He Underwent Self-Reflection.
- Czarnek on Morawiecki
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09/19/2024
06:55
Thursday's Political Agenda: Tusk at Crisis Staff Meeting, EU Chief and Heads of Government from Czechia, Slovakia, and Austria in Wrocław
At 7:00 AM, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will once again participate in a crisis staff meeting in Wrocław.
In the afternoon, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, along with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, and the Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer – leaders of governments from countries in the region also affected by the floods – will visit Poland.
A meeting of the politicians with the participation of the Polish Prime Minister is scheduled for 5:00 PM in Wrocław. Subsequently, at 6:10 PM, they will all issue statements to the media.
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister will head to an evening briefing of services, which, as announced, will take place around 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM.
President Andrzej Duda will participate in the Krynica Forum 2024 conference. The head of state's address is scheduled for 11:30 AM, after which, at 12:15 PM, he will take part in a panel discussion titled "Does NATO Want to Defeat Russia?".
07:21
Tusk on the Flood Situation:
The Difference is Significant. It's Different Than We Thought 8 Hours Ago.
- I have a question, so that we are as precise as possible, what does this mean compared to the forecasts we had yesterday evening? They were a bit more optimistic yesterday evening than the actual situation, regarding the water level and, if I understand correctly, it is still minimally, but rising - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the crisis management team meeting, after hearing information about the current state of rivers in Wrocław.
- I don't want to probe excessively, but I understand that you are not able to, and in a very short period of time and without precipitation, predict with precision, I don't know, to within 10, 20 cm the water level, right, because the difference is significant, it's over 30 cm and it was still rising both after midnight and after 2 AM, and it's still rising, so, to put it mildly, it's different than we thought 8 hours ago - he continued.
08:09
Kosiniak-Kamysz:
This is the Largest Military Operation on Polish Territory in Decades
- A huge operation is underway by the armed forces, with 16,000 soldiers currently involved, and this weekend it will be over 20,000 soldiers. This is probably the largest military operation on the territory of the Republic of Poland in the last few decades - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the crisis staff meeting.
08:12
Kosiniak-Kamysz:
Flood Response Efforts Do Not Jeopardize 'Secure Podlasie' Operation
- The 'Secure Podlasie' operation is ongoing at the border with Belarus. This is a large-scale operation involving the armed forces, with constant patrolling, monitoring, and border protection. The influx at the border [...] is continuous. All actions taken in response to the flood do not cause any detriment, they do not cause any harm to the 'Secure Podlasie' operation - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the crisis staff meeting.
08:26
Tusk on Support from American Soldiers:
It's More Than a Gesture, It's Practical Help.
- We talked yesterday about American soldiers and I can confirm that 30 of them are working, probably also with equipment, in Żagań. This is more than a gesture, it is also practical help - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the crisis staff meeting.
- I also received information from General Sokołowski that territorial soldiers from Germany have also offered their readiness to help. If you see German soldiers, please do not panic, this is help - he continued.
- We also have an offer of help from the Turkish side - he added.
08:35
Tusk:
Man in Uniform Impersonating Military, Spreading False Flood Levee Demolition Rumors, Identified
- Nobody, anywhere, has any intention of demolishing [flood levees] [...]. We have discovered that this is not only a misunderstanding at times, or some kind of spontaneous panic. We have identified [...] a man who, dressed in a uniform, visits various locations, pretending to be military personnel and informing people that levees are about to be blown up. The man is traveling in a car with forged license plates - Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated at the crisis staff meeting.
- If you see or hear someone claiming to be a representative of any authority or service and telling such stories, first, do not believe them, second, immediately inform the services, the police, the military - he continued.
08:48
Domański:
We are ready as much as it will be necessary
- We still need to wait a while for such precise [financial] estimates. This flood wave is still coming, so it is difficult to accurately estimate the scale of expenses we will be dealing with. We are ready as much as it will be necessary. We already have PLN 2 billion secured in the budget for such initial, rapid assistance, which can reach households very quickly - stated Andrzej Domański in a conversation with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News's "Graffiti".
09:08
Morawiecki Calls for Flood Protection Shield:
Not one, but a dozen or so billion.
- Imagine your business, your livelihood literally washing away with the water. This is happening now in Kłodzko, Nysa, Głuchołazy, and many other flooded areas of Poland. Entrepreneurs are losing everything: shops, warehouses, machinery, workshops. Their future is in question - says Mateusz Morawiecki in a recording published on social media.
- A flood protection shield must be launched immediately. Not one billion, but several or a dozen or so billion zlotys. And that, immediately - he emphasized.
