Live Feed

09/18/2024

06:54

Wednesday's Political Agenda: Tusk at Crisis Staff, Hołownia with Turkish President, Pegasus Investigation Committee

At 7:00 AM, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will once again participate in a crisis staff meeting in Wrocław.

At 10:00 AM, the Pegasus investigation committee will question Piotr Pogonowski, former head of the Internal Security Agency. The questioning will continue at 3:00 PM in a closed session.

At 4:00 PM, Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska will attend the ceremony for the awarding of the Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Prize to Paweł Łatuszka, a Belarusian opposition figure and deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus.

Wednesday also marks the first day of Szymon Hołownia's three-day visit to the Republic of Turkey. At 7:00 PM Polish time, the Marshal of the Sejm will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

07:13

Tusk:

I Strongly Appeal for a Balanced Approach to Informing the Public in Affected Areas
- I saw people in action, Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister Klimczak in Oława, so we will also need urgent information from Oława itself, of course from Lewin, from those places that experienced high water, from Żagań, and later from the Voivode - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at the crisis staff meeting.

- I just want to, summarizing yesterday's events, once again strongly appeal for a balanced approach to informing the population in threatened areas, after a double-check, a quick but double-check of every piece of information - he continued.

07:42

Domański on Funds for Flood Prevention and Mitigation:

We've Secured PLN 2 Billion in the Budget.
- As per the information provided, we have secured funds amounting to 2 billion Polish Zlotys in the budget for tasks related to flood prevention and mitigation. We are aware that these are funds intended for initial actions, particularly for the disbursement of targeted benefits for families or, more broadly, individuals affected by the floods - stated Andrzej Domański during a crisis management meeting.

07:50

Repaying 12 installments of a mortgage: Domański Announces Support for Flood Victims
- Those affected by floods who have a mortgage will be able to benefit from the Borrower Support Fund. Support may be granted if the mortgage concerns a borrower who has lost, even temporarily, the ability to use their house or apartment – said Andrzej Domański during a crisis management meeting. - The support will consist of the Borrower Support Fund repaying the borrower's obligations, i.e., installments, for a period of 12 months, regardless of the installment amount. Applications can be submitted in paper form, but of course also electronically, and, I would like to state this very clearly, the granted support will not be subject to repayment. So, generally, the Borrower Support Fund will cover these 12 installments – he continued.

08:04

Tusk Warns Speculators:

If Necessary, We Will Set Official Prices.
- I will ask the Minister of Finance to help me with a precise assessment of whether it is necessary to use price control tools. In Kłodzko, I also received this dramatic information that what is most needed by flood victims is clearly more expensive than it was before the flood - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at the crisis headquarters. - I am warning all those who speculate or try to profit from the flood and human tragedy: we have legal tools related to states of emergency, and we will use these tools to force a return to pre-flood prices. And if necessary, this is a more complicated process, but we will manage, we will set official prices for some products, those related to people's basic needs - he continued. - It is better, from the perspective of those who have decided to make a profit, that they themselves make the decision to return to pre-flood prices as quickly as possible - he added.

09:06

Kosiniak-Kamysz on the Wrocław Mayor's Statement Yesterday:

Greater Diligence and Scrupulousness Are Needed.
- The Prime Minister summed it up very well: you need to verify twice, very quickly. This is sensitive information, just like the one concerning Mietków. [...] Quick verification, before information about evacuations, about other orders is released, because this is something that will surely have repercussions later - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a conversation with Marcin Fijołek in Polsat News' "Graffiti". - This is an extraordinary situation, and in extraordinary situations, unfortunately, events like yesterday's during the Wrocław Mayor's speech also occur. Fortunately, it turned out that this particular piece of information was unreliable, it was quickly verified by Polish Waters, our services, by the OSP [Volunteer Fire Brigades], who often, I believe, provide the quickest verified information. It certainly requires even greater diligence and scrupulousness - he emphasized.

09:20

Bosak Accuses Prime Minister of Inaction:

He's Putting on a Show for the Media.

– I think there's simply a mess in the government, and the Prime Minister is currently focused on putting on a certain show for the media. Because I perceive these broadcasted meetings as a kind of spectacle, not actual crisis management. Real crisis management doesn't happen with the cameras turned on – stated Krzysztof Bosak on Radio Zet.

