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06/25/2024

07:49

Tuesday's Political Agenda: Government Session, Duda Continues in China, Parliamentary Committee on Abortion Law, Błaszczak with Kurski, Czarnek with Kowalski

At 11:00, a government session will commence. The agenda includes a draft resolution on adopting the public policy "National Financial Education Strategy. Policy for Developing Financial Competencies," as well as a draft resolution concerning the recapitalization of companies within the PGZ NAREW Consortium.

At 10:00 in the Sejm, a press conference will be held with the participation of the head of the PiS parliamentary club, Mariusz Błaszczak, along with Krzysztof Szczucki and Jacek Kurski. At 11:15 in Warsaw, a press conference with Piotr Gliński will take place, and at 13:30 in the Sejm, a press conference with Przemysław Czarnek and Janusz Kowalski is scheduled.

President Andrzej Duda continues his visit to China. During the night, Polish time, he participated in the opening session of the 15th annual meeting of the New Leaders of the Summer World Economic Forum, and at 12:00, he will meet with the Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPC. The final item on the agenda is an official dinner.

At 13:00, an extraordinary parliamentary committee will consider the draft amendment to the Penal Code submitted by Lewica. In practice, this is a proposal for partial depenalization and decriminalization of acts related to pregnancy termination, as well as the complete exclusion of criminal liability for pregnancy termination up to the 12th week with the woman's consent, and the exclusion of criminal liability for pregnancy termination with the woman's consent in cases of severe, irreversible fetal impairment or incurable fetal disease.


08:03

Matysiak:

I Won't Agree Razem is in a Comfortable Position. We're Being Criticized by Everyone
- We've just gone through a 'triple jump' of elections […], and the results lately haven't been satisfactory. We've seen a significant outflow of our voters compared to the autumn elections. […] This issue definitely requires clarification, and our club relations also need some recalibration - said Paulina Matysiak in an interview with Sylwia Białek on "Sygnały dnia" PR1. - As we know, we are a rather unique club. […] Some parliamentarians belong to the government, while the Razem party did not join the government. We also explained why. However, I absolutely disagree that this is a comfortable position. I would even say it's a very uncomfortable one. We get criticized from all sides: from those in the government, and from those in the opposition, saying that we're not quite the opposition - she continued. - We, as Razem, approach this very steadily, because solutions that are truly good, necessary, and just, we simply support […]. However, there are also solutions that we do not agree with - she added.

08:16

Petru:

Our Electorate Stayed Home Because We Didn't Mobilize Them

- I am disappointed with our overall result. I believe that Trzecia Droga received a very poor outcome. This is because our electorate stayed home, and why did they stay home? Because we didn't mobilize them. We need to take responsibility, to come out with projects that were close to us during the parliamentary election campaign, and not to go solely for compromises that sometimes turn out to be rotten compromises - stated Ryszard Petru in an interview with Beata Lubecka on Radio Zet.


08:16

Petru Announces Submission of Bill to Lower Health Contribution

- I was not, for example, in favor of voting for the 'babciowe' (grandmother's benefit), because it was not our program. We had previously submitted various comments on it. It doesn't matter, it has already happened. I believe we must submit our bills very clearly, which is why today we are submitting a bill to lower the health contribution for employees and entrepreneurs. This way, every citizen will benefit. There is no one who will lose - stated Ryszard Petru on Radio Zet.


08:18

Matysiak on talks within The Left:

I hope these relationships can be mended.
- This position [Razem] stems from deep concern for the future of The Left. I believe, and I think many of my colleagues in the party also believe, that The Left is needed in Poland, and that this left-wing voice, which advocates for matters important to us: the affairs of working people, social issues, the issues of those who are truly struggling – said Paulina Matysiak in PR1’s “Sygnały dnia” (Signals of the Day). - We would like to be simply more audible, for this voice to resonate more strongly, to fight more forcefully, more loudly, for these issues, also in government. I am convinced that this is possible – she continued. - We have a Sejm session, so we will all see each other. We also have an away club session at the end of the week. […] I think this first round of talks is precisely this week. I hope these relationships can be mended. I am convinced that it can be done in a way that all entities in our club – there are four of them – will be satisfied – she stated.

08:33

Petru on the Future of the Third Way:

I Don't Expect a Divorce.
"I don't expect a divorce. We have a club meeting with the PSL, the first one, yes, the first joint one [this term]. I believe that when there are difficult topics, we need to meet. Before the European elections, this cooperation was good enough that there were no problems whatsoever. Now voices of mutual complaints have emerged, and therefore we need to clarify this," stated Ryszard Petru on Radio Zet.