- Do you remember how BGK and PFR operated during the pandemic? Money was in accounts within 24 hours. Today, we need the same. […] Every company that fails is a human tragedy. The state must rise to the occasion. Otherwise, we face a poverty hotspot and the collapse of the local economy, local entrepreneurship. It's time to act - urges the former prime minister.
Tarcza antypowodziowa dla przedsiębiorców i samorządów potrzebna jest NATYCHMIAST! pic.twitter.com/iM6xU8FoN1
— Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) September 19, 2024
09:11
Tomczyk on the Situation in Wrocław and Lower Silesia:
The Next 24 Hours Will Be Critical.
- Let’s be clear, the next 24 hours will be critical also from the perspective of Wrocław and what will happen in Lower Silesia. Today, thousands of people, I’m talking about the Polish Army, but also firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and police officers, are monitoring the dikes along the Oder River and wherever necessary, they are monitoring reservoirs, to detect the slightest water seepage. Then, a group of soldiers or firefighters immediately appears, heavy equipment arrives, and sandbags are laid, or helicopters with big bags will appear to dam these seepages – stated Cezary Tomczyk in the program “Bez uników” on PR3.
- Today, we are ensuring that on one hand, the dikes and areas where water is approaching are secured, and on the other hand, that people are secured in places where the water has receded, such as in Stronie Śląskie, Lądek, or Nysa – he added.
09:11
Tomczyk on Rebuilding Houses and Apartments:
This Aid Can Be Activated Very Quickly.
- The money the Prime Minister spoke about is, in fact, the beginning of the road; it is money that is being activated here and now to be able to pay out compensation and grants to all those who need it. Despite the emergence of various fake pieces of information, let's be clear: everyone can count on 10,000 in non-repayable aid practically immediately after submitting an application, 100,000 for apartment renovation, and 200,000 for house renovation. This is non-repayable aid that can be activated very, very quickly – said Cezary Tomczyk on PR3.
09:39
Domański:
A Special Act Variant is Entirely Possible
- This is a probable scenario [adopting a special act]. Work is already underway here in the Government Legislation Centre (RCL), so this variant of a special act is entirely possible. I think so [we will be ready for the next Sejm session] - stated Andrzej Domański in "Graffiti" on Polsat News.
09:59
Domański:
Some Investments May Have to Wait Briefly
- Today, the Prime Minister is meeting with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and we hope that the EC and the EU will also seriously engage in financing this effort. We expect European funds here, including within the framework of existing programs - stated Andrzej Domański on Polsat News's "Graffiti".
- We will be looking for these funds from various sources, perhaps some investments, but this is really a very early stage, will have to wait briefly, however, we are naturally looking for priorities, and priority number 1 at the moment is assistance for flood victims - he continued.
12:53
Duda on the Flood:
An Hour of Truth About the State and Rulers.
- Crisis situations, especially so-called black swans, meaning those completely exceptional ones, such as the current flood [...], are always an hour of truth about the state and its rulers. About laws, procedures, resources, people responsible for the common good. About what works well in the country and what falters. What the country with its organization is truly worth, what its place is – said President Andrzej Duda at the Krynica Forum 2024 conference.
12:59
Duda:
By Calling for "Fighting Democracy," the Prime Minister Justifies Lawbreaking and Undermining the Rule of Law
- The current political realities negatively impact the quality of public discourse. This includes the brutalization of public life, the political instrumentalization of state institutions, a constitutional crisis, and lawlessness motivated by political revenge, unfortunately also carried out by the current authorities. Indeed, this is officially declared as almost a government program - stated President Andrzej Duda at the Krynica Forum 2024 conference.
- This is especially observed by citizens with dread when the prime minister speaks of "fighting democracy," which in reality means justifying the breaking of constitutional standards, breaking the law, breaking all principles of the rule of law, in an absolutely extreme manner - he emphasized.
As the president assessed: - This leads to the paralysis of key state institutions, a lack of trust in its bodies, legal instability, and consequently, economic and social policy instability, raising concerns about the state's credibility and effectiveness.
13:15
Duda:
United Right Government's Achievements Can Be a Benchmark for Future Governments
- The complexity of problems and challenges [...] makes a full, objective assessment of how effectively public authorities are meeting them difficult. However, the achievements from the past two parliamentary terms can serve as a benchmark. I trust that subsequent coalitions and government teams will strive to catch up to and surpass what the United Right governments have managed to accomplish - said President Andrzej Duda at the Krynica Forum 2024 conference.
