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09/20/2024

07:00

Friday's Political Agenda: Tusk Continues Crisis Staff Meetings, Duda Visits Flood-Affected Areas, PiS MPs Hold Press Conference

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

President Andrzej Duda's visit to flood-affected areas will commence in the early morning hours. According to Minister Jacek Siewiera, the president's visit aims to observe the reconstruction efforts in the flooded regions and draw conclusions for the planned act on population protection.

At 10:30 AM, a press conference will be held in the Sejm by PiS MPs Edward Siarka and Paweł Szeferna.ker.


07:59

Tusk Announces Aid Package:

I Want to Reassure Concerned Farmers.

- I want to reassure concerned farmers, who have also suffered very serious losses. They may be less spectacular, but what is happening in the fields, particularly affecting small farms, means we are also preparing assistance for them and taking into account the fact that not only larger population centers, but also individual farms have incurred losses - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a crisis staff meeting.


08:02

Tusk Announces Appointment of Government Plenipotentiary for Flood Reconstruction

- Today, I will also present the government plenipotentiary for reconstruction. I mean, in short, it's clear what it's about. It will be a huge set of tasks, exceeding the capabilities of individual ministries, requiring coordination at many levels. And today at noon, we should get to know the government plenipotentiary for flood reconstruction - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a crisis staff meeting.


08:55

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

Up to €5 Billion Can Be Redirected from Structural Funds for Flood Reconstruction
- Up to 5 billion euros, which is a huge sum, can now be redirected from structural funds. This is a significant portion of the large pool already allocated to Poland for the entire financial perspective of 2021-2027, which totals €76 billion. Of course, we have already invested part of this, and now from this pool, we can redirect up to €5 billion [...] for investments in the reconstruction of the region where this tragedy [the flood] occurred - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz in an interview with Beata Lubecka on the program "Gość Radia ZET". - Investments in the region, and this is also a big change, will be possible without any own contribution, meaning 100% funded by EU means. This is a very significant change in the rules - she continued.

08:59

Domański:

There Will Be No Shortage of Funds in the Budget for Aid. It Will Be More Than 2 Billion PLN
- Of course, we are still looking for these funds in the budget. For now, we have secured two billion zlotys for immediate assistance, which is already reaching those affected by the floods - said Andrzej Domański in an interview with Agata Adamek on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden" (One on One). - We are receiving applications from voivodes, they are approved by the Ministry of Interior and Administration, and we immediately redirect these funds. [...] These are not large amounts yet, because these applications are only just starting to come in, so we are talking about tens of millions of zlotys. But we are ready to disburse these two billion. They are already secured, and this amount will certainly increase further - he assured. As the Minister of Finance announced: - We will adjust this amount to the estimated losses and incoming applications. I want to assure everyone that there will absolutely be no shortage of funds in the budget for the implementation of this fundamental task of the state, which is to help those affected by such a disaster.

09:02

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on Additional Solidarity Fund Resources for Flood Reconstruction:

Hundreds of Millions.
- Apart from the funds designated for Poland [...] which are the structural funds and the KPO (National Recovery Plan) [...] there are central budgets that can be redirected extraordinarily to member states, and the Solidarity Fund belongs to these. In situations of disasters like this one, an additional pool can be obtained - stated Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on Radio ZET. - This fund is not very large; it's much smaller than our structural funds, and some resources will flow to Poland from it, but I would rather see it in the hundreds of millions - she continued.

09:05

Domański:

Thanks to the Prime Minister's Intervention, Poland Will Receive a Significant Cash Injection from the EU - PLN 21 Billion
- I am very pleased with yesterday's meeting in Wrocław between Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the head of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen. Thanks to this meeting and thanks to the Prime Minister's intervention, Poland will receive a powerful cash injection. We are talking about a sum of 5 billion euros, which at the current exchange rate is 21 billion zlotys - said Andrzej Domański on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden" (One on One).

