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10/16/2024

07:52

Wednesday's Political Agenda: Duda's Address to the Sejm, Tusk at EFNI, Lewica on Migration Solutions, PiS Press Conference with Morawiecki, Nowacka in Szczawno-Zdrój

At 9:00 AM, a press conference will be held at PiS headquarters with the participation of Mateusz Morawiecki, Piotr Müller, Małgorzata Golińska, Małgorzata Wasserman, and Marcin Horała.

At 9:30 AM, Lewica will present its proposed solutions regarding migration policy in the Sejm.

Also at 9:30 AM, a press conference will be held at the Ministry of Digital Affairs with Deputy Minister Dariusz Standerski. The topic will be the presentation of the draft bill on artificial intelligence systems.

At 10:00 AM, a press conference will take place in the Royal Łazienki Park with Hanna Wróblewska, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. The theme is "Free November in the Royal Residences."

At 10:00 AM, Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka will participate in an award ceremony on the occasion of National Education Day in Szczawno-Zdrój.

At 1:00 PM, a press conference will be held at the PKP Intercity headquarters with the participation of Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak and Deputy Ministers Arkadiusz Marchewka and Piotr Malepszak. The topic is the introduction of the new railway timetable.

The three-day Sejm session will commence on Wednesday. At 10:00 AM, President Andrzej Duda will deliver an address on the anniversary of the parliamentary elections. A break is scheduled for 10:45 AM, and procedural votes will be held at 10:50 AM.

At 11:00 AM, the second reading of the government's draft bill on value-added tax will take place. The project aims to implement EU law and concerns the simplification of administrative VAT obligations for small businesses. At 12:30 PM, the second reading of the government's draft bill on counter-terrorism measures and the bill on the Internal Security Agency and the Intelligence Agency is scheduled. The project aims to implement EU law.

At 1:45 PM, the second reading of the government's draft bill on honorary benefits for reaching 100 years of age will begin. At 3:00 PM, the second reading of the government's draft bill amending certain acts related to the provision of de minimis aid is foreseen.

At 4:15 PM, second readings of draft resolutions are planned: one concerning the commemoration of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko on the 40th anniversary of his martyrdom (a draft from the Sejm Presidium) and another concerning the honoring of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko on the 40th anniversary of his martyrdom (a draft from PiS MPs). From 5:00 PM onwards in the Sejm, committee reports will be presented regarding requests for consent to bring criminal charges against MPs Joanna Mucha, Marek Sowa, and Zbigniew Dolata.

At 11:00 AM, the Sejm European Union Affairs Committee will consider the "Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Joint Implementation Report on the Pact on Migration and Asylum and the state of government work concerning this document."

At 3:00 PM, the Foreign Affairs Committee will opine on candidacies for ambassadorial positions, including in South Africa, Luxembourg, Morocco, and New Zealand. At 8:00 PM, during a meeting of the Internal Affairs and Administration Committee, the first reading of the government's draft bill on the Republic of Poland's participation in the Entry/Exit System will take place.

At 5:20 PM, as part of the European Forum for New Ideas in Sopot, a keynote speech by the special guest – Prime Minister Donald Tusk – is scheduled.


08:21

Nitras on Migration Strategy:

The Government is Responding to What Could Happen in a Few Months.
- It seems to me that this is not some kind of split [in the ruling coalition] and it's not an objection to the [migration] strategy, because the ministers emphasized that they only have reservations about the asylum issue - Sławomir Nitras said in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program 'Gość Radia ZET'. - The entire government understands that the problem at the Polish-Belarusian border is a very serious issue. I think it's important to see potential threats. We are not responding, and the government is not responding to what is happening today. The government is responding to what could happen in a few months - he continued.

08:27

Nitras:

I hope the Left will not succumb to the temptation of building itself on a 7-8% electorate
- I hope the Left will not succumb to the temptation of building itself on a 7-8% electorate, because indeed, people with such sensitivity, whom I have enormous respect for, exist in Poland. They are simply not aware of the scale of the threats, and the Left faces a choice today - said Sławomir Nitras on Radio ZET, when asked about the potential for outvoting the migration strategy with PiS. - I can guarantee one thing: that all legal solutions [...] will be consistent with the Polish Constitution and will be consistent with international law - he continued.

08:32

Domański on Błaszczak's Accusations:

PiS Likes to Scaremonger.
Mr. Błaszczak, and generally PiS, really likes to scaremonger. They scared Poles that we would take away the 500+ [child benefit], instead of 500+ we have 800+. They scared [people] that we would take away the 13th and 14th [year-end] pensions; in reality, PiS scared, nothing of the sort happened, the benefits are indexed and their value is increasing, and now they are scaring again in an absolutely absurd way that we will spend less, for example, on defense – stated Andrzej Domański in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1.

