Wednesday marks the first day of sessions for both the Sejm and the Senate. President Andrzej Duda and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski will be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk will present the priorities of Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union in the European Parliament. Rafał Trzaskowski will meet with residents of Szczecin, among others, and Karol Nawrocki will visit Nowy Sącz, among other locations.

Sejm Debates Incidental Bill

The three-day Sejm session will commence at 10:00 AM. Lawmakers will begin deliberations with the second reading of the so-called incidental bill proposed by Poland 2050. The bill proposes, among other things, that the validity of presidential elections would be determined not by the Chamber of Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs of the Supreme Court, but by a joint panel of the Civil, Criminal, and Labor and Social Insurance Chambers.

At 12:00 PM, a second reading is scheduled for a parliamentary bill amending the act on the performance of a deputy's mandate. The bill concerns the regulation of the legal status of MPs and Senators against whom a decision on temporary arrest has been issued.

At 1:30 PM, a second reading will take place of the government's draft bill amending certain acts in connection with Poland's accession to enhanced cooperation within the European Public Prosecutor's Office. The bill aims to implement EU law.

At 3:00 PM, a second reading of the government's draft bill on the Prison Service will begin, and at 4:15 PM, a second reading is planned for the government's draft bill on value added tax, excise duty, and certain other acts. This includes introducing facilitations for conducting business activities, such as waiving the obligation to integrate online cash registers with payment terminals.

At 5:45 PM, a second reading of the government's draft Water Law bill is scheduled, and at 7:15 PM, a second reading of a parliamentary resolution to commemorate the heroes of the 1905 Revolution on the 120th anniversary of its outbreak is planned.

Additionally, at 2:00 PM, the Sejm's Committee on Rules of Procedure, MP Affairs, and Immunities will consider the motion filed by the District Prosecutor in Warsaw to consent to the criminal prosecution of MP Krzysztof Szczucki.

Senate Session Begins

Wednesday will also see the start of a two-day Senate session, during which Senators will address, among other things, the program for Poland's presidency of the Council of the EU and changes to the act on special solutions for counteracting support for aggression against Ukraine. The session is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM.

President Andrzej Duda and Minister Radosław Sikorski in Davos

President Andrzej Duda continues his visit to Switzerland in connection with his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos. At 12:00 PM, the head of state will participate in an informal meeting of world economic leaders (IGWEL). At 1:45 PM, a meeting is scheduled between Andrzej Duda and the President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Radosław Sikorski also remains at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is participating, among other things, in panel discussions on international security and the situation in Ukraine, as well as bilateral meetings.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament and Oslo

On Wednesday, Donald Tusk will present the priorities of Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union during a plenary session of the European Parliament. The Polish Prime Minister's visit to Strasbourg will begin at 9:55 AM with a welcome by EP President Roberta Metsola. At 10:00 AM, a meeting between Tusk and Metsola is scheduled, and at 10:30 AM, the Polish Prime Minister will participate in a European Parliament session where he will deliver a speech.

At 4:35 PM, Donald Tusk is scheduled to be welcomed by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, and at 4:37 PM, a meeting between the two politicians will commence. A press conference will be held at 5:10 PM. At 5:45 PM, a working session is planned.

Trzaskowski and Nawrocki on the Road

At 2:15 PM, Rafał Trzaskowski will visit the Rarytas company in Stargard. Also in Stargard, but at 3:30 PM, the Civic Platform presidential candidate will meet with local government officials. At 5:30 PM, an open meeting with Trzaskowski is scheduled in Szczecin.

At 8:30 AM in Zakopane, Karol Nawrocki will hold a press conference. At 11:30 AM in Szaflary, the presidential candidate supported by PiS will meet with the Podhale Social Support Committee and members of the Związek Podhalan. At 2:00 PM in Limanowa, a meeting between Nawrocki and young people from the folk groups Górali and Lachów Limanowskich KGW groups is planned.

At 5:00 PM, Nawrocki will meet with residents of Nowy Sącz. At 8:00 PM, a meeting between the PiS-supported candidate and members of Solidarność RI and residents in Wierzchosławice is scheduled.

– I don't see a big shift in Rafał Trzaskowski's campaign. Firstly, the world is a bit different, and secondly, please also remember that in that [2020] very short campaign, we got to know a piece of Rafał Trzaskowski. Over these 5 years, we, the state, the audience, the people observing the elections, have forgotten that Trzaskowski is a complete personality. The fact that someone focuses on listening to jazz, as the editor mentioned in the introduction, doesn't mean it's the only music they listen to – stated Barbara Nowacka in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

– We are aware that to mobilize voters, which is crucial for us, to have a very high turnout, we need to talk about practically all the problems, challenges, and topics that interest people – continued the head of the Ministry of Education.

– Let's not fool ourselves, big cities are a fraction of the interest. However, today the real problems that both the coalition and the president should be solving are in these smaller towns – she added.

– Yes, Donald Trump speaks very freely, but there is a gigantic gap between what Trump says and how he says it, he is independent, and how PiS tried to portray Nawrocki as Trump. Nawrocki is dependent and still has little experience, although he is acquiring it quickly because they are teaching him very rapidly. However, he is a 100% PiS candidate – stated Barbara Nowacka in “Rozmowa Piaseckiego” on TVN24.

– Nobody will wait until the end of the campaign. This is Rafał Trzaskowski's proposal [regarding 800+], which is being very seriously considered by the Prime Minister and the entire, at least our part of, Civic Coalition. We will convince people to it – stated Barbara Nowacka in „Rozmowa Piaseckiego” on TVN24.

