Today, events are scheduled with the Civic Platform's (KO) presidential candidate Rafał Trzaskowski:

At 9:30 AM, a meeting is planned with Ewa Bończak-Kucharczyk – plenipotentiary for the establishment of the Grabówka municipality – and local residents' representatives. The meeting will take place at the Grabówka municipality office, followed by a press conference at 10:15 AM.

At 12:30 PM, Rafał Trzaskowski will visit a Polish family business in Augustów, and at 2:30 PM, he will meet with representatives of the tourism industry. Meanwhile, an open meeting with the residents of Puńsk is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

At 12:00 PM, Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia will meet with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính. At 12:30 PM, Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska will meet with the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

At 1:00 PM, President Andrzej Duda will make changes to the composition of the Council of Ministers at the Presidential Palace.

At 3:00 PM, a press conference will be held by the President of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), Adam Glapiński. The conference will focus on the current economic situation in Poland.

At 4:00 PM, presidential candidate Sławomir Mentzen will begin his meetings with residents. The first will take place in Lubliniec, followed by another at 6:00 PM in Tarnowskie Góry, and the last at 8:00 PM in Bytom.

Also today, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, will arrive in Poland. His meeting with President Andrzej Duda is scheduled for 4:20 PM, while at 5:10 PM, the politician will meet with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. A joint press conference of both prime ministers is scheduled for 6:15 PM.

– Very often it is the case, it was in my case and I believe it is in Rafał Trzaskowski's case, that a government's low approval ratings burden the presidential candidate, while conversely, the political camp, the political backing, in my case it was Civic Platform and similarly in Rafał Trzaskowski's case, counts on the president to pull up their declining ratings – stated Bronisław Komorowski in “Poranek TOK FM”.

– And it turns out it's easier to drag that candidate down and drown them – he continued.

– One can agree on this matter politically. That is, it would certainly serve Rafał Trzaskowski well if he were to mark his full autonomy, both today and in the future, in relation to the government, for example, by saying that he would do something differently, that something doesn't appeal to him, that he will oppose something, that he will have other proposals – said Bronisław Komorowski on TOK FM.

– It would serve him well if he were to mark this particular, far-reaching distinctiveness from the government and a different point of view on certain matters – he continued.

– This is a decision for everyone, a decision that the Prime Minister [Morawiecki] is making, showing that he is transparent, that he has nothing to hide, that he has no intention of burying his head in the sand, so of course this decision can be praised, regardless of the fact that the prosecution's request itself is absolutely absurd. It concerns a matter that has already been judged – stated Jacek Sasin in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1.

– It is a cornerstone, one might say, of the rule of law, that a case that has been judged is judged, and when there are no new circumstances, there is no possibility of returning to this matter. The investigation was discontinued twice, and the case was appealed to court, and the court ruled in this matter that the discontinuation of the investigation was entirely correct – he continued.

– There is no possibility of challenging this verdict, and yet the prosecution is trying to rehash this matter today. This shows what this case is about. It's about a political hunt, not about any kind of justice – emphasized the PiS politician.

– It's also a matter of timing when such things can be done. For example, it cost me a lot in the election campaign that my own backing, namely Ewa Kopacz's government, handed me two important and, I would say, noble causes right during the campaign, but unbelievably costly electorally. It was the issue of in vitro, which I fully agreed with, and the anti-violence issue, this convention – said Bronisław Komorowski on TOK FM, when asked if Rafał Trzaskowski should express opposition to mandatory health education.

– The problem was that the same issues, well before or after the campaign, would not have been harmful, but in my case, they provoked aggression from a significant part of the Church, the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and split my electorate, which did not fully overlap with the Platform's electorate – he continued.

– I will probably [waive my immunity] because I have nothing to hide in this matter [of the envelope elections]. The absurdity of this whole situation is such that when you juxtapose these two cases, the Prime Minister's and mine, the absurdity of this procedure becomes evident. Because Prime Minister Morawiecki is accused, the prosecution is accusing him today, that the decision to hold the elections, ordering me to conduct these elections, was an unlawful decision. I, on the other hand, am accused of not fulfilling this decision regarding signing the contract with the Post – stated Jacek Sasin in "Sygnały dnia" on PR1.

– Fortunately, apart from a certain excess, perhaps there will be further excesses on this matter, the excess of Mr. Nawrocki, who likely wanted to curry favor with the radical part of the right-wing electorate, where there are anti-Ukrainian sentiments – said Bronisław Komorowski on TOK FM.

– In my opinion, he made a big mistake from the perspective of Poland's interests. Zelensky reminded us of this, it was a very good summation – he continued.