08:35

Domański on Coalition Talks Regarding Health Contributions:

Entrepreneurs Are Fed Up with Waiting.

- They [coalition talks regarding health contributions] are still ongoing, and we meet on this matter perhaps not every day, but almost daily, because we want to reach an agreement as quickly as possible. Polish entrepreneurs are fed up with this waiting, and that's why the Prime Minister is strongly pushing for these talks to conclude very quickly - stated Andrzej Domański on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) on PR1.


08:41

Nitras on What PiS Can Do Regarding Migration:

Shut Up and Support the Government.
- Until October last year, the plan was this: incite hatred against refugees, make Morawiecki's commercials about refugees, and at the same time trade visas. Today, we have a government that takes this matter seriously, does not incite hatred against anyone, shows what the threats are, and states what the solutions are - Sławomir Nitras said on Radio ZET. - PiS can do two things regarding migration to Poland: shut up and support the government, because they couldn't handle this problem on their own, they have no other choice. I expect one thing from them: quieter, gentlemen, quieter, you have no right to say anything on this matter and to support the actions that aim to secure Poland, which the government is introducing - he continued, when asked about appealing the migration pact to the ECJ, which PiS is calling for.

08:54

Nitras on Quotas in the Ministry of Sport:

I Didn't Accept the Candidate Because He Was a Man, and I Still Have a Vacancy.
- We have more women in the police and the army than in sports associations. 8 out of 10 medals at the Olympic Games were won by women. Half of the national teams are women, yet women are absent from the boards of Polish sports associations. Even in the Polish Football Association, the board member responsible for the development of women's football is a man. This is not normal – said Sławomir Nitras on Radio ZET. - I am not responsible for the ministry; this is a coalition arrangement. If I were responsible, it would be different. I am responsible for legislation and for laws. [...] I can say in my defense that one of the candidates presented to me [as] the last one, I did not accept, and to this day I have a vacancy because he was a man - he continued, when asked why he deals with quotas in sports associations when there are no such quotas in the Ministry of Sport.

09:18

Leszczyna on the Government Session:

I Regret That Ministers from The Left Submitted a Dissenting Opinion

- There was no argument, it was truly a very serious, substantive discussion. I really regret that 4 ministers from The Left submitted a dissenting opinion because we were all in agreement. Besides, The Left confirms this today, saying 90%, but it wasn't about absolutely stating that the law must be consistent with the constitution, because our laws must be consistent with the constitution – stated Izabela Leszczyna on TOK FM.


09:18

Leszczyna:

If I Had to Decide Alone – I Wouldn't Lower the Health Contribution
This is an incredibly difficult question for someone who is simultaneously the Minister of Health and the Vice-Chair of Civic Platform. I'm caught between a portion of our voters, entrepreneurs, who expect a reduction in the contribution, and, mind you, a many times larger portion of our voters, but above all citizens, who expect better quality medical care, so it's an incredibly difficult question for me – stated Izabela Leszczyna on TOK FM. As the minister emphasized: As of today, my project involves not including revenue from the sale of fixed assets in the base for calculating the health contribution, and this will certainly be less than 4 billion. However, if our coalition partners reach an agreement – and this is not with me but with the Minister of Finance – I will simply reach out for that 4 billion from the budget – she continued.

09:21

What's Happening with the Amendment to the Law on Sobriety and Alcoholism Prevention? Leszczyna: Paszyk Has Raised Objections

- This law [on sobriety and alcoholism prevention] is currently at the standing committee level, and the Minister of Development and Technology has raised objections to three of our proposals as the Minister of Health – said Izabela Leszczyna in TOK FM.

- One is the ban on so-called price promotions, meaning two bottles of alcohol at a lower price than one bottle would be purchased separately. I would very much like to ban price promotions. We also have a ban on selling alcohol at night at gas stations, and here too, the Minister of Development is raising an objection, and note that we, as the Ministry of Health, have introduced a ban on online sales – the minister continued.

- We have already reached an agreement here; we have no discrepancies. These laws [on limiting the sale of alcohol and cigarettes] are, or will soon be, in the legal committee. I hope we will be able to discuss them at the next Council of Ministers – she added.


09:34

Morawiecki:

Instead of Reckonings, I Advise the Current Government to Focus on Development
- We are a year after the elections, and I can say that it is a year of economic drift instead of economic strategy, supported by detailed plans [...]. We are dealing not only with the closure and delay of individual projects, but also with the complete deconstruction of the entire development scheme - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference. - At the forefront of our development agenda were major projects [...] especially the central communication hub being rebuilt [...] there are already several years of delay, 4, 5 years of delay, as experts say, in the nuclear project. In one year, to create a 7-year delay, some even mention 7 years, is truly, unfortunately, in quotation marks, an "achievement". But below these major projects, we have others related to the development of municipalities and counties. Development has also been halted there - he continued. - Finally, everything related to entrepreneurs, to improving employee earnings, meaning the higher tax-free allowance promised in the "100 concrete actions" has not been implemented, meaning tax reductions for entrepreneurs, voluntary social security contributions, have not been implemented. [...] We are dealing with patching holes, with a significant deficit - he went on to say. - Instead of focusing on the past, on reckonings, and on what was, I would advise the current government to concentrate on development and on the future - he added.

