Live Feed

10/10/2024

07:40

Thursday's Political Agenda: Sejm on Budget, Macierewicz's Subcommittee, Another Attempt to Oust Matysiak, Envelope Election Commission's Final Report, and Commission on Czabański's Dismissal

The Sejm will resume its proceedings at 10:00 AM with a ten-minute voting block, during which deputies will once again address changes in the composition of parliamentary committees – primarily focusing on the dismissal of Paulina Matysiak from the Infrastructure Committee. On a previous occasion, PiS and some Confederation deputies broke the quorum (as we wrote about here).

From 10:10 AM to 12:30 PM, a series of current questions will take place. Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk announced that around 12:00 PM, he would present "information regarding the destruction of the TU-154M-102 aircraft by the Smolensk subcommittee headed by A. Macierewicz."

In turn, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, the Sejm – at the request of PiS – will hear a current information report concerning the dramatic financial situation in Polish healthcare, including the real threat of losing drug security.

The remaining part of the session will be dedicated to a six-hour debate on the budget act and the supplementary budget act for 2025, which will last until 8:00 PM.

At 9:00 AM, the Foreign Affairs Committee will opine on candidacies for ambassadors to Greece, Colombia, and Senegal. At 4:00 PM, the Culture and Media Committee will consider and opine on a parliamentary motion to dismiss the chairman of the National Media Council, Krzysztof Czabański.

Also at 4:00 PM, the investigative committee for the envelope elections will convene. During the session, the final report, along with notifications to the prosecutor's office, is to be presented and adopted. In turn, at 5:00 PM, the Minister of National Defence will present information to the National Defence Committee regarding the actions carried out by soldiers in flood-affected areas and the "Phoenix" operation launched by the Polish Armed Forces.

The Senate will resume its proceedings at 10:00 AM. During the second day of the upper house's session, senators will address, among other things, the amendment to the act on the provision of economic information and the exchange of economic data, and will also familiarize themselves with the report on the activities of the Ombudsman in 2023, including remarks on the state of observance of freedoms and human and civil rights.

A press conference of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Czesław Siekierski, is scheduled for 2:00 PM, covering, among other topics, assistance for farmers affected by floods.

07:44

Petru on Health Contributions:

We're Submitting Our Own Bill Because Agreement Wasn't Reached Within the Government,
- We're submitting our own bill because agreement wasn't reached within the government. This bill will be submitted in the coming days, definitely in October. It will fit within the 4 billion PLN limit that Minister Domański guaranteed in next year's budget - stated Ryszard Petru in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24. - It's already October, effectively mid-October. Therefore, the probability that we'll manage by January 1st with such a bill is small. Then the president also has to sign it, so I would assume it would come into effect next year - he continued.

07:47

Petru:

Raising the Health Contribution Indefinitely Will Destroy Entrepreneurs

- I want to point out one thing. We cannot increase spending on healthcare by raising the health contribution indefinitely, because we will destroy these entrepreneurs and they will stop paying, because we forget about such a risk that they will stop paying contributions altogether, because they will close their businesses - stated Ryszard Petru in the "Piasecki's Conversation" on TVN24.

07:52

Petru:

I Deeply Believe Civic Coalition Will Support Health Contribution Changes, as it Was in Their 100 Concrete Actions

- You said in an alliance with PiS. We are submitting this contribution, I deeply believe that Civic Coalition will support it, because it was included in their 100 concrete actions, there was an exact entry there that they would introduce a flat-rate contribution, meaning a return to what it was before the Polish Deal, and two - it was in the coalition agreement - stated Ryszard Petru in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

07:57

Piasecki to Petru: The 100 Concrete Steps was a collection of dreams, unrealistic expectations

- You know perfectly well that these 100 Concrete Steps, let Civic Coalition (KO) explain the 100 Concrete Steps, but when you look at the 100 Concrete Steps today, it was some collection of dreams, unrealistic expectations - stated Konrad Piasecki on TVN24, addressing Ryszard Petru.

- I will defend Civic Platform (PO), they are implementing some of them… - said Petru.

- They are implementing some, they won't implement a large portion - Piasecki replied.

To this, Petru responded: - There are 4 years, I won't here… It's true [that the budget's condition is dire], but we have a perspective of economic growth, and whatever you say, Minister Domański's path to deficit reduction in the coming years, which he presented to the EU, seems rational to me. Of course, it depends on economic growth.

