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09/05/2024

07:38

Thursday's Political Agenda: Tusk Meets Irish PM, Kaczyński's Conference, Lithuanian President Continues Visit, Glapiński's Press Conference, Siemoniak in Świętokrzyskie

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda continues his visit to Poland. At 10:00 AM, along with President Andrzej Duda, they will participate in the Presidential Panel at the Polish-Lithuanian Defence Sector Business Forum. At 1:20 PM, both presidents will lay wreaths at the Monument to the Union of Lublin in Lublin, and then at 1:35 PM, they will begin a visit to the headquarters of the Grand Hetman Konstanty Ostrogski Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade.

At 2:55 PM, a ceremony for the presidents to sign the Declaration on Bilateral Relations is scheduled at the National Museum in Lublin. The final point of the visit will be a joint press conference at 3:05 PM.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will meet with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris in Rzeszów today. At 9:30 AM, the head of the Polish government will welcome his guest, with whom he will then proceed to a meeting. At 9:50 AM, the delegation meeting will commence, and at 10:30 AM, a press conference for both prime ministers will take place.

At 3:00 PM, a press conference by NBP President Adam Glapiński, dedicated to assessing the current economic situation in Poland, will be held at the NBP headquarters.

Minister of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak will be on a visit to the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. At 12:00 PM, he will attend the XXXII International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO, and subsequently, at the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship Office, he will meet with the voivode and heads of services in the region. After the briefing, at 3:45 PM, a press conference will be held.

At 1:00 PM, a press conference by PiS President Jarosław Kaczyński will take place.


08:13

Leszczyna on abortion guidelines:

I would appeal for them to be read.

- I would appeal to the Episcopate, but generally to everyone who speaks on the subject of the [abortion] guidelines, to read them, because there is a lot of untrue information in the public sphere and in public opinion - stated Izabela Leszczyna in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

As the Minister of Health said: - These guidelines do not change the law in any way. We, as the Ministry of Health, are only providing an interpretation of how these regulations should be read. If the Episcopate or other critics of these solutions wanted stricter anti-abortion laws, they had 8 years to do so. They did so with regard to lethal defects, but they did not touch upon the aspect of the woman's life or health.


08:17

Leszczyna:

I Don't Know Any Health Minister in the World Satisfied With Their Budget

- I don't know any health minister in the world who would be satisfied with their budget, so of course, I am not satisfied. I would want more, but I must admit to the finance minister that he has delivered what the law imposes on him. It is to be 6.5% of GDP, unfortunately, the GDP from 2 years ago, because PiS prepared such a law for us - stated Izabela Leszczyna in Polsat News's "Graffiti".


08:27

Leszczyna:

PiS Stole 13 Billion PLN from Insured Individuals
PiS caused the state budget to transfer the financing of all these things to the National Health Fund (NFZ). I can confidently say – they stole 13 billion PLN from the insured. And it's not as if this 13 billion suddenly, I don't know, fell from the sky to the NFZ, and they also introduced a law that pleases medical staff, the law on minimum wages, which meant that every year we had to add another 15 billion PLN solely for salaries – stated Izabela Leszczyna in "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

08:42

Leszczyna:

I will defend the health contribution, I see no chance of lowering it

- For several months now, I have been repeating that with the funds I have, if we introduce certain organizational and legislative changes, we are capable of managing well and do not need to raise the health contribution, but I see no chance of lowering this contribution, not even through an expenditure act. What we promised during the campaign, that there should be no contribution from the sale of fixed assets, absolutely so - stated Izabela Leszczyna in "Graffiti" Polsat News.

- I am here to alleviate patients' burdens and I will continue to do so. I will defend this contribution - she added.


08:43

Kierwiński Responds to Czarzasty:

It is a mistaken expectation that we will sort everything out in 9 months.
Perhaps Włodzimierz Czarzasty is appealing to himself. As a former minister in Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government, I know how much this government has already done and how many projects are still ahead of us, but there seems to be a mistaken expectation from Włodzimierz Czarzasty, and perhaps also from some commentators, that everything can be sorted out in 9 months. We agreed with Poles for 4 years, we agreed to clean up after PiS – stated Marcin Kierwiński on TOK FM. Kierwiński: On fundamental issues, the coalition speaks with one voice - Yes, there are things that require clarification, that create some area of conflict, but on fundamental issues, which truly build Poland’s position and our security, we speak with one voice: defense spending, healthcare spending, restoring Poland’s position on the international stage – he continued.