09:54

Morawiecki Renews Appeal to Tusk:

Block the Migration Pact.
- I can tell Donald Tusk: block the migration pact, just as I did in June 2018. Let the current government not pretend they cannot do it - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference. - In 2017, Donald Tusk threatened penalties, threatened consequences to those member states [of the EU] that did not accept immigrants. Today, he is puffing himself up as the one who will defend Polish borders - he continued.

09:57

Morawiecki on Nawrocki and the Presidential Election:

He Would Certainly Be a Very Good Candidate.
- We are at the final stage of the process of selecting a candidate for President of the Republic of Poland. Mr. Karol Nawrocki is among those individuals, and he would certainly be a very good candidate - said Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

10:06

Kaczyński on PiS's presidential candidate:

There's no possibility of waiting for our competitors' decision.

- The KO candidate is one of three politicians, each of whom is very well-known. We also have less-known candidates, so we need to [announce] earlier, hence there's no possibility of waiting for our competitors' decision - stated Jarosław Kaczyński in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.


10:06

Czarzasty on the Right to Asylum:

We Believe Article 56 of the Polish Constitution Should Not Be Violated.
A brief comment on yesterday's government session. Yesterday, material concerning migration policy was discussed, and I want to say that we have supplemented this material and its title with one element: Regain control, ensure security, maintain humanity. Yesterday, we supported this material by 95%, but we disagreed on 5%. It concerned the right to asylum, it concerned Article 56 of the Constitution, which we believe should not be violated – stated Włodzimierz Czarzasty at a press conference.

10:08

Dziemianowicz-Bąk:

Poland Needs Wise Migration Policy, But Not at the Expense of Human Rights

- For the Left, it is clear that Poland needs a secure, wise, and responsible migration policy. A migration policy that, on the one hand, will respond to new challenges and threats related to Poland's security, on the other hand, will serve the development of Polish society, and on the third hand, will align with international human rights standards. It will be in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, which forms the foundation of the functioning of every sphere of the Polish state — said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk at a press conference.


10:10

Duda:

Security Must Be Taken Out of the Bracket of Current Political Dispute

- Security must be taken out of the bracket of the current political dispute. A partisan or inter-party dispute. I always repeat this, especially since the issue of security has become an absolutely paramount matter for all nations and states in our part of Europe and the world – stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


10:20

Duda Criticizes Tusk's Government and Speaks of a 180-Degree Turn:

I'm Glad They've Finally Joined the Defenders of the Polish Border.

- I am glad that Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government and his political camp, currently in power in Poland, have finally joined the defenders of the Polish border. But after all, when the construction of a barrier on the border was voted on here in the Sejm, only MPs from the PSL among the then opposition MPs voted for its construction – stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.

- Back then, the majority of the then opposition, and today's governing party, attacked the Border Guard, the army, mocked the defenders of Poland's borders, and supported celebrities who insulted and humiliated the officers. Now there has been a 180-degree turn – PAD continued.


10:23

Duda to the Government:

On Security Matters, You Try to Lecture Those Who Were Right from the Very Beginning.

- I want to emphasize this. Better late than never. But it must be remembered that you have never apologized for your scandalous words and actions, and today, on security matters, you often try to lecture those who have been right on these issues from the very beginning – stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


10:23

Duda Thanks Kosiniak-Kamysz During Address to the Sejm

- I would like to take this opportunity to thank the minister, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Both for bringing about the signing of these recently mentioned contracts, and also for the good and much-needed cooperation in the area of security. I also consider the program for modern individual soldier equipment, initiated by Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, to be very important – stated President Andrzej Duda during his address to the Sejm.


10:30

Duda on CPK:

A Voice of Irritation Towards the Rulers, That With Time They Are Wasting a Historic Opportunity.

- Today, what is happening, or perhaps more accurately, what is *not* happening in these matters, is causing not only my concern, but that of millions of Poles. The best proof of this is the social campaign "Yes to CPK". This is something more than a gesture of impatience, a warning signal. It is a voice of irritation towards the rulers, that with time they are wasting a historic opportunity for a leap in the civilizational development of our homeland - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


10:30

Duda sharply on the government's idea to suspend the right to asylum:

This is some fatal mistake.
The Prime Minister's announcement in recent days regarding the non-granting of political asylum will not serve to seal our border and limit illegal migration. On the other hand, it all indicates that it will prevent representatives of, for example, the Belarusian political opposition from finding refuge in Poland, and yet Poland was and is, and I hope will continue to be, a country of freedom and solidarity – stated President Andrzej Duda during an address in the Sejm.