09:21

Bosak on Accounting for Irregularities:

This is Material for an Investigative Committee.
- I think this is material for some kind of investigative committee, which should be established after this flood. We already have several threads here. Firstly, the failure to release water from reservoirs. Nysa was flooded as a result of the lack of a decision to release water from the reservoirs. While the Czechs were emptying their reservoirs, a high water level was maintained in Poland, and only what was flowing into these reservoirs was released, without preparing for the flood wave that was already coming. This is sabotage against the cities located downstream – said Krzysztof Bosak on Radio Zet.

09:21

Bosak:

Information Chaos Unseen Since Smoleńsk Disaster
I admit that there is an information chaos right now, which I haven't truly seen for a very long time, perhaps since the Smoleńsk disaster. We are constantly internally processing information about what is happening where and what needs exist – stated Krzysztof Bosak on Radio Zet. It seems to me that we are dealing with significant neglect, meaning, first and most general, in Poland we do not have something like StratCom, which is a place where strategic communication takes place – he continued.

09:24

Kosiniak-Kamysz on Soldier Involvement:

10,000 from Operational Troops + Over 4,000 from Territorial Defence Forces
- The time will come to assess the overall actions and verify everything. I can speak about the military that was mobilized from Thursday last week, meaning from the moment a crisis staff was established at the Government Security Centre - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Polsat News's "Graffiti". - In many places, the Territorial Defence Forces or operational troops were the first on the scene. Of course, the scale is enormous, and many of the events that occurred were on an unprecedented scale. Much higher levels than in 1997. […] If there was a demand, if there was an indication of where to provide support, whether to the fire department or local authorities, the military moved there - he emphasized. - Now, 10,000 soldiers from operational troops plus over 4,000 soldiers from the Territorial Defence Forces have been made available. This number increased day by day, as the operation expanded to more towns - he conveyed.

09:36

"Multi-Billion Złoty Flood Recovery Plan": Kosiniak-Kamysz Announces Special Act
- This is a time for non-repayable aid. We are starting with PLN 10,000 for those who have suffered, plus money for reconstruction, of course, non-repayable. A very good decision by Minister Domański to repay housing loans over the next 12 months through an appropriate fund - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Polsat News's „Graffiti”. - All of this is of great importance for the multi-billion złoty recovery plan, which we are announcing with a special act that is necessary in this situation, with all actions in cooperation with local governments - he emphasized. When asked when such a draft bill would appear, he replied: - Losses need to be assessed. I have also asked local government officials to identify priorities. There are thousands of needs, but we have to choose a hierarchy of action. […] In my opinion, a special act is essential to implement the recovery plan, the plan for removing flood damage.

09:39

Kosiniak-Kamysz:

We are planning a multi-month mission in the army to rebuild flood-affected areas
- We are already planning a multi-month mission in the army to rebuild these [flood-affected] areas, primarily involving engineering troops - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the program „Graffiti” on Polsat News.

09:51

Kosiniak-Kamysz on Acts of Sabotage:

False Slogans Claiming Sappers Intend to Blow Up Embankments.
- Sabotage – it has been appearing since the very first days. The most disturbing were the slogans claiming that sappers were preparing to blow up the embankments in Nysa. This was at a time when Nysa was fighting, and someone throws such a slogan onto the internet […]. This is devastating for security and for the emotions of those people who are involved in packing sandbags to defend these embankments - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in "Graffiti" on Polsat News. - I quickly debunked it, stating that there is no planned operation to blow up embankments – neither in Nysa nor anywhere else. If anything like that were to happen, it would of course only be through official channels. […] If someone releases something like this into the ether, they have specific goals - he assessed.

10:00

Kosiniak-Kamysz Highlights the Necessity of Building Reservoirs. "Decisions Must Be Made Against Expectations from Times of Peace"
- What is worth emphasizing, and what the services and soldiers are saying: cooperation and coordination between different branches. This is never easy, [...] and today there is enormous coordination of their actions. It can always be even better and faster - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the program "Graffiti" on Polsat News. As the Deputy Prime Minister noted: - Certainly, there will also be many decisions that will need to be made, about building reservoirs, sometimes difficult decisions. Certainly, these decisions should be made through the prism of premises, and not just expectations, which are often expressed in moments of peace, and change when difficult moments arrive.