– Mandatory health education has been withdrawn because I must protect the school, and this is not about a campaign decision, but about the tension that has been built around this subject. I am very happy that such a subject is being introduced, a broad subject that will support young people in mental health crises, that will give them appropriate tools to combat cyber-addictions, and addictions in general – stated Barbara Nowacka in the "Piasecki's Conversation" on TVN24.

– As a politician, I intend to protect schools as much as possible from political influence. Nothing ruins good relationships in schools more than transferring political conflicts onto how the education system looks – stated Barbara Nowacka in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

– Of course they [PSL ministers] wrote [recommendations], because they are politicizing schools. And I strongly urge them not to do that – she continued.

– This is unserious. Rafał Trzaskowski is going to Podlasie, meeting with Zenek Martyniuk. We'll soon find out he's distilling moonshine there and going hunting, all to show he's someone he's not. He's still the same old rainbow Trzaskowski, on heels, straight from Warsaw, who is now pretending to be someone he's not and changes his mind on every issue – stated Sławomir Mentzen on the program "Graffiti" on Polsat News.

– In my opinion, this is false, it's inauthentic. No one should believe Trzaskowski in such a change. However, we will be checking this. We are now submitting a bill to the Sejm limiting the 800+ benefit for Ukrainians and we will see what PO does with it – he added.

– In all the media, I read that my campaign will now collapse, that I have some terrible problem, that I'm definitely crying now and don't know what to do next. However, the first two polls after Grzegorz Braun's launch have already come out, and in these polls, I have grown. Therefore, it seems that this was not such bad news for me – Sławomir Mentzen said on Polsat News.

– Our vision of politics was completely different. It's not about the goals we want to achieve, but the methods. We wanted to build a serious party that could be chosen by even more centrist voters. Meanwhile, our now former coalition partner, Grzegorz Braun, always cared about guarding that wall, about stirring up very strong and extreme emotions – he continued.

– Krzysztof Stanowski’s start is something interesting, something new, we haven’t had anything like it before. It’s clearly trolling, he himself says, and his entourage as well, that he doesn’t want to be president, that he simply wants to showcase an election campaign – Sławomir Mentzen said on Polsat News.

– He [Stanowski] is a more serious candidate than the main contenders in this presidential race, because Trzaskowski changes his mind on every topic, all the time. Stanowski, however, has some views. I still don’t know what Nawrocki’s views are, but we know what Stanowski’s views are. It seems to me that in comparison to these two main candidates, Stanowski appears to be a rather serious proposition – he continued.

– Adrian Zandberg and I have had many debate offers, various media outlets wanted to feature us together, there were a lot of such offers, and each time Adrian Zandberg refused to engage with me. Now, in the polls, I have 14%, and he has 3%, so he should engage with someone who is at his polling level – stated Sławomir Mentzen on Polsat News.

– I have never in my life met Daniel Obajtek. He once invited me to a meeting through intermediaries, but I refused, so I wasn't interested in that kind of conversation. I admit that in the previous election campaign, when half the world accused me of going into the elections to form a coalition with PiS, which I had no intention of doing, there was only one person within our ranks, within Konfederacja, who urged me to make a deal with PiS, and that person was Janusz Korwin-Mikke – stated Sławomir Mentzen on Polsat News.

– It should, yes, as part of the Nuclear Sharing program – stated Mariusz Błaszczak in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on the program “Gość Radia ZET,” when asked if Poland should have its own nuclear weapons.

– I think it's a certain stage, Nuclear Sharing is a stage – he continued, when further questioned about Poland possessing its own nuclear weapons.

– Yes, it is the best method of deterring an aggressor – he went on, when asked if it would be acceptable if we had our own nuclear weapons.

– When we consider a certain phenomenon, the beauty of this landscape, of Zakopane and the entire Podhale region, we naturally know that the strength of Polish tourism stems, on the one hand, from the landscape, from the beauty of traditions, including culinary ones, but also, and I want to emphasize this particularly, from the deep professionalism of the tourism industry. We have representatives of the tourism industry here, offering excellent services, drawing from those tourist traditions that make Zakopane the heart of Poles' winter holidays – stated Karol Nawrocki at a press conference in Zakopane.

– I think that what Donald Tusk is doing is stirring up hysteria […] Donald Tusk is welcoming with open arms Poles who would be expelled from the United States, this is hysteria – said Mariusz Błaszczak on Radio ZET, when asked if he liked Donald Trump's decision to expel illegal migrants from the USA.

– I can already imagine Minister Kierwiński, who suffered a defeat because he is not helping flood victims as he should, perhaps organizing a deportation camp at the National Stadium now – he continued.

– Polish consulates should be prepared, but such matters are handled differently. A phone call from Donald Tusk to President Donald Trump would suffice, but President Trump probably wouldn't answer Donald Tusk, because he remembers how Tusk attacked him during the election campaign – he went on to say, when asked what was wrong with consulates being prepared to help Poles.

– I assume we won't get this money before the elections […] after all, Tusk announced the decision on X – said Mariusz Błaszczak on Radio ZET.

– We will of course use all legal avenues […] yes, of course [there will be a lawsuit], we are considering various options, I don't want to prejudge, but we are also considering demanding accountability from Minister Domański – he continued, when asked what PiS would do if they didn't receive the money before the elections.

– He is delaying the decision […] because he is afraid of Tusk. So, Mr. Minister, don't be afraid of Donald Tusk, you are a state official, you are obliged to act based on and within the limits of the law – he went on to say.

– In Poland, in the Podhale region, thanks to the fact that we have the Polish złoty, entrepreneurs told me, one can simply vacation more cheaply. Therefore, the Polish złoty is also a guarantee of the development of tourist traffic from other European countries, especially from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, and so this is a very important factor – stated Karol Nawrocki at a press conference in Zakopane.

