He's Ready to Form a Coalition with the Devil Just to Return to Power.
- Budka on Kaczyński
Hot Topic
Live Feed
06/21/2024
08:23
Changes to Health Contributions: Dziemianowicz-Bąk Announces Talks with Domański
- Regarding health contributions, they, like other burdens, must first and foremost be fair. That's why, in the very first days when Minister Andrzej Domański announced his proposal [...], we honestly stated what we didn't like about this proposal, that this disproportion between entrepreneurs and employed workers is simply socially unfair - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in Polsat News.
- What was Minister Domański's reaction? Let's sit down and talk. Such a conversation will take place before the holidays. We will discuss our proposals so that, on the one hand, health contributions [...] are transparent, fair, just, and not a source of excessive chaos [...], but on the other hand, we do not strip this socially important sector, which is healthcare, of its necessary funding - she continued.
08:07
Dziemianowicz-Bąk on the Stance of Lewica Razem:
A Bit of Courage Was Lacking to Try and Take Responsibility.
- This is not an accurate diagnosis, but it is, of course, an understandable diagnosis for a representative of a group that decided not to enter the government, despite having received such an opportunity. I represent a rather traditional view of politics, which is that one enters politics to gain the tools to implement their program as much as possible - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti," when asked about Adrian Zandberg's words about a "too polite Left."
- For me, politics is the art of doing things, delivering, changing reality, not commenting on it. Commenting [...] is for the media, not even the opposition, but politicians who, I don't know, I understand, I respect the decision, but I still believe that a bit of courage was lacking to try and take responsibility, to be held accountable for it - she continued.
08:09
Duda on cooperation with Kosiniak-Kamysz:
It’s working out decently.
- This is cohabitation, because it's a different political camp than the one I come from, but when it comes to Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, I think this cooperation is working out very decently. There is regular, good contact - stated President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Radio Zet.
08:12
Dziemianowicz-Bąk:
It was the Left that managed to strike out the article that would have allowed shooting at people trying to cross the border
- These are necessary regulations, on the one hand, but in their original version, they went too far, and it was precisely at the government stage, at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers, that the Left managed to strike out the most controversial article, which would have simply allowed shooting at people trying to cross the border - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in Polsat News.
08:16
Duda on Soldier Detentions: "The measures taken were not that drastic; many exaggerated their stories."
- This is a difficult situation [the detention of soldiers]. I was at the border, I strongly opposed overly radical measures taken against our soldiers, and I also spoke with the local commander of the Military Gendarmerie there on the border. We had a very long, very thorough conversation, including a detailed review of the situation [...], as much as I could familiarize myself with it, I did - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
- One thing I know today from the account I received. Firstly, none of the detained soldiers complained about the detention, neither personally nor through their legal representatives who act in these matters. The measures that were applied were not as drastic as some said in the public sphere. Of course, as usual, there were rumors, and many exaggerated their stories about how this detention occurred - he continued.
- The matter must be investigated. There are appropriate regulations and statutes. Soldiers know how they should behave at the border and what the limits of the norms are that they must adhere to - he added.
08:18
Duda on German Police Bringing Migrants:
An Absolute Scandal.
- These are, of course, illegal actions, scandalous I would even say, if indeed we are dealing with situations where German police cross the border in their patrol cars, essentially taking advantage of the fact that there are no border controls and thus carrying out pushbacks, meaning simply taking emigrants back to Poland. It is an absolute scandal - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
08:24
Duda on Transporting Migrants: In a Significantly Milder Situation, It's Similar to What We're Dealing With at the Belarusian Border
- Diplomatic actions and strong political intervention must clearly be undertaken here. In a significantly milder situation, one might say, it is similar to what we are dealing with at the Polish-Belarusian border. In both cases, we have migrants who are being pushed towards our border, only we are guarding this border because we know it is also an EU border, and it is our duty, the EU border, the Schengen zone with Belarus, and we have a duty to guard this border, we guard not only Poland's but also the EU's. Here, however, we have a friendly border, within the EU, the Schengen zone, which we do not guard out of suspicion. Meanwhile, someone is bringing them here, meaning directing migrants forcefully onto our territory - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
08:34
Duda on his visit to China:
All sensible people are talking to this country today.
- China is today one of the world's greatest powers, and all sensible people are talking to China today. Presidents of leading countries in the world are meeting, successive US presidents with Xi Jinping, [...] leaders of the largest European countries are meeting - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet, when asked about his trip to that country.