10:10

Morawiecki:

We Must Launch a Program Like the Government Strategic Investment Fund

- Imagine a local community, a local government, that in a flood has lost a newly renovated school, a bridge has been destroyed by water, the sewage treatment plant is not working, and local firefighters have lost their equipment. Meanwhile, the police, for example, have a flooded station. What is the government offering them? A loan - says Mateusz Morawiecki in a clip published on social media.

- Yes, you heard correctly. Instead of real help and immediate money for reconstruction, they are being offered credit. How is a community that has lost so much supposed to think about repaying further debts, about loan applications? This is madness. 100 million PLN at 2.5% interest is a drop in the ocean of needs. The government exists precisely to protect citizens, to help them in times of crisis, and the government is there to manage that help effectively - emphasized the former prime minister.

As Morawiecki pointed out: - A special edition of the Government Strategic Investment Fund must be launched immediately. Yes, that fund, which we implemented many times. Several billion zlotys need to be allocated from the budget, and if necessary, a special fund for combating the effects of floods should be established. Just as I did during the COVID pandemic.

13:09

Hołownia:

The word 'loan' should not have been used. There will be consequences
- I think for the sharp words of Marshal Zgorzelski, that we need more and more calm and conversation in such situations, although I understand that they strongly engage our emotions - said Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing, referring to the statements of the Deputy Marshal of the Sejm. Commenting on the announcements of the Ministry of Climate, he explained: - What Minister Hennig-Kloska wrote about was primarily 21 million in subsidies and then indeed this loan mechanism at the reconstruction stage - loans that can be written off. They are for local governments, not support for individual, physical persons, so it is an institutional relationship. - However, there is no doubt that in such situations the word 'loan' should not have appeared at all. [...] It was an evident communication awkwardness that people in such situations were even told about these loans. As far as I know - I spoke with Minister Hennig-Kloska - consequences will be drawn against those responsible for the ministry's communication during this difficult time - he emphasized. - However, there is nothing wrong with the government proposing a very broad package of various solutions. Some work immediately, others will be needed in the short, medium, and long term. [...] Today we are trying to do everything to help in emergency mode those who have found themselves in a dramatic situation. Later, we will dress this help in many different mechanisms - he added.

13:17

"What the Government Says is a Drop in the Ocean of Needs." Błaszczak on the "Substantive Opposition"

- We are the substantive opposition, and therefore we have also prepared a "Rescue" package, which is what we've named the bill that has already been submitted to Marshal Hołownia. This is a bill that provides real support for flood victims. What the government says, that it will allocate a billion first, then two billion zlotys, is a drop in the ocean of needs. It's not possible to renovate a house for a sum up to 200,000 zlotys, and that's the amount Donald Tusk designated as the level of support provided by the government - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.

- We propose that the state should finance 100% of the damages incurred by Poles living in these areas - continued the head of the PiS parliamentary club.

13:21

Tusk's State Has Collapsed. Błaszczak on the 'Abdication of Power'
I would like to draw attention to one fundamental characteristic of this government, which rules Poland today. It has abdicated. When it turned out that governing is necessary and it's not about PR performances, Tusk's state collapsed. People have to replace the state apparatus to save their property, their belongings, their health, and their lives – stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.

13:22

Błaszczak:

On one hand 2 billion, on the other over 3 billion for neo-TVP

- On one hand 2 billion PLN, on the other over 3 billion PLN for neo-TVP. That is, TVP in liquidation. And furthermore, as we can see from media reports, those who are invited to neo-TVP, their statements are censored. If they only criticize the government, their statements do not appear on air - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.

13:36

Błaszczak on recordings with Tusk:

It's PR.
"Well, it's PR, always PR. Yesterday we saw [Donald Tusk] entering a flooded room, practically kicking the door open, only this image was recorded from the other side, meaning someone was in that room to record Donald Tusk's entrance" - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.

13:37

Błaszczak:

Owsiak Didn't Help with Image, Now von der Leyen is Supposed to?

- In my opinion, Owsiak didn't help with the image, so now Ursula von der Leyen is supposed to. Get to work, Mr. Tusk. Get to work, you need to help people, not worry about your image. Those muddy boots won't become a symbol of Donald Tusk's government, only this sacrifice - stated Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference.

