At 10:00 AM – just before New Year's Eve, at the last session of the year – the Council of Ministers will discuss a resolution regarding changes to the CPK investment program. – There is a need to update the financial and temporal frameworks, as well as the conditions for implementing the Republic of Poland's intentions regarding the Central Communication Port for the years 2024–2032 – it was stated in the project information.

- I believe that this is absolutely unequivocal, and it's worth mentioning here that the Commissioner for Human Rights, who comes from the broadly understood camp of today's ruling coalition, has spoken unequivocally on this matter. It's not the first time either, and here there is no room for manoeuvre for the Minister of Finance. These funds must be disbursed - stated Mateusz Morawiecki on "Graffiti" Polsat News.

- Not only the State Tribunal [if the Minister of Finance doesn't disburse funds for PiS] in the future, but I think that here, both towards him and towards those who will be obstructing, we will simply have to apply the normal provisions of Article 231, meaning those for which civil servants must answer in a situation where they break the law - stated Mateusz Morawiecki in Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- There is no normal rule of law and democracy in Poland. We are in a state of emergency in Poland without it being declared - stated Mateusz Morawiecki in "Graffiti" Polsat News.

- I can guarantee that I will not leave anywhere, I will never leave this country, even if this regime resorts to what I imagine it might resort to. During Jaruzelski's time and under martial law, very similar methods were used to those employed today. As we can see, times change, but the methods remain the same – stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

- If I were in the Minister of Finance's shoes, I wouldn't rush to disburse these funds – stated Ryszard Balicki, a member of the National Election Commission (PKW), during the program "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

- This is the Minister of Finance's decision, not mine, and not the PKW's. If I were in the Minister of Finance's position, I probably wouldn't disburse the funds, but that's not my decision – he added.

- If the Americans were to participate in such a mission [to guarantee peace in Ukraine], I would want Poles to have their say on the matter. I would make it dependent on Poles, on the decision of Poles. Among other options, [a referendum] is also possible; I would make it dependent on whether Polish troops could be part of such a mission – stated Mateusz Morawiecki on Polsat News’ “Graffiti”.

- Almost makes a difference, and this difference between how CPK was planned, designed, and implemented by us versus what Donald Tusk presented is like comparing black to grey. A complete slashing of the railway lines, a change, a distortion, a reduction, one could say a destruction of the CPK plan tells me only one thing – this project will not be implemented as long as this government rules – stated Mateusz Morawiecki in the program „Graffiti” on Polsat News.

- I call on the government to implement the CPK program as we planned it – he continued.

- I am a lawyer who acts within my understanding of the law and my conscience, and these are the boundaries of my actions. They threatened me from August, because in August, when we prepared the resolution to reject PiS's financial report, I heard in August how many years I would spend in prison for acting on behalf of other parties, not PiS. I am not acting for this or that party; I am acting according to my understanding of the law – stated Ryszard Balicki, a member of the National Electoral Commission (PKW), on TVN24.

- Our resolution must be exclusively as such; the code requires us to adopt the report, but this resolution will be legally effective only if the original document, i.e., the ruling of the court [of the Chamber of Extraordinary Review and Public Affairs], is a judicial ruling. The National Electoral Commission does not have the competence to definitively and conclusively assess whether this composition meets the constitutional requirements of the Supreme Court; that is not the role of a public administration body – said Ryszard Balicki, a member of the National Electoral Commission, on TVN24.

- I want to tell everyone, both here in this room, Madam and Mr. Ministers, but everyone in Poland, that 2025 will be a year of positive breakthrough. We have no other choice, Poland must win this year. We are on the right track, and we will carry the responsibility for Europe on our shoulders, on Polish shoulders, for the first half of the year. During this time, the presidential campaign will be underway in Poland, and we will still, at least until July, be stuck in this system of law and lawlessness simultaneously, but we will manage - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a government session.

- I know that your task, you went into the fire first, your task was exceptionally difficult and will continue to be a very big challenge for many more months. I look at the Minister of Finance, and he is another example of how much resilience and certainty of moral and legal justification is needed to conduct Polish affairs well. But for enduring, perhaps not everyone in the same form, but you endured and worked hard, for that I wanted to thank you - he continued.