– At all the meetings I attend in Poland, in many counties and voivodeships, police officers, of course in civilian attire, signal to me that things are not going well in the Polish police. Today's press conference does not concern this, but I would like to point out that caring for police officers and uniformed services is also a task for the future President of the Republic of Poland, and it is also, in a non-obvious way, an impulse for the development of the tourism sector – stated Karol Nawrocki at a press conference in Zakopane.

– If Doctor Karol Nawrocki wins […] then the December 13th coalition will crumble. This majority will be aware that they have no future, that normality has triumphed in the United States, that normality has triumphed in Poland – Mariusz Błaszczak said on Radio ZET.

– I always say that I am not a political commentator or journalist. I welcome every candidate vying for the office of President of the Republic of Poland with enthusiasm, a smile, and joy. This means that Poland is truly an important, great matter, and many candidates during the election campaign want to present their programs. If this is done with the thought of Poland developing, then it is good news for all voters – stated Karol Nawrocki at a press conference in Zakopane.

– The situation that the current Prime Minister Donald Tusk has brought Poland into, in the context of cooperation with the world's greatest superpower and our main partner, also within NATO, this situation, which Prime Minister Tusk has led to through his gestures on the one hand, insinuations on the other, and the fact that the Republic of Poland currently has no ambassador in Washington, this situation is very disturbing and affects Poles' sense of security – stated Karol Nawrocki at a press conference in Zakopane.

– As a presidential candidate, I recognize that the transatlantic relationship is of course our main direction for diplomatic actions and also in terms of security. Building the NATO alliance in agreement with the USA is our greatest challenge. Furthermore, Poland should become an EU leader in building transatlantic relations – he continued.

– Krzysztof Stanowski in this exposé said more or less what we as Confederation say, meaning that the establishment from these old political parties simply doesn't take politics seriously, so we shouldn't take them seriously – said Krzysztof Bosak during the program “Gość Poranka” on TVP Info.

Does Stanowski's Happening Pose the Biggest Threat to Mentzen? Bosak: I Would Be Cautious with Predictions

– We'll see. I would be very cautious with predictions. In my opinion, Confederation has voters who know what they want, they are, I believe, more aware than the average voter. However, to whom this criticism articulated by Stanowski will reach, we will still see – he continued, when asked if Stanowski's happening poses the biggest threat to Mentzen.

– Rafał Trzaskowski can change his position 180 degrees within 24 hours, so I would prefer not to comment on Rafał Trzaskowski's new postulates, because I don't know if Trzaskowski himself isn't getting lost in it. I am already getting lost in what Rafał Trzaskowski wants every day – stated Karol Nawrocki at a press conference in Zakopane.

– I am very concerned about the pace at which work is currently progressing on the health contribution for 2026. I will be asking the chairwoman, Ms. Skowrońska, in the subcommittee, for this process to be finalized as quickly as possible. We agreed on something, and I understand that no one has any intention to change anything now, to fiddle with something somewhere – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm.

– Yesterday at the presidium, we discussed changes to the Sejm's rules of procedure. I think that at our session on Thursday, or at the presidium on Friday, we will be ready with resolutions for the next session. This will be a change concerning, of course, an increase in penalties, financial sanctions for MPs' absence from sessions, because they are currently ridiculously low and this needs to change. However, this package is broader, as we want to end this comedy of pseudo-formal motions and finally introduce statements on current affairs – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm.

– In these proposals, there is also a suggestion for the Prime Minister, to move somewhat in the direction that parliaments around the world have long gone: the Prime Minister would also have his own slot to come to the Sejm once every 3 months with an update on a topic of his choice, and then a discussion would take place – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm.

– What can I say, that Polish politics is a circus at times, we know that without Mr. Stanowski. And we don't need someone to tell us about it again today, but someone who has an idea how to change it. We don't need a correspondent today, we need a president today. However, if someone starts their election campaign with the statement: I don't want to be president... I don't want to be an FC Barcelona player, and that's why, for example, I don't bother Hansi Flick, but I understand that Mr. Stanowski has decided to bother Poles with his candidacy – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press conference in the Sejm.

– Considering what the current authorities are doing, they won't pay up, because the law has ceased to apply. It's hard to even talk about breaking the rule of law anymore; the law simply doesn't apply. It is, one could say, an unnamed system, just as in civil law there are unnamed contracts, there is no name for what is happening right now – stated Jarosław Kaczyński in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.

– Poland can be a transatlantic hub, connecting the actions of the EU with the United States, especially during Poland's presidency. Poland can be such a bridge, which is very much needed by the United States in Europe. This is our strategic partner, this is a strategic friendship tied to security. I am convincing all my EU partners, colleagues, and defense ministers to increase their defense spending – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.

– We are prepared to cooperate with the new administration. As a centrist party, the PSL, among the coalition parties, is also closest to the Republican formation in the United States, to the actions taken by President Trump, to the strategy of primarily strengthening security, increasing spending on armaments, defense, and joint economic investments. We are responsible for this in the government, and an important mission of good Polish-American relations also rests upon us – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.

– The PSL is the guarantor of good Polish-American relations. The PSL has a very important role to play in the coalition, being a formation capable of uniting, not dividing, and it has no burdens associated with a new opening, new relations. We approach this very positively and are full of hope for good functioning with the new administration – he added.

– We are approaching the issue of microprocessors and chips with hope, because the decision made by President Biden’s outgoing administration in the last two or three days of its term is unacceptable. It is bad for Polish-American relations and, above all, it is unfair to Poland’s commitment and our friendship. We believe that this decision will be revised; we are approaching the new administration with hope, and we expect this change to occur here – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.