- Poland has a centuries-old tradition of supporting the freedom aspirations of other nations and providing refuge to people who fight for freedom. Meanwhile, in line with the changes announced by the Prime Minister, many people persecuted by the Lukashenka regime will not be able to find refuge in Poland - PAD continued.

- Let's say it directly, Putin and Lukashenka are trying to destabilize the situation on our border, in the EU, and the state's response to this is to deprive of safe refuge people whom Putin and Lukashenka throw into prison and persecute, this is probably some fatal mistake – he added.

10:33

Duda to Tusk:

Implementing such projects should be an absolute government priority.

- The implementation of projects such as the construction of the Central Communication Port (CPK) along with its railway connections, the container port in Świnoujście, the construction of Polish nuclear power plants, or the expansion of the ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia should be an absolute priority for the government of the Republic of Poland, including Prime Minister Tusk's government - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


10:37

Duda:

State Energy and Resources Redirected from Ambitious Plans to Witch Hunts

- We must honestly admit, looking at what has been happening over the past year, that matters of large investments have clearly not become a priority for the current government. Unfortunately, quite the opposite is true; circumstances show they have been pushed to the background. State energy and resources, instead of implementing ambitious plans, have been redirected to organizing witch hunts, satisfying some, I apologize, basest instincts - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address to the Sejm.


10:40

Duda:

You're Wasting Your Energy on Media Spectacles Before Investigative Committees Instead of Focusing on What's Most Important for Poles

- You are wasting your energy on media spectacles before investigative committees, which have essentially established nothing, instead of focusing on what is most important for Poles. That is, on building a modern state, creating conditions for improving living standards, and ensuring citizens' safety. This does not refer solely to military security, but also to energy, health, and food security - stated President Andrzej Duda during an address in the Sejm.


10:43

Duda:

Are We Facing a Return to the 'No Money, No Money' Philosophy?

- Meanwhile, tell me, ladies and gentlemen, what has happened over this past year, since the last parliamentary elections, that the budget deficit has been so drastically increased? Where are these alarming reports about the state of public finances suddenly coming from? Why are the once record profits of the State Treasury's companies plummeting today? Does all of this mean that we are facing a return to the governing philosophy of 'no money, no money' that was in effect during Prime Minister Tusk's previous government? - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address to the Sejm.


10:52

Duda:

We are currently operating in "resolutionocracy" mode

- I have never questioned the right of the current government and parliamentary majority to implement reforms. But today we are operating in "resolutionocracy" mode, where attempts are being made to elevate resolutions to the status of laws, which is a legal and constitutional heresy, a violation of the Constitution, which defines the system of sources of law - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


10:53

Duda:

Stigmatizing Judges is Another Scandal

- Another scandal is the stigmatization of judges who, appointed in a manner entirely consistent with the Constitution and current laws, issue judgments in the name of the Republic of Poland. Stigmatization by calling them neo-judges. This mendacious and intentionally degrading term is intended to further introduce chaos and confusion, and in essence, to intimidate these judges - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


10:55

Duda on the State of Healthcare:

This Situation is Unacceptable.

- The seriousness of the [public finances] situation can be evidenced by the information recently presented by the Ministry of Health regarding plans to close hospitals or their departments and to limit the availability of medical services for financial reasons. And for this, the government bears full responsibility; this is an unacceptable situation – stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.

- No patient can be left without necessary assistance. On such an important matter as health security, Poles deserve full and transparent information, and this chamber is the place for its honest presentation – PAD continued.


10:58

Duda:

Once There Was a Lack of Courage to Hold Communist Judges Accountable, and Today You Want to Break the Spines of Judges of Free Poland

- Once there was a lack of courage to hold communist judges accountable, and today you want to break the spines of judges of free Poland. I will never agree to that. I want this to be heard clearly. In Poland, we have the Constitutional Tribunal, the Supreme Court, the National Council of the Judiciary, and we have judges appointed by the president in accordance with the Constitution and laws. If there is a problem anywhere, the problem is the government, which picks its own verdicts – stated President Andrzej Duda during his address to the Sejm.


11:00

Government Bears Responsibility for Lowered Diplomatic Standing in Many Countries. Duda on Ambassador Conflict

11:01

Duda to Tusk: Poles Know Well That Adjectival Democracy Is Really Facade Democracy

- Mr. Prime Minister, Poles remember that when we had 'people's democracy' in the Polish People's Republic, there was no democracy at all. Poles know well that adjectival democracy is actually democracy in name only, a facade democracy - stated President Andrzej Duda during an address in the Sejm.