08:00

"Extending a Helping Hand to Tusk'. Petru on the Health Contribution
I am convinced at the end of the day that this will be a success for Donald Tusk’s government and for Donald Tusk personally. Therefore, it seems to me that we are extending a helping hand to him, and the fact that we are doing this within the budget limit, which will cause some Poles to say: too small a reduction, we would want more, and what about the employees, this is a compromise that we must take into consideration – stated Ryszard Petru in TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

08:05

Petru on Raising the Tax-Free Amount:

It Seems Not in This Term.

- It certainly seems to me that it won't be in this term [raising the tax-free amount]. The only reduction in para-taxes in this term should be precisely the reduction of the [health] contribution. There is likely no fiscal space - stated Ryszard Petru in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

08:12

Petru on Hołownia:

On 99.8% He Will Run.

- I am 99.8% convinced that [Szymon Hołownia] will run. But this is not based on conversations, it's simply something I see with my own eyes. I see it, I observe reality. I believe he will run; he is a more conservative person than the PO candidate and has a natural ability to communicate with people in smaller towns and, so to speak, in communities, and therefore has a chance for a quite good result - stated Ryszard Petru in "Piasecki's Conversation" on TVN24.

08:24

Tusk on Blocking Ambassadorial Nominations:

Extremely Irresponsible.
The fact that President Duda is still blocking ambassadorial nominations in countries like the USA, Israel, Ukraine, or at NATO is extremely irresponsible. I have asked, I have explained – all to no avail. I know there are only 299 days left, but that's 299 too many. Security, Mr. President! – Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote.

08:31

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

Health Contribution Correction is in the Coalition Agreement – All Parties Agreed to It
- The correction of the health contribution is in the coalition agreement. All coalition parties have agreed to it. I would urge all our coalition partners to stick to this agreement – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz in an interview with Renata Grochal on the program „Bez uników” (No Evasion) on PR3. - Furthermore, the Minister of Finance publicly [...] stated that there are 4 billion [zlotys] for next year for the correction of the health contribution, and not a single zloty will be taken from the healthcare system, because we all also agree that the healthcare system must receive more, not less – she emphasized.

08:39

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on the Proposed Health Contribution Adjustment:

It’s About Micro-Entrepreneurs, Whom PiS Burdened.
- We have these funds, 4 billion, which the Minister of Finance publicly promised to entrepreneurs, and within this exact amount of 4 billion, we want – in line with the coalition agreement – to carry out an adjustment to the health contribution – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz in the program “Bez uników” on PR3. - For whom? For micro-entrepreneurs, whom PiS has placed such a burden on their backs, that we have data showing how shoe repair shops, small shops, seamstresses – these are the people we are talking about – are closing their businesses because they are unable to bear this burden – she indicated.

08:49

Mentzen on alcohol availability:

If anyone were to regulate it, it should be at the local government level.
- We need to be careful with alcohol, but that doesn't mean alcohol should be more expensive - said Sławomir Mentzen in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the "Gość Radia ZET" program. - I don't understand the issue with petrol stations [...] if someone is driving home and a petrol station is on their way, and it's the only functioning shop, then why shouldn't they have the right to buy beer there [...]. If anyone were to regulate this in any way, it should be at the local government level. A municipality could indeed decide that it doesn't want something there or wants fewer points of sale - he continued. - I disagree with the state deciding what people can and cannot buy - he added.

08:50

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on Health Contribution: I'm Surprised the Government Received Such a Stripped-Down Draft
- Personally, I also spent many hours at the table with the Minister of Finance, trying to negotiate a soundly – I repeatedly said in the media at the time: I'm not informing, because I care about the quality of these negotiations – a good government draft – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz in the program “Bez uników” on PR3. As she emphasized: - I am surprised, I must say, that after these negotiations, a super-stripped-down draft, inconsistent with what was promised in the coalition agreement and in the Sejm, is entering government procedures. And therefore, there is no other way [than a parliamentary draft].

08:54

Mentzen on the NFZ Situation:

The Problem Isn't the Amount of Money, But How It's Spent.
- It seems that there is a significant shortfall. To date, it appears the National Health Fund (NFZ) has spent 22 billion more than it was entitled to, based on the previous budget, and economists predict an additional 8 billion zlotys will be missing by the end of the year. The problem isn't the amount of money, but how it's spent. The Polish state, its officials, are capable of wasting any amount of money - Sławomir Mentzen stated on Radio ZET.

08:58

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

I Count on Us Jointly Passing Healthcare Contribution Changes, As Per the Coalition Agreement
- This is precisely why the coalition agreement was made, so that we would mutually support each other within its framework. We, as Polska 2050, have also supported various programs, more or less aligned with our own. If we have made a joint decision that they are part of the coalition agreement, then they are part of the coalition agreement, and we proceed - stated Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz in the program „Bez uników” on PR3. - I count on us jointly, in accordance with the agreement, passing this bill [on the healthcare contribution] within the 4 billion [zloty] framework, thereby fulfilling our commitment to the people - she added.

