Live Feed

08/08/2024

08:14

Paprocka comments on Sikorski's words and accuses him of violating the Constitution:

It's hard to find greater hypocrisy.
- It's hard to find greater hypocrisy than such a statement from the minister. The act has not changed anything in the procedure because it cannot change the Constitution; ambassadors are appointed and recalled by the President of the Republic of Poland, and for 30 years, the principle has been that before starting any talks with international partners or domestic consultations, including with parliamentary committees, there was the so-called preliminary consent of the president - said Małgorzata Paprocka in Polsat News, when asked about Radosław Sikorski's words that the president had fallen into his own trap by boycotting the effects of the law he himself signed.

- In the first decisions, the minister adhered to this procedure. This is a question for the minister and the prime minister as to why he is violating the Constitution, why he is lowering the representation of the Republic of Poland, why he does not want to speak clearly about the fact that recalling 60 ambassadors is an absolute mistake. [...] If one wants to replace very experienced ambassadors with, to put it mildly, individuals of questionable qualifications, there must be a presidential veto in this matter - she continued.

08:04

Paprocka:

I have grievances with the Sejm for working so sluggishly
- For several months, two very important presidential initiatives have been lying dormant in the Sejm, and I would say they are completely removed from any political dispute, because the first concerns assistance, i.e., the rights of persons with disabilities, it hasn't even had its first reading. The second initiative, a repeat, is a bill concerning cooperation on security matters. It is difficult to find an area where there should be greater political consensus than around this topic. The pace of work is exceptionally sluggish; the first reading, committee meeting, appointment of a subcommittee, the Presidium, and then nothing further – said Małgorzata Paprocka in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti". - I have grievances in general with the Sejm for working so sluggishly, and with the government for having so few of these projects, because honestly, from the perspective of 15 years of work, I don't remember such a Sejm – she continued.

08:12

accounting:

Things are going well." Nowacka on the "Willa plus

- Things are going well. That means we have conducted checks on such packages. Out of 10 checks, 7 revealed irregularities that result in the non-acceptance of the accounting. At the moment, we already have over 3 million actual inflows into the budget, and 10 are in process. Plus is not the only program where we are recovering money. Another was the so-called investments in education; further funds are flowing in – stated Barbara Nowacka on TVN24’s “Jeden na jeden”.


08:19

Nowacka:

Accountability Will Continue Until Achieved

- Accountability will continue until achieved. And it's not about doing everything quickly and carelessly, but very carefully. Every application, every case, and I would like all those dishonest people to be aware that they cannot sleep soundly, that the fact that they don't see, at this moment, that proceedings are being conducted around them, yes, they are being conducted, and they truly know how they abused public funds - stated Barbara Nowacka on TVN24's "One on One".


08:26

Government Breaks the Law by Granting Itself Powers It Doesn't Have and Violating Separation of Powers. Paprocka on Non-Publication of Constitutional Tribunal Rulings
- Minister Bodnar, by proposing amendments in the Senate that were moving in the right direction, which were subsequently rejected in the Sejm, effectively admitted himself that the final shape of the [Judicial Council] act is simply unconstitutional and therefore cannot become part of the legal order. The President chose one of the solutions that the Constitution allows and sent the act preemptively to the Constitutional Tribunal - Małgorzata Paprocka said in Polsat News.

- This is no longer the responsibility of the Chancellery of the President that the government is breaking the law on yet another front, granting itself powers it does not have and directly violating the separation of powers. If this is how [by not publishing rulings] it intends to block the rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal, then it is giving itself its own evaluation - she continued.

08:28

Nowacka:

I don't plan a new subject on patriotic education

- I do not have plans for a new subject concerning patriotic education. I do have plans and work is underway on civic education, but citizenship also encompasses patriotism, participation in elections, and health education. Both will come into effect in 2025 - stated Barbara Nowacka on TVN24's "One on One".


08:32

"The problem was how they wanted to use it": Nowacka on the pregnancy registry

- We spoke out then and had a very significant clash with PiS politicians, but the problem was how they wanted to use this [pregnancy] registry. During the work, we compelled them to seal this system in such a way that this data cannot be transferred to the prosecutor's office, and I think it would be good to show once again how they sealed this system - stated Barbara Nowacka in "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24.


08:33

Paprocka:

President Has Made Decision Regarding KRRiT
- The President has made a decision regarding the National Broadcasting Council. There will be no confirmation of the Sejm's and Senate's positions, meaning the current composition of the National Broadcasting Council will remain - Małgorzata Paprocka said on Polsat News. - Certainly, the President does not share the view that was presented in the Sejm and Senate. The National Council, especially in recent months, has faced truly difficult challenges, primarily extremely illegal changes in public media - she continued.