08:36

Petru on Hołownia’s Candidacy:

He Has a Great Advantage Over Other Candidates.

- I am convinced that he will run [in the presidential election]. Of course, we are waiting for Szymon Hołownia’s declaration. He has a great advantage over other candidates because he has a sensitivity that is natural to him when it comes to residents of small towns and smaller cities, which other candidates do not possess - stated Ryszard Petru on Radio Zet.


08:40

Petru on the Trzaskowski-Hołownia Second Round Scenario:

This Would Finish Off PiS.

- I believe it is not impossible, [Szymon Hołownia] could defeat the PiS candidate and advance to the second round with Rafał Trzaskowski, which would be of the greatest value for the Polish political scene, because it would truly finish off PiS - stated Ryszard Petru on Radio Zet.


08:42

Petru:

The Third Way Should Ultimately Be an Alternative to What the United Right Proposes, but Programmatically

- The Third Way should ultimately be an alternative to what the United Right proposes, but programmatically, not ideologically, because ideologically, PiS's proposals are unacceptable, and in the longer term, Szymon Hołownia's start would be something that could rearrange the political scene anew – stated Ryszard Petru on Radio Zet.


08:49

Gawkowski on Razem: They Believe They Can Build Their Support by Obstructing a Democratic Government
- Today, after just six months in government, I feel that the Left is implementing many things. Some have succeeded, like the Active Parent program, the 30% raise for teachers, and matters related to social policies. Some are in progress, like civil partnerships. Some are coming soon, such as the right to housing and rental housing - said Krzysztof Gawkowski in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24. - You enter government to get things done, and you enter politics to implement your demands. If someone wants to stand aside from the government, claiming they will implement demands, they either don't understand politics or they deliberately assume that they will build their political career through obstruction - he assessed. - I think [the Razem party] is looking for a way to reach a place that will allow them to advance in the polls, and they believe that by obstructing a democratic government, which came to power with a clear message: to change Poland after PiS, to take this authoritarian government away from people who were destroying Poland […], they might be able to build their support on that - he continued.

09:01

Gawkowski:

I Proposed Zandberg Take My Seat in Government. There Was No Enthusiasm
- I deeply believe that discussions are possible. Nothing has happened. We sit down at the table, we will talk. The Left entered the government to change Poland. If someone doesn't want to, it means they are afraid - said Krzysztof Gawkowski in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. - We made such a proposal – I can also say this – last week to Razem, for them to enter the government. Another meeting took place, I myself said: I am ready to make the decision that we are not in the government if you enter, because for the sake of Poland, that is the most important thing. The proposal was not enthusiastically received - he revealed. - Yes, I told him [Adrian Zandberg, to take my place in the government]. I told him: if you think we are not doing enough, then come to the government and take my place. There was no enthusiasm - he said. - Yes, I can imagine it [Adrian Zandberg as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs designated by the Left] - he added.

09:12

Zandberg:

Many matters crucial for the left remain unresolved, with no sign of hope
- During the European campaign, I spent a considerable amount of time on the streets [...] I spoke with our voters who approached us to talk about how they see things. What came up most frequently was disappointment. A feeling that people didn't envision this change the way they did last autumn. [...] I feel the same way, I believe that matters important to the left, important to the center-left, many such matters have simply not been resolved, and what's more, there isn't even a glimmer of hope that they will be addressed, or that glimmer is rapidly receding into the indefinite future - said Adrian Zandberg in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on the program "Sedno Sprawy" on Radio Plus.

09:15

Nowacka:

The Ideal School Separates the Sacred from the Profane

- When shaping the curriculum, we cannot differentiate it. It's as if we said that in one region they would have less mathematics, and in another less chemistry, just so they could choose. What is possible is that local governments or churches will make autonomous decisions, that they will decide to fund an additional hour [of religious education] with their own money, they have the right to such a decision, but the decision must be consistent for the state; education is universal – stated Barbara Nowacka on Polsat News's "Graffiti" program.

- The concordat can be negotiated, but as far as I know, there is no political will for that at the moment. However, the ideal school is one where the sphere of the sacred is separated from the sphere of the profane, but I am aware that this one hour of religion is what we will manage to achieve – she continued.

- Of course, I would prefer there to be religious studies, but there is the concordat, so my preference must be within the framework of the rule of law, and on the other hand, elements concerning religious studies are present in history and Polish language classes, for example – she added.


