Tusk at the European Council Summit

Prime Minister Donald Tusk is heading to Brussels to participate in the European Council meeting. This is the first summit of 2025 and the first during Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The main topics of the summit will be the EU's competitiveness in areas such as deregulation, energy, and a Union of Savings and Investments. Discussions will also cover further support for Ukraine and continued actions regarding security and defense, following the presentation of a White Paper on the future of European defense.

A statement by the head of the Polish government before his departure to Brussels is scheduled for 7:15 AM.

At 10:00 AM, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will participate in a meeting on migration. A meeting of European Council members with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is scheduled for 11:00 AM, followed by a videoconference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at 11:30 AM. A working session will commence at 12:00 PM.

At 1:30 PM, a meeting between EU leaders and UN Secretary-General António Guterres is planned. A working session of the Eurozone summit will begin at 3:30 PM. Another part of the working session is scheduled for 5:30 PM, and the final item of the day will be a working dinner at 8:00 PM.

Sejm Discusses Rules for Poland's EU Exit

The Sejm will resume its session at 9:00 AM with a series of current affairs questions. At 11:15 AM, it will hear a current information update at the request of Civic Coalition (KO) regarding increased activity of foreign criminal groups in Poland.

A one-and-a-half-hour voting block will start at 1:00 PM, during which MPs will, among other things, consider Senate amendments to several laws, elect the composition of the new Committee on Deregulation, and decide on changes to the composition of other committees.

At 2:30 PM, the first reading will take place of a bill submitted by Poland 2050 and the Polish People's Party (PSL) concerning the detailed regulation of the procedure for Poland's exit from the European Union. According to the proposal, such an action would require two nationwide referendums. At 4:00 PM, the first reading is scheduled for a bill amending the Tax Ordinance submitted by Confederation, which, as its proponents state, concerns "introducing a shorter period after which tax liabilities will become statute-barred and expanding the scope of verification activities."

At 10:30 AM, a joint session of the Sejm's Public Finance Committee and Health Committee will commence to consider amendments proposed during the second reading of the government's bill on healthcare benefits financed from public funds, which aims to reduce the health contribution for entrepreneurs.

Candidates on the Road, Hołownia Submits Signatures at PKW

Szymon Hołownia will submit signatures for his candidacy at the National Electoral Commission (PKW) today. The event is planned to take the form of a bicycle ride, with a press briefing at 10:30 AM in front of the PKW headquarters, attended by, among others, the presidential candidate and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

An open meeting with Rafał Trzaskowski, the Civic Coalition candidate for president, will take place in Turek at 5:15 PM.

Confederation candidate Sławomir Mentzen is visiting the Podlaskie Voivodeship. Scheduled meetings: 3:00 PM (Sejny), 5:30 PM (Sokółka), 7:30 PM (Mońki).

According to wPolsce24.pl, PiS-supported presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Brussels on Thursday.

Activities of the Minister of National Defence

At 9:00 AM, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will participate in the conference "Future of the Polish Air Force." In addition to the head of the Ministry of National Defence, the event will be attended by the Head of the National Security Bureau, the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, leading Polish aviators and commanders headed by the Inspector of the Air Force, as well as foreign guests. A press briefing by the Minister of National Defence is possible around 10:00 AM.

At 12:00 PM, the Minister of Defence and Deputy Minister Cezary Tomczyk will participate in the signing of a cooperation agreement within the "Hospitals Friendly to the Military" program. Speeches by Kosiniak-Kamysz and Tomczyk are planned.

Hennig-Kloska Conference

A press conference with, among others, Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska regarding a new edition of the "Clean Air" program will take place at 9:30 AM.

– Today, we will be recapping and finalizing the first stage of perhaps the most important European project in decades, which is a safe Europe, an armed Europe, and a united Europe in the face of Russian threat. This has also become possible thanks to Polish efforts, especially concerning aspects directly related to the border – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a statement before flying to Brussels.

– These efforts have taken a long time; I had to convince many partners in Europe that the security of Europe, NATO, and the entire continent largely depends on how secure the border between Europe and Russia and Belarus, meaning our Polish border, is. For many weeks, I also argued that this means shared European responsibility, including the possibility of financing and building infrastructure, especially on our eastern border – he continued.

