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08/28/2024

07:35

Wednesday's Political Agenda: Government on Budget, Sanna Marin, Metsola, Sikorski, Kidawa-Błońska, and Bodnar at Campus, Hołownia with Austrian National Council President

The government meeting will begin at 10:00 AM. The agenda includes the draft budget bill for 2025.

At 11:30 AM, Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia will meet with the President of the Austrian National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka.

At 10:00 AM, former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin will speak at Campus in Olsztyn. At 3:00 PM, a meeting will take place between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, and a special guest.

At 4:45 PM, Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar will speak together with Věra Jourová, and at 5:00 PM, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. At 8:00 PM, Karolina Wigura will talk with the Marshal of the Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.


07:59

Mastalerek:

Kaczyński Will Never Be Deprived of Power in PiS

- I am from the camp that believes President Kaczyński will never be deprived of power in PiS. PiS is President Kaczyński; he built it. I have said many times that it is Jarosław Kaczyński's private party, and if he wants Mariusz Błaszczak to be president, he will be. If President Kaczyński wants Błaszczak to be the leader of PiS, he will be too. If he wants to make someone else the leader of PiS, that person will be too – stated Marcin Mastalerek in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.


07:59

Mastalerek on Potential Subsidy Cuts for PiS:

Poland's Democracy is Worsening.

- I think [the National Electoral Commission] will cut [PiS's] subsidies. Unfortunately, I believe Poland's democracy is worsening under Donald Tusk and his coalition partners. I believe so, they exerted great pressure and they will succeed. I believe that next to Donald Tusk, Jarosław Kaczyński is a truly great democrat - stated Marcin Mastalerek in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.


08:41

Moskal on why PiS lacks an event like Campus:

There is indeed some catching up to do.

- I think there is indeed some catching up to do here – stated Michał Moskal in “Graffiti” on Polsat News, when asked by Marcin Fijołek why PiS does not have an event like Campus Przyszłości.

- I believe this is one of those areas where we should open up. Besides, the elections last October also showed this, that we failed on the image front. We later saw a series of studies showing that when it comes to the PiS program, Poles in significant majority, exceeding support for any single party or bloc on the Polish political scene, want the PiS program implemented. But they didn't want PiS – he continued.

- Which means that as politicians of this formation, we have failed in terms of image and we should change – he emphasized.


09:18

Leszczyna Announces Guidelines for Hospitals on Abortion to Be Issued
- By the end of August, as agreed with the Prime Minister, we will announce the Minister of Health's guidelines regarding pregnancy termination. Guidelines are not law, but they determine the behavior of healthcare providers that have a contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ) - said Izabela Leszczyna in an interview with Maciej Głogowski on Poranek TOK FM. - Truly, please believe me, hospitals care about being financed by public funds. If someone is financed by public funds, they must adhere to the existing law - she continued. - If a pregnancy threatens the life or health of a woman [and support is not provided], then the NFZ will have to impose a penalty on such a healthcare provider, and in case of recurrence, it will have to revoke the contract - she noted.

09:43

Żukowska on the Ruling Coalition's Joint Presidential Candidate:

A Summer Story.
I don't expect it, I think it's more of a summer story [regarding a joint candidate for president by the coalition]. I believe it won't be finalized, just as a joint list for local government elections wasn't finalized. However, each party, and it's the first round anyway, so I don't see a problem here, wants to put forward its own candidate to present their postulates. Then, depending on who succeeds, we, as the ruling coalition, will of course support the person who makes it to the second round from our ranks – stated Anna Maria Żukowska on Radio Zet.

09:47

Żukowska Comments on Kosiniak-Kamysz Being Booed at Campus:

He Met the People's Wrath.