11:03

Duda to Tusk: Poland Doesn't Need a Fighting Democracy Today. It Only Needs a Well-Functioning Democracy

- Mr. Prime Minister, Poland doesn't need a fighting democracy today. Poland today only needs a well-functioning democracy. Simply democracy - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


11:05

Duda:

They Haven't Won the Presidential Election Yet, But They're Already Counting Down Instead of Working for Poland and Poles

- Those of you who are counting down the time, especially in the media, until August next year, with smiles of citizens, are committing the sin of pride. They haven't won the presidential election yet, but they're already counting down instead of getting to work for Poland and Poles here and now - stated President Andrzej Duda during his address in the Sejm.


11:15

Tusk in the Sejm:

No Incantations from Political Speakers, No Addresses, No Party Declarations Will Change This Fundamental Fact.

- "No incantations from political speakers, no addresses, no party declarations will change this fundamental fact. It was Polish women and men on October 15th, in a great national surge, which thankfully relies on democratic elections today, who removed the bad government, freeing Poland from lies, corruption, and incompetence," stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Sejm.


11:18

Tusk:

Duda Began as PiS President and Today Ends His Term as President of One Party, Not the Nation

- President Duda began as the president of PiS, unfortunately not of the Polish nation, and today he is concluding his mission, again very clearly showing that he was the president of one political party, not of the Polish nation. He could have quietly and respectfully commemorated the anniversary of the elections, which, both for him as the president of PiS, and for the party that appointed him to this role, clearly showed what Poles thought about 8 years of PiS rule and two terms of President Duda… - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Sejm.


11:22

Tusk:

Independence is at Stake in the Elections

- The elections on October 15th were an election about everything. The stakes were not only democracy, and thank God, Polish democracy proved to be a fighting democracy, people took to the streets, and then went to the ballot boxes to fight for true Polish democracy, but democracy was not the only thing at stake. Today it is already very clear that the stakes in the elections of October 15th, just like the stakes in the elections that will take place soon, also include Polish independence - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Sejm.


11:25

Tusk:

We Will Deliver, We Will Realize These Investments

- They haven't built them, as we are talking today about these great infrastructural needs. Tell me, where are these great infrastructural monuments of PiS and President Duda? After 10 years of his term, after 8 years of PiS rule, where is it? On paper, in presentations on Morawiecki's large screens? That's where these investments were - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Sejm.

- We will deliver, we will realize these investments. Without chatter, without political gloss - he continued.


11:27

Tusk:

I Won't Speculate Where the President Keeps Rule of Law and the Constitution, But Certainly Not in His Heart

- On October 15th, people went to the polls, and before that, they took to the streets because they also knew exactly where PiS and the President stood on the Constitution and rule of law. The President said today that he holds the rule of law in his heart. I won't speculate where he keeps the rule of law and the Constitution, but certainly not in his heart – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Sejm.


11:29

Tusk:

I'm Grateful to Duda for Clearly and Unequivocally Highlighting the Importance of the Upcoming Elections

- I am grateful to President Duda that he did not seize the opportunity to remain silent on the anniversary of Poland's, and Poles', victory over those who also exercised power in his name. Instead, I am grateful that he has so clearly and unequivocally made everyone in Poland realize, I hope, how important the upcoming presidential elections will be - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Sejm.


11:29

What Commanded Talks with Orbán and Putin on the Kaliningrad Nuclear Power Plant? Tusk Questions Kaczyński
- I would address Mr. Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński directly again, if he hadn't chickened out and fled the chamber today, I would ask him again: what commanded Mr. Kaczyński, Mr. Morawiecki, under the watchful eye of President Duda, to hold talks with Prime Minister Orbán, President Putin, and foreign and Polish investors regarding the joint construction of a nuclear power plant in Kaliningrad - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a Sejm session. - That is where the PiS party's and President Duda's nuclear power plant was supposed to be built. In 2021, loudly, there in Gołdap near the border, a few dozen kilometers from where this investment was to be located, I asked directly: what happened, who talked you into this, can you tell Poles why, in agreement with pro-Putin forces in Europe, you decided to pursue work on such an investment? - he continued. - There was no mention of a Polish nuclear power plant at that time. To this day, we have not heard a single word of explanation. Thanks to a very firm stance [...] we managed to stop this project - he went on to say.

11:37

Tusk:

It's not about a battle. We need to win the war for Poland, for democracy

- It's not about a battle. We need to win the war for Poland, for a safe Poland, for democracy. A war, not just one battle. You know what we need to do. Today, after what happened in the Sejm, on the anniversary of those elections, everything is clear again. Perhaps for the last few months someone could have had doubts, that they have definitively surrendered, that the president can be sweet when his interests demand it - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Sejm.