09:02

Mentzen:

Some Hospitals Will Likely Need to Be Closed
- I believe that some hospitals will likely need to be closed - said Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET.

09:04

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on Hołownia and Bodnar's Meeting Today:

A Conversation About a Very Important Matter.
- This is a conversation [today between Szymon Hołownia and Adam Bodnar] about something completely different, about a very important matter, which is the rule of law reform in Poland, to which the entire coalition has committed - said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on the program "Bez uników" (No Evasion) on PR3. - This is not about settling scores with PiS, it is about organizing matters in Poland and restoring the rule of law, a state of law, rules that guarantee us a good and safe life - she added.

09:05

Mentzen:

Barski Remains National Prosecutor
- Of course, Prosecutor Barski is still the [National] Prosecutor, because he could not be dismissed without the president's consent - Sławomir Mentzen said on Radio ZET.

09:11

Mentzen:

PiS Might Field a Compromised Candidate, Giving Me a Shot at the Second Round – Where I'll Beat Anyone Except Hołownia
- In 2020, Platforma made a mistake by putting forward Ms. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, who dropped to 2-3% in the polls despite being the Platforma candidate. Nobody has a guarantee, especially PiS, that they will field a candidate who won't repeat the same mistake - Sławomir Mentzen said on Radio ZET. - If PiS put forward, for example, Jacek Siewiera, and he gave those unfortunate interviews after his presidential nomination, I would easily surpass him. Perhaps PiS will make a mistake and field a candidate who will compromise himself [...] and then I will have a chance to enter the second round, and in the second round, I will beat anyone except Szymon Hołownia, who will not enter the second round if I do - he continued.

09:17

Mentzen on the Presidential Election:

Sikorski Has Better Chances Than Trzaskowski.
- Rafał Trzaskowski has a characteristic in that he also cannot fight for power. After the 2020 election, he should have taken over Civic Platform, but he didn't. And now he's waiting for Donald Tusk to give it to him. And Donald Tusk doesn't have to give it to him at all - Sławomir Mentzen said on Radio ZET. - I personally believe that Radosław Sikorski has better chances in this election, as he has a greater chance of winning over the centrist electorate. [...] For example, he behaves assertively towards Ukraine, which is well-received in the center-right electorate. And at the same time, Rafał Trzaskowski removes crosses from the Warsaw City Hall - he continued. - I personally believe that I would have much greater chances of winning against Rafał Trzaskowski than against Radosław Sikorski - he added.

09:23

Mentzen:

AfD is the Most Pro-Polish German Party
- The AfD is the most pro-Polish German party [...] The AfD opposed the European Commission blocking Poland's money due to issues with so-called rule of law. The AfD opposes the EU's climate policy, which is anti-Polish. The AfD opposes changing the treaties, stripping Poland of its veto power, and the European Union taking over further competencies from Poland. The AfD is a great ally of Poland in Brussels and of Polish interests in Brussels – said Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET. - The fact that some rank-and-file activist or sympathizer says some nonsense, which we naturally disagree with, does not mean that it is the party's line – he continued.

09:35

Duda Responds to Tusk's Tweet on Ambassadors:

He is manipulating.

- Prime Minister Donald Tusk is manipulating. The Republic of Poland's ambassadors to the USA and Ukraine are still in place because they have not been recalled. Only the President of the Republic of Poland can do that, and I have never made such a decision - President Andrzej Duda wrote, responding to Prime Minister Tusk's morning tweet.

- The problem is that Donald Tusk and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have forced them to leave their embassies and are preventing them from performing their duties. And that is a significant difference. Donald Tusk and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs bear sole responsibility for the absence of the Republic of Poland's Ambassadors in the USA, Ukraine, and a number of other countries - PAD emphasized.

09:35

Mentzen on the Ministry of Finance's Actions Regarding Single-Use E-Cigarettes:

We Clearly See Lobbying Here.
- Poland has to implement an anti-tobacco directive [...] but here we actually have a scandal that has just come to light. The Minister of Health initially wanted to include a ban on the sale of single-use e-cigarettes in the act implementing the EU directive. She then realized that this proposal aligned with the proposals of large corporations because it would eliminate their small Polish competitors [...] and would also extend the time for the anti-tobacco act to be introduced, as it would need to be notified to the European Union, meaning the corporations could sell their products for even longer - said Sławomir Mentzen on Radio ZET. - When she realized this, and it's on tapes, Leszczyna's tapes are circulating in Warsaw, where she admits that she realized she had been lobbied, she suspended the project, separated it, and at that very moment, the Ministry of Finance stepped in, deciding to impose a very high excise tax on single-use e-cigarettes [...] without the need for EU notification - he continued. "The Ministry of Health Realized It Had Been Lobbied" - The director of the excise department in the Ministry of Finance is a woman who was previously a partner in a law firm serving Philip Morris. So, we clearly see lobbying here. [...] The Ministry of Health realized it had been lobbied, scrapped the project, and then the same outcome, i.e., the crippling of single-use e-cigarettes, suddenly appeared in the Ministry of Finance - he went on to say. - Also, "coincidentally" at the same time, the leader of the PSL met with the CEO of Philip Morris - he added.