- The Deputy Prime Minister met with the people's wrath. However, the electoral victory of the entire October 15 coalition was brought to us by women, and I would very much like the Prime Minister not to forget this and not to hide behind his conscience. This is inconsistent at a moment when he talks about a referendum, for example. Because what if there were a referendum, would his conscience stop working then? Would he be able to give it up then? Then yes, now no. I believe this is inconsistent, and I believe the message is clear: something really needs to move forward regarding the right to abortion – said Anna Maria Żukowska on Radio Zet.


09:54

What's Next for the Government's Housing Program? Żukowska: The Prime Minister Declared Specific Figures

- I think the 0% mortgage program is no longer going to happen, and what remains is the Left's program, a housing program for affordable rental apartments, prepared by the current mayor of Włocławek, former Deputy Minister of Development and Technology, Krzysztof Kukucki. Now, Deputy Minister Tomasz Lewandowski is taking over and will continue to pilot this project, which has also received support from Poland 2050, which makes me very happy, and with such strong backing. There is also the Prime Minister's support, who has declared 5 billion in the first year, and 10 billion in subsequent years. I think we need to move forward with this quickly after the holidays – stated Anna Maria Żukowska on Radio Zet.


09:54

Żukowska on the Abortion Agreement:

This is the Prime Minister's Role.

- I would like to interpret the Prime Minister's statement [on abortion] this way, but the reality is that when there's no majority, one looks for it, and one looks for it in various ways. This means we can package bills; there are projects that TD (The Left) cares about, and it's not about necessarily being for this or that bill concerning the interruption of pregnancy; one can also abstain. If those individuals from PSL had abstained, the decriminalization bill would have also passed, so there is genuinely room for talks and negotiations, and I believe it is also the Prime Minister's role to lead to such an agreement – said Anna Maria Żukowska on Radio Zet.


09:58

Czarnek Declares Readiness for Talks with PSL and PL2050 on PiS Support for Healthcare Contribution Changes
- I am in favor of a position that we would jointly develop, which would be some kind of return, even a partial one, to the situation before the changes introduced by the Polish Deal for entrepreneurs, especially for small entrepreneurs running sole proprietorships, hairdressers, cobblers, and similar craftsmen - said Przemysław Czarnek in an interview with Łukasz A. Jankowski on Radio Wnet. - The healthcare contribution reform itself was going in the right direction, because it couldn't be the case that an employee on a basic or low salary paid a larger healthcare contribution than an entrepreneur earning many times more per month than that employee - that was unfair. However, certain things need to be corrected, because the current method of calculating the healthcare contribution is not beneficial for the smallest entrepreneurs, especially those with sole proprietorships. And here, indeed, we should improve it - he admitted. - Are you ready to talk with PSL, with Poland 2050, to potentially gain the votes that are missing from the Left, to provide them to the PiS coalition? - asked the host. - Of course, yes - replied the Member of Parliament.

10:09

Czarnek:

No presidential candidate can succeed without the support of all political forces on the right
- Probably, 99%, it will be a… [man? - unclear], who will mobilize our electorate. He will not be opposed by the electorate further to the right of the political scene, and at the same time, he will be able to persuade a part of the so-called center electorate, and thus win the elections in May or June of next year - said Przemysław Czarnek on Radio Wnet. - There is no doubt that no right-wing candidate has a chance if they do not secure the support of all political forces on the right, because only that guarantees crossing the 50% threshold of votes of support - he stated. - So, are you looking for someone palatable to Konfederacja in the first instance? - asked Łukasz A. Jankowski. - But at the same time, someone who is also able to convince the center to their views - replied Czarnek.

10:14

Czarnek on Changes in PiS:

Young MPs Could Bring Freshness.
- It seems to me that freshness. Freshness and a new perspective on PiS's operations, on PiS's directions of action, on directions for expanding the electorate, but also expanding coalition capabilities - Przemysław Czarnek said on Radio Wnet, when asked what PiS is missing to regain support. - We have MPs in our group with relatively short tenure, but who strongly represent PiS, forming the face of PiS. There are really very many of them, and they could indeed introduce this freshness. I think that the core leadership of PiS is also aware of this, and perhaps some changes will be introduced in this direction at the end of September - he continued. - This [refreshment and rejuvenation] is always needed everywhere and for every organization, for every group. A party that does not develop, that does not evolve, regresses. […] Therefore, it seems to our group as well that certain changes in management style are advisable and necessary - he went on to say.