– We are close to the conclusion, but all indications are that we will achieve this goal. It is, of course, still an insufficient step, but it is a crucial and unconditionally necessary step towards Poland's security – he added.

– A coincidence occurred, whereby as I am leaving to finalize these matters in Brussels, simultaneously in the Sejm there will be a debate on a resolution concerning this peculiar vote by PiS and Konfederacja in the European Parliament regarding the Eastern Shield and, more broadly, this idea and program of rearming Europe and uniting Europe against the Russian threat – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a statement before his departure for Brussels.

– The two main opposition forces in Poland, PiS and Konfederacja, voted against a project that will be Putin's nightmare in the future. For Putin, a nightmare is a united Europe on the issue of security, a Europe that decides to spend much more money, including EU funds, on rearmament, a Europe in which not only Poland, but other member states, because we have something more here even than a clear conscience [...] will also pay much more from their budgets for armaments – he continued.

– Such a Europe represents perhaps today the biggest problem for Putin, and therefore every vote, every political behavior that hinders the unification of Europe around security, around armament, around the Polish border, is [...] a form of Russian sabotage – he went on to say.

– This matter [the vote by PiS and Confederation in the EP] was too blatant to just dismiss and say, 'Oh, it was out of foolishness.' I won't hide the fact that I asked for a resolution to be prepared in the Sejm today, which would show that, okay, it was an accident at work, and that all key political forces in Poland have the same opinion on the matter of the Eastern Shield, Poland's defense capabilities, and uniting Europe around security – Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a statement before flying to Brussels.

– Today, when they vote on this resolution, I know it has no practical consequences, but it is an opportunity to repair their reputation, and I will say it more strongly, to wash away the shame from those who voted in Europe against a secure Poland, against a secure eastern border – he continued.

– It was a vote on whether Poland would be alone against the Russian threat, or whether we would together with all of Europe effectively deter Putin. There is no better method to avoid war […] to preserve lasting peace in our part of the world than a strong and united Europe ready to defend its eastern border – he went on to say.

– Today we will truly see if it was a mistake, if it was stupidity, or if it was some political malice, but that a moment of reflection has come, then perhaps they will manage to wash away this shame – he added.

– I want to show you […] today's poll in Rzeczpospolita, which asked about the characteristics of presidential candidates. […] There were questions about which of the candidates is a patriot, and Mr. Nawrocki was identified as a patriot by 26% of respondents, the least among all the major candidates. Rafał Trzaskowski 42%, Karol Nawrocki 26% – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a statement before departing for Brussels.

– I must say that the overall 28% who identified Nawrocki as a wise candidate is quite a good result […] in the case of Trzaskowski, it's 47% – he continued.

– I didn't choose this candidate for PiS, so it's not my responsibility, but so that they understand that they are also destroying their own reputation and ultimately destroying their candidate's chances, precisely through such behavior as this Russian vote in the European Parliament – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a statement before departing for Brussels.

– It was a Russian vote, Russian in the sense that if Putin had the opportunity to send his own people to vote there, they would have behaved exactly like this – he continued.

– I think we are slowly reaping the fruits of the Prime Minister's year of work towards Europe changing its approach to Ukraine, and above all, to security issues, including Poland's, this eastern flank. This naturally means concrete political and financial benefits, which Prime Minister Tusk spoke about back in December when he said that Europe's priority during the Polish presidency would be security, understood in a military sense, not any other – stated Jan Grabiec on RMF FM.

– If Europe wants to arm itself, if the EU wants to support member states in rapid rearmament so that European armies are capable of deterring our enemies, Russia, then this is very good news – he continued.

– These rapid instruments are related to loans. If someone receives a loan at 0% interest for 10 or 20 years, we all know how much we repay in zlotys after 20 years. Twice as much. So this is free money, in the sense that it is incomparably cheap and represents a huge injection, a multiplication of capabilities – he emphasized.

– I would like to today earnestly appeal to Mr. President to sign the act as soon as possible, preferably today, which will enable us to temporarily suspend the right to submit asylum applications. The pressure on the border with Belarus, organized by Lukashenko, this migratory pressure, is rising again, probably due to the weather – Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a statement before departing for Brussels.