08:44

"A Broken Record": Kierwiński Responds to Sawicki on Tusk's Presidential Bid

- I would say it's a broken record [regarding Tusk running for president]. I still have an offer for Marek Sawicki: if he so strongly wants to decide for Civic Coalition (KO) who our candidate will be, let him make that declaration. It's really not difficult at all – said Marcin Kierwiński in TOK FM.

Kierwiński: The Coalition's Voters Most Anticipate a Single Candidate

- The most obvious, and perhaps expected by all voters of this democratic part of the Polish political scene, would be to field a single candidate. Today, I consider this very unlikely, but that doesn't exempt us from having a necessary conversation about it – he added.

"There is no space for it." Kierwiński Assesses Chances of a Coalition's Single Candidate

- Of course [KO wants Trzaskowski to be the coalition's joint presidential candidate]. Today, to be clear, I see that there is no space for it. However, politics is very, very dynamic; sometimes the situation changes from day to day, from hour to hour – he emphasized.


08:44

Kierwiński on the 0% loan:

This is an opportunity for many young Poles.

- I believe that this kind of TikTok policy is bad policy, but I understand that Ms. Pełczyńska-Nałęcz is presenting the position of Mr. Szymon Hołownia's party. We do differ in this regard, and we will discuss this topic. This is a perspective likely for the next few weeks. Funds for housing are allocated in the budget; these are funds that must be well utilized. One of the proposals is the 0% loan, which for many young Poles is truly an opportunity to acquire their first own apartment – stated Marcin Kierwiński on TOK FM.


08:54

Bogucki on Running for President:

You Don’t Refuse the Chairman, But There’s No Such Question Today.
- Many people in our political circle, in PiS, in the United Right, meet these criteria [that a PiS presidential candidate must be young, tall, imposing, handsome, know languages, and be internationally experienced]. It's difficult for me to comment on non-substantive issues, that is, those related to image – Zbigniew Bogucki said in a conversation with Bogdan Rymanowski on “Gość Radia ZET”. - It’s not a matter of wanting to or not [if I would want to run for president]. I have the impression that today we are reducing this debate to a simple short pass and ping pong. This is a crazy and immense responsibility. It must be considered very carefully in the context of these extremely difficult times and the great responsibility that will fall upon the President of the Republic – he continued. “If such a question arises, I will think very carefully about it and answer the Chairman” - It’s difficult for me to say “yes” or “no” today. I haven't received such a question today. If such a question arises, I will certainly think very carefully about it and answer whoever asks, meaning the Chairman. [...] Then I will certainly answer very concretely and very substantively – he emphasized. He added: – You don’t refuse the Chairman, but there’s no such question today.

09:08

Bogucki Asked About His Donation to PiS: 1,000 PLN. 'Perhaps I'll Donate More'
- 1,000 Polish zlotys. I don't know if it's a lot or a little. That was the minimum required to donate. Perhaps I'll donate even more - said Zbigniew Bogucki on 'Gość Radia ZET' when asked how much he had donated to his party. - This is also a way to show our voters, all those who donate smaller sums: 10, 20 zlotys, that we have to set an example - he assessed.

09:17

Bogucki on the Merger of PiS and Suwerenna Polska:

It’s Not Decided, But Personally I’m For It.
- It’s not decided [the merger of PiS and Suwerenna Polska], but if you were to ask for my opinion, I am in favor of these two environments merging. We on the right have very bad experiences when it comes to fragmentation, splitting up - said Zbigniew Bogucki in “Gość Radia ZET”.