– We know why [the prosecution is returning to the envelope election case]. We have presidential elections coming up, there's a campaign, and PO candidate Rafał Trzaskowski's campaign isn't going well, so there's another attempt to stoke some emotions in this regard. I am convinced that it simply won't succeed – stated Jacek Sasin on "Sygnały dnia" (Signals of the Day) on PR1.

– He [Grzegorz Braun] wants more money, more 'number ones' on electoral lists, and greater influence over Konfederacja, and he didn't get it. He clearly stated that he wanted one-third of the 'number ones', one-third of the money, and one-third of the seats in all Konfederacja leadership bodies – said Przemysław Wipler on RMF24.

– My colleagues from the Leaders' Council, Sławomir Mentzen and Krzysztof Bosak, unanimously believe that he already had a great, great deal. Sometimes more than what we are comfortable with. And he wanted to change that situation, so he decided to negotiate very brutally, breaking the party's unity – he stated.

– [Rafał Trzaskowski] An extremely left-wing, one might say radical leftist candidate, who became known for ordering the removal of crosses in the Warsaw City Hall, today presents himself as a champion of traditional values. Today he talks about his support for CPK, when we all remember that he was at the forefront of the opponents of this project, that he favored an airport in Berlin, not Warsaw – stated Jacek Sasin in “Sygnały dnia” (Signals of the Day) on PR1.

– He is changing his mind only because today he is a candidate for President of Poland. He wants to deceive his voters – he continued.

– No [we are not threatened by a political crisis after Grzegorz Braun's decision]. As I see the reaction of public opinion, our voters, and supporters since yesterday, we have received many expressions of solidarity. Everyone is saying: things are going well, it's great, we hold a strong third position as a formation in almost all polls. We have a very strong third position for Sławomir Mentzen, who is catching up to Karol Nawrocki – Przemysław Wipler said on RMF24.

– The true game changer for us could be the candidacy of journalist Krzysztof Stanowski. This is where I see a risk – said Przemysław Wipler on RMF24.

– These are questions for them [Konfederacja Korony Polskiej MPs Roman Fritz and Włodzimierz Skalik]. If they stand with Grzegorz Braun – and I assume that will be the case – and against the Konfederacja Leaders' Council, against the resolution which states that Sławomir Mentzen is our candidate, then of course there will be consequences – Przemysław Wipler said on RMF24.

– It will be very regrettable, because they are very good MPs, very nice people – he added.

– It has just been activated [the "1% protocol"], but not for Sławomir Mentzen, but for Grzegorz Braun – said Przemysław Wipler on RMF24.

– I am the Mentzen team and I am not keeping my fingers crossed for there to be more than 1% of water in the pool that Grzegorz Braun is jumping into – he added.

– I am glad that it will be implemented at all, because it is arguably a more important subject than all others. Over 400 years ago, Kochanowski wrote such a brilliant epigram “On Health,” and it has lost none of its relevance. Health is the most important thing, which is why I am glad that it will be implemented at all, but I am, frankly speaking, a bit… I don’t know what word to use… disheartened, furious, certainly angry, that it won’t be a mandatory subject – stated Izabela Leszczyna on the program “Guest of the Morning” on TVP Info.

– These aware parents will send their children to these classes, and those who have been somewhat deceived by PiS politicians shouting on the streets that this subject is something bad, are perhaps less aware parents, and unfortunately, these children will grow up without this knowledge – said Izabela Leszczyna on TVP Info.

– This is the fault of politicians; all the confusion surrounding health education is absolutely the fault of politicians. First, right-wing, PiS politicians raised a outcry, and since we are having a very difficult year, some of our coalition partners have come to the conclusion that PiS may have succeeded in deceiving a large group of citizens and they will truly believe that this subject is dangerous – she continued.

– No, just like Rafał Trzaskowski, Prime Minister Donald Tusk also decided that we cannot introduce the health education program today due to the resistance of a certain group of parents, because they both believe and know that it is important and necessary, so let's start with voluntariness, and then really, even without legal changes, I am convinced that all children will start attending this subject – stated Izabela Leszczyna on TVP Info.

– This is certainly not my failure. What is happening in the healthcare system today is still a consequence of decisions made by my predecessors. The system is such that a decision made a year ago affects what happens in the following year – said Izabela Leszczyna on TVP Info.

– Since we cannot introduce this by force, in the sense that someone would be removed from the waiting list, we will see the first effects towards the end of this year, in the third and fourth quarters – she added.

– The Prime Minister told me that it will definitely be January, meaning either next Tuesday or the last Tuesday of this month. It must definitely happen in January [banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors]. That’s also what health education is for, because almost 40% of adult men declare that they smoke cigarettes, and around 11% of fifteen-year-olds declare that they consumed alcohol in the last month – stated Izabela Leszczyna on TVP Info.