– Our services, the border guard, the army, the police are of course fully mobilized there. I will soon go to the border, also to check the latest infrastructural investments that have taken place there, but one of the key, political decisions that can limit the influx of these migrants [...] will be the awareness that in Poland, one cannot submit an asylum application if the border is crossed illegally – he continued.

– We already have decisions from the government, the Sejm, the Senate, we are just eagerly awaiting Mr. President's signature [...]. I hope someone will advise the President that it is worth doing this as soon as possible. After obtaining the President's signature on the act [...] we will immediately implement the government regulation [...] which will cause those crossing the border illegally to be unable to submit an asylum application – he went on to say.

– The content of the regulation is ready; if Mr. President decides to sign today, tomorrow, this weekend, at the next government meeting on Tuesday, this regulation will be adopted and implemented – he added.

– We will win these presidential elections, so this problem won't exist. However, regardless of the voters' decision, we are not building scenarios for losing the election. The fact is that voters have placed their trust in us, this coalition has achieved a majority in the Sejm, and no circumstances should influence this decision – stated Jan Grabiec on RMF FM.

– Naturally, effective governance, at a time when a president whose main task would be to harm the government wins, will be less effective. But there is no alternative here. The voters have placed their trust in us, and we must fulfill our commitments – the Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister continued.

– In the investigation concerning the “two towers,” it appears a mistake was made regarding the prosecutor leading the case, Prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek, because she personally, despite everything, exhibits characteristics of political engagement. This is also a matter of the participation of Gerald Birgfellner’s two attorneys – said Marek Sawicki in an interview with Karol Surówka on PR1’s “Sygnały dnia.”

– The law allows for this possibility, moreover, the head of the bar association has spoken about this many times, that during an interrogation, a witness has the right to legal assistance, meaning a lawyer. They have the right to refuse [the prosecutor], but they don’t have to – he added.

– These people have no right to say a word about this interrogation [of Barbara Skrzypek], even though today they are making it the number 1 topic, because they were the ones applauding when the prosecutor questioned a woman during childbirth. This was a practice from the PiS era, the first and second PiS governments, and it was the PiS members who decided that this prosecutor deserved a promotion and is now a Supreme Court judge appointed by PiS – stated Jan Grabiec on RMF FM.

– The truth is that everything was done according to procedure [regarding Barbara Skrzypek], according to practice, there was no flaw in this proceeding. Today, because the matter is inconvenient for PiS, very inconvenient, as it concerns President Kaczyński and accusations of fraud… – stated Jan Grabiec on RMF FM.

– 
She spoke [Barbara Skrzypek], we have confirmation from, for instance, Jarosław Kaczyński, that he spoke with Ms. Barbara, and please note that for 3 days, no accusations appeared in the public sphere; everything was okay. No one raised any objection that she was complaining, that something was wrong, that someone acted unfairly towards her – stated Jan Grabiec on RMF FM.

– It is no secret that PiS has also been using human death in politics for years. I would lean more towards the former [that in the case of Barbara Skrzypek, it was a cold calculation on Jarosław Kaczyński's part, not genuine emotion] – said Marek Sawicki on PR1's "Sygnały dnia".

– I will recall that [...] Zbigniew Ziobro, from his personal matter, the death of his own father, made a tool for practicing politics for many years. He used the entire state apparatus available to him to prosecute a doctor for alleged medical malpractice [...]. The courts acquitted the doctor, but they destroyed the doctor, and in the process, they destroyed transplantology, significantly weakening it. There were many such damages – he continued.

– Later, we had the Smoleńsk disaster. So, the exploitation of any tragedy, of death, over which in our culture [...] special respect is due. Everything can be explained later, checked, but one cannot practice politics on the graves of our loved ones – he indicated.

– I believe in Szymon Hołownia's good result […] he is entering the real campaign late, this campaign should have started earlier, that's a fact, but knowing Szymon Hołownia's work pace, he will catch up – said Paulina Hennig-Kloska in "Rozmowa Piaseckiego" on TVN24.

– Voters do not like such bargaining, and voters of Poland 2050 expect our leader to run in the presidential elections. […] We have one deal, and that is the coalition of October 15th […] the leader will fight for votes in the presidential campaign – she continued, when asked if, should the coalition partners offer Szymon Hołownia to withdraw from the presidential elections in exchange for remaining Sejm Marshal until the end of the term, it "would be something to discuss".