09:26

Bogucki:

If the PiS candidate isn't as recognizable as Morawiecki or Błaszczak, they need to be announced sooner
- If it's a candidate not as recognizable as, for instance, Minister Błaszczak or Prime Minister Morawiecki, then it seems that candidate needs to be announced sooner, so that this candidate can already be active, travel around Poland, meet people, so that [...] they build their recognition - said Zbigniew Bogucki on "Gość Radia ZET". - I think that the date of November 11, which is very symbolic, also refers to the launch of the current President Andrzej Duda. [...] Of course, there are certain risks here, which I sometimes point out, but one cannot exclude the possibility that in this particular case, history will repeat itself. And history likes to repeat itself - he continued.

09:36

Bogucki:

We Must Consider Scenarios Like a Joint PiS and Confederation Government. We Have Much in Common
- We need to unite those environments that share a certain common foundation, a root – undoubtedly, we have this to some extent with the Confederation. I'm talking about this patriotic approach to the Polish state, our affairs, our vital interests - said Zbigniew Bogucki in „Gość Radia ZET”. When asked if he could imagine a joint government of PiS and the Confederation, he replied: - We must consider such scenarios. Again, I will return to this root, that is, what is the foundation of functioning today. Much divides us, for example, on social programs, but when it comes to a patriotic approach – we have much in common.

09:43

Bogucki:

As President, I Would Not Sign the Partnership Bill
- No, I will not sign it. This is because Polish law and the Polish constitution clearly state today that marriage and family are under the special protection of the Republic of Poland - said Zbigniew Bogucki on "Gość Radia ZET", when asked if, as president, he would sign a bill on registered partnerships. - If someone today - they don't necessarily have to have a church wedding - wants to have this special protection, which the constitution speaks of, they should enter into marriage, which is a civil, state union. If someone wants to live in an informal union, that is their sacred right. Whether homosexual or heterosexual - it doesn't interest me at all - he continued. - The law is as it is. If one wanted to approach this systematically, the constitution would have to be changed. Besides, today registered partnerships based on civil law [...] can realize issues such as access to health information, inheritance. And if they want to use facilitations and conveniences, there is the institution of marriage - he continued.

11:10

Tusk:

Military Neutrality Must Never Mean Indifference to Evil and Aggression

- We exchanged views, which I believe form a comprehensive picture of the situation in the region. What is particularly important to us, and which we appreciate, and which we also discussed, is the fact that Ireland, a traditionally neutral country very attached to its neutrality, unequivocally supports the victims of aggression politically, in the context of human values. This is a very important example, not only for Europe - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ireland.

- I see that the world is beginning to understand better, in a sense following Ireland's example, that military neutrality cannot in any way mean indifference to evil, aggression, or the tragedy of innocent people - he continued.

- We discussed how to use this friendship and our good understanding to shape a new European policy, especially regarding security, but also the competitiveness of Europe as a whole against other parts of the world, and here we can, in a sense, share competencies and build synergy - stated PDT.

- Only a Europe competitive with other world economies, only a Europe skillfully protecting its own interests, can be fully secure, and on the other hand, only a Europe that can protect its borders and its territory can develop economically in peace - he added.


13:41

Kaczyński Announces Rally in Front of a Ministry:

We Want to Protest Against an Attack on Patriotism.
- That the law is being broken, the constitution, that we essentially have a state of lawlessness in Poland, is obvious. But this time we are dealing not only with the breaking of the law [...] but also with an attack on a celebration, I'm talking about the Independence March, in which hundreds of thousands of ordinary Poles participate, and which, if there is no provocation, as was the case under the PO government, proceeds peacefully and nothing bad happens there - Jarosław Kaczyński said at a press conference. As the PiS leader assessed: - This is an attempt to bring about a situation - in fact, the beginning of an attempt, although there were already announcements before, there was talk of delegalizing this march - so that these marches simply do not take place. Or they take place in an atmosphere that will be rejected by a significant part of society - which desires peace, which is understandable. - Hence our protest, and it is a protest that we want to express this time not only from this place, or in the Sejm, but also to express it using the right to demonstrate. This kind of rally in front of the Ministry of Justice will take place not this coming Saturday, but the one after - he announced. - We want to protest against the breaking of the law, but also against an attack on Polish patriotism. It continues in Polish education, Polish culture, institutions created by us are being destroyed [...]. Today, patriotism in Poland is being suppressed, because it is obviously in contradiction with everything this government plans, carrying out what could be described as a German agenda in Poland - he continued.