– I haven't given up on this [the ban on alcohol sales at gas stations], but we've had yet another discussion in the government, and of course, the argument about the unequal treatment of some entrepreneurs compared to others is quite strong within the government. It might turn out that for now, it won't happen [this ban]. Usually, those ministers who feel responsible for the economy [block this project] – said Izabela Leszczyna on TVP Info.

– There is no excuse for Morawiecki; Article 7 of the constitution clearly states: public authorities, and the Prime Minister is one of them, act on the basis of and within the limits of the law – stated Izabela Leszczyna on TVP Info.

– They wanted to quickly organize elections so that Duda would win, and they wanted to expose people to danger, because the envelope elections were the worst thing that could have been introduced at the time. Morawiecki must face court – she added.

– Don't be surprised that so many thieves and gangsters admire PiS politicians and candidates. They have realized that next to Kaczyński's artists, they are mere craftsmen in this trade – wrote Prime Minister Donald Tusk on social media.

Nie dziwcie się, że tylu złodziei i gangsterów podziwia polityków i kandydatów PiS. Zrozumieli, że przy artystach Kaczyńskiego są w tym fachu zwykłymi rzemieślnikami.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) January 17, 2025

– I am outraged by the decision not to lower interest rates, because this is absolutely unbelievable and we all see once again that Governor Glapiński makes decisions solely dictated by PiS politicians – said Rafał Trzaskowski at a press conference.

– A person who should be completely independent is actually an executor of political orders from Chairman Kaczyński. After all, it is absolutely unbelievable that at a time when inflation was over 11% under Prime Minister Morawiecki's government, interest rates were lowered, and now, when the average annual inflation last year was 3.5%, there is no such reduction – he continued.

– Everyone thinks PiS only took money from wealthy municipalities like Warsaw, Wrocław, or Kraków, but they actually took money from almost everyone. When I was in Podkarpacie, in Przeworsk, when I was in Hrubieszów, residents of these cities told me about it, and here in Podlasie as well – said Rafał Trzaskowski at a press conference.

– It turns out that this reform of local government financing, which returns money to the hands of all residents, means that practically every municipality in Poland will have more of this money – he continued.

– Yesterday we had a motion to lift the immunity of Prime Minister Morawiecki. I am addressing all PiS politicians here, listen to my words: law and justice. Responsibility must be borne for what has happened over these past few years – said Rafał Trzaskowski at a press conference.

– If, firstly, I recall the envelope elections […] the Prime Minister came up with such a brilliant idea that it wouldn't be the National Electoral Commission making decisions, organizing elections, but perhaps it would be Poczta Polska, perhaps some other institution. It's a pity it wasn't the Justice Fund – he continued.

– This is precisely the chaos that PiS has introduced, and it also concerns this chamber in the Supreme Court. We must put an end to this, we must have a clear interpretation because there can be no chaos in politics – he went on to say.

– Polexit would be the greatest tragedy imaginable, because our membership in the European Union touches upon what is most essential, namely our security. I don’t see such a threat at the moment, because first and foremost, there is enormous support from Polish society for our membership in the European Union and we have a pro-European government – said Rafał Trzaskowski at a press conference.

– Regarding such a law [making Polexit more difficult], I would have to know the exact details to be able to speak authoritatively on the matter, but of course, I agree with Marshal Hołownia that Polexit would be a tragedy for all of us and that absolutely everything must be done to ensure it never happens – he continued.

– It's very hard for me to imagine such cooperation [with Orbán if I become president], because we've seen for many, many years that Prime Minister Orbán [...] is actually in Putin's pocket. Talking about lifting sanctions [on Russia] immediately is an action detrimental to the security of all of Europe, detrimental to Poland's security – Rafał Trzaskowski said at a press conference.

– These are absolutely scandalous words, which can only lead to escalation in the future, escalation of the war. Anyone who questions either Ukraine's European future or sanctions is acting for Putin, acting for war, and poses a direct threat to the security of Europe and to the security of Poland – he continued.

– On the one hand, it is a sense of ingratitude, and on the other hand, a very serious political mistake, because there is no reason for Mr. Zelensky to interfere, colloquially speaking, in the election campaign, which is now formally underway. And this is outrageous – stated Piotr Gliński in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

– He has the right to express such aspirations. What's more, it would probably be good for Poland or for the world if Ukraine were in NATO, provided, however, that certain entirely obvious expectations and standards that states should meet are fulfilled – he continued.

– Why is he provoking Karol Nawrocki, colloquially speaking? I don't know. Unfortunately, I see this in the context of what happened with the so-called exhumation issue, because I must regretfully state that Tusk's government has capitulated on historical memory – stated Piotr Gliński on Radio Plus.