– In my assessment, setting aside legal aspects, basic decency dictated allowing the representative of Ms. Barbara [Skrzypek] to be heard – said Marek Sawicki in the “Sygnały dnia” program on PR1.

– If the trial is meant to clarify Jarosław Kaczyński's potential involvement, if it is to confirm the corruption he is accused of there, then nothing stood in the way of it taking place also in the presence of the representative of the injured parties. Because Ms. Barbara was questioned as a witness for the injured party – he continued.

– I wanted to give the opportunity to produce the cheapest form of energy in Poland, and I've been made into a lobbyist […] so many things have been written, so many lies and everything else […] they attributed it [the law] to me, no, it was written by Civic Coalition experts, I consulted on it, I never distanced myself from it – said Paulina Hennig-Kloska on TVN24.

– We wanted to work on this in a fully transparent way, and we did, there's probably no more transparent law in this government, in the end there is, of course, always doubt whether the current occupant of the Presidential Palace will sign it – she continued.

– Everything indicates that yes [the wind energy law will still go to Andrzej Duda], because in the normal parliamentary procedure […] work on it should be concluded before the elections – she went on to say.

– At the moment, of course, it's a bit harder for us, because the presidency is conducting various negotiations […] it makes it difficult [the period of the EU presidency], contrary to appearances, it makes it difficult to pursue one's own interests – said Paulina Hennig-Kloska on TVN24, when asked about postponing ETS2.

– There is a chance that this system will be implemented later […] at least three years […] we need more time to move more households away from burning coal in their homes, because that will be the most costly then, which is why, among other things, we are announcing the new Clean Air program today – she continued.

– I think Rafał Trzaskowski will face Karol Nawrocki in the second round after all. I really think so. That the hard PiS electorate, which is getting smaller but is still large, will decide here – stated Jan Grabiec on RMF FM.

– I see this as the actual launch of [Szymon Hołownia’s] campaign. It’s supposed to happen today, and that makes me happy, because indeed, Marshal Hołownia, due to his duties in the Sejm, is a very busy person – Marek Sawicki said on “Sygnały dnia” (Signals of the Day) on PR1.

– I was a bit worried […], waiting for Marshal Hołownia to suspend his activity as Marshal of the Sejm and begin his proper presidential campaign. […] One cannot conduct an election campaign only on Saturdays, because the whole week is for that. Other candidates are campaigning day in and day out, so I believe that from today onwards, Marshal Hołownia will also be intensively touring Poland – he continued.

– No amount of shouting in this chamber will wash away the shame of what you did in the European Parliament, because the fact is that PiS MEPs voted against the Eastern Shield in the EP, shoulder-to-shoulder with parties like the AfD. That is simply a fact. You voted against the national deterrence and defense program, the Eastern Shield. This is a fact and a disgrace for your MEPs, which you will not easily wash away – stated Cezary Tomczyk in the Sejm.

– Today I ask the PiS MPs: where is your patriotism? We have so often heard these slogans coming from your mouths. How can you today speak responsibly about patriotism and building Polish sovereignty when you voted against the East Shield in the European Parliament? Poles will never forget this, and neither will we – stated Cezary Tomczyk in the Sejm.

– Europe and the USA are the pillars of NATO, and NATO is our security. Europe is responding to Donald Trump's challenge, and I must also say clearly that Donald Trump was simply right on this matter, and Poland was right, because Poland, even during your governments, everyone in this chamber, shoulder to shoulder, the opposition with the then ruling coalition, supported the draft bill on homeland defense – stated Cezary Tomczyk in the Sejm.

– I have good news for you regarding European financing. We have reached a preliminary agreement with the European Investment Bank for the amount of 1 billion euros to finance the Eastern Shield. The Eastern Shield has also become an EU project, which gives us the opportunity to expand this initiative – stated Cezary Tomczyk in the Sejm.

– I began my day in Brussels with a very good meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni – we primarily discussed the security of the Old Continent. Together, we will make Europe safe again – Karol Nawrocki wrote on social media.