09:07

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on Tusk's Meeting with von der Leyen:

We're Showing Where Regional Leadership Lies.
- I think this is a very important meeting [between Donald Tusk and Ursula von der Leyen], and what does this meeting, speaking internationally, show? That Poland is the country and the Prime Minister of the Polish government is the leader who mobilizes EU resources and decision-making for the entire region, for the benefit of all. In other words, we are showing where regional leadership lies at this moment - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on Radio ZET. - Is something bad happening for the entire region, where leaders meet, where important European decisions are made? In Wrocław, in Poland - she continued.

09:15

Domański on EU Aid for Poland:

An Adequate Amount, Which Doesn’t Mean Sufficient.
- These are funds from structural funds, a large portion of which would not have been spent. We know that the Solidarity Fund – it holds over a billion euros – was definitely too small given the scale of needs in the entire flood-affected region. These funds will be redirected to combat the effects of the flood, these 5 billion euros – said Andrzej Domański in “Jeden na jeden” on TVN24. - We are the largest among those countries affected by the flood. We know the losses are very significant, although we don't yet know the exact figures, so I think the amount of 5 billion euros for Poland is an adequate amount. This absolutely does not mean it is a sufficient amount to cover all losses – he emphasized. As he highlighted: - These funds will be so-called pre-financing. Usually with EU funds, you have to spend them first and then you receive the reimbursement. No, this time it will be different. There will be pre-financing, plus the so-called own contribution will not be needed.

09:16

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

No Provision for 0% Mortgage in Next Year's Budget
- There is no provision for a 0% mortgage in next year's budget. [...] For a 0% mortgage to exist, there needs to be a legislative solution, and for that solution, a coalition majority is required. Poland 2050 will not vote for it - Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stated on Radio ZET. - It is also not in the coalition agreement; I negotiated that agreement and I know it's not there. [...] There is a reserve for housing, which can be allocated to social housing construction [...] it could be allocated to mortgage subsidies, the 0% mortgage, if such a law were passed, but as of today, there is no majority in the coalition for such a law - she continued.

09:19

Szłapka on Cohesion Fund money:

Half, meaning 5 billion, are funds for Poland.
It was stated very clearly that, firstly, there is the Solidarity Fund to be utilized, and it will be, I would say, very flexible and very quick to use. We need to estimate the losses and submit applications. This estimation of losses has basically already begun, the Ministry of Interior and Administration is working on it with the services, so it's a matter of weeks – stated Adam Szłapka in the program 'Graffiti' on Polsat News. - In addition, there are issues of money from Cohesion Policy. It's 10 billion euros per country that was mentioned there, of which 5 billion euros, half of all that, are funds for Poland. What is particularly important is that these funds are essentially released, very flexible – he added.

09:24

Szłapka on EU Aid for Flood Victims:

We Have 12 Weeks to Submit These Applications.
The Solidarity Fund, as President von der Leyen stated, is important money, but insufficient, as it amounts to 1.5 billion annually for all member states. We are already beginning to estimate the losses; we have 12 weeks to submit these applications, and we will do so immediately. On Monday, our joint team with the Ministry of Interior and Administration was formed, and on Monday, we informed the Commission that this is important to us. I hope this money will be available within weeks, not months, and I would approach the funds released from Cohesion Policy in the same way – said Adam Szłapka on Polsat News.

The entire time, even though the procedure will be maximally simplified, and a large portion of these funds can be treated as advances and will not require co-financing, there is still a procedure involved, as we must submit applications for specific items – he continued.

09:24

Szłapka on Accelerating EU Mechanisms:

Tusk Made a Precedential Change.

- Let us note that until now the basic accusation was that European mills grind very slowly, but Donald Tusk, with his visit yesterday to Wrocław, in my opinion, made a precedential change precisely in this area of European policy. Because it was on Donald Tusk's initiative that the President of the European Commission was here, there were countries directly affected by the flood, they also have their own issues to deal with, they have floods, and yet they came to Wrocław at Donald Tusk's invitation. And Robert Fico's comment that he has never been to such a perfect meeting also shows our position – stated Adam Szłapka in Polsat News.