10:33

Sejm Dismisses Matysiak from Committee; PiS Attempts to Break Quorum


Members of Parliament voted on changes to parliamentary committees, including the dismissal of Paulina Matysiak from the Infrastructure Committee. This is another attempt, this time successful – a previous motion failed to pass due to a lack of quorum.

PiS also attempted to break the quorum this time by not participating in the vote. Ultimately, 231 MPs voted in favor.

13:21

Tomczyk Shows Photos of Destroyed Tu-154 in Sejm:

One Can Speak of Complete Devastation.
- I stand before you to expose Macierewicz's lie and the subcommittee's lie, but on the other hand, to show what happened to Tupolev 154M, tail number 102, which is a twin of the aircraft that crashed near Smolensk on April 10, 2010 - said Cezary Tomczyk during a Sejm session. - I have a quote here from Antoni Macierewicz, who said that "it is completely untrue that the subcommittee for re-examining the air accident, which I chaired, allegedly carried out [...] the destruction of the TU-154M aircraft, tail number 102, as well as cutting it with saws, grinders, and that this aircraft was allegedly destroyed between 2016-2019 until the prosecution blocked it," this is Antoni Macierewicz's assertion - he continued. "Adhesive tape was used to secure the openings" - I would like to show you the truth in this matter and reveal part of the report, which will be publicly presented by the end of October [...]. This is what the aircraft looks like today [...] numerous plating defects are visible [...] main landing gear wheels are deflated, the landing gear is propped up with wooden beams - the Deputy Minister of National Defence continued. - One can speak of the complete devastation of the aircraft, which, as I will also show you shortly, had enormous value and was technically operational in 2011. [...] Specialists working in Macierewicz's subcommittee attempted to secure some of the openings created as a result of cutting out aircraft parts. Adhesive tape straps were used for this purpose - he added. [gallery ids="717215,717211,717205,717209,717207,717203"]

13:30

One of the Key Pieces of Evidence in the Report': Tomczyk Reveals General's Letter Regarding TU-154M Damage
- This is a letter that is one of the key pieces of evidence in this matter, which will be presented in the report concerning the activities of Antoni Macierewicz [...]. This is a letter from 2018, at a time when the Minister of National Defence was Mariusz Błaszczak. The letter is signed by Major General Pilot Jan Śliwka [...] and is addressed to the Ministry of National Defence, managed by Mariusz Błaszczak - stated Cezary Tomczyk during a Sejm session. - I quote: the conducted inventory states, among other things, damage to critical structural elements of the aircraft, i.e., the fuselage, the aircraft's wings (damaged ribs, spars, skin of the left wing, destroyed slot actuator cover). Damage caused by the investigative activities of the subcommittee for the re-examination of the air accident. The nature of the aforementioned damage is permanent and irreversible - he continued.

13:32

Tomczyk on the Prosecutor's Office Notification Regarding Macierewicz and Błaszczak:

They Committed a Crime.
- In this matter, we are filing a notification with the prosecutor's office, which concerns both Antoni Macierewicz and Mr. Joergensen, as well as Mr. Minister Błaszczak. This is because both of them, one through the failure to fulfill their duties as chairman by not exercising proper oversight, and the other, as Minister of Defence, by neglecting any actions to secure state assets, in our opinion, have committed a crime - said Cezary Tomczyk during a Sejm session. - This matter will be reported to the prosecutor's office along with other cases, at the moment the report concerning Antoni Macierewicz is made public, which will happen by the end of October - he continued.

13:45

Sikorski on conflict with Duda over ambassadors:

It’s hard to agree with judging people by their genes.

- I submitted a request to appoint former AW chief, General Huna, as ambassador. The Foreign Service Act passed in 2021, thus signed by the president, states that the president appoints an ambassador at the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Such a request from me, supported by, in accordance with other regulations, a positive opinion from the Foreign Service Convention, a parliamentary committee, and consent for acceptance by the State of Israel, has reached the president - stated Radosław Sikorski at a press conference.