11:15

Morawiecki Releases First YouTube Video, Slams Tusk Over "Scandalous Practice"

- Unfortunately, Tusk's government did nothing to stop this scandalous practice [of VAT fraud]. This was shown by EC reports, PWC reports. Everything changed since 2016, and they are responsible for these strange acronyms: STIR, SENT, JPK. Primarily these three. We, at least partially, to a large extent, solved and resolved this problem. The effect is more than doubling budget revenues in 8 years - says Mateusz Morawiecki in his first video published on YouTube.


12:15

Błaszczak:

They Aim to Eliminate the Opposition from the Polish Political Scene
The goal is to destroy the opposition. There is no democracy without an opposition. They are aiming to eliminate the opposition from the Polish political scene by cutting PiS's funding, because they are aware that they will be financed either from abroad or by business. The entire system of political party financing, which has a history of over 20 years, was created to level the playing field for political parties on the political scene, and they are consciously seeking to dismantle this system - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference. They are aware that they govern poorly, that they will lose in fair elections, so they are trying to eliminate the opposition - he added.

12:21

Błaszczak:

In a Few Hours, I Raised 30 Million That Should Be in PO's Election Report
- I, in a few hours, raised 30 million that should be in PO's election report, and these are activities like Campus Polska itself. Nitras stated that Campus cost 1.5 million. When you look at it, it seems more, but Nitras said 1.5 million PLN. 100 thousand came from local government funds, from Olsztyn's budget. Some of this budget came from private companies that sponsored the Campus - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference. - There is also foreign financing, which is of course illegal, and this foreign financing comes from the German Adenauer Foundation, so I propose that PO return this money to the Adenauer Foundation - he continued. "We're Adding 10 Million" - Then the monument protection project for Białystok, 3.5 million. Krzysztof Truskolaski said during the parliamentary election campaign that he secured such an amount for a fund for Białystok. Then the Emergency Department in Legionowo, I emphasize that we are following a path of absurdity. Since Szczerba and Joński deal with absurdities, here you go. The election campaign between the first and second rounds of the presidential election in Legionowo, a PO candidate, alongside Deputy Minister Tomczyk from PO, announced that it would be operational from July 1st, it is not operational, but when we looked at the construction costs of the ED, let's add 10 million PLN - noted the head of the PiS club. "Picnic for 2 Million" - Freedom Picnic in Opole - 2 million PLN. This amount comes from an interpellation, a picnic at which agitation was carried out for PO candidates. The football academy support program in Konin - 6 million PLN. Sławomir Nitras announced the support program in the presence of the KO candidate for the mayor of Konin. Sanitary sewage system in the Trzebiatów municipality, around 7 million, MP Łącki used this investment during the campaign - he added.

12:40

"Of Course We Have Plan B." Błaszczak on Subsidies and "Tusk's Regime"

- Of course we have plan B, we are prepared for many scenarios. We will not give up, we will demand justice, and if the Minister of Finance in such a situation fulfills the law, then he will break criminal regulations concerning the non-performance of duties that are expected of him - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.

- No regime lasts forever. Donald Tusk's regime will also end someday, and I think sooner rather than later - he continued.


13:35

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on the Good and Bad News:

Budget Adopted by the Government
We've got it! The Polish budget adopted by the government allocates PLN 4.3 billion for housing. That's over 50% more than this year! – wrote Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. - The good news: the budget includes exactly PLN 0 for the "0% loan" program. The bad news: the fate of a reserve covering PLN 1.6 billion of this amount is yet to be decided – informed the minister. - The "0% loan" deserves PLN 0 from this pool, and social housing deserves as much money as possible. This will be my stance at tomorrow's Economic Committee of the Council of Ministers – she emphasized.