– It’s roughly the same principle as a thief crying 'stop the thief!'. Let them first find some of those post-communists within their own ranks who did well for many years in PiS, and then let them lecture others. Please ask the MPs who are so critical of this initiative what their proposal is, what do they suggest, because for now they are the authors of the chaos, in which we are trying to find our way out as best as we can – stated Piotr Zgorzelski at a press conference.

– President Trzaskowski's proposal is interesting. Personally, I find it entirely acceptable, and in my opinion, no law is needed for this. We are saying clearly and unequivocally that it cannot be the case that Poles have opened their hearts and homes, we are helping, providing social benefits, healthcare, and education in schools, but we also expect that this will not solely be an expenditure from the state budget, from our taxpayers who contribute to it – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.

– Europe has not yet perished, while we still live. This paraphrase of the words from the Polish national anthem perhaps best captures the mood felt in every corner of our globe, a mood of uncertainty, at times disorientation. We can speak today of a certain crisis of spirit. I would like to share today a reflection that goes a little deeper than just the specific tasks facing the Polish presidency – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the EP.

– I am requesting a recess and the convening of the Seniors' Council to introduce the Law and Justice party's bill concerning a significant, fair, and logical limitation of the 800+ benefit for Ukrainian citizens to the agenda of this session – said Zbigniew Bogucki during the Sejm proceedings.

– We proposed such changes several months ago; at that time, the entire coalition was against it. Today, a Civic Platform candidate, Donald Tusk's deputy, says they are in favour of these changes, so we are saying “let’s see,” whether this is just a campaign promise you will not keep, like many others, or if you actually intend to fulfil it – he continued.

– We only need your vote; let's see how you behave, so that the 800+ benefit is paid to Ukrainian citizens who reside in Poland, who work here, pay taxes, and whose children attend school – he went on to say.

– Objectively speaking, Europe has no reason for complexes. Perhaps today the most important words that should be spoken here, in the EP, are words directed straight to Europeans: hold your heads high. Europe was, is, and will be great – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the EP.

An hour into the broadcast, interest in the live stream from Kanał Zero, documenting the signature gathering and conversations with people at Warsaw's "patelni" (a popular meeting spot), shows no sign of waning.

Republika:
Currently watching: 25,212 people.

wPolsce:
Currently watching: 932 people.

Kanał Zero, Stanowski Gathering Signatures:
Currently watching: 28,051 people.

Stanowski is primarily appealing for people not to vote for him.

– There is truly no reason for Europe today, especially today, to believe that we find ourselves in any particularly existential troubles and problems. Yes, there have been some massive changes that strengthen this sense of uncertainty. But allow me to draw on my many years of experience; I addressed this parliament during my first presidency, I spoke with you many times when I was President of the European Council, and I remember those moments of crisis and doubt very well, and I remember very well how we managed – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Europe has the right to speak just as directly, as loudly, with the same conviction about its greatness. About its past, its present, and about its faith in the great future of our continent and our Union. We just need to open our eyes wide and not be offended by changing circumstances – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the EP.

– Donald Trump has announced he will reject the Green Deal and subsequently withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. If the world's second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide is withdrawing from the harmful ideology of climate alarmism, then there is no sense for Poland to continue to trudge along, destroying its industry and increasing the cost of living for Poles – stated Sławomir Mentzen in the Sejm.

– If the European Union continues to maintain the Green Deal in this situation, it is not only economic suicide and extreme stupidity, it is a testament to true madness. Fortunately, the world is changing, this leftist experiment has of course failed. Therefore, I am submitting a formal motion for a revolution of common sense in Poland as well: there are only two sexes, the planet is not burning, government spending needs to be reduced, freedom of speech must be preserved, and illegal migrants must be deported. A revolution of common sense in Poland too – he continued.

– The era of comfort is over, we all know that. If the US President today speaks of the need for Europe, for American allies, to take greater responsibility for their own security, let's treat it as a positive challenge – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– We must believe in our strength again. This potential is a fact, we are strong, equal to the greatest world powers, we just need to believe it, and the facts are truly on our side – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Some people think it's an extravagance, or some kind of brutal admonishment or malice, when we hear that we should be spending, perhaps 5%, on our security. I want to tell you that this is a time when Europe cannot economize on security. I am speaking as the Prime Minister of a country that is already spending almost 5% on security, and I want to say that it is spending this 5% not on its own security, but on the security of all of Europe – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– If Europe is to survive, it must be armed. This is not our choice, I am not a militarist. Poland is a place on Earth where no one desires any repetition of any war. We suffered the most in Europe during that terrible war. But perhaps that is why we understand so well that in order to avoid this tragic repetition of history, we must all be strong, armed, and determined – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Let's be creative, because today is precisely the time to radically increase defense spending. Not for eternity, not forever, but if we are ever to start spending significantly more money as national states, NATO members, but also the EU as a whole, then today is exactly that time – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Democracy must become strong again, the EU must become a synonym for strength, ethics, morality, rights, but also power. In politics, someone powerless is pathetic, worthy of contempt – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– We cannot be helpless in the face of lies and disinformation. Especially now, when lies and disinformation have become a tool, a weapon in the hands of primarily the one who attacked Ukraine and who threatens the entire EU. While respecting freedom of speech, and here we must be absolutely principled, we must find a way to prevent interference, the destruction of our democracy, our elections, primarily by these Russian factories of lies and disinformation – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Let's perhaps not discuss a future European army today. You know very well that if we had a European army today, the key question would be who stands at its head, who would send these European troops, and in what direction. My intuition tells me that if Budapest were to decide, this European army would go in a different direction than if Warsaw were to decide – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Let's not harbor any particular illusions, but let's be practical. All of us in Europe, without exception, can probably agree that European money and European efforts should build a secure border for the European Union, an external secure border – he continued.