09:21

Health Contribution Cut: Petru Announces Meeting with Minister Domański
- I am not a big fan of additional spending. I believe in supporting growth. That is why we have long advocated for a reduction in the health contribution, so that Poles have more money in their pockets. This will allow some to spend more, and some to invest more. This, in turn, will create a greater prospect for economic growth - said Ryszard Petru in an interview with Karol Surówka on PR1's "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day). - The Polish Deal significantly increased the health contribution, especially for entrepreneurs. They expect us to lower it, and we promised them this during the election campaign. I am aware of the Ministry of Finance's financial limitations; I do not want to reveal our negotiation tactics. […] We were not proponents of the widow's pension, but we agreed within the coalition that we would support it in exchange for subsequent support for the health contribution reduction. Now, this will need to be arranged so that its introduction on January 1, 2025, is possible - he continued. - Today at 4:00 PM, as part of a delegation from Poland 2050, we are meeting with the Minister of Finance, and I hope we will find some agreement - he emphasized.

09:26

Karnowski on the law changing local government financing rules:

Ultimately, it will be passed around October.

- Minister Domański's reform – it is expected and necessary to be able to plan long-term, because there is nothing worse for entrepreneurs, local governments, and people constructing budgets than uncertainty. This reform by Minister Domański provides certainty, and that's why we are working in a joint commission. The Mayor of Lublin, who is responsible for finance in the joint commission, is working with Mayor Jacek Sutryk, the chairman of the Union of Polish Cities, with Minister Siemoniak, and with Minister Domański to develop the best model. In my opinion, the cities with the status of a powiat were the most wronged here. These large cities were ideologically destroyed by PiS, because they always voted for President Trzaskowski, not for President Duda, so their money had to be taken away. Although there is also a part of very small municipalities that do not have large revenues, Minister Domański's reform proposes special subsidies for them. On the one hand, he doesn't want to take money from the "Janosikowe" [a solidarity levy on wealthier municipalities] from large and wealthier municipalities, because it's difficult to take from those who are thrifty, but on the other hand, also to supplement revenues for the smallest municipalities – stated Jacek Karnowski on Radio Zet.

- What is most important is that it will be announced in September, and ultimately submitted to the Sejm, and probably passed somewhere around October, but the principles of budget formation are already known, which is very important for treasurers, mayors, city presidents, and village heads, because they submit their budgets in October and can also plan a multi-year financial plan – he continued.


09:26

Karnowski on Not Raising the Retirement Age:

This Promise Must Be Kept.
I believe that since it was said that 800+ will not be taken away and since it was said that the retirement age will not be raised, then this must be adhered to, but there are very many people in the labor market who do not want to leave – said Jacek Karnowski on Radio ZET.

09:28

Petru:

I Can't Imagine Voting on the 2025 Budget Without a Health Contribution Cut
- We promised during the election campaign, and also recently, a reduction in the health contribution – this is critical for us. To be honest, I cannot imagine voting on next year's budget when the reduced health contribution is not included in it – Ryszard Petru said on PR1's "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day). - I cannot imagine voting on the state budget for 2025 if there are no provisions in it that mean a reduction in the health contribution – he repeated.

09:44

Petru:

I have the impression that Tusk is not ruling out running for president
- I am convinced that Szymon Hołownia will be the candidate [for president] and will be supported by the PSL. That's what I would bet on as the base, most probable scenario. Even if various rumors appear, that's how we have been in agreement so far - said Ryszard Petru in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1. - I would most dream of a situation where Rafał Trzaskowski and Szymon Hołownia meet in the second round of the elections, meaning the PiS candidate doesn't make it to the second round [...]. That would be optimal, and I would most wish for Poland such a scenario, because then we wouldn't have such an anti-PiS vote, but we would truly be choosing the candidate who convinces us with their vision, demeanor, and program - he continued. - I don't want to discuss whether Donald Tusk or Rafał Trzaskowski - that is a decision within KO. But looking at, observing Donald Tusk, I have the impression that he is not ruling out running for president - he assessed.

09:49

Morawiecki Publishes Clip:

Let's Not Allow Tusk's Team to Dismantle the Polish Economy.

- The coalition of failures aims to liquidate the Polish strategic company PKP Cargo. Our national carrier achieved a net profit exceeding 80 million Polish zlotys as recently as 2023. Now, the new team wants to lay off over 4,000 employees, which will result in the loss of the ability to carry out many strategic tasks, such as transporting military personnel or energy resources. Simultaneously, there are reports of the German carrier Deutsche Bahn Cargo taking over the Polish market. Let's not allow Tusk's team to dismantle the Polish economy - says the narrator in a clip published on social media.


09:51

Petru:

If We Don't Lower the Health Contribution, the Confederation's Presidential Candidate Will Capitalize on This Issue
- We are entering an election campaign next year. Various candidates will be running, and it's important that the coalition's candidates will be judged not only on their dealings with PiS but also on their economic achievements during almost a year and a half of governance - Ryszard Petru stated in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1. - If we don't lower the health contribution, then the Confederation's candidate will play on this theme. They will show and point out that 'you promised, you didn't deliver.' I would fear a repeat of 2015, when Kukiz got 20% in the first round and he de facto transferred that support, one way or another, to Andrzej Duda, and he won the election - he continued. - Yes [the prescription for such a scenario is lowering the health contribution], because every entrepreneur, every active person will feel the improvement. This is very important. And that's why it's important for this to come into effect from January 1st, not with any significant delay - he added.