- I am trying to maintain friendly relations with China. Poland has always had decent relations with China, and I would like this to be maintained - he added.
- This will certainly be the topic of our conversation [the war in Ukraine], because this issue is important and it is important in many aspects, not only in terms of Poland's security. [...] I think to a large extent yes [the key to peace is in Beijing]. Secondly, it is also enormously important from the perspective of economic relations - he continued.
08:35
Duda:
I'm Not Urging Anyone to Run for President
- Calmly, calmly, calmly. No, no, calmly. I'm not urging anyone to run for president. Especially since there's still a lot of time until the presidential elections, and the Presidential Palace is not there to urge, or for the incumbent president to urge someone to run for president. It's a candidate who must have their own support, their own political group that supports them, they must collect signatures - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
08:48
"Nothing of the Sort is on the Table': Dziemianowicz-Bąk on Potential Cuts to 13th, 14th Pensions or 800+ Due to Excessive Deficit Procedure
- I haven't heard any such threats, any such scaremongering, so I can reassure you in this regard. Of course, the situation we inherited from the United Right governments, the fact that this procedure was introduced for the past year, for the last year of the Law and Justice government, is a huge challenge for the entire government, not only for the Minister of Finance. However, I am fortunate and have reason to be pleased to say that the talks so far with Minister Domański, both regarding finding money for the 1000 PLN gross bonuses for social welfare workers, foster care, and childcare for children up to 3 years old, or [...] extending maternity leave for parents of premature babies [...] these talks, including with the Ministry of Finance, have so far been successful - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in Polsat News, when asked about cuts in connection with the excessive deficit procedure.
- Nothing of the sort is on the table, nobody is talking about it [about cutting 13th, 14th pensions or 800+]. The Left maintains the position that one should not tighten belts on the hungriest stomachs. No cuts, no restrictions should be started from the basic needs of ordinary Poles. There are other areas to look at [...] taxing large corporations, considering whether money is spent effectively, for example, on investments in housing construction or in the housing market in general. That idea, which I hope will finally be consigned to the past, the 0% credit, these are solutions that can and should be abandoned - she continued.
08:48
Duda:
Current National Prosecutor Appointed in a Manner Entirely Contrary to the Law
First and foremost, I have very serious doubts about the current National Prosecutor, who was appointed in a manner entirely contrary to the law. He should not be dealing with what he is dealing with today at all. Of course, the recordings are outrageous and the whole situation is outrageous, but besides being outraged by what we hear on the tapes in terms of verbal expressions, one must look at the documents and the applicable regulations and whether those who made decisions on the expenditure of funds from the fund did so in accordance with the law or not - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
08:51
Duda:
Rutte is a sensible politician with a crystallized approach to Russia and the war in Ukraine
- He is a sensible, down-to-earth politician [Mark Rutte], whom I have heard on many occasions over the past few years speaking about Russia, the war that Russia is waging due to its aggression against Ukraine, about Russian crimes [...], about the responsibility of Russian authorities for all of this. I heard this once again from Prime Minister Rutte recently when we spoke in Prague - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
- I think he is a politician today who has a very crystallized approach, [...] he knows who the aggressor is here. And this, from the point of view of our interests today and Poland's security, is an absolutely fundamental issue - he assessed.
08:52
Duda Suggests No Pardon for Romanowski if Convicted
- If it turns out that Mr. Romanowski is convicted for the improper expenditure of funds from the Fund of Justice, which I would understand as deriving personal benefits from it, then it will certainly be a very serious matter and then it will have to be said that in such a case, the conviction was justified, because a politician must not act in such a way - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
09:00
Duda:
Reducing Religion Classes Reminds Me of the Old Communist Times When It Was Expelled from Schools
- I would say that, according to my personal convictions, this is an inappropriate action [the idea of reducing religion classes in schools from two to one]. The reduction of religion reminds me of the old times when religion was expelled from schools by the communists - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
- For now, one hour will remain, then it will turn out that what is one hour for. Such are the actions, this is where it is heading. After all, I also hear what the demands are. […] There are expectations to completely eradicate religion from schools. I disagree with that - he stated.
09:01
Duda Asked About Mikołaj Pawlak: "We Have Such a Government Today That Anyone Can Be Charged"
- We live in such times, we have such a government today that anyone can be charged. Therefore, I approach this very calmly. If someone has been charged, we naturally apply the relevant regulations in this regard, but if someone has not been charged with anything, then the regulations applied to the appointment of a judge did not create any obstacle for Mr. Pawlak to be appointed as a district judge - stated President Andrzej Duda in an interview with Radio Zet.