– We must honestly say that some European regulations have objectively led to the price of energy in Europe, in some European countries, being unacceptably high. How do you want to compete with the American or Chinese economy if we have three times more expensive energy? – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the EP.

– Europe cannot afford to lose the global competition, to become a continent of naive people and ideas. If we go bankrupt, no one will care about the natural environment in the world anymore. I earnestly ask that we approach a full and very critical review of all regulations, including those stemming from the Green Deal, with diligence, and that we are truly capable not only of identifying but also of changing all those provisions that could lead to high prices, even higher energy prices – he continued.

Krzysztof Stanowski concluded his two-hour signature collection drive. The broadcast on the Zero channel momentarily reached over 30,000 viewers.

– As you can see, the campaign has seriously begun. Poles are thirsty for a political reset. As someone aptly put it: an average candidate for average times – Stanowski said, ending the broadcast on YouTube.

A guest approached Mr. Stanowski and asked if his actions were not a mockery of democracy.
To which Mr. Krzysztof replied:
- why is it not a mockery of democracy to announce 100 promises and not fulfill them.
- why is it not a mockery of democracy to present slogans that are later abandoned pic.twitter.com/IFKJ4IcoSY

— PikuśPOL ?? ‏? (@pikus_pol) January 22, 2025

– For us, they [the words of John Paul II] are important, not only what you said about the future. We remember the words that became a source of strength and victory for Solidarity, and thus for Europe in a sense, during the night of communism in Poland. "Do not be afraid" – these are the words we heard, and they were a source of strength, so today I wanted to repeat them – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Everything will unfold in your minds, your hearts. The future is truly in our hands. Not Chinese, not American, not Russian, but ours – he continued.

– Zero specifics, zero ideas, zero solutions. All these empty words you have just delivered have nothing to do with reality. You present yourself today as the savior of Europe, yet you were and are the architect of the system that is leading Europe to ruin. Now with von der Leyen, and before that with Merkel. Together you have led to a loss of competitiveness, a lack of safety on the streets, and growing poverty on the streets – stated Anna Bryłka in the European Parliament.

– You can pretend to be a rational and sensible politician here, but you are a hypocritical fraud. Ursula von der Leyen anointed you as the Polish Prime Minister, and since then you have behaved like a German viceroy in Poland, because the Polish national interest is alien to you – she continued.

– He spoke beautifully today about the need for unity, and you want to see what that unity looks like in Poland. Well, for political competition, he declared Nuremberg, those are his exact words, meaning the hanging of Nazis – stated Patryk Jaki in the EP.

– The European Union has almost no competences, I don't expect any intervention. I just want, however, people to know what hypocrites you are, I want them to hear about double standards, and speaking of who should retire, if we want to make Europe great again, it is you who should be sent into retirement – he continued.

– He talks about security and border defense against migration, yet he implements the Migration Pact with you and is building 49 centers for illegal migrants in Poland, aiming to transform the last safe place in Europe into your image and for your security, and he shamelessly claims he warned about this. I checked the voting records from the previous term of the European Parliament; your party, Donald Tusk's party, demanded sanctions on Poland for defending its own borders against migration. This is shame and disgrace – said Patryk Jaki in the European Parliament.

– The EU, Europe can be ever larger. Not because it will force anyone, but because it is the best place on earth and because others see it that way. Even if not everyone here sees it. Even if some dream, and don't even hide it, of destroying, breaking up the EU. Those who have their eyes wide open to the world know that we are the most valuable possible ally, the future of the world – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Someone might think that as the Polish Prime Minister, I felt a little ashamed of some of the statements made by far-right representatives from my country. Let's set aside feelings like shame. […] I am actually grateful to all those who came to the podium here and, in their usual manner, insulted the previous speaker in a very arrogant and, indeed, slightly disheartening way for people accustomed to civil debate – said Prime Minister Tusk in the EP.

– I am grateful for one reason: once again, both those watching this debate and the European Parliament could hear and see why I fought with such determination, along with other democrats in Poland, to remove these people from power, because this way of thinking is a threat to democracy, to the unity of Europe, to all those values we have fought for over many years – he continued.

– Thank you. It is becoming clear to everyone once again why it is so important that you no longer govern any European countries – he went on to say.

– Not only in Poland, in my country, but already across all of Europe, we know very well who and why wants to attack the foundations of the EU in every possible instance. You know why these people are overcome with such fury today, because they have understood that the strength is once again on the side of democrats, that the strength is once again on the side of freedom, that the strength is once again on the side of the rule of law, that Europe is becoming strong again. This drives them to fury because they know very well that this could be the ultimate cancellation of their dreams of returning to power – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the EP.

– For the first time here, I saw so spectacularly, with my own eyes, this incredibly intense, warm, and empathetic alliance between the AfD and the Polish far-right. Supported so warmly and with such conviction by Moscow. All of this makes this fundamental conflict incredibly clear and unambiguous. Everyone who loves Europe, everyone who loves freedom, everyone who loves democracy, must face this confrontation with an open visor, with heads held high. Fully aware of the immense stakes of this fight – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the European Parliament.

– Mr. Szymon, I appreciate it, it's very neat. But sticking to the facts – we both have exactly the same chances for the presidency, and in that sense, we are both equally fooling people. The only difference is that you are lying to people that you believe in victory, or alternatively (the second alternative) you are so detached that you truly believe it – wrote Krzysztof Stanowski on social media.