15:23

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

All military athletes who win or have won medals at the Olympics will be promoted and specially honored

- By fighting on the Olympic arenas, our athletes bring great pride to the Homeland. I have decided that all military athletes who have won or will win a medal during the Games will be promoted and specially honored. We will start with Senior Private Specialist Aleksandra Mirosław, of course, after she completes the appropriate course! Great respect to all those who, with their commitment, dedication, and determination, have won Olympic medals for themselves and for Poland - wrote Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Twitter.


17:23

Domański After Meeting with Poland 2050:

We Are Seeking the Best Solution.

- We had a very good and constructive meeting with representatives of Poland 2050 regarding the health contribution. We are seeking the best solution - Andrzej Domański wrote on Twitter.


17:46

The President Made a Decision Regarding the National Broadcasting Council:

Did Not Share the Stance of the Sejm and Senate.
- The President of the Republic of Poland has not confirmed the expiry of the term of office of the National Broadcasting Council. Consequently, the term of office of all members of the National Broadcasting Council does not expire - the Chancellery of the President communicated.

It was added that the president did not share the stance presented in the resolutions of the Sejm and Senate. Earlier, both chambers rejected the KRRiT's report on its activities in 2023. The term of office of all KRRiT members would have expired within 14 days. However, the shortening of the KRRiT's term does not occur if it is not confirmed by the president.

18:39

Petru after meeting with Domański:

Many indications suggest we will pay a lower health contribution next year.
- The meeting went well. The Minister of Finance is open to work in this area. I am a moderate optimist. Many indications suggest that next year we will pay a lower health contribution - Ryszard Petru said on TVN24's "Tak jest". - We agreed to start working sessions with the Ministry of Finance, not with the minister, but at the departmental level, to thoroughly examine individual income groups. So that there is no situation where someone might lose out as a result of any proposal - he conveyed. - We will continue to discuss the scope. We submitted a proposal that it should cover employees and entrepreneurs. The Ministry of Finance responded to our proposal. They pointed out that it is expensive. We confirmed this - according to our estimates, it is 30 billion PLN annually. It's not a small amount, but on the other hand, it is fair because it concerns both entrepreneurs, [...] and full-time employees - he continued.

19:06

Petru on Health Contribution: We Must Reach an Agreement Within 2-3 Weeks
- Within the next few weeks, and I mean 2-3 weeks, not 10 weeks, we must develop a more operational, technical agreement, at an Excel level, not a political one, on how this system [concerning the health contribution] can be constructed so that everyone can support it, so that we have a proposal by September 1st - said Ryszard Petru in "Tak jest" on TVN24.

19:51

Szłapka on Campaign Financing:

What PiS Did Was Intentional Circumvention of the Law.
- What Law and Justice has been doing all this time is, in fact, an intentional circumvention of the law on financing election campaigns, on financing political parties, and this is not really just a matter of this last election campaign. This is a matter of circumventing the law on financing political parties for many years - said Adam Szłapka in "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.

19:55

Szłapka on who will run for president with KO's support:

Trzaskowski is the Natural Candidate.
- The best candidate, and we've known this for a long time, is Rafał Trzaskowski, he is the natural candidate, and I think that's ultimately how it will be - said Adam Szłapka on TVN24.

20:02

Berek on Changes to Health Contributions:

We Will Not Back Down From This.

- I want to assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that there will be a change in how health contributions are collected. We will not back down from this, however, there are two conditions. Firstly, it must be a wise, sensible, well-calibrated solution. Secondly, it is absolutely no secret that there are certain differences among the coalition partners on this issue – stated Maciej Berek on TVP Info.


20:04

Berek Suggests Possible Timeline for Health Contribution Changes

- I think we can expect some solution in the autumn, because this expectation is indeed strongly felt, but we need confirmation regarding its form, and then also the implementation of appropriate legislation. This will take some time. No, I will not put any date on the table here, I will not stake my head on any date, but no one wants to delay this more than is necessitated by the ongoing discussions - stated Maciej Berek on TVP Info.


20:07

Szłapka on the East Shield:

Working Talks with European Institutions to Finance It Are Underway.
- These media speculations [that the EU will not get involved in financing the East Shield] are unjustified, because from the very beginning, when Donald Tusk took office as Prime Minister in Poland, we made it very clear that security would be one of our priorities and we want security to become a priority for the European Union - said Adam Szłapka on TVN24. - For the first time, on Poland's initiative, it's worth emphasizing, it was included in the European Council's conclusions that security would be one of the EU's priorities [...] other European institutions, in this case the Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Defence, were also tasked with presenting options for financing specific security-related projects - he continued. - Working talks are already underway with the European Commission, with European institutions, and also with the European Investment Bank to finance it. [...] We will have to wait for concrete details once the new European Commission is established; that will be the third quarter of this year [...] there will probably be more known [in the autumn of this year] - he added.