14:57

Tusk Announces Increased Funding for Armaments and Defense:

We Have Prepared a Budget for Construction and Strength.

- Inflation under control, record economic growth in years, real growth of the minimum wage. And the start of investments, especially key ones, primarily related to energy and rail infrastructure, and alongside this, the great effort that awaits us and from which there is no turning back, namely increasing spending on armaments and defense - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference.


- 
We have prepared a budget for construction and strength. We will build what is needed for both Poland's security, both direct and energy-related. We have also decided on record high defense expenditures. We are talking about nearly 190 billion, over 186 billion zlotys, which is also an increase compared to 2024 - he continued.


15:01

Tusk:

The Entire Coalition Stands Firmly Behind Our Budgetary Actions
- I expect a few more turbulences in the work on the budget, but I wanted to thank the entire government, Minister Majszczyk […]. I wanted to thank all the ministers, because they proved to be very disciplined in this work - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference. - For the support and unambiguous solidarity around the Minister of Finance and the budget, I also thank the coalition leaders: Marshal Hołownia, Marshal Czarzasty, Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz […]. It is very important to me that the entire coalition of October 15th stands so stably and firmly behind our budgetary actions - he stated.

15:02

Tusk on Signing for a So-Called Neo-Judge:

A Mistake Was Made.
I won't mince words. I want to state very clearly: a mistake was made. As you are aware, the Prime Minister's task involves signing hundreds of documents, sometimes dozens per day, and they are divided into more technical and more substantive documents. The official responsible for preparing documents for signature did not notice the political nature of the document concerning a presidential nomination for a neo-judge, which required my counter-signature, and a situation occurred that should not have happened – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference.

15:06

Tusk Denies Speculation About a Deal with Duda:

It Only Makes Sense if We Effectively Restore the Rule of Law.

- I will not make any deals with anyone, neither with President Duda nor with anyone else, on matters in which I truly deeply believe and because of which I have fully committed myself to Polish politics in recent years. This entire victory and the fact that we have taken power only makes sense, and will only make sense, if we effectively restore the rule of law. A mistake happened, there are consequences, and I am ultimately paying those political consequences, which is understandable. Furthermore, such a situation must not happen again - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference.


15:07

Tusk Outlines Scenario for Proceeding with Three Judicial Reform Bills

- The changes that will restore the proper status of judges in Poland, meaning statutory changes, are already prepared. Minister Bodnar will present three draft bills in the near future. One concerns the status of judges, the second the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS), and the third the Supreme Court (SN). These bills will be prepared until the very last moment, and I deeply believe that after the presidential elections, the new president will immediately receive these bills to sign, and we will be able to fulfill what we have committed to – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference.


15:11

Tusk on Changing Abortion Law:

We're a Dozen Votes Short in the Sejm.

- Today, we are a dozen votes short in the Sejm, especially since the PSL has clearly stated that they will not vote for legal abortion, except in a few individual cases. I don't need to be convinced to do everything to ensure women in Poland have the right to legal abortion. But unfortunately, I only have one vote in the Sejm. What I can do in the government, and I know it's far from sufficient, is what depends on my decisions as prime minister, we are doing to bring at least some relief - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference.


15:13

Domański:

Economic Growth to Reach 3.9% in 2025
- The budget for 2025 is being prepared under conditions of a clearly accelerating Polish economy. After zero economic growth, which we inherited from our predecessors in 2023, this year we expect the Polish economy to grow at a rate of 3.1% - said Andrzej Domański at a press conference. - Meanwhile, in 2025, we anticipate further acceleration of economic growth to the level of 3.9%. We have decided in the Ministry of Finance to raise the economic growth forecast for 2025, which is a result of the fact that […] we see further engines of economic growth starting up, in this case, we see investment growth - he continued.