13:44

Kaczyński Announces Participation in Independence March

- 

I will also be at the march on November 11th, the Independence March. I am one of the parliamentarians, but I will also permit myself to say, in my own name, that I will be participating, - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.


13:45

Kaczyński Announces Signature Collection for Referendum Against the Green Deal

- I wanted to announce that we will keep our word; we announced that we would be collecting signatures for a motion for a referendum against the Green Deal, and in the near future, this matter will be announced and commenced. We remember this; we said we would do it in September, and in September, this operation will begin. I hope for success – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.


13:56

Kaczyński:

I Donated 10,000 PLN to PiS's Account
- I donated 10,000 [PLN to PiS's account]. I also donated an additional five thousand to an organization that is not a political party. Of course, I will continue to donate money - said Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.

14:02

Kaczyński on PiS's Candidate:

I Myself Don't Know Who It Will Be

- We'll see how it goes. At this moment, you may not believe me, but I myself don't know who this candidate [for PiS president] will be, because there are several very good ones - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.


14:05

Kaczyński:

I Appeal for Even More Donors to PiS. This is About Defending Polish Independence
- Regarding observing who is donating, I know that there are already about 50,000 donors at the moment. I wanted to appeal for there to be even more of them, because this can truly bring very good results in defending not just one party, not the opposition – although, of course, defending the opposition when it's being obstructed is super important for democracy. This is about defending Polish independence, but this independence also translates into our developmental opportunities, into the future quality of life for Poles – said Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.

14:06

Kaczyński on the unification of PiS and SP:

There are advanced talks on this matter.

- Yes, indeed, there are advanced talks on this matter. As for these two gentlemen, they will rather complete the composition, if, of course, they will. There are various questions related to this, perhaps instead of Minister Ziobro, there will be another person for a while longer, but they are indeed to complete the composition, but as vice-presidents - stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.


14:09

Kaczyński:

Everyone Who Wants Poland to Be Independent Should Unite, Mr. Bosak Disagrees

- We believe that today there is a great state of threat to our independence, and before that, to our democracy, and everyone who wants to maintain democracy and, above all, wants Poland to be independent, should be together. Mr. Bosak clearly has a different opinion on this, PiS-PO – one evil – said Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference.


14:20

Kaczyński Skeptical About Morawiecki's Candidacy:

The Goal is to Win the Second Round.
Entering the second round is not an easy task, but many of our candidates would certainly get there. The goal is to win that second round, and the Prime Minister, in my opinion, has often been unfairly, but very attacked, and he doesn't inspire much trust in the rightmost part of the electorate, which we also have to consider – stated Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference. Kaczyński: The presidential candidate will be someone who unites the entire patriotic environment - We take all of this into account, and these are the premises that will be decisive, meaning the candidate can be someone who is able to unite all parts of this patriotic segment of our society – he continued.

15:13

Glapiński:

Inflation May Exceed 5% by Year-End
Available forecasts, ours, foreign, external, indicate that inflation may even exceed 5% by the end of this year. It will be around 5%, but it might exceed 5%. There are certain elements that are difficult to account for and are not fully precise – stated Adam Glapiński at a press conference.

15:24

Glapiński:

Inflation Only Has a Chance to Return to Target in 2026
- According to current forecasts, NBP projections, inflation should start falling again from around the middle of next year. Based on all the data we currently have and some predictions bordering on certainty. We are basing this on government announcements, on statements from individual ministers or the prime minister, though there are no statutory documents or regulations yet - stated Adam Glapiński at a press conference. "Inflation May Only Return to Target in 2026" - But it is only in 2026, meaning when the effects of rising energy prices have expired and have been absorbed by the economy and households, that inflation has a chance to return to a level consistent with the inflation target. We assume it will return in 2026. This is according to the July projection, developed assuming unchanged NBP interest rates - he continued.