- Despite this, the president is not signing this request, and the president's people are motivating this by saying that I should first agree on whom I will submit the request for. Forgive me, but there is no statutory basis for this. I submit the request for whomever I wish to submit it for, and the president can exercise their constitutional right and duty to appoint or not. And the president is not doing so in relation to several dozen ambassadors. For various reasons - the head of the MFA continued.

As Sikorski emphasized: - The ambassador to Italy has bad genes [according to the president]. If he were a false grandson of a patriot, perhaps he would have received the nomination, but he is a true communist’s dream, so he is not getting nominated. For me, it is hard to agree with judging people by their genes. On the other hand, as I understand it, former Minister of Defence, Senator Klich, is not getting nominated because he is allegedly implicated in the Smoleńsk crash. Well, I cannot accept such an argument. And his predecessor offered us a termination of employment for a million zlotys, etc.

- The president is not fulfilling his prerogatives, i.e., making a decision on nominations, and he is not doing so for several dozen ambassadors, and these are overwhelmingly professional diplomats, even those whom the president has appointed before - he concluded.

14:26

Tusk Comments on NIK Report:

Where Were You Then, Messrs. Duda, Kaczyński, and Morawiecki?!
The NIK report is devastating. The PiS government issued over half a million visas to Russians within five years. Even after the attack on Ukraine, nearly two thousand Russians received Polish visas, often in violation of the law and in defiance of sanctions. Where were you then, Messrs. Duda, Kaczyński, and Morawiecki?! - wrote Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

15:16

Duda on Bodnar's Proposal Regarding Judges Expressing Remorse:

Unprecedented Scandal.
- The foundations of the judiciary must endure, and one of them is undoubtedly the inviolability of judicial appointments. I regret that announcements by government representatives regarding the statutory questioning of those appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary after 2018 are appearing in the media - stated President Andrzej Duda during the conference "Lavoro pericoloso. About the work of a judge." - That these judges are stigmatized and divided into groups, that plans are being publicly made to remove them from office or to allow them to hold office on the condition of expressing active remorse, as the Minister of Justice recently called it, meaning the application of an institution actually, as you well know, excellently known, but to criminal law. This is an unprecedented situation and I would say directly: an unprecedented scandal - he continued.

15:18

Domański in the Sejm on the 2025 Budget:

Record Funds Will Be Allocated to National Defence.

- The presented budget is a budget of security, investment, and citizen support. There is no doubt that our fundamental duty is to ensure the security of Poles. Therefore, for next year, we will allocate record funds for national defence amounting to almost PLN 187 billion. This constitutes 4.7% of GDP, by far the most among NATO member states - stated Andrzej Domański in the Sejm.

15:21

Duda on Guidelines for Prosecutors Regarding Proceedings Involving Judges Appointed After 2018:

There Can Be No Agreement.
- Just yesterday, an announcement was made about issuing guidelines for prosecutors concerning proceedings involving judges appointed after 2018. Such solutions are unacceptable in a democratic state governed by the rule of law, as they violate fundamental constitutional principles, including judicial independence - said President Andrzej Duda during the conference "Lavoro pericoloso. On the work of a judge".

15:25

Domański on Health Contribution Changes:

4 Billion Secured in the Budget.

- I would like to confirm once again that 4 billion PLN has been secured in the budget to fulfill the commitment to reduce the health contribution for entrepreneurs. In the first step, we sent a project to eliminate the health contribution from the sale of fixed assets for work. In the macroeconomic scenario we adopted, there will be a recovery in 2025, with GDP growth accelerating to 3.9%, due to, among other things, growing investments - stated Andrzej Domański in the Sejm.

15:26

Duda:

From the perspective of the system's essence, the president could appoint judges himself, on the basis of: this one is suitable, this one is suitable
- I sometimes listen with pity to university professors who say that the president's role in this regard is essentially a technical one. That like a notary [...] he should simply sign and only give his consent. Well, ladies and gentlemen, no. Nothing could be further from the truth - said President Andrzej Duda during the conference "Lavoro pericoloso. On the work of a judge". - In essence, from the perspective of the citizens and the essence of the system, the president could appoint judges himself, on the basis of: this one is suitable, this one is suitable, this one is suitable. In my opinion and at my own responsibility as the one who was elected by the nation in general elections as the only one in the Republic of Poland. This is my responsibility, that's what it's all about - he continued.

15:27

Domański:

State Budget Repays Off-Budget Debts Incurred by Our Predecessors

- Off-budget debts incurred by our predecessors are being repaid by the state budget. In connection with the tragic flood, in order to ensure funds for its aftermath, the earmarked reserve for counteracting and removing the effects of natural disasters has been increased to PLN 3.2 billion in the draft budget for 2025 - stated Andrzej Domański in the Sejm.