09:26

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on the Canceled Duda-Trump Meeting:

It's Not the Polish President's Role to Engage in the US Campaign.
- In my opinion, such a meeting, and this is even disregarding the flood situation, would have been very unfortunate, because firstly, it is not the role of the Polish president to engage in an election campaign in the United States - Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz said on Radio ZET, referring to the cancellation of Andrzej Duda's meeting with Donald Trump. - Besides, regardless of who is elected president, Poland will cooperate because it cooperates with an ally, which is the United States. Nevertheless, looking at the declarations of the candidates for president on an issue fundamentally important to us, which is Russian aggression against Ukraine, the statements from Trump's camp and from himself are immensely disturbing. If he says that peace is most important and he will come to an agreement with Putin, then really, getting involved on that side in the American campaign, I've dealt with the East a bit in my life and it evokes astonishment in me, to put it mildly - she continued.

09:32

Tax Deferrals and Waivers: Domański on Aid for Affected Entrepreneurs
- We have two important elements. Firstly, deferrals, so that entrepreneurs in these flood-affected areas can focus on rebuilding their businesses right now. And here, no action is needed from them – they can simply not pay PIT, CIT, and VAT until the end of this year – said Andrzej Domański in "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24. - They will settle these in what is called the annual tax return. Regarding VAT, the deferral will be until January 2025. In the case of CIT, until the end of March. In the case of PIT, until the end of April 2025 – he enumerated. - However, in connection with Article 67b of the Tax Ordinance, there is a possibility of waiving tax liabilities in situations where there is an important interest of the taxpayer or an important public interest. For no one, I believe, is it doubtful that this is precisely such a situation. Therefore, I have instructed the head of KAS to always grant such applications from taxpayers when this point of the ordinance is met – because when it comes to waivers, an application will, of course, need to be submitted – he continued.

12:03

Tusk Announces Government Plenipotentiary for Post-Flood Reconstruction

- The task is gigantic; we will have to wisely and quickly disburse billions of zlotys so that they reach where they are truly needed. As you know, it is a very complicated expenditure structure, requiring cooperation with administration, services, and local government. It is indeed an exceptional task, so I was looking for someone who has a technical education, is an experienced politician in terms of management, and has local government and crisis situation experience - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the flood crisis staff meeting in Nowa Sól.

- Such a person came to mind: until recently, the Minister of the Interior and Administration, Marcin Kierwiński. The small problem was that he has been a Member of the European Parliament for less than 3 months, but at the first sign, he arrived here and will start working tomorrow - he said.



12:31

Kaczyński on Aid for Flood Victims:

Every Party Is Focused on Elections, But That Doesn't Mean There Aren't Other Obligations.
- What's in this car is 1/3 of what has been collected so far. More cars will go out on Saturday and perhaps on Monday [...] Of course, we will continue this action. It is enjoying considerable social success, and therefore it is worth continuing, because this aid is truly real and very much needed today - said Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference. - We haven't come here at this moment to evaluate anything. This evaluation will be made, and moreover, society is evaluating it. You only need to look at the internet to see that. We simply want to say that this action is ongoing - he continued. - Every political formation, every political party is focused on elections, on participating in everything that together constitutes the democratic procedure, but this does not mean that there are no other obligations, social obligations, and we are fulfilling these obligations, both through preparatory work related to legal acts [...] and other initiatives, as well as very concrete, very real ones. They build not only something that can be described as support [...] but also build something enormously important on the scale of our entire society, our entire nation, namely solidarity - he went on to say.

12:37

Tusk:

We Have Reasons to Believe Services of an Eastern State Are Also Involved in Disinformation

- We really have reasons to believe, I've said this before, that services of a state to our east are also involved in disinformation. To be clear, this is unfortunately nothing new; we have had these kinds of examples continuously over the past year - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a flood crisis staff meeting in Nowa Sól.