13:16
operation:
This is a multi-stage reconstruction, a restoration of normality." Kosiniak-Kamysz on the new "Phoenix
- A multi-week, truly multi-month operation has been launched. The Chief of the General Staff has launched the "Phoenix" operation; this is separate from what is happening now. Because now there is the rescue action, flood protection, strengthening of dykes, and the initial cleaning, clearing of buildings, streets, and places, while the "Phoenix" operation is a multi-stage reconstruction, a reordering, a restoration to a state of usability and normality – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press briefing.
- Mobile clinics are already available, as the voivode also reported, they are available both in Opole and Lower Silesia. We will talk about this – he added.
13:17
Siemoniak on Crisis Staff Meetings with the Prime Minister:
There's No Glazing Over or Pretending There.
- Our crisis staff convenes twice a day, in the morning and evening, under the leadership of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. As you know, these meetings are broadcast by the media, but there is no glazing over, no pretending there. Everything is as it is; we expect, Prime Minister Donald Tusk expects, truthful information, precisely for the purpose of correcting potential errors or reinforcing efforts where needed. I spoke about General Kamieniecki in Lądek-Zdrój and Stronie Śląskie; these are precisely the conclusions drawn from what is happening – stated Tomasz Siemoniak at a press briefing.
13:44
Duda on CPK: The Current Government's Indolence is Costly. Is the Aim to Block This Investment?
- There are areas that must be completely excluded from this [political] struggle. These are strategic infrastructure investments and strengthening the country's defense and resilience. […] Ambitious and costly projects, initiated by state authorities, are usually not completed within a single parliamentary term. Therefore, it should not matter which government approved a given plan, which one first broke ground, and which one cut the ribbon - said President Andrzej Duda at the Krynica Forum 2024 conference.
- The flagship example of such an investment is the Central Communication Port (CPK). In the opinion of virtually all civilian and military experts, as well as the majority of Poles, the need for its construction is absolutely indisputable - he argued.
“The current government’s indolence is surprising on the one hand, but most importantly, and very painfully, it is costly”
- It seems that when it comes to the further fate of CPK, the European Union's support for this project, close to PLN 870 million in funding, has sealed the deal. […] Hence, the current government's indolence in this matter is surprising on the one hand, but most importantly, and very painfully, it is costly - he noted.
As the president said: - Nothing is known about talks with foreign investors, […] the Minister of Finance is delaying the transfer of treasury securities for the implementation of CPK. Since January, there has been an outflow of skilled personnel from the CPK company at a rate of 20-30 people per month.
Is the aim to simply make this investment impossible by raising the bar?
- Many people are asking themselves: perhaps the aim is to simply make this investment impossible by raising the bar. To demonstrate that there are so many obstacles and so many problems, and the profitability, unfortunately, ultimately turns out to be so weak that it's better not to implement it. That it's all so expensive, so why do we need it, and in fact, it's unnecessary. […] The question remains - who is it supposed to serve? - he asked.
16:31
Błaszczak on the Floods:
We Will Draw Consequences for All Who Neglected Their Duties.
- An internet user, who asked very justified questions, who stated directly that the residents were deprived of support from state services [...] has been charged. [...] The public is not supposed to know what is actually happening in the areas flooded by rivers - Mariusz Błaszczak said at a press conference.
- We will not leave this matter. Just as we are hunting down the pathologies of the government from the December 13 coalition, we will also hunt down all these neglects and omissions [related to the floods] that were made by the government of the December 13 coalition. In exchange for real help, we have theatre in the form of these crisis management team meetings - he continued.
- We will draw consequences for all those who neglected their duties, we will clarify all these matters, although of course it will not be easy, because there are attempts to close down the system. In the 21st century, they will not succeed - he went on to say.
16:36
PiS Rejects Confederation's Proposal:
We Will Not Join Any Initiatives.
- We will not join any initiatives, we will present the facts and we will turn to the relevant state authorities to draw consequences based on these facts against those who have committed negligence - said Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference, when asked about the proposal to establish an investigative committee regarding negligence related to the flood, made by the Confederation.
16:47
Car Purchased with the Justice Fund Saved a Family in Nysa. Kowalski Shows Photo with a 'Dedication' to Tusk and Bodnar
- I dedicate this image to Adam Bodnar and Donald Tusk, those politicians who halted funding from the Justice Fund for volunteer fire brigades. Below, ladies and gentlemen, you see me together with the mayor from the Left party, Mr. Jan Woźniak [...] in the Otmuchów unit during the election campaign in September 2023, the only car broke down, leaving the unit without a vehicle – said Janusz Kowalski at a press conference.
- The Ministry of Justice, through the Justice Fund, helped purchase this car for 50,000 [PLN], an old car from Germany [...] the state then acted. At the top, ladies and gentlemen, you see this car, which saved a family of four precisely during an operation in Nysa. This car was purchased with funds from the Justice Fund. And the funds for supporting volunteer fire brigades this year have been completely halted – he continued.