09:15

Nowacka:

Civil Partnerships Are a Civilizational Norm

- Civil partnerships are a civilizational norm. It is truly a moral shame that Poland has not yet introduced civil partnerships, because they are for the good, for the good of the individuals who wish to enter into these unions. For ensuring their safety, often for the good and safety of children. I have no doubt that adoption is already happening and would be a legal sanctioning of the current state, precisely for the benefit of the child – said Barbara Nowacka on Polsat News.


09:20

Zandberg:

I Could Turn on My Heel and Simply Leave, But I Don't Because I Care About an Effective Left
- Precisely because I care about the Left, I am saying clearly, openly, and without mincing words, that the Left is in a very serious crisis today. To say that things should remain as they have been is to invite the Left to fall below the electoral threshold in the next parliament. Because a Left that is so polite and accommodating that instead of banging its fist on the table and fighting for its program, it simply agrees politely that centre-right formations implement their program, that is a Left for no one - said Adrian Zandberg on Radio Plus. - Of course, I could turn on my heel and simply leave every day, but I don't do that precisely because I care that there should be a Left in Poland in the next parliament and that it should be a genuinely effective force - he continued.

09:26

Zandberg on the Reaction to Rising Energy Prices:

We Should Do This as the Entire Left Club.
- We brought a solution to the committee, namely increasing aid for poorer families. Platforma and Trzecia Droga threw these amendments in the trash. I believe we should put increasing aid for poorer households on the table, now, before winter hits, before the rising cost of living hits with full force - said Adrian Zandberg on Radio Plus. - We should do this not as MPs of Razem, but as the entire Left club - he continued.

09:27

Petru on TVP: The Entire Mechanism's Efficiency Needs Analysis
The question is whether TVP should slim down, what assets it has. I don't want to decide for TVP where it should save money, but it's certainly something to analyze, to what extent this entire mechanism is efficient – stated Ryszard Petru on Radio Zet.

09:30

Petru on TVP: A Major Spending Review is Needed. It Should Slim Down

- A major spending review of the entire television [TVP] is needed. It should slim down. I am in favour of restructuring the Polish budget, public finances, and TVP - stated Ryszard Petru on Radio Zet.


09:37

Zandberg on Methods for Talking to the Polish Centre-Right:

I'm Beating My Own Chest. As Razem, We Tried to Be Too Polite.
- I want a subjective Left, I want a Left that takes seriously what it promised its voters. Today, we face a real threat, namely that nobody has a reason to vote for a smaller Civic Platform, for a formation indistinguishable from the Civic Platform. Because those who are increasingly disappointed with the government certainly won't vote for such a formation, and those who want to vote for the Civic Platform already have their Civic Platform, a Civic Platform that is larger, so why would they vote for a smaller copy? - Adrian Zandberg said on Radio Plus. - This is a huge threat today, the Left disappearing into the background. To be clear, when I say this, I am also beating my own chest. I have a feeling that we, as MPs of Razem, too often in recent months have tried [...] to be polite, to speak quietly, to try to convince someone using backstage methods [...] but unfortunately, it is clear that this is not a way to talk to the centre-right in Poland. Here, one sometimes simply has to say "no" loudly and slam one's fist on the table - he continued.

09:42

Zandberg:

Poland Should Be Assertive Regarding the Excessive Deficit Procedure
- Regarding the excessive deficit procedure, Poland should be assertive. [...] One only needs to look at how other countries have handled similar situations, including countries of the old European Union, and one must know how to, in my opinion, if there is such a need, also say to the European Commission in a firmer way that we will act rationally and in accordance with the needs of our economy and our society - said Adrian Zandberg on Radio Plus.

11:00

PiS Submits Resolution Draft on Situation at Polish-German Border
- Although the Polish authorities consider these to be isolated incidents [involving migrants at the Polish-German border], everything indicates that we are dealing with a systemic procedure. We also lack an appropriate reaction from the Polish authorities; such a reaction is necessary: an appropriate, effective, and firm response, which is currently missing - said Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference in the Sejm. - We want, in a way, to force a firm reaction from the coalition of December 13th, Donald Tusk's government. Therefore, we have prepared a draft resolution of the Sejm on this matter, concerning on the one hand a protest related to the fact that we do not accept the 'dumping' of migrants onto the territory of the Republic of Poland, and on the other hand, obligating the current authorities to a firm response - he continued. - We are dealing with a government of people who are leading Poland to the brink of an abyss. The migration crisis is a fact. To stop all that is happening in this matter, the draft resolution will be submitted to the Marshal of the Sejm today. We will also request that this draft resolution be put on the agenda of the Sejm's debates, which begin tomorrow - he added. - We call on the Polish government to treat Poland seriously, to demand explanations and an apology from the German government, and in such situations, at the very least, to summon the German ambassador, and to consistently protect Poland's state interests - said Krzysztof Szczucki in turn.