15:34

Duda:

I Will Defend the Judges I Nominated to the Last Breath
- I have 10 months left, and I assure you that I will defend the judges I have nominated to the last breath. To the last breath. I will not give up a single one, not even half, and I will not allow anyone to say they are any different from the judges who ruled even during the Polish People's Republic, with all due respect, and then continued to rule. Especially those who belonged to the PZPR [Polish United Workers' Party], submitted to the leading role of the party, and the party's statute stated that party orders were to be followed - said President Andrzej Duda during the conference "Lavoro pericoloso. On the work of a judge". - I will not allow the judges I have nominated to be treated even in the slightest way worse than those others. And it particularly makes me sick when I hear that it is precisely such people who speak about them. Because, in my opinion, these are absolutely honest people who, with the best intentions, want to administer justice in Poland - he continued.

15:37

Duda:

There is literally an attempt to assassinate the judiciary right now
- As you well know, there is literally an attempt to assassinate the judiciary right now. And in effect, destabilizing many crucial aspects of citizens' lives. This is complete irresponsibility due to some ambitions, the loss of influence of a certain influential group, primarily, you know which one - said President Andrzej Duda during the conference "Lavoro pericoloso. On the work of a judge".

16:15

Bochenek Comments on Disruption of Smolensk Anniversary Observances:

Sheer Political Vultureism.

- Ladies and gentlemen, what we observe every month at Piłsudski Square, carried out by individuals clearly associated with the Civic Platform (PO) milieu, PO sympathizers, and generally the currently governing coalition, is sheer political vultureism. It is aggression, brutality, insults, and abuse directed at people who very often spontaneously participate in these monthly observances. Unfortunately, what we lament the most is that in the face of this pathology being spread by these individuals, people connected to the current government, there is no reaction from the police - stated Rafał Bochenek at a press conference.

- What is happening is a scandal, and we lament the most that the police, which should be an apolitical service, which should be kept away from this type of political initiative, because this is an evidently political initiative, has for 14 years prevented a segment of society from calmly conducting observances at Piłsudski Square. The police, unfortunately, today are implementing the political directives of the December 13th coalition government - he continued.

16:18

Kanthak on the wreath at the Smoleńsk anniversary:

We have a situation where the police are protecting Putin's propaganda.
We have a situation where dozens of Polish police officers, paid for by the state, are protecting a wreath which contains the content of Putin's Russian propaganda. Are you aware that in addition, the memory of our compatriots, people who held the most important positions in the Polish state, is being desecrated — said Jan Kanthak at a press conference.

16:21

"Spending on Armaments Isn't Being Realized'. Bochenek Accuses Government of Not Investing in the Army

- In the face of this threat, which we have on our eastern border, spending to strengthen the Polish army is not being realized. There is simply no money for this in the current budget, they are abandoning, resigning from armament contracts. K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, FA50 aircraft, various other pieces of equipment that were supposed to reach the Polish army, the army is being dismantled today, and this is a real threat, and Mr. Tomczyk will unfortunately have to deal with this in the future, he will also bear responsibility for it – stated Rafał Bochenek at a press conference.

16:43

Lichocka:

Those Responsible for Destroying Public Media, for the December Attack, Will Sit [in Prison]

- This is an attempt to legalize the farce, a political takeover of public media to the very end, and to avoid future responsibility. Of course, you will not avoid it; those responsible for destroying public media, for this December attack, will sit [in prison] - stated Joanna Lichocka during a parliamentary culture committee meeting.

17:33

Correspondence Election Commission Announces Report to Prosecutor's Office Regarding Morawiecki and Kaczyński

The Sejm (parliamentary) investigative commission for correspondence elections decided at today's session that it will forward notifications to the prosecutor's office regarding suspicion of committing a crime by, among others, former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński, former Minister of the Interior and Administration Mariusz Kamiński, and former Sejm Marshal Elżbieta Witek. Furthermore, the commission adopted its report on its work today.

18:37

Sasin on the dismissal of the Totalizator Sportowy CEO:

We will investigate whether 'consolation bonuses' were paid.
- The CEO of Totalizator Sportowy was not dismissed for nepotism and cronyism. He was dismissed because the matter came to light. We will investigate whether 'consolation bonuses' were paid as part of his dismissal - Jacek Sasin wrote on Twitter.

19:11

Hołownia's Swift Response to Duda's Proposal for an Address on the Election Anniversary:

We Are Not Planning a Sejm Session on October 15th.

