LGBT rights has a long tradition. It matters most to me that the coalition government of October 15th, that we as a government, make a decision by the end of June. This is crucial for me, and I've said this, and I'll emphasize it again, because this is the month of celebrating this years-long struggle for basic rights, respect, and also security - stated Katarzyna Kotula on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


20:51

Zgorzelski:

If the Constitutional Tribunal had authority, the latest ruling should have caused a political earthquake – instead, everyone is looking on with pity
- The Supreme Administrative Court has already stated that this institution [the Constitutional Tribunal] is infected with illegality, and EU institutions have left no stone unturned in criticizing this institution, which is not really the Constitutional Tribunal of the Republic of Poland, but rather Julia Przyłębska's Constitutional Tribunal. This is how everyone refers to this so-called tribunal today - said Piotr Zgorzelski in an interview with Marek Czyż on TVP Info's "Question of the Day". - If it had the qualities of impartiality, independence, and such authority, then after this ruling [stating the unconstitutionality of the amendment to the NCBiR Act, passed without the participation of Kamiński and Wąsik], there should have been a political earthquake. Meanwhile, nothing is happening. Everyone looked on with pity [...], everyone is moving on because they know it has nothing to do with the Constitutional Tribunal - he continued.

20:56

Kotula on a Possible Plan B:

Today's Move Belongs to the PSL.

- I care about this being a government project, a government project that has the possibility of obtaining a majority. If a decision on a government project is not made by the end of June, we will, of course, implement plan B. But today's move belongs to the PSL, which will talk to its MPs - stated Katarzyna Kotula on TVN24's "Kropka nad i".


21:17

Zgorzelski on What Will Happen with Constitutional Tribunal Rulings on Laws Referred by the President:

They Will Be Ignored.

- They will be completely ignored [Constitutional Tribunal rulings on laws referred by the president in a subsequent procedure], until it is a Constitutional Tribunal that has its attribute of independence, primarily political, back. Today, there are politicians there - said Piotr Zgorzelski on TVP Info's "Question of the Day".


21:28

Zgorzelski:

It's likely time for reflection in The Third Way, and for us to discuss difficult matters less through the media.
- In The Third Way, it's likely time for reflection, a time for us to discuss difficult matters less through the media and more by looking each other in the eye. We are serious, adult people. I am a supporter of the Third Way project continuing because it has served Poland well – said Piotr Zgorzelski in TVP Info's "Question of the Day". - One isn't always on an upward trend; sometimes, there are slightly worse results. This needs to be stopped. In politics, one also needs to think long-term. I will encourage building the future as the Third Way project, absolutely disagreeing with the notion that this project is already drying up – he continued.

21:42

Zgorzelski:

Kosiniak-Kamysz's Conversation with Kotula Was Necessary. We'll Take it to the Parliamentary Club and See What's Next
- I believe – and I count myself among the Christian-democratic and conservative wing of the PSL – that whether we like it or not, the world is changing. It's changing slower than the left would like, but probably faster than conservatives would like. Even conservative groups must take this process into account in their programs - said Piotr Zgorzelski in TVP Info's "Pytanie dnia" (Question of the Day). - If we can make life easier for people living in informal unions through joint tax filing, access to medical information, or inheritance, then I believe such an offer should be presented to people. However, there are matters on which conservative groups will not agree - he stated. - And I only have one request, because unfortunately, colleagues or voters from the Left often, in my opinion, get carried away in this discussion. Just as I respect the views of the Left, I recognize their right to hold such views, I also ask them to respect and recognize the views of those who think differently - he continued. - We are not completely closing ourselves off to discussion. Today, Minister Kotula and her colleagues met with the PSL leader [...]. In my opinion, this conversation was necessary. We'll take it to the parliamentary club and see what's next - he added.