- I made that decision because I believe Mikołaj Pawlak has the qualifications and will be a very good judge. I have no doubts about that; he is an honest, reliable person, and a good lawyer. I have had contact with him before, as he has been to the Presidential Palace many times on matters concerning the defense of children and providing them with assistance, even when he was the Children's Ombudsman - he continued.
09:02
Kosiniak-Kamysz on Detained Soldiers:
It's Good That the Prosecutor's Office Lifted Precautionary Measures.
- This is the subject of the prosecutor's investigation. I said less about this matter, which was very loud right before the elections, than more, also considering the interest and security of the Polish state, and I will stick to that. For this, one sometimes has to pay a political price, but I have always believed this way: I will stand on the side of the soldiers. I believe in their best possible actions, but all matters must also be clarified. That is why the commander of the Operational Task Force in Podlasie, where this took place, after multiple analyses of the material, decided to transfer this material to the prosecutor's office, and this must be the subject of clarification. I will emphasize this once again: I believe in the soldiers. It's good that the prosecutor's office lifted the precautionary measures, they are returning to activity, their pay is no longer reduced. Moreover, we are changing the law so that situations like this, of automatic pay cuts, as was the case in the Act on the Defense of the Homeland, do not happen again – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the program "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24.
09:03
Kosiniak-Kamysz:
The Situation at the Border Has Radically Changed, It's Different Than a Year or Two Years Ago
- The use of firearms [at the border] is frequent as warning shots. In May, 770 times; last year, around 300 times, for the entire year. So, firstly, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult; on the other side, we have specialized groups, hordes, attacking the Polish border, not seeking any asylum in the Republic of Poland. The situation has diametrically and radically changed. It is a completely different situation than a year or two years ago – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on TVN24.
09:06
Duda on Mastalerek: He Would Be the Youngest President in Polish History
- Marcin [Mastalerek] is still a very young politician, considering his age and the level at which he operates today, as Secretary of State at the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, and Head of the President's Cabinet. This is a very high and significant position, also associated with very important and interesting experiences that a politician gains. And Minister Mastalerek is – from this perspective – only 40 years old. So, he is certainly a person who, I believe, has a political future ahead of him. He would be the youngest president in the history of the Republic of Poland - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
09:06
Duda:
I will engage in the campaign through voter turnout
- I will engage in the campaign through voter turnout. This is something I care about immensely, and I say this as the incumbent president, who takes pride in being elected by 10.5 million compatriots. It was a fantastic result, and I hold immense gratitude in my heart - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
09:08
Kosiniak-Kamysz on the Limits in the Civil Partnerships Bill:
I Will Not Vote For This.
- When it comes to access to medical information, inheritance, or making life easier in various kinds of unforeseen events, or relationships, even of a financial nature like inheritance, then by all means, it is necessary [to pass such a bill]. It will concern 90%, if such a solution were adopted, heterosexual couples, because they are simply the most numerous living in civil, informal partnerships, so yes, I see the need, which is why we are talking, but we also have a limit, we will not agree to equalization. There is this limit, it is adoption, it is equalization with the status of marriage, I will not vote for this – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on TVN24.
- Many pieces of information are still missing, which we will discuss. We are scheduled for further meetings, Ms. Pasławska will now lead these works on our behalf. We expect the details of the bill, because everything that is most important is sometimes written in small print, and it's not about dislike or ill will, it's about certainty that I will be able to [vote for it] first in my own name, and then after it is presented. We will also talk with parliamentarians, Ms. Pasławska will present this information at the nearest PSL club meeting, there will be a discussion about it. Everyone has the right to express their opinion, everyone will make an individual decision, but then we can also assess the chances of passing such a project – he continued.
09:08
Duda:
I Believe Poland Will Remain a Democratic State, Despite Tusk's Rule
- Let them continue to say [the ruling party, that the Constitutional Tribunal's rulings do not bind them and are of no consequence], they will one day be held accountable for it. I believe that Poland will remain a democratic state, despite Prime Minister Tusk ruling here. That Poles will still be able to choose freely in fair elections. It is known that Poles change their minds, from time to time they elect different political camps - stated President Andrzej Duda on Radio Zet.
09:15
Kosiniak-Kamysz:
Should Hołownia be KO's joint candidate? I'm always in favor of fighting for our own candidate
- He is very well prepared for this [Hołownia to be a presidential candidate]. And is Szymon Hołownia to be KO's joint candidate? I am always in favor of fighting for our own candidate, for our own list – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on TVN24.