13:02

Kaczyński Ambiguously Comments on President's Visit to Lower Silesia: "Propagandistic," but "I'm Not Criticizing It"
- Visits by top-level politicians, at the highest level of state hierarchy, is the President of the Republic of Poland, are undertakings of a largely propagandistic nature, although at the same time they can somehow support those who are actually physically fighting the flood, and they are the most needed - Jarosław Kaczyński said at a press conference. - Of course, I am in no way criticizing this visit [...]. Personally, I am skeptical about this type of action, except for the actions of those who are organizing help on the spot, but these are primarily local MPs, sometimes also MPs or senators who arrive, sometimes also local government activists, and of course, it is then useful, provided they have organizational skills, provided they can actually do something real - he continued. - It is obvious that the president should appear there and he does appear there [...] this is not the essence of the matter right now [...] shaking hands by even a very important politician, with all due respect, is not the most important issue at the moment, but it is simply a kind of custom that this is how it is done, so it's not surprising that such visits take place there - he went on to say.

13:03

Kaczyński on EU Aid for Poland:

A Propaganda Move.
- As far as we are well-informed – and I believe we are well-informed – this is simply a reallocation of funds that already exist. An agreement that they can be used to help flood victims – Jarosław Kaczyński said at a press conference, referring to EU support for countries affected by floods. - This is, of course, a move that may have some practical significance, but I think politicians who boast that they can arrange everything in the European Union should also be able to access the funds that the Union has at its disposal and which are intended for extraordinary situations – he continued. - Reallocating funds means they will be lacking elsewhere. Because it's not true that they cannot be used; there are still 3 years left in this [financial] perspective. […] This is rather a propaganda move than what we should be demanding and expecting at this moment – he assessed.

13:07

A Week Since Tusk's Memorable Conference Passes." Szefernaker Poses Questions to the Government

- Today marks a week since Donald Tusk's memorable press conference, where he reassured the public and the services regarding the flood wave that reached Poland over the weekend. I wanted to begin this press conference by thanking all the services on the ground who have been working for a week now: soldiers, firefighters, the State Fire Service, volunteer fire brigades, and all people of goodwill who are helping to save lives and property - stated Paweł Szefernaker at a press conference in the Sejm.

- From the beginning, we tried not to engage in political disputes in the first days when floods hit Lower Silesia and Opole region. However, a constructive opposition should ask questions regarding the aid operation, the preparedness, and the readiness of services for the flood in Lower Silesia and Opole region. Starting with the Copernicus system, today, in light of Prime Minister Tusk's calming statements from last Friday, we know that Polish services use the Copernicus system. The EU Commissioner stated that the system predicted such heavy rainfall, and therefore, services should have been prepared for the situation that occurred over the weekend. Poland was not prepared for this - the PiS politician continued.

“We were not prepared for such a wave as arrived”

- We will be asking about this in the coming days as well: where the weather information reached its recipients, at what stage it did not reach the decision-makers, so that the decisions made in the first hours resulted in us not being prepared for such a wave as arrived - he emphasized.

Questions to the Government

"Why were there no consultations with mayors, town heads, and district governors in areas where a flood wave was predicted? Today, we hear from local government officials who were not warned about the potential consequences of the wave approaching Poland. From the information we have, which can be found on social media, the head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration organized consultations with voivodes last week. Why were there no such consultations with local government officials? Why did the voivodes not take appropriate steps in the government-local government relationship to convey relevant information to local government officials? Ultimately, why were the services not adequately prepared for the wave that came?"

- Why are these meetings of the Government Crisis Management Team broadcast live? This does not serve to help other people. This serves solely as political theatre - Szefernaker said.


13:12

Kaczyński on Kierwiński's New Role:

A Contribution to Assessing PO's Personnel Resources.
- This is a contribution to assessing the personnel resources of that party, which is mainly in power today, as well as the most trusted people of the current prime minister. [...] We did not come here to talk about such matters - said Jarosław Kaczyński at a press conference, referring to the appointment of Marcin Kierwiński as the government plenipotentiary for post-flood reconstruction.