Dzień w Brukseli rozpocząłem bardzo dobrym spotkaniem z Premier Włoch @GiorgiaMeloni – rozmawialiśmy przede wszystkim o bezpieczeństwie Starego Kontynentu. Wspólnie uczynimy Europę znów bezpieczną. pic.twitter.com/a6ybwbz2YW

— Karol Nawrocki (@NawrockiKn) March 20, 2025

– This is a good moment [the beginning of spring] to say that we are going for change in Polish politics. Not for a swap at the Presidential Palace, but for real change. Change has the face of these thousands of Poles who are supporting me today in this presidential race, whose signatures we are submitting to the National Electoral Commission (PKW) today. I have been talking with them for several days all over Poland, and we still have over 100 meetings scheduled before Easter that I will attend – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing.

– Today we are submitting 400,000 signatures in paper form. I hope this is one of the last elections where the process of choosing candidates proceeds in this manner, or expressing support takes this form – he continued.

400 tysięcy podpisów! Dziękuję wszystkim, którzy zaangażowali się w ich zbiórkę, dziękuję wszystkim, którzy się podpisali. Bez was by się nie udało! Zaraz składamy je w PKW.

Zaczynamy najlepszy etap kampanii. Przed nami 2 miesiące ciężkiej pracy, wiece, spotkania i rozmowy w…

— Szymon Hołownia (@szymon_holownia) March 20, 2025

– As you know, the Anti-Polexit bill, which is intended to secure Poland's membership in the EU and require a public vote if anyone were to consider changing this fact, will soon be voted on in the Sejm. I am very curious how Konfederacja will vote on this matter – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing.

– Will they stand for Poland's national interest, or for Putin's concepts? I am very curious, because from the gibberish that Sławomir Mentzen spouts, from which it is impossible to understand where he stands today, because he repeats like a broken record phrases he has memorized, he avoids questions, and is unable to confront the truth – he continued.

– We are together. Together we fight for what is important to us. There will be no resignation, no transferring of votes to anyone in the first round, no tactical maneuvers. I truly believe in what I am doing – stated Szymon Hołownia at a press briefing.

– 
I sign with a touch of envy. Because if you were talking about the number of signatures, the PSL alone under you [under Szymon Hołownia] gathered more signatures than under me 5 years ago. This is to dispel any doubts about how committed each of us is – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press briefing.

– I spoke the longest with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. The issues we discussed in our conversation touched upon disturbing centralizing tendencies of the European Union, contrary to the treaties, which concern both Poles and Italians. We also referred to security issues, which are paramount today – Karol Nawrocki said at a press conference.

– I would very much like Poland to be the leader of European Union-United States relations when I become president; this is how I will perceive Poland's role in the European Union. Therefore, I am deeply concerned that Donald Tusk is not seizing the moment when Poland holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union – Karol Nawrocki said at a press conference.

– I also discussed this with Prime Minister Meloni, because from public information, we know that Prime Minister Meloni wanted to organize such an European Union-United States summit in Rome. As I say, I would like such a summit to take place in Warsaw, but considering the security of all European Union countries, I believe that such a summit should happen – he continued.

– If Prime Minister Meloni fills the European gap left by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's actions, by not taking advantage of an important opportunity, then of course, it will be good for the security of the European Union – he added.

– The European Parliament and MEPs are, of course, focused on the issue of the security white paper… pressure makes sense, so I thank the MEPs from Law and Justice, the conservative side of the European Parliament, for their reaction to the resolution on the development of European Union security – said Karol Nawrocki at a press conference.

– Pressure makes sense, because this resolution was harmful to the Polish state. Ceding security competencies to the European Union at a time when the European Union is in both an identity and economic chaos would be detrimental to the Polish state – he continued.

– We can talk about the security white paper in a slightly different way [than about the resolution], meaning there are many threats in it… but the white paper is a breakthrough in that, after many years, the European Union has recognized the most important threat, which is the Russian Federation – he went on to say.

– It is not an executive document. It will be the subsequent executive decisions regarding the white paper… that will truly define the essence of the Polish state's security, and in this context, it is most important that Polish arms industry does not suffer within this strategy – he added.