- President Andrzej Duda informed me today that in connection with the anniversary of the October 15th elections, he would like to address the Sejm with a message. Article 140 of the Constitution grants the President this right, and it also stipulates that no debate is held on his message, Szymon Hołownia wrote on social media.

- We are not planning a Sejm session on October 15th, so I proposed to Mr. President that he deliver his address on Wednesday, October 16th, at the beginning of the 20th Sejm session, informed the Marshal of the Sejm.

19:52

Berek on Morawiecki's Knowledge of What Was Happening at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

So Many Services Saw the Scale of Migration Growth That It's Impossible for Reports Not to Have Reached Him.
- If [these actions] were possible without the Prime Minister's knowledge, it means that the Prime Minister did not control what the ministers were doing. But I think that so many services in the country saw the scale of the increase in migratory movements that it is simply impossible for these reports not to have reached him. However, the question of whether Prime Minister Morawiecki knew about this should be directed to Prime Minister Morawiecki - said Maciej Berek in "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.

19:56

Berek:

We Must Tidy Up the Legal System; We Can't Do It Without the President
- If we have a president who wants to cooperate in getting the state back on its feet, because that's what we're really talking about, so that people don't have doubts about whether the court they're going to is a court or not, judges or neo-judges, because people shouldn't be interested in that or worry about it - Maciej Berek said on TVN24. - We must tidy up the legal system; we can't do it without the president - he continued.

20:01

Berek:

Financing entities whose legality has been questioned by the CJEU and ECtHR is unjustified
- I believe that financing entities whose legality has been questioned by the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights is unjustified, there is no justification for directing financial resources to those fragments of the activities of these institutions that have been deemed illegal. But that is a decision for the parliament - said Maciej Berek on TVN24.

20:09

Berek on changes to health contributions as a government project:

We are constantly striving for this.
- As far as I know, Mr. Petru, as a Member of Parliament, does not represent any ministry or any club, he speaks as a Member of Parliament from an important political group about his views – said Maciej Berek on TVN24. - Talks are underway with the participation of the group represented by Mr. Petru. [...] These are discussions about what solution is possible within the financial means that the Minister of Finance has presented as available, I am talking about the amount of 4 billion, which is possible as an acceptable solution – he continued. - We are constantly striving for this [for it to be a government project], we would like this project to happen, but it can only materialize when there is a solution, which is why we do not want to discuss details. There was a moment when the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health presented a certain solution, it did not gain support, currently these discussions are ongoing, we are looking for this solution – he added.

20:12

Minister Kotula Finalizes Work. This Project is 700 Pages Long. Berek on Civil Partnerships
- I spoke with Minister Kotula, who is leading this project [on civil partnerships], exactly today. She is finalizing the work - Maciej Berek said on TVN24. - This project is 700 pages long, so the work on it took a very long time. The minister is finishing the work and in the near future she will want to submit it for consultations, which is an internal procedure aimed at the government being able to adopt this project - he continued.

20:24

Giertych on Rydzyk:

The 37 Million Amount Only Pertains to Payments Made by Ministries,
"That’s my impression, because all the ministries basically paid, some more, some less, but they paid to Father Rydzyk’s foundations. And that means a certain kind of obligation that functioned there. And what we presented today, this 37 million amount, only pertains to those payments that were made from the ministries,” stated Roman Giertych on TVP Info.

20:25

Giertych:

I am a believer and I am acting to protect Catholics because they were manipulated
- This is not persecution of Catholics at all. I am a believer and I am acting to protect these Catholics because they were manipulated, thousands of broadcasts were organized, we have them all recorded, supporting PiS, attacking the then opposition, and this was done for years - stated Roman Giertych on TVP Info.

20:30

Bodnar:

The Process of Accountability Continues. The Prosecutor's Office is Performing Better and Better
- The process of accountability continues. The Prosecutor's Office is performing better and better. I would even say: with each subsequent report, including those from the media, the Prosecutor's Office is even more determined to investigate various nefarious acts from the past, various financial abuses - said Adam Bodnar in an interview with Justyna Dobrosz-Oracz on TVP Info's "Question of the Day".

20:30

Giertych:

I Have Many Reservations About the Current Prosecution Service's Work, Which Doesn't Mean I Have Reservations About Bodnar

- I have many reservations, as you well know, about the current prosecution service's work, which doesn't mean I have reservations about Minister Bodnar. This is because he has been placed in a situation as if a rally driver had to drive a Fiat 126p at 200 km/h. We have a prosecution service that was built by Mr. Ziobro. The majority of individuals in leadership positions are Ziobro's appointees. The majority of prosecutors are Ziobro's appointees - stated Roman Giertych on TVP Info.