14:40

Duda Praises the Prime Minister:

Thank You for Your Commitment, All Government Representatives.

- First and foremost, I want to thank with all my heart the soldiers, firefighters, police officers, rescuers, especially medical rescuers, and doctors present here. I thank with all my heart all the volunteers, all people of good will who are here, who are helping, and who are sending various kinds of donations, necessary to combat the effects of the flood at this moment – stated President Andrzej Duda at a press conference.

- I am immensely grateful to the Minister of National Defence, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, for the decisions to deploy engineering troops here with all their equipment, and for ensuring this equipment is readily available to them, as the commanders of these engineering units assure me they are equipped in every way they need – he continued.

- I thank all government representatives, led by the Prime Minister, for their great commitment. This commitment is essential here right now to combat the effects of the flood as quickly as possible; unfortunately, in many places, they are significantly worse than what affected residents even in 1997 – he added.


15:02

Duda Announces Swift Signing of Flood Response Coordinator Nomination

- I know that the Prime Minister has presented the candidacy of the government plenipotentiary for combating the effects of floods. I will endeavour, as soon as the Prime Minister signs all necessary documents for this purpose, to have this nomination implemented today so that the minister can commence work as quickly as possible; I am announcing this in advance. This is all hands on deck; we need to work together here, the residents expect it, the people expect it – said Andrzej Duda at a press briefing.


15:02

Duda on his absence from flood-affected areas:

Frankly, it wasn't needed.
- Frankly, it just wasn't needed. I want to be here, I would like to help, but the demands of my office and the restrictions associated with it are such that my presence here would actually disrupt the process of saving property and human lives. Therefore, it was better for one of my representatives, who does not require such protection, to be present here – stated Andrzej Duda at a press briefing. "Everyone can have their own opinion." Duda responds to Kaczyński regarding his visit to Głuchołazy - Of course, everyone can have their own opinion. I believe that we have democracy in Poland and everyone can express what they think – he added.

15:35

Kierwiński on his new role:

There are obvious decisions in everyone's life.

- There are obvious decisions in everyone's life. This is a great challenge and a great honor. No one will be left alone! - wrote Marcin Kierwiński on social media.


15:58

Tusk on Flood Possibilities in Szczecin:

Probably No Black Scenario.

- We need reports on the damage and in connection with European funds and urgent work on the first phase of the recovery program for flooded areas. For this, we need a very precise registration of what is damaged, on what scale, etc. I hope you will not have this task, meaning there will be no damage. Of course, it's good that you are prepared, as we said at the beginning, for every scenario, but it's even better that this black scenario will probably not happen here – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a crisis management meeting in Szczecin.


18:36

Tusk on the verdict regarding pump theft:

I hope this reaches everyone who intends to rob flood victims, rescuers.
- The theft of two pumps means 8 months of unconditional imprisonment, and that in an expedited process. I hope this information also reaches everyone who intends to take advantage of the situation of flood victims and rescuers and rob them. [...] These are very good signals that they are caught immediately and are immediately sentenced, I hope it will continue this way - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the crisis management team meeting.

19:02

Tusk:

There are indications of difficulties with financial aid disbursement
- There are indications from various places, including Lower Silesia, that there are, let's say delicately, difficulties with the disbursement of the first, ad-hoc benefits, this financial aid - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the crisis staff meeting. - I know it's difficult, but you must exert a cordial but firm pressure on officials to truly put their maximum heart into this, because if people, having their apartments and homes flooded, have found the time to come to the office, it means that this money is truly urgently needed, so once again I ask, there is no reason to impose any bureaucratic, procedural limitations here - he continued.

19:17

Siemoniak:

100 Million PLN Already Available for Benefits in Voivodes' Accounts
- There is already 100 million PLN in the voivodes' accounts for benefits and aid, thank you very much to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Interior and Administration, a great organizational effort here, of course, to the voivodes and their services - said Tomasz Siemoniak at the crisis staff meeting.