– No one will give as much as Rafał Trzaskowski promises – wrote Mariusz Błaszczak on the X portal, publishing a video in which Rafał Trzaskowski's statements and campaign activities – such as a clip with Zenek Martyniuk, words about Polish wines, a visit to a shop, or singing together with a rural women's circle – are interspersed with an election song performed by the hero of the series „Świat według Kiepskich” (The World According to the Kiepski Family).

Nikt tyle nie da, ile Rafał Trzaskowski obieca pic.twitter.com/0auiFd21pL

— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) January 17, 2025

– Few unfulfilled promises are as spectacular as those made a year ago by the leaders of the parties currently in power. Because they promised real change, and yet there is no real change. There was supposed to be an end to cronyism, an end to corruption, a modern Poland that boldly moves forward – said Adrian Zandberg at a press conference.

– We all see [...] that for a year, it's been a case of shuffling feet in place, for a year it's really been a policy that is shameful when it comes to corruption, when it comes to handing out positions […]. For a year now, we have also seen that this government is failing millions of people who, going to the polls, were counting on real change – he continued.

“In place of PiS’s extreme conservatism, we have people who cannot even agree to health lessons”

– It is high time to send a clear signal to those in power that we still want change. That we are not satisfied with the fact that Mr. PiS has been replaced by the gentlemen from Platform […]. That we are not satisfied that in place of the extreme conservatism of Law and Justice, we have in power people for whom even health lessons are something they cannot agree to because their 19th-century views do not allow it – he went on to say.

– I am an opposition candidate. I was in opposition to the Law and Justice government when for years we protested against human rights violations, […] against the violation of the rule of law – said Adrian Zandberg at a press conference.

– Today, I am equally an opposition candidate, because I will protest and speak loudly about the fact that the nepotism practiced by the current authorities is not what was promised to voters. That the conservatism of a significant part of this government is not what was promised to voters a year ago when asking them to go to the polls – he continued.

– If someone, like us, dislikes this government, if someone, like us, is simply disappointed with this government, we cannot allow these people to have only PiS or the far-right Confederation as their only options. That is why I am running in the presidential election – he went on to say.

– One religion class either during the first or last lesson period. I have just signed a decree that will introduce these changes from September 1, 2025 – informed Barbara Nowacka.

– This is not only our election commitment, a concrete promise we made, but also common sense. Until now, young people had more religion classes than biology, chemistry, physics, civics education, and safety education combined. This is what is changing, and school will teach and prepare [students] for future life, including professional life, in the best possible way – stated the Minister of Education in a recording published on the ministry's social media.

✍ Rozporządzenie dotyczące 1 lekcji religii zostało podpisane. pic.twitter.com/P7bOlTzQ3Z

— Ministerstwo Edukacji Narodowej (@MEN_GOVPL) January 17, 2025

– Mr. Minister, this is an important task you are undertaking. Because Polish science, and this is not from today, yesterday, or last year, but for many, many years, truly requires serious support. I smile because when I carry out professorial nominations here in this hall, I always say that once the president has presented these nominations, he has only requests for you professors – stated President Andrzej Duda at the Presidential Palace.

– And the first of these requests is that someone comes here to the Palace someday, and the President of the Republic of Poland, I hope as soon as possible, introduces themselves as a Nobel Prize laureate. I would very much like a person of Polish science to achieve it, but for research conducted in our country, and I also wish for Mr. Minister that Mr. Minister witnesses such an event – continued PAD.

– I ask for this dialogue, including with me [and with the community], because I consider it important. Of course, we will not agree on all matters; that is also obvious to me, but we can always talk, and I deeply believe that this will be the case – stated President Andrzej Duda at the Presidential Palace.

– Mr. Donald, I apologize for interrupting your daily feel-good session, but I have a few questions about truly important matters – wrote Mateusz Morawiecki on the X platform.

Panie Donaldzie, przepraszam, że zakłócam codzienny seans dobrego samopoczucia, ale mam parę pytań o sprawy naprawdę istotne.
1. Co robi rząd w kwestii ograniczeń eksportowych chipów do AI @nvidia (podpowiem, to taka duża firma, o której wasz kandydat na prezydenta nie ma bladego…

— Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) January 17, 2025

– I thank Minister Wieczorek, he undertook a very difficult task, and today may not be the place or the time, and I do not want to talk about it today, but it is worth realizing how heavy a task he took on, considering, in part, the state of science, but above all the evil that was so evident in the relations between the state, public funds, and broadly understood Polish science – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the appointment of the new Minister of Education and Science.