17:22
Tusk:
Person Disguised in Uniform, Spreading Disinformation to Residents About Alleged Plan to Blow Up Embankment, Apprehended
- Urgent! ABW officers have just apprehended an individual disguised in a uniform who was spreading disinformation to residents about an alleged plan to blow up a flood embankment. ABW and prosecutorial activities are ongoing – Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced.
Pilne! Funkcjonariusze ABW zatrzymali właśnie osobę, która przebrana w mundur dezinformowała mieszkańców o rzekomym planie wysadzenia wału przeciwpowodziowego. Trwają czynności ABW i prokuratury.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 19, 2024
18:21
Tusk After Meeting with EC President: We Received Declarations Satisfying Us
- Three days ago, I asked the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to visit Wrocław in connection with the dramatic flood that has struck our country. As I was in constant contact with our friends: the Chancellor of Austria, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Slovakia [...], [I asked] that we use this moment, here in Wrocław, this brief moment for a joint meeting in connection with the need for reconstruction - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference in Wrocław.
- This is, of course, about support from the European Union and financial support. [...] We needed exactly 45 minutes to agree on our expectations and to obtain declarations from the European Commission that satisfy us - the head of government stated.
18:27
Tusk on the Flood Recovery Program:
Polish, European, and Local Government Money.
- Each of us will be responsible for the recovery plans for our countries after the floods. To varying degrees, of course, as our countries have been affected by the floods to different extents. We in Poland will also be [...] combining Polish, European, and local government funds to present a recovery program for all flood-affected areas – so that everyone affected by this catastrophe receives full support, and this support must be sufficient not only to eliminate the damage but also for full reconstruction and renewal – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a joint press conference with the President of the European Commission, the Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and the Chancellor of Austria.
18:33
EU Commission Chief Announces €10 Billion in Additional Aid for Flood-Affected Countries
The most important thing is to find financing for reconstruction after the disaster. For this purpose, we can use two sources, primarily the Solidarity Fund, which can be used for rebuilding roads, highways, railway lines, or bridges, i.e., infrastructure. I know, looking at the scale of the destruction, that this money will not be enough, which is why we have discussed going further with the Cohesion Fund, with maximum flexibility and speed; these are priorities, which is why the Cohesion Fund will be mobilised – stated Ursula von der Leyen at a press briefing.
€10 billion can be used from the Cohesion Fund for countries affected by the flood; this is a crisis response, and I am very grateful for the swift convening of this meeting. I assure you that in the coming months and years, we will support you in reconstruction – she added.
€10 billion can be used from the Cohesion Fund for countries affected by the flood; this is a crisis response, and I am very grateful for the swift convening of this meeting. I assure you that in the coming months and years, we will support you in reconstruction – she added.
19:11
Tusk on the Scale of Aid for Poland:
5 Billion Euros.
- A very specific thing has been agreed upon, which will amount to 5 billion euros for us - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in an interview with Polsat News, after a meeting with the President of the European Commission.
- I am pleasantly surprised that everyone understood that there is no need to talk a lot - I apologize for that word - but to act for 45 minutes. Reported needs, a concrete response. There will simply be more money for reconstruction - he continued.
- There is no reason to jump for joy, because we still have floods and tragedies, but there will be funds for reconstruction - he added.
20:47
Tusk on the Biggest Achievement of the Meeting with the Head of the European Commission:
No Need for National Co-financing.
– The biggest achievement of this meeting is that we will not have to provide national co-financing for the billions we will spend on rebuilding flood-affected areas – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the crisis staff meeting.
– Secondly, we will not have to wait, sometimes years for such projects to be settled. In this case, they will be pre-financed. It sounds complicated, but we will receive the money first – he continued.
20:48
Tusk:
We Will Also Seek Funds from the EU Solidarity Fund
- We will also be using money, it will be less, but still from the so-called Solidarity Fund in the EU. Generally, I can state with satisfaction that this will greatly facilitate our preparation and implementation of the recovery program, and in a swift manner - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a crisis staff meeting.
21:16
Tusk on Looting:
Anyone Who Decides on Such an Idotic and Bad Action Will Simply Go to Jail.
- Anyone caught, and we will be truly effective here, looting in areas under a state of natural disaster will be punished severely, more severely than in other circumstances, so think really not once, but 10 times, whether it's worth trying to take advantage of the opportunity that we are all in difficult flood situations, because you will pay a really high price for it - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a crisis staff meeting.
- Anyone who decides on such an idiotic and bad action will simply go to jail - he said.
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