15:54

When Will Interest Rates Be Cut? Glapiński: It Could Happen Sooner
- I spoke about this at previous conferences, and it caused some interpretational confusion. Some interpreted it to mean that the NBP President said the first interest rate cut might happen in 2026. I didn't say anything like that. I said that according to current data, available right now, including projections, the inflation target might be achieved in 2026 - stated Adam Glapiński at a press conference. "The Monetary Policy Council Makes the Decision and It Could Happen Sooner." NBP Head Explains - But of course, the decision is made not by the president, but by the ten-person Monetary Policy Council. A decision, for example, to lower rates, because there is some pressure and expectation for that, could happen sooner - he emphasized. As he explained: - In the past, over the last few decades, this has happened. In situations where, for example, inflation is high, elevated relative to the target, but stabilized, with no further tendency to rise. All our projections do not foresee an increase. All our projections foresee a decrease in inflation in the coming quarters. More or less dynamically. - If inflation is stabilized and a decrease is predicted in the coming quarters, then of course there will be a discussion in the Council whether and by how much interest rates can be lowered - he continued.

16:23

Is the 2012 Polish-Russian Security Services Cooperation Agreement Still in Effect? Duda on Providing Investigation Files to Rubcov
The situation is absurd to the extent that I think there were no doubts then that this gentleman was a Russian agent, because it was known that he would participate in an exchange organized by the United States services – stated President Andrzej Duda at a press conference. - In light of the above, I fear that the gentlemen from the ABW (Internal Security Agency) were aware that they were showing these files to none other than an operative or agent of the Russian special services, who was accused of espionage in our country. So, I can only say this: you know, as far as I remember, in 2012 an agreement was signed between the SKW (Military Counterintelligence Service) and the FSB (Federal Security Service), concerning cooperation. This was during the premiership of Mr. Donald Tusk, and Mr. Donald Tusk consented to it – PAD continued. - Is it possible that this cooperation between Russian services and the Republic of Poland's services under the premiership of Mr. Donald Tusk is still being continued? Because that is how it looks, this is my comment on this matter at the moment – he added.

16:24

Polish-Lithuanian Declaration of Cooperation Signed
- At the castle in Lublin, as I just said, we have signed this declaration of cooperation, for which I am very grateful to Mr. President – stated Andrzej Duda at a press conference.

20:15

Petru Announces Submission of a Parliamentary Bill on Health Contribution

- I am surprised by Minister Leszczyna's statement because we had an agreement with the Ministry of Finance that within the scope of 4 billion [PLN] this health contribution could be reduced next year, and in the following year within the scope of 14 billion [PLN]. I don't want to say we agreed, but we established such parameters for the contribution – stated Ryszard Petru on RMF FM.

- We submitted an appropriate bill. If we have such a blockage on Minister Leszczyna's side, I believe we should return to our parliamentary project again and submit it for the first reading, so that it is decided in the Sejm whether there is a majority for it or not, rather than wasting time on discussions in ministries – he continued.

Petru: I hope that under public pressure, Minister Leszczyna will react differently

- The project will be limited to entrepreneurs, and then, perhaps under such pressure from public opinion, Minister Leszczyna will react somewhat differently. We wanted to seek an agreement within the government; it is difficult, but this kind of attitude surprises me – he went on to say.

,,If this does not happen, it means a serious dispute within the coalition.” Petru on the health contribution

- This will be a reduction implemented by the entire coalition; I cannot imagine it not happening. If it were not to happen, it would mean we have a serious dispute. I am convinced that the Polish People's Party (PSL) will also strongly advocate for this – he emphasized.


20:16

Petru on PSL's Support for Siewiera:

I Don't Know What They Would Gain From It.

- I would bet 95% that yes [the TD candidate for president will be Hołownia]. In my opinion, based on my knowledge today, they will support Szymon Hołownia. Nothing was mentioned in discussions with the PSL [about them supporting Siewiera], and what's more, I don't know what they would gain from it – stated Ryszard Petru on RMF FM.


20:31

Domański Discloses Amounts:

I Have Initiated the Disbursement of Funds for Committees, Including for PiS.