19:53

Road Homicide in the Penal Code? Ministry of Justice Commences Work
- In the coming days, intensive work will be carried out on legal solutions aimed at ensuring the maximum effectiveness of the state in combating crime on Polish roads - the Ministry of Justice has announced. As communicated by the ministry, the work will be conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Interior and Administration. - As part of the work, demands for legal changes that have appeared in the public sphere will be analyzed, such as the introduction of road homicide into the catalogue of offenses, the creation of a system for identifying individuals with driving bans on roads, or the forfeiture of vehicles driven by individuals who have been banned from driving them - the statement reads. - The circumstances of the accident involving Łukasz Ż., who was arrested yesterday, including the effectiveness of the driving bans imposed on him, will also be the subject of particularly thorough analysis - it was added.

20:02

Kosiniak-Kamysz on Kaczyński's Words:

We Won't Be Looking Over Our Shoulder at Grumblers.

- I won't be looking over my shoulder at the opposition. We won't be looking over our shoulder at the grumblers. We are acting, and that is the most important thing today: saving lives and health, securing places where the wave is approaching. Cleaning up, and it's a gigantic effort by many volunteers, whom I thank very sincerely - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on TVP Info.


20:08

Morawiecki on Domański's Tweet:

Money in People's Accounts Should Be Released Within 24 Hours, While They're Focused on Cash Registers.
People have lost the savings of a lifetime; they need swift, real help. The anti-flood shield and funds in people's accounts should be released within 24 hours, while they're focused on cash registers - wrote Mateusz Morawiecki on social media. The former Prime Minister was responding to a post by the Minister of Finance, who wrote: - We have launched a project to support the purchase of cash registers by entrepreneurs who have lost the ability to conduct business due to the flood. The support will amount to up to PLN 2,000.

20:20

Kosiniak-Kamysz Announces Parliamentary Work on Aid Package

- Next week is already time for work in the government and parliament. There will be a Council of Ministers meeting where we want to adopt a package of laws, including laws concerning support for entrepreneurs employing Territorial Defence Force (WOT) members, other aid laws, special laws, a special act that will facilitate investments, and from Wednesday, the parliament. We would like many of these solutions to be simply adopted during this parliamentary session - stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on TVP Info.


20:31

Nowacka on Kierwiński's Appointment as Flood Response Commissioner:

He Has Great Competencies.

- Maciej Kierwiński is a man experienced in this kind of on-the-ground action. He is, after all, the Secretary-General of Civic Platform (PO), so I believe the Prime Minister's choice was also based on his great ability to connect with people working in the field. He has great skills, great competencies, and please also note. He could have had a comfortable life as a Member of the European Parliament, but in a crisis situation, he can literally make a decision overnight to relinquish his mandate, come back to Poland, and support us in the rebuilding efforts. It must be remembered that there is no going back. If he made this decision, he has neither a parliamentary mandate nor a European Parliament mandate, but he knows where the priorities lie, and that priority for Poland today is rebuilding after the flood – stated Barbara Nowacka on the program "Fakty po faktach" (Facts after Facts) on TVN24.


20:32

Nowacka on PiS Politicians' Statements:

Today, Politics is in 10th Place.

- I would encourage PiS politicians to look around them and try to get involved in aid activities. If they don't want to help by supporting specific actions of public institutions, there are non-governmental organizations that are also rising to the occasion. The time for political debate will come, but please believe me, when I talk to my education superintendents, politics is in 10th place, and let's not be drawn into a discussion where I will comment on the statements of this or that politician – stated Barbara Nowacka on TVN24.


20:32

Nowacka Provides the Number of Destroyed Schools:

There are over 200 of them.

- As of today, the situation was such that 431 schools were non-operational, and not all of them ceased activities; some decided to operate online. According to our estimates, over 200 of them were destroyed, where children could not attend classes - said Barbara Nowacka on TVN24.