14:12

and Flood Reporting:

I Am Unable to Understand." Siemoniak on the Actions of "One of the TV Stations
- I appeal for particular responsibility in reporting matters that are completely unverified and which can evoke immense emotions. I am unable to understand how one of the TV stations can broadcast a statement claiming hundreds of people went missing on Saturday at weddings. This is untrue. Not a single person has been reported missing in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship or the neighboring one in connection with the floods in recent days - said Tomasz Siemoniak at a press conference.

14:19

Siemoniak on Loans for Flood Victims:

I Simply Cannot Imagine It.
- The Minister of Finance was at the national crisis management team meeting today, he presented the full scope of actions and possibilities and [...] I did not hear of any idea that briefly appeared somewhere in one of the ministries, so I am focused, Prime Minister Tusk spoke about this, non-repayable aid, 10,000 [zlotys], 100,000 for apartment renovation, 200,000 for house renovation, this is what we are dealing with at the moment - said Tomasz Siemoniak at a press conference. - I simply cannot imagine offering any loans in this situation. You have to come and see what it looks like; the idea of granting loans to people who are in a truly difficult situation persuades itself out of one's head - he continued.

15:07

Tusk:

By tomorrow morning, the number of soldiers in flood areas will reach 16,000
- General Sokołowski reported: 500 soldiers are in action in Kłodzko, 364 in Stronie, and 418 in Lądek. By tomorrow morning, the number of soldiers in the flood-affected areas will reach 16,000 - informed Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

17:01

Crisis Management Taken Over from Mayors: Prime Minister Announces Decision Regarding Stronie and Lądek
- Brigadier General Michał Kamieniecki has taken over crisis management from the mayors of Stronie and Lądek - Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced.

- Additional military units are arriving in both municipalities. In Stronie itself, there are already over 600 - he added.

As Jan Grabiec further informed: - Tomasz Siemoniak, at the request of the Prime Minister, based on Article 13 of the Crisis Management Act, has made a decision to strengthen the actions of the local governments of Stronie Śląskie and Lądek Zdrój in removing the effects of the flood. The plenipotentiary of the Ministry of Interior and Administration – a fire brigade general experienced in removing flood effects in 2010 – will take over the duties of the mayors in the scope of crisis management.

18:20

Tusk Appeals to Residents of Flood-Prone Areas:

This is Unacceptable.
- The most important thing is to take care of the levees, and this is an appeal to the residents not to walk on the levees. I won't pretend to not understand people who want to go onto the levee and see what's happening, but people being on the levees, let alone any excursions with heavier equipment, bicycles, or quad bikes, is something unacceptable - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during a crisis staff meeting. - We don't walk on the levees, we don't move around on the levees, because it's an additional burden - he continued.

18:48

Tusk to Crisis Staff: Information Suggesting the Peak Won't Reach the Top of the Embankments Cannot Reassure Anyone
- This information, which suggests that in these crucial places the peak will not reach the top of the embankments, cannot reassure any of you, because as I mentioned, the question is always whether the embankment will hold, not just whether it will overflow, but whether the embankment will hold. That is why we must remain mobilized at all times - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the crisis staff meeting.

20:05

Tusk Explains His Words:

The forecasts weren't overly alarming at the time.

- Yes, the forecasts weren't overly alarming at the time. What was crucial for me was the first meeting of the crisis staff. I'd like to remind you that it was Friday the 13th at 8 AM, here in Wrocław, there was no high water anywhere yet. There was no talk of flooding in Poland. We prepared these staff and crisis actions not just in Wrocław, but with appropriate advance notice - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk on TVP Info.

- If I had listened to the forecasts, which, as I said, weren't overly alarming at the time, if despite my experience from 2010, 2011, 2008, when there were tornadoes, I might have, like some others, thought: okay, since these forecasts aren't overly alarming, we have nothing to worry about - he continued.

As the head of government said: - In that exact same statement, I said: regardless of how not overly alarming these forecasts are, we must be mobilized, because there's no doubt that dramatic events will occur.

20:07

Tusk:

In Some Places, the Drama is Greater Than in 1997

- Today I can say that the drama in some towns and places is greater than in 1997. It's a different element, and of course, nobody programs these natural disasters - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk on TVP Info.