20:32

Giertych Proposes Establishing a Committee on Father Rydzyk

- A committee should be established to thoroughly focus on and analyze matters concerning Father Rydzyk - stated Roman Giertych on TVP Info.

20:39

Bodnar:

The President Endorsed All Laws Undermining the Independence of the Constitutional Tribunal, the National Council of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court, and Ordinary Courts
- Those individuals who are protesting, expressing themselves negatively in various ways about, for example, changes in the prosecution or judiciary, are in a sense defending what was happening in Poland between 2015 and 2023 - said Adam Bodnar in "Pytanie dnia" (Question of the Day) on TVP Info. - However, the President endorsed all laws that undermined the independence of the Constitutional Tribunal, the National Council of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court, and ordinary courts. It is thanks to the President's decisions that we have a multitude of individuals appointed as a result of flawed nominations from the National Council of the Judiciary. Now, we simply have to resolve this problem - he continued.

20:47

Bodnar:

Barski's Reinstatement Was Unlawful
- Dariusz Barski was unlawfully reinstated to his position based on a provision that was in effect for a brief period in 2016. I am certain; this decision was made on January 12. I am absolutely consistent in my approach to this matter - stated Adam Bodnar in TVP Info's "Question of the Day". - I am pleased that the Court of Appeal in Szczecin, in a ruling issued by genuine judges, has confirmed this position taken by the ministry - he added.

20:49

Sikorski on Abortion and Civil Partnerships:

These are matters to be settled.

- It is obvious [abortion and civil partnerships], these are two matters to be settled. As Civic Platform [PO], we have a clear stance on both. Permitted abortion up to the 12th week and civil partnerships without adoption. Well, it's just the votes that are currently missing in this Sejm, let's hope they are found. Personally, I believe that someone must make this decision. The Episcopate can make it, the Constitutional Tribunal can make it, the parliament can make it, or the nation can make it – said Radosław Sikorski during a Q&A session.

20:50

Sikorski on His Actions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regarding the Visa Scandal:

I Changed This Radically.
- Robbing is an imprecise term in this case; they are robbing on a gigantic scale in other matters. Here, they were rather destroying the credibility of our consular service and the Schengen system as a whole. They were stealing for themselves, unlawfully influencing consular decisions, and Mr. Kobos already faces charges for this, an assistant to one of the PiS deputy ministers, and that PiS deputy minister himself seems to face charges, while others will have to explain themselves – stated Radosław Sikorski during a Q&A session. - As you heard today from Chairman Banaś, this was not a small scandal, but we are talking about hundreds of thousands of visas that were granted without applying criteria, under pressure from lobbying, with pressure on consuls. We changed this radically. One of my first decisions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was to eliminate this access route to Poland for Russian IT specialists, increase visa prices, and issue new guidelines – he continued.

20:52

Sikorski on the Volhynia Issue:

We Will Not Back Down on This Matter, It Is Not a Subject for Bargaining.

– We will not back down on this matter, because we believe that, firstly, it is not a political issue, it should not be a subject of any bargaining, but it is simply a Christian duty that testifies to us. We did not bargain with Germany about burying their soldiers in Poland, nor with the Jewish side, which, on the contrary, wanted to prevent the exhumation of the victims of the Jedwabne crime. We are only demanding from Ukraine what Ukraine allowed to be done with the aggressors – stated Radosław Sikorski during a Q&A session.

20:56

Will there be a motion to lift Morawiecki's immunity? Bodnar: I'm waiting for the commission's report
- I am waiting for the full report [of the parliamentary investigative committee on envelope elections] to be announced. Today I learned that it is to be presented at the plenary session of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland. I think this is where I should be then. I will also wait for the notifications that are sent by the investigative committee - said Adam Bodnar in "Question of the Day" on TVP Info, when asked if there would be a motion to lift the immunity of former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Asked again, he stated: - I was very involved in ensuring that, as the Ombudsman, I would bring about the recognition that Prime Minister Morawiecki, by commissioning the organization of envelope elections without a legal basis, committed a gross violation of the law. This was confirmed this year by the Supreme Administrative Court.

21:05

Bodnar does not rule out a parliamentary inquiry into envelope elections:

I am considering it.
- When I heard how many charges there are to be, what is the scale of people who could potentially be subject to charges - because it is one thing what the [envelope elections] parliamentary inquiry committee will formulate, and another how prosecutors will approach it - I am wondering if perhaps this wouldn't be suitable for a special investigative team, i.e., a few people within the prosecution service. [...] I need to think about this - said Adam Bodnar in the program “Pytanie dnia” (Question of the Day) on TVP Info.

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