Panie Szymonie, doceniam, bardzo zgrabne. Ale trzymając się faktów – obaj mamy dokładnie takie same szanse na prezydenturę i w tym sensie obaj dokładnie tak samo zawracamy głowę. Różnica jest wyłącznie taka, że pan okłamuje ludzi, że wierzy w zwycięstwo, ewentualnie (druga… https://t.co/bDrMy8fQ7Y

— Krzysztof Stanowski (@K_Stanowski) January 22, 2025

– It is characteristic that Sienkiewicz says: Trump will take away "Europe's sovereignty." Hatred clouds judgment. Europe does not have sovereignty! It is nation-states that have sovereignty! The Himalayas of subservience! – wrote Piotr Gliński on social media.

Charakterystyczne, że Sienkiewicz mówi: Trump odbierze "suwerenność Europie". Nienawiść odbiera rozum. Europa nie ma suwerenności! To państwa narodowe mają suwerenność! Himalaje lokajstwa!

— Piotr Gliński (@PiotrGlinski) January 22, 2025

– They lied, they are lying, and they will continue to lie. Trzaskowski and Tusk, a campaign acting duo, are playing the roles of opponents of the Green Deal for the election campaign. After the elections, they will again say that the Green Deal is necessary because the planet is burning – wrote Jarosław Kaczyński on social media.

Kłamali, kłamią i będą kłamać. Trzaskowski&Tusk, kampanijny duet aktorski, na czas kampanii wyborczej odgrywa role przeciwników Zielonego Ładu. Po wyborach znów powiedzą, że Zielony Ład jest konieczny, bo planeta płonie.

— Jarosław Kaczyński (@OficjalnyJK) January 22, 2025

– Regarding our assessment of the situation in Ukraine, the Russian aggression, we are 100% on the same side. Poland and Norway are countries that have very much revitalized this northeastern format, which involves the Baltic states, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, and also the United Kingdom. It is no coincidence that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom also visited Warsaw in the first days of our presidency – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Oslo.

– I said something that is obvious to me, that if something looks like Russian sabotage and if Russians are involved in it, if NATO countries and our interests are the victims, then it is Russian sabotage. I realize that when it comes to legal procedures, the matter is much more complicated, but Poland, as the subject of very intense hybrid attacks from Russia for many months, which we have well documented, also has no doubts about the nature of these incidents in the Baltic Sea – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Oslo.

– I am not afraid of Donald Tusk, and as you can see, Nowy Sącz is also not afraid of Donald Tusk. Indeed, we are not afraid of Donald Tusk, and if someone has hearing problems, they should go to an ENT doctor, ladies and gentlemen, rather than saying they hear something they don't hear – stated Karol Nawrocki in Nowy Sącz.

– I wish common sense would be more important in Europe again than sometimes overly ideological assumptions, and it seems that all those who were involved in climate policy are also beginning to understand this – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Oslo.

– The entry of Donald Trump, President Donald Trump, into the White House changes a lot in international relations, and most importantly for us, in the context of the European Union. Republicans, after victories in both the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the presidential election, have a legislative highway to implement the changes they announced during the election campaign – stated Karol Nawrocki in Nowy Sącz.

– Poland faces a tremendous opportunity to be a leader in building a transatlantic alliance for all of Europe. This is a great achievement of the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Andrzej Duda, who has built very strong relations with the United States. Let's thank the president – he continued.

– There is no other politician in Europe more interested in the effectiveness of aid for Ukraine than I am. For obvious reasons. For us, the situation in Ukraine is a matter of being or not being, also for Poland in the longer term. So you can imagine that I try very reliably and objectively to assess who is helping Ukraine how much. And to what extent the aid from individual countries is effective. And I say this not because I am in Oslo today, but with the deep conviction that Norway’s stance and actions, when it comes to aid for Ukraine, but also for Poland, for example, in the context of the war in Ukraine, are exemplary – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Oslo.

– At a moment when Poland could become a leader in building relations between the European Union and Washington and the United States, the Prime Minister of the Republic is a person who slandered the President of the United States for cooperating with the Russian Federation and made gestures unbecoming of any state’s politician – stated Karol Nawrocki in Nowy Sącz.

– A situation where the Prime Minister of the Republic’s government is someone who insulted the greatest superpower and the president of the greatest superpower, and the Deputy President of the Republic is his subordinate, would not give us a sense of security or the opportunity to continue President Andrzej Duda’s great successes in building transatlantic relations – he continued.

– Of course, it's President Trump's inauguration. And now I want to tell you just one thing, because it evokes a lot of emotions on all sides: I would recommend less emotion and more of a classic analysis of what is happening, because our task is simply to understand absolutely everything, so that our interests are pursued – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– The most important thing for us, when evaluating what is happening in the United States [...] is whether it will be good for us or not, whether it will be profitable for us or not – he continued.

– PiS in the European Parliament is today currying favour with Germany's AfD. The very same AfD which questions Poland's borders, whitewashes SS activities, and praises the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. Has gall flooded your brains? – wrote Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Jan Grabiec, on social media.

PiS w Parlamencie Europejskim podlizuje się dziś niemieckiej AFD. Tej samej, która kwestionuje granicę Polski, wybiela dzialność SS i zachwala pakt Ribbentropp-Mołotow.
Żółć wam mózgi zalała?

— Jan Grabiec (@JanGrabiec) January 22, 2025

– Today, Poland has an alliance with the United States, regardless of the administration in power. Today, we must ensure that we explain to the new administration what is most important to us. And what is most important to us today is for everyone to understand that Ukraine's place is in Western Europe, within European structures, within transatlantic structures, and not in Putin's grasp – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– We need to explain to Trump and his administration that he cannot afford to let Putin win this war, because it is simply against the interests of all of us, including the United States. This is because if Putin could present this as his victory, then Russia would win, Iran would rejoice, China would rejoice, North Korea would rejoice – he continued.

– I am convinced that Trump, as a politician who understands reality, understands this very well – he went on to say.