20:07

Tusk:

Claiming we don't use Copernicus program data is disinformation
- Forecasts – both weather-related and those predicting river flood levels – changed from the very first moments we received reports, from our experts at the meteorological institute, the hydrology institute, from the military, as well as from European institutions we cooperate with – Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on TVP Info. - I want to state right away that one of the many pieces of disinformation is the claim that we do not use this EU knowledge from Copernicus. Of course, our national institutes cooperate exemplary with Copernicus. These warnings concerning the Genoa low, these heavy precipitations, were of course analyzed in great detail by our experts – he emphasized.

20:16

Tusk:

There Will Be Money. People Are Most Important

- We know about it [that significant funds will be needed]. This money will be there, we will be making adjustments, shifting from these investments to those investments. People are the most important, not any projects, even very significant ones - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk on TVP Info.

20:18

Tusk:

We will overcome the disaster, help people, repair the damage, and thoroughly investigate what failed
- There will still be time to draw conclusions about where things were done wrong in recent years. [...] I will not allow myself to be provoked by anyone into complaining or political duels. We will overcome the disaster, help people, repair the damage, and thoroughly investigate where and what failed, why something didn't work - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on TVP Info.

20:21

Tusk Responds to Kaczyński's Words:

We Have the Opposition We Have.

- Yes, I expected it and it doesn't make any impression on me. I have serious things to do here, and I don't even listen very closely. We have the opposition we have. They can mock [muddy shoes] as if they were there with me, it was in Kłodzko, but in all the places I go, there's a lot of mud - Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on TVP Info.

20:31

Tusk on Rebuilding Flooded Areas:

The Government Will Not Skimp on a Penny. No One Will Be Left Without Help.
- We will rebuild apartments, houses, and infrastructure with Polish and European, but state funds. The government will not skimp on a penny here. We will not leave any municipality, any family without help. This will be a national rebuilding program, and we know that the scale will certainly be many times greater than the two billion that we have prepared - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on TVP Info.

20:35

Tusk on tomorrow's meeting with von der Leyen:

We need to make it clear that help will be needed.

- Tomorrow I will host Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EC, and the prime ministers of Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria, i.e., countries similarly affected, to make European institutions aware that help will be needed – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk on TVP Info.

"It will help rebuild infrastructure." Tusk on EU aid

- There will be no time for tours, as this is not about some spectacle, but we will show photos, we will inform them exactly how many towns were devastated by the water, so they have no doubt that this is an extraordinary matter. I already have this unequivocal signal directly from the EC, we will confirm it tomorrow. We will primarily take care of private property, of individual losses. Europe will greatly assist in rebuilding what is the responsibility of the government or local authorities, i.e., infrastructure, bridges, sewage treatment plants – he continued.

20:48

Tusk on Hennig-Kloska's Statement:

Unfortunate, It Angered People.
- Every ministry has some aid measures in place for emergency situations. […] She [Paulina Hennig-Kloska] had there in her resources, in regulations, laws, also the possibility of loans. And it was a very unfortunate statement - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on TVP Info. - If someone wants to take advantage of some low-interest loan in the future, because she has it in her package, then it will be okay. But people were waiting for different information, and they quickly received that information from me - about non-repayable, and immediate assistance - he continued. - It was unfortunate, but fortunately it won't practically affect people. It angered people, but it won't affect them, because this non-repayable financial aid, loan repayments, will reach people regardless of whether someone unfortunately said something or not - he assured.

recommended

He Underwent Self-Reflection.

- Czarnek on Morawiecki

Hot Topic

Tusk is Persona Non Grata in Washington Due to Puppyish Antics

- Cieszyński

Hot Topic

Europe Holds Strong Cards. It's High Time to Use Them.

- Sikorski Publishes Post Following Meeting of 'Coalition of the Willing' Leaders

news

Two Important Meetings Addressing Real Problems of Poles,

- Announces Head of the Presidential Cabinet

Hot Topic

Before Levelling Sharp Accusations, It's Worth Looking in the Mirror.

- Przydacz's Advice for Kosiniak-Kamysz

Hot Topic

Sometimes We Don't Boast Enough.

- Government Launches Billboard Campaign

Hot Topic

Previous days

Dzisiaj

Wczoraj

10.12.2025

09.12.2025

08.12.2025

06.12.2025

05.12.2025

04.12.2025