- This year, 2025, will be crucial from the perspective of our security. I know we often get caught up in these internal squabbles, but I want to say that in a few dozen hours, we will not only take over the symbolic but also, to a certain extent, the actual leadership in the EU with the Polish presidency, and it will be largely dedicated to our security - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a government session.

- In the last few dozen hours, I spoke with the NATO Secretary General, and the Prime Ministers of Estonia and Finland, following another incident in the Baltic Sea, and the Polish voice is already beginning to influence concrete decisions - he continued.

- After the first incidents in the Baltic Sea, after these strange occurrences with Russian and Chinese ships, after the damage to various underwater installations in the Baltic Sea, which greatly concerned all the states bordering the Baltic, we proposed that the Baltic Sea become an area of enhanced military control by NATO and the countries bordering the Baltic, modeled on the protection of our airspace. And yesterday, I received a signal from the NATO Secretary General that we will be working diligently on this, on the project for enhanced military control for a secure Baltic Sea - the Prime Minister emphasized.

- In a way, the symbolic last hours of 2024, like through a lens, showed what a huge problem Poland has been struggling with after years of legal chaos. Because we have taken full responsibility for what is happening and will happen in Poland in the coming years, I would like to thank everyone in Poland for their understanding and patience – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk before the Council of Ministers meeting.

- I know that everyone without exception in Poland would want this year to be easier, more pleasant, without conflicts, but what we have inherited compels us to make difficult decisions, and they have more in common with cleaning and renovation than building a new house – he continued.

Dziś Sylwester - dobrej zabawy!
A w Nowym Roku wszelkiej pomyślności. Oby był to czas, gdy zło, które opanowało naszą Ojczyznę, zacznie ustępować.

— Jarosław Kaczyński (@OficjalnyJK) December 31, 2024

- Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Andrzej Wyrobiec, has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Minister Hanna Wróblewska will assume oversight of the departments he coordinated - the ministry announced in a statement.

Andrzej Wyrobiec złożył rezygnację

Podsekretarz stanu w Ministerstwie Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego Andrzej Wyrobiec złożył rezygnację ze stanowiska na ręce Premiera Donalda Tuska. Nadzór nad departamentami, które koordynował przejmie Ministra Hanna Wróblewska.

— Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego (@kultura_gov_pl) December 31, 2024

- The year 2025 presents us with a great task: rebuilding the national community. Someone tried to convince us that there is a more and less developed Poland, someone tried to divide us according to our views. Yet, each and every one of us values common sense and normalcy the most – said Rafał Trzaskowski in his New Year's address.

- Let’s seek agreement, let’s try to rebuild community. Because Poland is not just the land we live on, but above all, a community of people. A community of values and hopes that have permeated generations. As Fr. Józef Tischner wrote: “Evil lies in the fact that good beings position themselves as enemies against each other.” Let us not allow ourselves to be divided any longer. Let us restore community among people of good will. Because it is community that forms the strongest foundation of the state. Let us strengthen this foundation through work and mutual understanding – he continued.

- The Vice-Chairman of Civic Platform dressed up as the President for New Year's Eve and, quoting a classic, 'said nothing'. But what was he supposed to say, since Tusk decides everything?!? - Paweł Szefernaker wrote on social media.

Wiceprzewodniczący PO przebrał się za Prezydenta na Sylwestra i cytując klasyka: „Nic nie powiedział”. Ale co miał powiedzieć skoro o wszystkim decyduje Tusk?!?

— Paweł Szefernaker ?? (@szefernaker) December 31, 2024

- THIS WILL BE A POLISH YEAR! I wish you faith in yourselves, hope stronger than doubt, and love stronger than evil. And I promise to continue doing what is my responsibility. All of Poland forward! - wrote Prime Minister Donald Tusk on social media.

TO ❤️ BĘDZIE ?? POLSKI ? ROK! Życzę Wam wiary w siebie, nadziei mocniejszej od zwątpienia oraz miłości silniejszej od zła. I obiecuję dalej robić, co do mnie należy. Cała Polska naprzód!