- Today, probably no one has any doubts anymore that what was the essence of the elections, independence, democracy, Poland's security on October 15th, will also be the essence of the elections every day, for each of you and every one of you every day, and in these couple of hundred days when we will be completing this work of repair, defense, and renewal of the Republic of Poland - continued the head of government.


11:52

Tusk on Duda's words:

Nothing more foolish could have been said.
- When I speak of lies, of hypocrisy, I am talking about a situation that concerns the very core of our security. The President referred to the issue of the Polish-Belarusian border and our actions aimed at effectively strengthening the protection of the Polish border, regaining control over this border and our territory - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a Sejm session. - And he addressed the much-discussed issue of asylum, using the example of potential Belarusian refugees. There has not been a single case of a Belarusian opposition member attempting to illegally cross the Polish-Belarusian border in groups organized by Lukashenka. Please do not be offended, Mr. President, but nothing more foolish could have been said - he continued. - The situation on the Polish-Belarusian border is a situation where organized groups, sometimes trained and drilled by Belarusian services, transported with Russian and Belarusian money and human smugglers, by plane to Moscow, to Minsk, where bus convoys are provided, these people are brought to our border, prepared sometimes for months in order to illegally cross it - he went on to say.

12:04

Żukowska:

Coalition, This Election Anniversary Has Been a Failure

- We have to honestly admit, dear coalition, this election anniversary has been a failure. At this moment, I wonder if the only time we all stood together, side by side, was when we signed the coalition agreement. I would like us to show after a year that we are all together, with each other - stated Anna-Maria Żukowska in the Sejm.

- People elected us so that we would be different from PiS, respect human rights, the Constitution, and introduce things that expand these rights, such as civil partnerships and reproductive rights. This is what people are waiting for, not for the restriction of constitutional rights and human rights - said the MP from The Left.


15:13

Kaczyński:

Prime Minister is Violating a Constitutional Principle for the Second Time
A flagrant violation of the Constitution has occurred. Article 140 of the Constitution clearly states that there is no debate after the President's address. The Prime Minister is currently violating this principle, a constitutional principle, for the second time, as he once did to the late Lech Kaczyński, the then-President. We are leaving not because we don't want to listen to the nonsense he is spouting, because he has the right to say what he wants, but because this is another example of a flagrant violation of the Constitution – stated Jarosław Kaczyński in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.

16:08

Motion Filed for the Pre-Trial Detention of Romanowski
The Prosecutor's Office has today filed a motion with the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów in Warsaw to apply pre-trial detention for a period of three months against the suspect, Marcin Romanowski. The necessity of applying pre-trial detention arises from a well-founded fear of unlawfully obstructing the proceedings in this case, as well as a real threat of a severe penalty being imposed - the National Prosecutor's Office informed in a statement.

17:50

Government Reshuffle: New Minister Takes Office

A ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace, during which President Andrzej Duda, at the Prime Minister's request, dismissed Agnieszka Buczyńska from the position of Minister for Civil Society and Chairwoman of the Committee for Public Benefit. He appointed Adriana Porowska in her place, who previously served as the Vice-President of Warsaw.


18:02

Tusk:

We are closer than ever to European leaders adopting the Polish perspective

- After my speech, I will be rushing to Brussels, because this is one of the topics I will be discussing with our partners there. Today, we are closer than ever to European prime ministers and presidents adopting the Polish point of view, Polish proposals. I'm not saying this to impress anyone - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during EFNI.


18:04

Tusk:

I am convinced I will bring back a clearly positive message from Brussels on this matter

- The paradigm we are building will be, and already is, accepted, even if for now quietly, by some, but increasingly clearly. I am convinced that I will bring back a clearly positive message from Brussels on this matter, in terms of understanding and acceptance for Poland in these difficult negotiations - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during EFNI.


18:09

Tusk:

Today, We Want Not Only to Catch Up But to Surpass Our Neighbors, Partners
We must do much more, much faster, I fully agree on that, so that this difficult time becomes a time of Polish triumph, not trouble. Today, we want not only to catch up but to surpass our neighbors, partners. We have all the data for it. We just cannot waste it - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during EFNI.

18:20

Tusk on the Financing Model for One and the Other Nuclear Power Plant:

We’re Taking on Practically the Entire Financial Burden" for the First Nuclear Power Plant,

If we insist, and we have insisted, we will also build a nuclear power plant. We will not talk about it, we will not capitulate to various, I would say, diversions on this issue. We will build a nuclear power plant – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during EFNI.

The key question is the potential second location, and here too, I am openly saying, this discussion will definitely take place in Poland. We are taking on practically the entire financial burden when it comes to building the first nuclear power plant – emphasized the head of government.