11:43
Nowacka:
We Are Finalizing the Process of Slimming Down Curricula
- We are finalizing the process of slimming down curricula. As early as next week, all of them will be published, so that teachers have time to prepare for these reduced curricula. This means that approximately 20% of the content in textbooks for examination subjects will be optional, but if a teacher has the time, need, and desire to cover it, they certainly can – stated Barbara Nowacka at a press briefing.
13:55
Błaszczak Accuses Tusk of Inaction Regarding Border Activists:
Why Isn’t He Reacting?
– The minister of interior and administration, and the services subordinate to him, are responsible for activists being able to operate in the buffer zone. Therefore, we are undertaking a parliamentary inspection of the minister of interior and administration to ask why the minister of interior and administration Tomasz Siemoniak and the services subordinate to him agreed to allow activists to operate in the buffer zone. Why isn’t Donald Tusk’s government reacting when Polish officers and soldiers are insulted by activists. Why isn’t Donald Tusk’s government reacting when these organizations break the law by smuggling people from Belarusian territory into Poland – stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.
13:55
Błaszczak:
Germany's Stance on Migrants Shows Their Approach to Tusk
- Another scandal is that, as we hear, German authorities are once again dropping migrants into Poland. This is reported by the German media, and thus from the meeting between Donald Tusk and Chancellor Scholz, which took place unofficially, because the Chancellery denied it was an official meeting. As it turns out, the gentlemen only agreed that the German side can drop more migrants, illegal migrants, into Poland. This is an expression of how Donald Tusk's government is treated, it is an expression of Germany's approach to this issue, to the migration crisis that is growing in our country due to German policy – said Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.
13:56
Błaszczak on detained soldiers:
They acted in defense of themselves and the Polish border.
- In my opinion, the soldiers acted in defense of the Polish border, the soldiers acted in defense of themselves. It is something disgraceful that they were handcuffed, that they were detained. Pressure makes sense, because also thanks to my pressure, Adam Bodnar's prosecutor's office changed their situation, meaning they withdrew some precautionary measures. Now the next step should be the discontinuation of the case by Adam Bodnar's prosecutor's office and the next step should be the elimination of the teams that were created in Adam Bodnar's prosecutor's office, whose task is to bring charges against Polish soldiers and defenders of the Polish borders – stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.
18:07
Incident with German Police and Migrants, Border Situation, and Migration Pact: Siemoniak Summarizes Talks with German and Austrian Ministers
- We have concluded talks with the Ministry of the Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany, with Minister Nancy Faeser. The main topic was, of course, the situation on the Polish-German border and, consequently, the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border. Minister Faeser apologized and expressed regret for the recent incident where German police officers transported a five-person Afghan family to the Polish side, doing so outside of procedures and in violation of regulations. The Minister assured that such a situation will not happen again - said Tomasz Siemoniak at a press conference.
- We devoted significant attention to issues concerning the Polish-Belarusian border. I had the opportunity to meet in a trilateral discussion with the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, and the German Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser. Our partners are closely observing developments there. They are, of course, aware that this is hybrid aggression organized by Russia and Belarus, and that its consequences reach Germany, Austria, and all of Europe. In the perspective of the coming months, as the European Union's leadership is being shaped and as Poland's presidency of the Union approaches, security matters should be an absolute priority - he continued.
- We also discussed the migration pact with the Ministers of the Interior of Germany and Austria, emphasizing Poland's expectation of its flexible application. Migration topics and the security situation were absolutely at the forefront. Naturally, I informed our partners about the acts of sabotage organized in Poland on the orders of Russian services and the arrest of 10 individuals. The ministers are aware that this poses a threat to all of Europe, including their respective countries. They were affected by these matters - he further stated.
- During the meeting with the ministers, we addressed the issue of drug-related crime in Poland. A significant concern is new types of drugs - opioids. These are also reaching Poland. We agreed on very close cooperation between the police forces of the three countries in the fight against drug-related crime. We also discussed the security arrangements for the European Football Championship. Here in Berlin, where the Polish national team is playing, Polish police officers are also present. The German Ministry of the Interior is undertaking various measures to ensure the absolute safety of Polish fans who have come to the championship in large numbers, and Polish police are supporting German police in ensuring security - he added.
? Minister @TomaszSiemoniak podczas konferencji prasowej w trakcie wizyty w Berlinie?