11:53

Poland 2050 Submits Bill Draft:

Only One Health Contribution Will Be Paid.
- We are submitting a draft bill concerning the health contribution, which aims to introduce clear, legible rules regarding health contribution payments, as well as to reduce this obligation, which was excessively expanded to absolutely unacceptable proportions by the so-called Polish Deal – stated Mirosław Suchoń at a press conference. - Today, the Poland 2050 - Third Way parliamentary club is submitting a draft bill to the Marshal's office containing specific solutions. Firstly, we are introducing clear and legible rules according to which there will be three thresholds depending on income, based on which Polish employees and Polish entrepreneurs will pay the health contribution. The second, incredibly important rule is the fact that only one health contribution will be paid. Regardless of the number of employment titles, individuals working multiple jobs, on different contracts, or running a business while also working on contracts, will pay only one health contribution, dependent on the total sum of their revenue – he continued.

11:55

Petru on the Proposal to Lower the Health Contribution:

Poles Will Know Better How to Spend This Money.
- We are lowering the health contribution for all working people, both for employees and entrepreneurs. What was unjustly taken from Poles must be returned to them. We want to be a party of high salaries, we want Poles to earn a lot. This is a formula where, by lowering the health contribution, we leave more money in Poles' pockets, and they will know better how to spend this money – stated Ryszard Petru at a press conference. - Our proposal costs 15 billion zlotys. We are aware of this deficit, but at the same time, we point to several areas in the state budget, in public finances, which will allow for compensating this deficit and even more than enough. This is because since taking power, we have not yet conducted a thorough review of the expenditures of individual ministries, especially extra-budgetary funds. I'm talking about the Covid Fund, on which at least 8 billion can be saved – he continued.

12:35

Tusk Publishes New Recording:

We'll Catch Them.

- Fentanyl, duch, Żuromin – these are symbolic words, symbols of this 21st-century poison, which is fentanyl and other types of drugs that are claiming deadly tolls worldwide and are also beginning to do so in Poland. Ten days ago, when I requested a meeting with the Prosecutor General, the Minister of Health, and the police chiefs, I had only one message – you must catch them. And today's operation, during which 5 people, including the infamous 'duch' (ghost/spirit), were apprehended, is just the beginning of this great pursuit of everyone who endangers the health and lives of our children, young Polish women, and young Polish men. Because it primarily concerns them. And this one sentence – you must catch them – will accompany our work every day. No one in Poland involved in this damned drug business will remain safe. I guarantee you that – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a recording published on social media.


14:03

Parliamentary Inquiry Committees to Be Mandatorily Established Upon Request of 115 MPs. PiS Presents Bill
- How should we call an inquiry committee where opposition MPs [...] are excluded whenever the committee chair desires, how should we call a committee where the chair focuses only on keeping their finger on the button and switching off the microphone when a question doesn't suit the parliamentary majority. Yet, despite this blatant disgrace of these inquiry committees [...], the Law and Justice Parliamentary Club maintains that parliamentary inquiry committees, anchored in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, fulfill a very important informational and investigative role in the work of parliament and must operate in a way that doesn't compromise the esteemed chamber - said Przemysław Czarnek at a press conference. - Therefore, our bill [...] amending the act on parliamentary inquiry committees, which aims for an easier procedure for establishing such a committee, clearer regulations regarding its composition, and, of course, mandatory establishment when an appropriate majority leans towards it. We will also move towards regulating the proceedings and conduct of committees so that such embarrassing scenes as performed by Mr. Joński or Mr. Szczerba do not occur in future sittings of new committees - he continued. - We are proposing an innovative model for Poland, but known in the European Union, for the functioning and establishment of an inquiry committee. The aim is for an inquiry committee in Poland to be mandatorily established, by force of law, upon the request of 115 MPs, meaning 1/4 of the Sejm's composition. This is precisely how it works in Germany, where an inquiry committee that scrutinizes those in power is established upon the request of 1/4 of the Bundestag deputies - said Janusz Kowalski. - We also propose a second solution [...] to define a very clear, negative premise for a given MP's inability to participate in the work of an inquiry committee. Today, the regulation is very unclear, speaking of a certain possibility of creating circumstances that may raise doubts about a given MP's participation in the inquiry committee. We point out that a specific circumstance must be indicated [...]. This is a European model, it is an innovative model, we are in fact proposing the German model [...] we trust that a majority will be found in the Sejm to adopt this project - he continued.