– Cleaning up this situation required both great determination and delicacy, and it somewhat resembled working in a minefield, which is why I thank him from the bottom of my heart and express my appreciation – he continued.

– Today, external security, internal security, and the future of the Polish economy, indeed the global economy, are directly linked to scientific research and science. This connection has never been so strong, so unambiguous, and so influential on the success or failure of entire states, entire nations – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the appointment of the new Minister of Education and Science.

– It is precisely in these hours that the fate of the war in Ukraine may be decided. Because we were just discussing [with the President of Ukraine] the possibility of applying the latest scientific achievements at the front, and I will also be discussing this with the Prime Minister of Great Britain today, as he was also in Kyiv on this matter. – he added.

– Yes, each of us dreams of a Nobel for a Polish scientist. We are closer to this than some might think. With the help of the minister, I also want to provide special oversight for a group of young, exceptionally promising scientists who are also entrepreneurs – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the appointment of the new Minister of Education and Higher Education.

– I am encouraged by the energy, the sympathy, and the sliver of hope associated with these elections. The campaign is starting, it will be long, and I am of course accompanied by the same wonderful people who are with me every day in my political and public activities, but some of them have been with me since the 2019-2020 elections – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing.

– We all stand on the same ground: Poland today needs an independent president, one who will allow Polish democracy to take the next step. On October 15th, Poles said 'no' to a monopoly of one party, they chose coalition, cooperation. Now, I hope that on April 18th [May - ed.] they will say 'no' to a duopoly – he continued.

– In my opinion, this proposal, which was submitted to the government during talks by the Episcopate – and I must stress, I have very many reservations about the Episcopate and never expected, speaking of state-Church relations, to voice such an opinion – but I believe that the proposal for a single, compulsory religion or ethics lesson is sensible – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference.

– The President has decided to sign the budget for 2025 and simultaneously to refer a part of its provisions, after signing and under ex-post review, to the Constitutional Tribunal – said Małgorzata Paprocka at a press conference.

– What were the main motives for the President's decision to sign this act: as is known, the budget act […] regulates all matters related to state expenditures and revenues, but it also contains very important regulations for citizens. Here, I primarily have in mind issues related to salary increases in the public sector […] as well as the indexation of disability pensions and old-age pensions – she continued.

– Let us also remember that the budget act is the basis for financing programs such as 800+, the payment of the 13th and 14th pension, all matters related to the functioning of healthcare, education, but also ensuring security in our homeland – she went on to say.

– I wanted to start by asking that the independent central bank not be drawn into the ongoing election campaign. I am asking on behalf of the bank to cease formulating statements that could influence public perception of fundamental issues affecting the financial security of Polish families – said Adam Glapiński at a press conference.

– We are an independent central bank, including a politically independent central bank, and please do not involve us in the election campaign. Any kind. Neither praise us nor criticize us – urged the NBP head.

– During the work on the budget law, significant amendments were introduced concerning primarily the Constitutional Tribunal and the National Council of the Judiciary. It must be clearly emphasized that the budget law does not and, by law, cannot result in any blockage of salary payments – said Małgorzata Paprocka at a press conference.

– The budgets of these bodies have been reduced, but this does not have the direct effect that was discussed during the work on the budget law. However, such significant changes in the budgets, primarily of the KRS and the Constitutional Tribunal, should, in the President's assessment, be reviewed by the Constitutional Tribunal to determine whether these changes were introduced in accordance with Polish law – she continued.

– Further defrosting of energy prices, with current tariffs, which I emphasize, may not only lead to a renewed increase in inflation, but will likely push back the moment of returning to the target in 2026 – said Adam Glapiński at a press conference.

– These regulatory decisions fundamentally change the conditions of our monetary policy. First and foremost, they unequivocally indicate that we must postpone the discussion about potential interest rate cuts for some time yet – he stated.

– This is a change in the situation, because just 2 months ago it seemed that inflation would reach its peak at the beginning of 2025 and then systematically decline – he indicated.

– Forecasts indicate that inflation will not be falling towards the NBP's inflation target in the coming quarters. This is largely due to solutions recently adopted by parliament regarding energy prices. These solutions have fundamentally changed the projected inflation trajectory compared to what we assumed just a few months ago – stated Adam Glapiński at a press conference.

– Today, it can be expected that the price dynamics will partially decrease in the third quarter, however, in the fourth quarter, it may significantly accelerate again. As a result, by the end of the year, inflation may be almost as high as it is now. This is perhaps the most important conclusion: by the end of the year, inflation will be roughly the same as it is now, perhaps 0.2 percentage points lower – he added.

– In the second half of the year, in line with existing regulations, electricity prices for households are expected to continue to rise, even though today, after the July increases, their dynamics are already the highest in the entire European Union – said Adam Glapiński at a press conference.