— MSWiA ?? (@MSWiA_GOV_PL) June 21, 2024
Jesteśmy po rozmowach z Ministerstwem Spraw Wewnętrznych Republiki Federalnej Niemiec @BMI_Bund, z panią minister @NancyFaeser. Głównym tematem była oczywiście sytuacja na granicy…
20:04
Kotula on Yesterday's Meeting Regarding Partnership Unions:
Here, Kosiniak-Kamysz Agreed With Me.
- That's my feeling – that it was a small step, but a step forward nonetheless, because this long meeting [with Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz], substantive, very detailed, where specific questions were asked about concrete solutions, what lies behind these solutions, who these solutions are aimed at, I think it showed a bit of the picture of what we want to introduce with this act – said Katarzyna Kotula in an interview with Dariusz Ociepa on Polsat News' "Gość Wydarzeń."
- What I submitted in the motion regarding the government's draft act on partnership unions concerns the principles of concluding and establishing a partnership, mutual rights, but also obligations of persons in unions, property relations between these persons, but also situations of children raised by persons in partnership unions – she explained.
- This concerns primarily heterosexual couples. It will most often concern so-called "reconstructed" unions. The social structure is changing, important decisions are being made regarding whether people enter into marriage or not. Basic statistics, which we also presented to the PSL yesterday, indicate that in Poland over the last decade, the number of children raised within marriage has decreased by 14%. People are not deciding to get married – she continued.
- And here Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz agreed with me. My view is that we should give people the opportunity, at the very least, to enter into partnership unions. This is good for children, it is good for the union, it provides some sense of lasting formalization – she said.
20:15
Kotula Announces Meeting with MP Pasławska on Partnership Unions:
The Ball is in the PSL’s Court.
- On Monday, there will be a meeting with MP [Urszula] Pasławska. We will once again put on the table the distinction between marriage and a partnership union, but we will also concretize, and explain once more, what adoption is, and who it is intended for… - Katarzyna Kotula said in Polsat News’s “Gość Wydarzeń” (Guest of Events).
- The PSL club meeting – very important, because within the PSL club, discussions will take place at this meeting. […] Definitely next week, because every club has a meeting - she continued.
- We are now waiting for a reaction. Now the ball is in the PSL’s court - she added.
20:20
Kotula:
I'd like the decision on the registered partnerships bill to be made in June
- Everything is on the table, but we are always ready for talks. I would like this decision to be made in June, we cannot wait any longer. This is the month of pride, of celebrating the fight for LGBT rights. They have been fighting for years, it is a long march, and it must finally end - said Katarzyna Kotula on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń".
20:25
Kotula:
I Am Ready to Meet with the President Regarding the Civil Partnerships Act
- The President did not say that he would not sign the civil partnerships act […]. The President declares his readiness for talks, and that is also important - Katarzyna Kotula stated on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events).
- I remain loyal to the coalition of October 15 […] and I believe that we must first conduct these talks at the coalition level, and make this decision quickly in June. If we proceed and this project passes through the Sejm and the Senate, I am definitely ready to meet with the President on this matter - she declared.
20:39
Kotula:
Razem Made a Mistake by Not Entering the Government. It Weakened Other Forces That Did
- I disagree with him [Adrian Zandberg's opinion] because we don't truly know to what extent the Lewica's poor result stems from: whether it's the unfulfilled promises of the October 15th coalition, or the level of communication and strategy that was flawed in Lewica's case - Katarzyna Kotula said on Polsat News's "Gość Wydarzeń" (Guest of Events).
- I understand that we are a rather specific club. Nowa Lewica and PPS are in government, while the Razem party is not […]. This creates certain problematic situations - she admitted.
- I say openly and honestly that I believe it was a mistake that the Razem party did not join the government, because in doing so, it also weakened the other political forces that decided to enter this government. We would have been more numerous, we would have been stronger, we would have had a greater ability to exert pressure on our coalition partners - she assessed.
recommended
Trump's Policy is Generally Good for Poland
- Kolarski
Hot Topic
He Underwent Self-Reflection.
- Czarnek on Morawiecki
Hot Topic
Tusk is Persona Non Grata in Washington Due to Puppyish Antics
- Cieszyński
Hot Topic
Europe Holds Strong Cards. It's High Time to Use Them.
- Sikorski Publishes Post Following Meeting of 'Coalition of the Willing' Leaders
news
Two Important Meetings Addressing Real Problems of Poles,
- Announces Head of the Presidential Cabinet
Hot Topic