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) December 31, 2024

Wystąpienie noworoczne 31.12.2024 pic.twitter.com/28NYSDIzM4

— Rafał Trzaskowski (@trzaskowski_) December 31, 2024

- Our Homeland still faces many challenges. How we respond to them will determine whether this good time for Poland will continue. In the past year, many worrying signals regarding our country's development have emerged. A record budget deficit, delays in strategic investments such as the Central Communication Transport Hub (CPK) and the construction of the first Polish nuclear power plant, problems in healthcare, and the threat of hospital closures - stated President Andrzej Duda in a televised address.

- As President, I have repeatedly emphasized that these are precisely the matters upon which the living standards of Poles and the further development of our Homeland depend. Summing up this year, it is worth asking whether these matters were and are a priority for the currently governing coalition. Unfortunately, the answer is negative. The focus has been on deepening divisions and intensifying conflicts, leading to chaos in the justice system and a lack of legal security for Poles, thereby weakening Polish democracy - PAD emphasized.

Below is the full text of the address.

*****

The last day of the year is a time when we exchange wishes. But this day is also a moment when we summarize what is behind us and make plans for the future. That is why, on this special day, it is with pride, but also with emotion, that I address you for the 10th time in my New Year's Address.

I am incredibly proud of how much Poland and we Poles have achieved over these almost 10 years. Our Homeland has developed dynamically during this time, we have managed to implement many extremely important and necessary investments, we have strengthened the Polish army and the defense of our borders, and Poland's importance on the international stage has also significantly increased. As Poles, we have shown that we are a hardworking and enterprising nation that has perfectly utilized the opportunities that have opened up before us. It has been a good time for Poland!

Our Homeland still faces many challenges. How we respond to them will determine whether this good time for Poland will continue. In the past year, many worrying signals regarding our country's development have emerged. A record budget deficit, delays in strategic investments such as the Central Communication Transport Hub (CPK) and the construction of the first Polish nuclear power plant, problems in healthcare, and the threat of hospital closures.

As President, I have repeatedly emphasized that these are precisely the matters upon which the living standards of Poles and the further development of our Homeland depend. Summing up this year, it is worth asking whether these matters were and are a priority for the currently governing coalition. Unfortunately, the answer is negative. The focus has been on deepening divisions and intensifying conflicts, leading to chaos in the justice system and a lack of legal security for Poles, thereby weakening Polish democracy.

The upcoming year, 2025, is a presidential election year. It is we Poles who must decide who we will entrust with the highest office in the state. That is what democracy is!

I deeply believe in the wisdom of my compatriots. I believe that they will entrust the leadership of Polish affairs to a president who will stand guard over our sovereignty and independence, remain faithful to the Constitution, support the development of our Homeland, and effectively advocate for the realization of Poland's raison d'état on the international stage!
This is all the more important as we live in turbulent times, where we have learned that peace and freedom are not given once and for all. They must be strived for every day. Therefore, the security of our Homeland must be the most important matter for the future President. Regardless of whom we entrust with this office.

For me, the security of Poland and Poles has always been the highest priority and a matter that should transcend all political divisions. This is how I have acted and how I will continue to act until the last day of my presidency. Both in Poland and when representing our country on the international stage.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war raging on our eastern border is an absolutely crucial matter for our security. Our stance is constant and unwavering. This war cannot end with a Russian victory. It must end with a just peace that will prevent the outbreak of another, perhaps even larger conflict in the future!

Our security is based on two pillars: a strong and modern army and the strength of our alliances. In March, in Washington, I presented a proposal for all NATO member states to increase defense spending to 3% of their GDP. I am pleased that today more countries are joining my initiative. Because only a strong NATO, led by the United States, is a guarantee of security for Poland and our entire region.

We in Poland know very well that there is no secure Europe without the commitment of the United States. Both military and economic. Therefore, the first priority of the Polish presidency of the European Union, which begins on January 1st, is to strengthen cooperation between the Union and the United States.
During my entire presidency, I have consistently advocated for strengthening Polish-American strategic relations. Today, I am proud that they are stronger than ever, but I am convinced that in the coming months they can gain an even deeper dimension!

In a few hours, the new year, 2025, will begin. I wish you all the best! May it be a good and safe time for Poland, may it be a time of joy and success for all of us! Happy New Year!

Photo: KPRP