14:30

Committee Reaches Decision on Abortion Bill Project

Today, an extraordinary committee convened in the Sejm to consider draft laws concerning the right to abortion, specifically to review the bill submitted by The Left concerning decriminalization. The committee, after adopting self-amendments, issued a positive opinion on the draft law.


14:51

Żukowska on the bill regarding the decriminalization of abortion:

This is truly a milestone.
"This is truly a milestone, this is a unique day, a breakthrough, because for the first time since '97, a bill concerning the liberalization of reproductive rights, albeit concerning the Penal Code, but I will explain its scope shortly, has positively passed its first reading, emerged from committee, and is returning to the Sejm. As the ruling coalition, we have shown determination, mobilization, and that we can be as one fist" – said Anna Maria Żukowska at a press conference. "These changes [...] concern the termination of pregnancy up to the 12th week of its duration. Since terminating one's own pregnancy is not a crime anyway, according to these changes, assistance in terminating one's own pregnancy up to the 12th week of its duration will also not be penalized, will not be punished, and will not be a crime. These changes are truly socially expected, because we cannot agree [...] that a person close to the patient, a mother, a partner, could be sent to prison for three years for, for example, providing a loan to purchase pills used for pregnancy termination" – she continued.

15:23

Morawiecki on Healthcare Salaries:

A Gigantic Increase Achieved Thanks to PiS Rule.

- Although I have the impression that there is still a lot to be done here, I believe that if someone objectively or even dispassionately looks at it, abstracting from any political connotations about what was before, here one of the gentlemen said that during the previous administration of Ewa Kopacz, a doctor earned 3.5 thousand zlotys, now around 10 thousand. This is, however, a gigantic increase that was achieved thanks to the PiS government - stated Mateusz Morawiecki during the "Work for Poland" Team debate.


15:45

Hołownia on the Abortion Decriminalization Bill:

Individual Votes Will Matter.
- Our divisions run along lines of conscience [...]. We are only checking if the legislation is well-written and everyone will decide as they wish. In my opinion, individual votes will matter. Abstaining votes, turnout – that will truly decide the fate of this project [on abortion decriminalization]. Every vote here could be the decisive one - said Szymon Hołownia in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.

17:28

"Shame on You." Morawiecki Writes About "Throwing National Symbols into the Trash"
Shame on you! The removal from the permanent exhibition of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk of figures such as St. Maximilian Kolbe, a martyr and victim of Auschwitz, Rotmistrz Witold Pilecki, a prisoner of concentration camps sentenced to death by the communists, or the Blessed Ulma family, who rescued Jews during the war, is an expression of indecency and disrespect towards the heroes of Polish history. The patriotism, bravery, and sacrifice made by these outstanding Poles have been crudely disregarded. Is this what our country's historical policy will be now? Throwing national symbols into the trash? - Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on social media.

17:52

Sejm to Address Motion to Lift Woś's Immunity - Deadline Set

The Sejm's agenda for Thursday evening includes, among other items, the motion from the National Prosecutor requesting parliamentary consent to bring Member of Parliament Michał Woś to criminal accountability. The vote is likely to take place the following day, on Friday morning. During this session, the Sejm will also address motions concerning other MPs, but in matters of misdemeanors.


20:15

Hennig-Kloska on New Electricity Prices:

The maximum increase will be 26%
- Firstly, the shield will remain in place. After July 1st, we will have a maximum price for electricity, PLN 500 per MWh. This price has been averaged [maximum price]; previously, we had two prices: PLN 693 as the maximum price and PLN 416 as the regulated price – stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska on the program 'Gość Wydarzeń' on Polsat News. - I confirm once again that these changes will not be as significant as people are saying. I understand people's concerns because there are many lies and misrepresentations surrounding this topic, and people today expect even 100% increases. That's not true. The maximum increase we can expect, according to our calculations, is around 26%. Absolutely the maximum, as it will vary on bills depending on consumption – she continued.

20:16

Hennig-Kloska on the Future of TD:

We Must Focus on What We Promised Voters.
- I believe that when discussing our continued joint path [with PSL], we must focus on what we promised our voters. This is not the time to engage in politics for politics' sake. Today is a time for me to work in government, to work on our platform for the voters, and to focus not on politicians themselves, but on delivering on what we have collectively committed to our voters with the PSL, - said Paulina Hennig-Kloska in Polsat News.

20:18

Hennig-Kloska:

All of Poland 2050 Will Vote for the Partnership Act
- As a matter of principle, I have supported partnership unions for many years, and I will vote for the act, as will our entire caucus. I have never heard anyone [in Poland 2050] say they are against the partnership act – stated Paulina Hennig-Kloska on Polsat News.