When it comes to the second power plant, we need to look for financial partners, we are realists. We truly want to build it, but we also need real funds for this – he continued.


18:25

Tusk on Allies' Disagreement over a Third Deputy Prime Minister:

Objective Limitations.

- We always talked seriously. Today, in coalition relations, it would be difficult to get my allies' agreement for a third deputy prime minister [for economic affairs] - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during EFNI.

- I don't want to go into detail, but you sometimes have certain objective limitations in your work, and I, which of course irritates me greatly, also sometimes have certain objective limitations, stemming, for example, from the structure of the ruling coalition - the head of government continued.


18:28

Tusk:

The October 15th Coalition Will Solidarily and Loyally, Firmly Implement its Program

- The October 15th Coalition, which thanks to millions of voters has the honor of forming the government and working in it, this coalition will not only survive, but regardless of circumstances, will solidarily and loyally, firmly implement the program, from which you too will be satisfied. Take me at my word, perhaps we will meet in a year, and you will be able to check if my commitment was serious - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during EFNI.


19:21

Sikorski:

I Bet Poland Will Be Connected by a High-Speed Rail Network Faster Than the United States?
- In the United States, they still use checks. Our banking system is more modern than the banking system of the United States – said Radosław Sikorski during EFNI. - I have been travelling to the United States for 35 years, and for as long as I've been going, I've been hearing about high-speed trains on the Baltimore - Washington - New York - Boston route. I bet Poland will be connected by a high-speed rail network faster than the United States? They will never build it – he continued.

19:26

Sikorski:

Poles Must Show Matriculation Exams to Study, Ethiopians Didn't. We Won't Tolerate This.
- I would ask some Polish universities to look into their own practices. Consents were given for people to study at Polish universities, and consequently, student visas were issued for individuals who lacked sufficient qualifications to study in their own countries - said Radosław Sikorski during EFNI. - A Pole must show their matriculation exam results to get into higher education, but an Ethiopian did not have to. We will not tolerate this. I happened to study abroad, and it's the same there, and it's the same today. A Pole who wants to study in Great Britain or the United States must show their Polish matriculation exam results - he continued.

19:34

Sikorski on the Need to Regulate Migration:

So That Business Benefits, But Citizens Feel They Have Regained Control.
- Under PiS, a business owner needing, say, 20 employees would go to the District Labour Office and report 200, without any control. Automatically, without any verification, the Voivodeship Office would grant work permits. These hundreds of thousands of permits, and then it was assumed that consulates had an obligation to issue visas - Radosław Sikorski stated during EFNI. - As labour inspections revealed that these 200 people were not present at the company, there were no consequences for anyone. And the people arrived, landed in Poland, and were left to fend for themselves, usually already outside of Poland - he continued. - It will not be like this. Work permits and their justification will be controlled, and penalties for employing illegal migrants, those without work permits, must be such that they impact the company's economic bottom line - he went on to say. - Today, a company employing any number of foreigners, even 200 people, faces a maximum penalty of 3,000 zlotys. That's laughable. This must be regulated so that business benefits, but citizens also feel they have regained control over migration - he added.

19:48

Sikorski:

I Inherited a Ministry in Ruins. For 8 Years, the Foreign Ministry Operated Like a Travel Agency
- I inherited a ministry in ruins. European policy was stripped from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Polonia funds were taken away; for 8 years, it operated like a travel agency, not a strategic ministry pursuing any policy. I am rebuilding it now - said Radosław Sikorski during EFNI.

19:54

If Putin Benefited from His Aggression in Ukraine, Sikorski on the Biggest Threat to Poland
- If Putin benefited from his aggression in Ukraine, it would mean that the taboo we established after two bloody world wars, namely that borders cannot be changed by force in Europe, would be overthrown - said Radosław Sikorski during EFNI, when asked what he sees as the biggest threat to Poland in the next 10 years. - Then we would be in a world of the law of the strongest, not a world of international law, and this would have far-reaching consequences for the entire continent - he continued.

20:34

Kierwiński Points to the Author of the President's Address:

It Came Out Caricatured.
I have the impression that President Duda, once again, did not behave like a serious statesman, like the president of a large European country, but rather like a political operative from Nowogrodzka Street. You know, this address, so-called address, was something embarrassing. I am surprised that the President is ending his presidency in such a poor style, because it's less than 300 days now – stated Marcin Kierwiński in the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News. He [Duda] had nearly 10 years to get to work and guard the Polish constitution, and he didn't do it. Today, unfortunately, the President behaved like an extremely unserious person. He probably didn't fully realize, I have this impression, that Mr. Mastalerek wrote his speech, the President read it, and only now, after watching the news services, including yours on Polsat, will he see how caricatured it came out – he added.