– Firstly, from July, the so-called capacity charge is to be reinstated, which will translate into an increase in the average electricity bill by over 8% and raise inflation by 0.4 percentage points. Secondly, the electricity price cap mechanism is set to expire in October. As a result, at the current electricity tariff levels, the average bill will increase by over 13%, pushing inflation up by another 0.7 percentage points – he continued.

– If we want to fulfill all our promises, if we want Poland to be a democratic state, a state governed by the rule of law, again, we must go to these presidential elections in large numbers, and of course, support a democratic candidate – stated Rafał Trzaskowski at a meeting with residents of Puńsk.

– Every vote will count, I am deeply convinced that these polls will become closer and closer, there are many candidates, but in the end, in the second round, it will be 50/50. Every vote will truly count, and that is why it is so important for all of us to get involved in this campaign, because we need a president who will be an active president, who will inspire the government to act, who will take matters into their own hands if necessary, and – most importantly – a president who will be independent – he continued.

– I would like to introduce such a fundamental, very common-sense principle when it comes to the foreign policy of a state: that everything we do must simply pay off for us – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Puńsk.

– We see how the world is changing, we see what politicians around the world who win elections are saying. People follow them when they are sensible. When they talk about the fact that the country's interest is an interest that benefits all citizens – he continued.

– We have been helping Ukrainians from the very beginning […]. All of you across Poland have helped Ukrainians – and rightly so, because they are fighting for our freedom. […] In the beginning, for these first few years, a certain special regime was in place, because we wanted to help Ukrainians – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Puńsk.

“We cannot make the same mistake as other Western countries”
– Today we still need to help Ukraine, but today I believe we cannot make the same mistake that other Western countries, such as Germany or Sweden, made in the past: that it was beneficial to come there just for social benefits – he indicated.

“I propose a fundamental change”
– The most important thing for us is that everyone who comes to us and wants to count on support should strengthen our economy. That is why I propose a fundamental change: namely, that benefits such as 800+ for Ukrainians should be granted only if Ukrainians are working, living in Poland, and paying taxes in Poland – he emphasized.

Trzaskowski Appeals to the Government for Legal Changes
– This is a common-sense change. Therefore, I appeal to the government to undertake work on changing the law so that such a postulate can be taken into account – he added.

– Nobody who seriously considers our interest can question Ukraine's membership in NATO. Of course, after victory, after the war ends. Once this war is over, Ukraine's place is in Europe, Ukraine's place is in the North Atlantic Alliance. This should be clear because it simply benefits us, and anyone who doesn't understand this doesn't understand the fundamental interest of the state – said Rafał Trzaskowski at a meeting with residents of Puńsk.

– Today, when I hear my opponent questioning this, I must state that he doesn't understand what is most important: he doesn't understand the Polish interest, he doesn't understand that it simply benefits us for Ukraine to be part of Europe, not part of Russia – he continued.

– There are a vast number of these companies, all over Poland. We are an absolute powerhouse and can develop this power if we invest, if we enable our entrepreneurs to grow. Inflation has been reduced from over 20 percent to a few. It is still too high, we are still dealing with high prices, but we must focus on this, we must focus on energy prices, because this is what is stifling our entrepreneurs today – stated Rafał Trzaskowski during a meeting with the residents of Puńsk.

– The agreement with Mercosur, with the South American countries, is simply not profitable for us; it poses a threat to the competitiveness of our agriculture, and therefore we will do absolutely everything to prevent this agreement from coming into effect – said Rafał Trzaskowski at a meeting with residents of Puńsk.

– I recall this list of over 140 towns that are losing their socio-economic functions. The Law and Justice party (PiS) had this list, but did nothing about it. Today, we must all consider what to do to help all these towns move forward. […] In the places I've been: from Łomża, through Zambrów, and further on to you, I met with local government officials and we discussed together how to solve these problems, how to ensure everyone has equal opportunities – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Puńsk.

– What happened in recent years? Funds were taken from absolutely everyone. It’s not like some people think, that only Warsaw or Krakow were losing money. I was in Podkarpacie, where I spoke with, among others, the mayor of Hrubieszów, and it was exactly the same situation there: funds were also taken from those towns located in eastern Poland, which were not wealthy at all – he continued.

– Today, we must do everything we can to help these towns regain their funds. This is why we have a completely new system for financing these towns. Each one of them, each one I've visited, is benefiting, including those in Podlasie – he added.

– Today we can speak of particularly close and good relations between Great Britain and Poland; our personal relationship well reflects what is happening between our states. We have full trust in each other during these difficult times of geopolitical uncertainty, radical changes, and war right on our border. Trust and certainty of our intentions, predictability, are priceless, and this is what I want to emphasize with our strength – in our relations, these values and principles are visible to the naked eye. We can count on each other,” stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference with the UK Prime Minister.