15:15

Tusk Announces Meeting with Legal Circles

- I will also ask for a meeting with all legal circles, still in the first half of September, so that we can describe step-by-step what we can and what we want to do together to constitutionally change this situation - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference.


15:17

Domański States the Amount:

Record High Growth Dynamics in Healthcare Spending.
- We plan that next year we will spend almost PLN 187 billion on security and national defense, which is 4.7% of GDP – said Andrzej Domański at a press conference.

- The second extremely important pillar is, naturally, protection and healthcare. In 2025, we will allocate PLN 222 billion, which represents a record high growth dynamic in healthcare spending, compared to PLN 191 billion in 2024 – he continued.

15:29

Domański:

Public Finance Sector Deficit to Reach 5.5% in 2025
- We expect the public finance sector deficit to amount to 5.5% in 2025, while the general government debt will reach 59.8%. This high deficit is, of course, largely conditioned by the actions we have taken in recent months, but also by the rollover and repayment of debt bonds issued by our predecessors – said Andrzej Domański at a press conference.

15:45

"Ukrainians are increasingly brazen." Mentzen on the "helplessness of Polish politicians"
- Ukrainians are increasingly brazen. A few days ago at a meeting in Kyiv, President Andrzej Duda said that if the Russians start to withdraw from Ukraine, he would be the first to call Zelensky to ask him to stop shelling, to which Zelensky mocked him, replying that he might have a busy phone then - said Sławomir Mentzen in a recording published on social media. - Ukrainians have received a lot of equipment and money from us, and not only do they show no gratitude, but they also openly disregard us. Furthermore, a few days later Zelensky started demanding more planes from Poland, saying that we still had some left - he continued. - In fact, I'm not surprised by Zelensky's approach to Polish politicians. For years, they have been traveling around the world, apologizing to everyone for everything, and asking how they can help, without wanting anything in return, not caring about the interests of Poland and Poles. This must end - declared the Confederation's presidential candidate.
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16:13

Budget Deficit in 2025 to Reach PLN 289 Billion. Domański Explains
- The state budget deficit for 2025 will amount to 289 billion zlotys. However, this deficit should be brought into comparable terms, and it should be remembered that this deficit includes the repayment of PFR liabilities amounting to 34.7 billion zlotys, the repayment of the COVID-19 Counteraction Fund in the amount of 28.5 billion zlotys, and funds we have secured for the reform of local government revenue - said Andrzej Domański at a press conference. - This increase also includes the statutory increase in healthcare spending, the non-payment of profit from the NBP, when compared to expectations in the 2024 budget law - he continued. - If we were to compare apples to apples, this deficit, in terms comparable to 2024, would amount to 181 billion zlotys - he stated.

20:37

Sikorski:

Ukraine's Counteroffensive Strengthens Their Position with Western Allies
- The fact that the Ukrainians entered Russia and surprised Putin, that they breezed through Russian lines of defense, is a major event. Because it gives Ukrainians faith in victory, it undermines the theses of Russian propaganda. It also gives Ukrainians arguments towards their Western allies: here you go, we are ready for a counteroffensive, you just need to stop limiting us - said Radosław Sikorski in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" program. - A victim has the right to defend themselves also on the territory of the aggressor. The Ukrainians are within their rights - he added.

20:48

Zgorzelski:

If Abortion Liberalization Isn't Possible, Let's Restore the Abortion Compromise
As the PSL, and also our TD (Trzecia Droga) circle, we propose that since it's not possible – because even the Prime Minister himself said it will be difficult this term – to build a majority for abortion liberalization projects. So, perhaps we should do something that has a chance, namely restoring the situation from before the disgraceful ruling. There is a chance for this, and there is a bill for it. There is a TD bill, calmly, in agreement, prudently – stated Piotr Zgorzelski on the program "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.

20:48

Zgorzelski on the Abortion Issue:

The Political Class Has Failed.