20:34

Kierwiński Responds to Żukowska:

The Election Anniversary Isn't Something Politicians Should Celebrate.

- I don't think the election anniversary is something politicians should celebrate. Poles should celebrate, because it was Poles who gave us the mandate to change Poland, who gave us the mandate to reverse the bad PiS 'deforms,' and you know, I believe we have done what was entrusted to us - said Marcin Kierwiński on Polsat News.


20:35

Kierwiński:

We Will Stand Firm on the Defense of Poland's Border

- We will stand very firmly on guard of Poland's border, Donald Tusk has spoken about this. There is a lot of misrepresentation and falsehoods on this matter. Today, the issue of asylum being exploited by organized groups brought to Belarus, lured to Belarus by Putin and Lukashenko, today these organized groups are attempting to illegally enter Poland; these are not asylum seekers, these are organized groups serving in the hybrid war - stated Marcin Kierwiński in Polsat News.


20:37

Nowacka:

If it weren't the President, one might say some foolish loudmouth came out and uttered many sharp, foolish words.
- If it weren't the President of the Republic, one might say some foolish loudmouth came out and uttered very many sharp, foolish, ill-fitting words - stated Barbara Nowacka in a conversation with Monika Olejnik on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" (The Dot Over the i), commenting on President Andrzej Duda's address to the Sejm.

- But unfortunately, it is the president, so one must approach this seriously […], therefore, we can primarily be saddened by the low standard of truth in Mr. President's speech. We can be saddened by the language of aggression - she stated.

20:43

He Decided to Fight for His Future in PiS." Nowacka Comments on the President's Address
- Politically speaking, it looks as if he [President Andrzej Duda] remembered that he is from PiS, that various things are happening in PiS. A few days ago, we saw the PiS convention, where a new force entered the game, and here Andrzej Duda decided to fight for his future in PiS – because he sees the party moving in a radical direction, so he's stepping out, he'll thank Macierewicz, he'll get a smile from Kaczyński – said Barbara Nowacka in TVN24's "Kropka nad i". - Just imagine, Kaczyński hasn't smiled at him for at least 8 years. And suddenly he gets one, because he acted radically, unwisely, very aggressively, and also very deceitfully – she added.

20:50

Nowacka:

Belarusian opposition members are not approaching the border strip where Lukashenka's provocation is taking place
- Belarusian opposition members are not crossing at all, they are not approaching this border strip where Lukashenka's provocation is taking place. Belarusian opposition members will always receive support in Poland, this must be clearly stated – said Barbara Nowacka in "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.

20:58

Nowacka on Government Discussions:

Suspension of Asylum Rights Preserves Humanitarianism.
- Temporary and territorial suspension of asylum rights. We discussed this at length in government. [...] We, in particular, as a government, should care for the safety of Polish women and men. And the Prime Minister also clearly articulated this yesterday during this very long government meeting, that Poland's security has priority - said Barbara Nowacka on TVN24's "Kropka nad i" (The Dot on the i). - It was also stated very clearly yesterday that this suspension preserves both humanitarianism and vulnerable social groups [such as children, pregnant women, people with disabilities]. [...] Vulnerable social groups will be treated in an absolutely humanitarian manner - she emphasized.

21:03

Nowacka on asylum law suspension:

Bodnar, an undisputed authority, agreed.
- I cannot say much about the course of the Council of Ministers. However, I have a sense that at the moment when Adam Bodnar, a truly undisputed legal and human rights authority in Poland, agrees to certain solutions, because he also reads what is written [...] and understands the provisions, he adopts the stance that he votes along with the entire government, then we can only ask ourselves: to what extent are these solutions satisfactory, and to what extent is this a certain kind of tactic for Lewica?” – stated Barbara Nowacka on TVN24’s “Kropka nad i”.

21:10

Nowacka on the Left's Opposition to the Migration Strategy:

Tactics.
- I heard the speech of the head of the Left parliamentary club today, and to be honest, I was surprised. By the tone of the statement. However, we worked very long on the government yesterday, discussing both the constitutionality of certain provisions and, specifically, vulnerable groups - said Barbara Nowacka on TVN24's "Kropka nad i". - I described it [the Left's opposition, including that of its ministers, to the migration strategy] as a tactic, and yes, I will stand by that assessment, that these were tactical decisions - she evaluated.

21:14

Nowacka on KO’s candidate:

Trzaskowski is well-prepared, although Tusk and Sikorski have their strengths
- I have supported Rafał Trzaskowski since the previous presidential campaign. I believe he is well-prepared and is someone who broadens the coalition. Although both Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Radosław Sikorski have their very strong points - said Barbara Nowacka on TVN24’s „Kropka nad i”.