– We have identical views with Great Britain and personally with the Prime Minister on the situation in Ukraine, on the Russian aggression towards Ukraine, identical views on what needs to be done, how to act, regarding support for Ukraine, and what we have promised each other today is that we will cooperate very closely, sharing both tasks and information – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference with the UK Prime Minister.

– What we have to do, of course, is to achieve maximum convergence between the EU and Great Britain. And this, of course, primarily concerns our cooperation in the field of security and defense, and here I am convinced that there will be no obstacles – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference with the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

– There is no shadow of a doubt that European members of NATO should do everything in their power to make NATO once again an effective pact in preventing war, in deterring even the strongest and most aggressive powers from laying a hand on NATO and its allies. Therefore, it is not my task to call on partners in NATO to follow Poland's lead when it comes to defence spending. I am not here to lecture anyone, but there is no doubt that the aggressor's position, today it is Putin's Russia, would be incomparably worse if our capabilities, of individual NATO member states, were greater today and if they corresponded to our real economic potentials – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference with the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

– We need to draw practical conclusions from this – more and more countries are drawing practical conclusions from this. If all of Europe, if we spent as much money on armaments as stipulated by NATO's assumptions, if we had started such early cooperation for NATO's practical capabilities, then today there would be no speculation about whether our guarantees would be sufficient, whether Russia has a strategic or military advantage over our allies, over us. Europe should, it has all the credentials for it, all of them, to also become a powerhouse when it comes to defending its own territory – he continued to say.

– I am convinced that in the coming months, not years, both Warsaw and London will effectively convince everyone that NATO, Europe, we are truly capable of effective, confident self-defense and of deterring aggressors from attacking us and our allies – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference with the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced at a press conference that he has appealed to the European Council for an informal summit with the participation of the British Prime Minister.

– I hope this will be a symbolic reopening in terms of cooperation between Great Britain and the European Union – he stated.

"Trzaskowski said today that he would like to limit the 800+ benefit for Ukrainians. He's on the right track, but he needs to try a little harder for us to admit him to Konfederacja :)" – Sławomir Mentzen wrote on the X platform.

Trzaskowski dzisiaj powiedział, że chciałby ograniczenia 800+ dla Ukraińców.

Jest na dobrej drodze, ale musi się jeszcze trochę postarać żebyśmy go przyjęli do Konfederacji ?

— Sławomir Mentzen (@SlawomirMentzen) January 17, 2025

“The candidate’s confederatization is progressing at a geometric rate. There’s a chance he’ll announce leaving the EU by the end of the campaign xD” – Anna Maria Żukowska wrote on X, referring to Cezary Tomczyk’s post stating that Rafał Trzaskowski is calling on the government to change the 800+ program for Ukrainians.

“NB, the deputy head of Civic Platform calling on the head of Civic Platform’s government for something is a hit. Talk about it at the party headquarters on Wiejska Street, Lads.” – she continued.

Konfederyzacja kandydata postępuje w tempie geometrycznym. Jest szansa, że do końca kampanii zapowie wyjście z UE xD.

NB wiceszef PO wzywający rząd szefa PO do czegoś to jest hit. W siedzibie partii na Wiejskiej sobie o tym porozmawiajcie, Chłopaki. https://t.co/f8wJbz6ixF

— Anna-Maria Żukowska ??‍♀️ (@AM_Zukowska) January 17, 2025

– It is natural that such cuts [in the budget] had to happen, given that the neo-KRS is illegal, non-compliant with Polish law, and that the Constitutional Tribunal is de facto Mrs. Przyłębska's tribunal, the President's cook. This had to be our reaction; there can be no consent for public money to flow to people who have no right to sit in these bodies – said Marcin Kierwiński in "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.

– I am surprised that Mr. President once again becomes such a press spokesperson for Mrs. Przyłębska, these neo-judges, and the neo-KRS. It is evident that he is very colluded with this environment – he continued.

– What President Duda has done is merely his symbolic gesture of support for these unconstitutional bodies, but it does not affect the current functioning of the state, because the budget has been signed – he further stated.

– Relief [after the flood] is reaching every person who needs it; every person who has applied has already been granted this assistance, either in the form of the final benefit or in the form of an advance payment, which will soon be increased to the granted amount – said Marcin Kierwiński on TVN24.

– If someone has submitted an application, if this aid has been granted […] they have the money or advance payments. Of course, applications are still coming in, so it will naturally take a few more days for the money to physically reach the accounts, but […] 98% of people in Opole and Lower Silesia who applied for these repair benefits have already received the money or advance payments – he continued.