– In these past days and weeks, and it's impossible not to address it, truly unprecedented things have happened, because my rival has spoken about doubting whether Ukraine's place is in the North Atlantic Alliance. He put a question mark here – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– All presidents, from Wałęsa, through President Kwaśniewski, President Kaczyński, Komorowski, to President Duda, all agreed that it is in our interest for Ukraine to be in the West, not in the East, in Putin's grasp. And today, what is most important, our common interest is being undermined by my rival from PiS. The jokes are over, this is too serious a matter – he continued.

– On these absolutely fundamental matters, we must agree, and I practically disagree with President Duda on everything, but here I must clearly state: President Duda, just like Prime Minister Tusk, just like me, says exactly the same thing on matters of Ukraine, Ukraine's membership in NATO, because this is the paramount interest of the Polish state – he went on.

– On this matter, we must all agree, because someone who says something different contradicts Poland's national interest, and there simply should be no place for this type of policy, because it is harmful to our security – he added.

– The first decisions, do you know that we still don’t have ambassadors, full ambassadors in Washington or a full ambassador in Israel, with what is happening right now, even today, because of President Duda? This is unprecedented; we must appoint ambassadors immediately – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– Of course, all those laws that President Duda vetoed, on the Silesian language, on the “day-after” pill, on ending this Byzantium in the so-called Constitutional Tribunal, I will sign all those laws on the first day – he continued.

– We have reached a situation where solidarity, support, cooperation, and accepting a million Ukrainians have not been met with the slightest gratitude from the Ukrainian state, and this is not electioneering. As the President of the Institute of National Remembrance, I allowed myself to publicly express my opinion regarding the undertaking of exhumations in Volhynia. Without regard to the emotions on the side of the then Polish government, or even the great enthusiasm associated with the relations between our two presidents – stated Karol Nawrocki in Nowy Sącz.

– I stated clearly: it's great that we remember, it's good that we remember, it's good that we light candles, but ladies and gentlemen, we haven't buried 120,000 butchered, murdered women and children from Volhynia, and the state we are helping to such a significant extent is blocking my institution's ability to conduct exhumations. This is not how you build partnership or the future of this partnership – said Karol Nawrocki in Nowy Sącz.

– As President of the Republic of Poland, during these accession processes, I will also consider the interests of Polish farmers and Polish transporters, who have to contend with unfair competition today, because I am Polish and I have Polish duties – stated Karol Nawrocki in Nowy Sącz.

– I am very often asked whether something is right-wing or left-wing. I hear it all the time. I used to hear about a turn to the left, now I hear about a turn to the right. What does this have to do with the left or right, to speak clearly about the fact that we must strengthen our security? – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– What does this have to do with the left or right, if today we say: we must militarily help Ukraine, but on the other hand, we cannot make the mistake that Germany, Sweden, or Austria made. We must clearly state: those Ukrainians who work in Poland, work very hard, live here, have the right to 800+, those who do not work, do not live here, should be excluded from this program – he continued.

“This does not mean we won’t help in exceptional situations”

– It has nothing to do with the left or right. And when I hear comments that this is a matter of sensitivity, which some are supposedly deprived of, or a change in how we view what is happening, three years after the war, we must send a clear signal to the whole world: yes, those who are here and work hard have the right to this type of assistance, those who do not work, unfortunately not, which does not mean that we will not help in exceptional situations – the KO candidate for president continued.

“The most important thing is to be guided by common sense”

– The most important thing today is to be guided by common sense. Because this is what defines those who truly want the good of Poland today. Common sense – Trzaskowski added.

– I want to make it clear that the fact that I am currently focusing on issues related to security, on issues related to an equal, cohesive Poland, on economic patriotism, does not mean that I will allow anyone to forget about the matters for which we all fought on the streets of Poland […] about women's rights. We will not forget women's rights – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– Look at my opponent. You know how I'm already sick of talking about him? Truly. I promise myself so many times and I can't help it. Because I'm very afraid someone might fall for it – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– You all know what PiS was like, what Jarosław Kaczyński and Zbigniew Ziobro are like. […] However, they've put their faith in someone seemingly new. First, this gentleman said he knew nothing. It seemed that things couldn't get any worse […]. But it turned out they could. It might turn out that he actually does know something. That he has views. It turns out these views are far, far more radical than Jarosław Kaczyński's views – he continued.

– We thought it was impossible, and yet. Karol Nawrocki clearly stated that he would not agree to any changes to this medieval anti-abortion law. That he is satisfied with this law – he went on to say.

– He woke up yesterday, saying women will decide for themselves, trying to save himself somehow, but it's clear that he said what he truly thinks at the very beginning. And that is terrifying. Let's not be fooled by this – he added.

– Many people today are discussing whether PiS should receive money for their election campaign. Because, as you know, they financed their election campaign in 2020, and in other years when they were in power, with public funds – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Szczecin.

– I have an invoice here for a meeting from Choszczno, from West Pomerania, and this is precisely an invoice for renting a hall for my opponent, Mr. Nawrocki, which was paid for by the parliamentary office of Czesław Hoc. Meaning, with money from a parliamentary office. […] They haven’t learned anything at all – he continued.

– That is why we must close the matter of settlements as quickly as possible, because it is a perversion of the state if we were to allow them not to take responsibility for what they have done. […] If these settlements are not made, we will be perverting the state, because others will continue to do this, they will continue to pull these kinds of stunts. Regardless, perhaps, of which party they belong to – he went on to say.

– Adopting a resolution to interpret another resolution is impossible. There is a possibility of clarification, and in this regard, the Minister of Finance has made a request, which is currently under assessment by the National Electoral Commission. We will convene on Monday, and I hope we will reach a decision in this matter – Sylwester Marciniak stated on Polsat News.