- Madam Editor, I am a realist, and I see what any reasonable person looking at the political scene would also observe. There is truly no possibility of passing these projects in this Sejm; the political class has simply failed on this issue. And since the political class has failed on this issue, and there are expectations from women and society as a whole, articulated with various nuances, then perhaps we should indeed first reverse the hell created by the Constitutional Tribunal under Julia Przyłębska, and then try to give a voice not to the 30% of women in the Sejm, but to the 54% or 55% of women in society. And we give a solemn assurance that we will recognize the verdict delivered in a referendum; this is a fair way to approach the matter – stated Piotr Zgorzelski on TVN24.

"If Not the Political Class, Then the PSL Failed." Rosa Responds to Zgorzelski
- Mr. Marshal says the political class has failed. Mr. Marshal, it was the PSL that voted against the depenalization and decriminalization of abortion, so in reality, with this bill, it is unfortunately you who have failed – said Monika Rosa on TVN24.


20:48

Rosa on Decriminalization of Abortion:

This Could Be a New Compromise for Civic Coalition.

- The Speaker [Zgorzelski] is talking about a compromise that was reached, some 20-odd years ago. However, Mr. Speaker, that was not a compromise for us women. It was more of a way to sweep the issue under the rug and pretend that the issue of women's rights, our health, and our lives didn't exist, that abortions weren't happening in Poland. But they are happening. Therefore, for us, decriminalization could indeed be a new compromise, and we would very much like this issue to be taken up in parliament once again, so that a majority for the decriminalization of abortion assistance can be found – said Monika Rosa on the program "Fakty po faktach" on TVN24.


20:56

Sikorski Favorably on Abortion Referendum Proposal:

I See the Weight of This Argument.
- PSL believes that a referendum would be a good idea, because some body must make this decision. I also see the weight of this argument - said Radosław Sikorski in the TVN24 program "Kropka nad i". - We in Civic Platform have no problem with this - we believe that the issue of partnership unions and women's sense of security are matters not for debate, but for resolution - he declared. Asked if he was in favor of an abortion referendum, he stated: - I will accept any decision of my parliamentary club, but referendums on such matters have taken place in other countries and sometimes with good results. Because then the nation decided: end of discussion. - This must be resolved [liberalization of abortion law], but unfortunately - as Prime Minister Donald Tusk said - we do not have a majority in the current Sejm. And a referendum is a mechanism where, if it were valid, then even those who do not want to vote for the legalization of abortion in the Sejm would be forced to do so - because the nation decided - he continued.

21:20

Sikorski:

Diplomats We Send Will Perform Their Duties Regardless of the President's Decision
- I have fulfilled all the procedures outlined in the act passed by the previous government and signed by the president. [...] We now have a group of ambassadorial candidates who have the consent of the host country, have a positive recommendation from the majority on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the final act remains, which is the appointment by the president. This is his prerogative, which I am asking to be executed - said Radosław Sikorski on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" (Dot over the i). - However, Polish diplomatic missions cannot remain without heads. In places like Israel, we haven't had an ambassador for 3 years. A very experienced diplomat, Jan Tombiński, is going to Berlin. We are sending a very experienced former ambassador to Afghanistan, therefore a Colonel of the Polish Army, to Kyiv - he said. - These individuals will perform their duties regardless of whether the President carries out his part of this process or not - he emphasized.

21:34

Sikorski:

Co-habitation in Poland is failing. Winning our presidential candidate is the priority
- Co-habitation in Poland is failing. Ambassadorial nominations are being blocked for me, judicial reform is being blocked, other changes in Poland are being blocked, because we have a president from a different camp. So, priority number one is to win, to have unity in the executive branch - said Radosław Sikorski in "Kropka nad i" on TVN24. - And priority number two is the survival of our coalition, and these are discussions about whether we want a candidate from one party. Whether we will compete with each other within the coalition, or perhaps we could manage to select a common candidate - he continued. When asked if he could be such a common candidate, he replied: - Please don't try to persuade me into such excursions. When I want to announce it, I will announce it not on a journalistic program.