– I admit, I haven't read this report, and perhaps I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I have the impression that the prosecutor's office is for conducting investigations, filing charges, preparing indictments, and sending them to court. Reports are rather the specialization of think tanks, organizations. I would prefer that these prosecutorial activities, involving the filing of charges and sending files to courts, be the subject of public debate, not a report, because the prosecutor's office is probably not for reports – stated Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on TVP Info.

– Under PiS rule, a system was built where the entire justice apparatus was to serve the interests of Jarosław Kaczyński. And a mass of cases has accumulated that require either reopening, review, or initiation – stated Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on TVP Info.

– At the same time, it’s hard not to notice a certain social emotion – impatience – as to why this is taking so long. And if we do decide on certain actions, then I emphasize again, this is an old-fashioned view, but for me, the prosecution’s role is to bring charges and refer them to court, rather than writing reports – stated Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on TVP Info.

– I prefer charges brought over reports – he continued.

– No, I haven’t heard [that Karol Nawrocki has been to flood-affected areas], because Mr. Karol Nawrocki was there for the first time in December, and I suspect it was his last time. Besides, on that day I spoke with the mayor of Lądek, with whom I am in constant contact, and he also hasn't heard of any significant activity from Mr. Karol Nawrocki – said Marcin Kierwiński on TVN24.

– Engaging in such disgraceful politics as Mr. Karol Nawrocki is doing is truly unethical. If Mr. Nawrocki wants to visit the flood-affected areas, I have made him a public offer and I will make it again: let’s go together to the dam in Stronie Śląskie, the dam that was damaged during the PiS government’s rule, and because of that Lądek, Stronie, and the rural municipality of Kłodzko were so devastated – he continued.

– Let Mr. Karol Nawrocki go to that dam with me, and let him see what the rule of his political cronies has led to – he went on to say.

– I don’t believe any of Mateusz Morawiecki’s words, including his declaration that he will renounce his immunity himself. If someone wants to renounce immunity, they renounce it. It’s a matter of a single letter, which can be delivered to the Marshal of the Sejm within an hour – stated Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on TVP Info.

– The entire PiS could move to Budapest, but I hope they won't evade responsibility. That is why these actions by the Ministry of Justice and the prosecutor's office are so important. We need to draw this line as quickly as possible, a certain unacceptability of public behavior – stated Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on TVP Info.

– It will be mainly county towns, smaller places, because that's where our electorate is, the electorate of Rafał Trzaskowski, an electorate that appreciates what has been happening in Poland for the past year. I believe this is the right direction; Poland is not just in big cities in the sense that these are not different Polands, it is one country – said Marcin Kierwiński on TVN24, when asked if Rafał Trzaskowski would travel less to big cities and more to smaller towns.

– Indeed, the results of Civic Platform and the current coalition allow us to put forward the thesis that it is easier for us to conduct [...] a campaign in big cities [...] responsible politicians are recognized by the fact that they take the bull by the horns and go to difficult areas. And that is what Rafał Trzaskowski is doing – he continued.

– The latest parliamentary poll by IBRiS, in which PiS overtook KO, is of course a disappointing signal, a signal of certainly a certain impatience. Our electorate has the right to this, however, it is just one poll. The problem will begin when it turns out that this is a trend – stated Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on TVP Info.

– That he will [Mateusz Morawiecki] face justice is a matter of time. Whether he will resign [from immunity] himself, we will see. I remember that Mr. Romanowski also claimed he would face justice because he had nothing to hide, and then he fled to Hungary. I hope it won’t be the same with Morawiecki – said Marcin Kierwiński on TVN24.

– Law and Justice wanted to limit the eligibility for the 800+ benefit for Ukrainian citizens long before the campaign started! – Paweł Szefernaker wrote on social media.

– In May, on behalf of the Law and Justice parliamentary club, I submitted an amendment making the receipt of the 800+ benefit by Ukrainian citizens conditional on submitting an application for a residence card. What did R. Trzaskowski’s party do then? Civic Platform voted AGAINST it. Today, with the campaign underway, they are changing their minds again! Don’t be deceived! Hypocrites! – emphasized the head of Karol Nawrocki’s campaign staff.

Prawo i Sprawiedliwość chciało ograniczyć uzyskiwanie świadczenia 800+ dla obywateli Ukrainy na długo przed rozpoczęciem kampanii! W maju w imieniu klubu PiS zgłosiłem poprawkę uzależniającą uzyskanie przez obywateli Ukrainy świadczenia 800+ od złożenia wniosku o wydanie karty…

— Paweł Szefernaker ?? (@szefernaker) January 17, 2025