– Such a situation is possible [that the National Electoral Commission will not provide an explanation], but I am a person of goodwill, and I hope that the majority also shows goodwill, so I have put it forward for discussion. The members of the National Electoral Commission are to take a stance on this matter – he continued.

– Regarding the issue of transferring grants and then subsidies, the situation is simple in that on December 30th, the National Electoral Commission, as a result of the Supreme Court's ruling, accepted the financial report of the PiS electoral committee, and thus this technical step should be taken by the Minister of Finance – stated Sylwester Marciniak on the program "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

– In light of the provisions of the Electoral Code, there is no doubt, I have analyzed the literature and case law in this regard, imagine this: even commentators did not envision a situation where the Minister of Finance, upon receiving information from the National Electoral Commission, would not carry out this recommendation – he continued.

– First and foremost, it must be pointed out that the State Electoral Commission is not a legislative body. It is not the government, and it is not up to us to determine whether someone is a court or not. This is precisely the indication that we adopt a resolution, but we do not predetermine whether the Supreme Court is the Supreme Court – stated Sylwester Marciniak on Polsat News.

– This is the first time we have encountered such a halt in the execution of a State Electoral Commission resolution. Perhaps if it wasn’t about this committee, about this party, there would be no doubts. When we considered adopting the resolution in July, we had data that nearly 60 notifications had been filed with law enforcement agencies to take action, to file indictments, for criminal court judgments. It’s January and we haven’t received a single criminal court ruling, not even an, albeit non-final, one stating that convictions occurred in relation to electoral matters – Sylwester Marciniak told Polsat News.

– From the perspective of the interests of Poles and Poland, I believe that to cut off any possibility of election protests being filed in this regard, [the finance minister should pay the funds to PiS] as soon as possible, so that there is no threat of it becoming the subject of potentially hundreds or thousands of election protests – stated Sylwester Marciniak on Polsat News.

– Today, what caused such booing from the left during Donald Tusk’s speech was, after all, also a very clear, and for the first time so strongly emphasized, necessity to revise the Green Deal. Today, the Polish Prime Minister is undoing this dramatic legacy, which he left not only to Poland, but to all of Europe, today’s hunter of Washington selfies, Mateusz Morawiecki – said Michał Kamiński in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24’s “Fakty po Faktach”.

– He left us the Green Deal. He and his European commissioner, from PiS, Mr. Wojciechowski […]. Today, Donald Tusk is undoing what they spoiled, not only in Poland, but also in Europe – he added.

– We, Poles, in the face of a sadly divided Europe, desperately need Donald Trump. We, Poles, cannot afford a conflict with the American presidency – stated Michał Kamiński on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

– And today's speech by Donald Tusk [in the EP] was good, because, I hope, it is also an attempt to explain Tusk's unfortunate statement about Trump and about Russian agents. Because this is a statement that will greatly complicate – and we are already seeing this today – these relations – he stated.

– I am very afraid of the question that PiS might ask in the second round of the presidential elections: can Poland afford to have a president and prime minister in conflict with the United States? We, as the ruling coalition, must do everything to deny PiS the argument that they are Trump's better friends – said Michał Kamiński on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

– Let no one among us have any doubts that if Donald Trump believes that his man can win the presidential election in a 40-million-strong country in Europe, he will not hesitate. Of course, he will. Today, we still don't know what it means when Americans get involved in the presidential campaign in Poland – he assessed.

When asked if PiS has better relations with Donald Trump than the current ruling coalition, he replied: – Unfortunately, yes. Sorry, Jarosław Kaczyński did not call Donald Trump a Russian agent.

– Honestly? I don't like either of them – said Michał Kamiński in "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24, when asked which campaign, Rafał Trzaskowski's or Szymon Hołownia's, he preferred.

– Boom, I said it. Two fewer friends… – he added.

– Because neither of them answers… In general, frankly speaking, none of our campaigns address what our problem is – he commented.

At the same time, he noted: – Of course. I will vote with full conviction in the first round for Szymon Hołownia.

– I don't see him enough – that's my problem with Szymon Hołownia. I don't see enough of the message that Poland needs today: that this war and the choice Poles will soon face – whether we should bet on the one who will quarrel with America but keep us in Europe, or the one who will quarrel with Europe but keep us with America – this is an idiotic choice that both parties want to present to Poles – said Michał Kamiński on TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

– And Szymon Hołownia – and the PSL, which is behind him – are saying to all of this: hold on, let's not go crazy. Polish politics must be both rooted in Europe and must do everything to live as well as possible with Donald Trump […] and his administration – he added.

– Do you know what is best for me about Nawrocki's campaign? That they are already celebrating that they have won, because that's what they're saying. The champagne is popping, saying that Nawrocki has definitely won – said Michał Kamiński in "Fakty po Faktach" on TVN24.

– And besides, they are unfortunately running a good campaign. But I don't intend to praise it here either – he added.

– If we have a campaign where candidate A starts with 60%, and ends up with 40%, let's assume. And the second candidate starts with 10% and ends up with 30%, then which campaign is better, and which is worse? Logically speaking – he asked.

– If a candidate's support drops by 9%, one can say that it means everything is going according to plan, and it was even foreseen that there would be a drop – okay, strange – and that work was also done for this – strange – said Michał Kamiński in TVN24's "Fakty po Faktach".

– But we still believe. Dears, it's a great campaign. After all, the best people in Poland are doing it. The best people from Civic Platform (PO) are running Rafał's campaign. The campaign is super… They'll sniff Nawrocki up like they sniffed Duda up in 2015 – he commented.

When asked if his words were an expression of laughter, he replied: – I'm laughing through tears. Because they are confident. It's clearly visible, they are very confident.