- Having received the decision from the National Electoral Commission (PKW) and after analyzing this document, this letter, I have initiated the disbursement of funds for electoral committees, including for the PiS electoral committee, in accordance with the PKW's decision. PLN 10.8 million, almost PLN 11 million, in entity subsidies for PiS has been reduced by the PKW's decision. The remaining funds, amounting to over PLN 27 million, have been allocated for disbursement - stated Andrzej Domański on TVP Info's “Gość Wiadomości”.


20:34

Domański on the Extraordinary Control Chamber:

It is not a court and it is difficult to recognize its so-called decisions.

- I stand by what I said. This appellate chamber is not a court and it is difficult to recognize its so-called decisions. Let's wait for developments, for decisions from the PKW as well - stated Andrzej Domański on "Gość Wiadomości" on TVP Info.


20:36

Domański:

I See No Need for Any Drastic Belt-Tightening


Absolutely, I see no need for any drastic belt-tightening. We see that our economy is clearly accelerating, and we expect a growth rate of over 3%, with almost 4% GDP growth next year – stated Andrzej Domański on "Gość Wiadomości" TVP Info.

20:46

Korneluk on the contents of documents provided to Rubcow:

Nothing that could harm the interests of the Republic.
- If a person is accused of committing a specific crime, and an indictment is subsequently formulated against that person, then the entirety of the collected evidence material is categorically made available before the indictment is formulated. This is stipulated by the Code of Criminal Procedure - Dariusz Korneluk stated in an interview with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i", referring to the case of Paweł Rubcow, accused of espionage. - We live in a free world today, and everyone has the right to defense […]. This is not a summary proceeding. Everyone has the right to know what they are accused of and what material has been gathered against them - he pointed out. Korneluk conveyed: - I have spoken with the prosecutor leading this investigation, who assured me, firstly: this classified material is classified primarily for formal reasons, which was also confirmed to me today by the head of the Internal Security Agency (ABW). Secondly: the content of this classified material, in terms of substantive law, did not surprise the accused in any way. What did Rubcow see? “No names or findings and circumstances that could harm the interests of the Republic” - From these materials, he learned what he was involved in, meaning, what we know and why we are accusing him of committing a crime under Article 130 § 1 of the Penal Code. There are no names, no findings, and no circumstances that could harm the interests of the Republic - emphasized the National Public Prosecutor. - There are no operational techniques, no methods used. From this material, the accused learned what Polish services know, and how he passed information to the Russian Federation. Only that. Therefore, he learned about his own activities, what he was doing to the detriment of both Ukraine and Poland. Nothing more - he continued. “He did not have access to the data of officers” - The suspect – now the accused – did not have access to the data of the officers who conducted this proceeding, to the individuals involved, or to the methods of operation - he assured.

20:52

Domański on the health contribution:

I am convinced an agreement will be reached.

- Yes, I am convinced that such an agreement [regarding the health contribution] will be reached. As for the absolute minimum plan, which is to end the absurdity of collecting contributions from the sale of fixed assets, I think it's a matter of the next week, maybe two - stated Andrzej Domański on TVP Info's “Gość Wiadomości”.


20:54

Domański on changes to the health contribution:

We have PLN 4 billion secured.

- I want to say that we have PLN 4 billion secured in the budget and we are ready to adopt solutions concerning the health contribution that will fit within this amount - stated Andrzej Domański on TVP Info's "Gość Wiadomości".


21:26

Mentzen on Asperger’s Diagnosis with Rymanowski:

I Always Felt Something Was Wrong with Me.
I always felt something was wrong with me. It used to be called Asperger’s syndrome, and now it's called autism spectrum disorder – reveals Confederation candidate Sławomir Mentzen in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski. In the Rymanowski Live program, the politician describes: - I found out about it quite late. I always felt I was different, that I had certain behaviors that others didn't have. The MP adds that it was only diagnosed after the age of 30. - I was always a little different. Perhaps that's why it's perceived as a mask. All my memories were that things my colleagues did easily were insurmountable problems for me. Since childhood, I've had problems building relationships; in a new group, I had trouble approaching someone and speaking – Sławomir Mentzen describes. When prompted by the host about the moment he first thought it might be autism spectrum disorder, the politician recounts that he was at the party headquarters, talking with Przemysław Wipler, and it was “from that conversation that it became evident that it was this condition.”