– I will do everything that the security of the Polish state requires. Poland is a conscious part of the North Atlantic Alliance […]. Poland, as a loyal ally of both the United States and a part of the North Atlantic Alliance, when I become president, will fulfill its commitments to the most important security alliance we are a part of – said Karol Nawrocki at a press conference, when asked if, in the event Russia attacked the Baltic states, he would decide to send Polish troops to their defense.

– Yes, I will fulfill all formal commitments that stem from caring for the North Atlantic Alliance and our relationship with the United States, while my sole reference point in all categories of security, economics, and the economy will be guaranteeing the welfare, security, and development of the Polish state – he continued.

– When I become president, I will address the justice system in Poland. The prosecution should serve the Polish state, not Donald Tusk and a political party. I have not lived in a Poland like this, one where the prosecution has been used in such a brutal manner for political actions, prior to 2025 – stated Karol Nawrocki at a press conference.

– We have significantly, fundamentally limited legal migration to Poland, and above all, we have curbed the corrupt practices that existed within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself. Don't you remember? And you have the audacity to stand here. Not only did you bring in migrants on an unprecedented scale, without any control, but a deputy minister even formed a criminal group and traded visas – stated the Deputy Minister of the Interior and Administration, Czesław Mroczek, in the Sejm.

– We will soon reach a point where we shut down the eastern migration route. There will be no problem with Germany and other EU countries turning back migrants under readmission and Dublin agreements, because there will be no one to turn back – he continued.

– Patriotism has been an unchanging love for the homeland for centuries; I'm not going to compete with anyone on who is a greater patriot – Karol Nawrocki stated at a press conference, when asked about a Rzeczpospolita survey in which 26% of respondents identified him as a patriot, while 42% identified Rafał Trzaskowski as such.

– I love Poland, I have served it my entire life, and I will continue to serve it – he continued.

– The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the main priority is the full implementation of the EU's migration pact. She made this announcement before the summit in Brussels, which is taking place today on this matter. The summit in Brussels is being held during the Polish presidency because you [the government] did not want this summit in Warsaw. You were afraid that Poles would learn the truth about the implementation of the migration pact – stated Paweł Szefernaker in the Sejm.

– But yesterday in the Sejm, in the Polish parliament, the Deputy Minister of Interior and Administration, Prof. Duszczyk, in a moment of candor, said: 'the pact is binding, and this is an obvious obviousness.' This is a scandal, let's stop this evil before it's too late. If PiS were in power, we would reinstate control on the border with Germany in this situation. We demand the reinstatement of control on the border with Germany – the PiS MP continued.

During a press conference, Karol Nawrocki was asked if he had discussed the migration pact with Prime Minister Meloni, as she is pushing for its swift implementation, while Donald Tusk announced he would not introduce its provisions. The question also concerned whether the candidate supported by PiS is closer to the Polish Prime Minister or the Italian Prime Minister on this matter.

– We have not discussed this topic – Karol Nawrocki replied, omitting the second part of the question.

When asked again about whether he was closer to Tusk or Meloni on the migration pact, Karol Nawrocki remained silent, then asked the journalists for other questions.

Nawrocki heard the same question again at the end of the conference.

– I am certainly not close to Mr. Donald Tusk – replied the candidate supported by PiS.

– Because you didn't react, you weren't outraged by the '8 stars' [a reference to the 'Women's Strike' protests], by the 'w….', etc., by Lempart etc. So you have no moral right to talk about such matters at all – stated Jarosław Kaczyński in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.

– I will not refer to this. Because you have no moral right to ask me about anything at all and to be in this building at all. Because you represent anti-state, anti-national forces – added the PiS leader.

– Anyone who supports such provisions supports the disintegration of transatlantic unity, and we cannot agree to that. But we gave you a test and proposed it, and today I am submitting an amendment to the resolution to you, Mr. Speaker, stating that we are ready to support the draft resolution by acclamation if one point about supporting this resolution is removed from it. Thus, we will support the East Shield, we will support the policy of deterring Russia, we will support European unity in this regard and the building of EU resilience, because such was the policy of our government, even when you voted against the East Shield – stated Marcin Ociepa in the Sejm.

– We are witnessing a sort of disinformation operation, a distraction from what is important. Both this resolution in the European Parliament is meaningless, it has no binding force, and this entire resolution presented here today is purely farcical – said Krzysztof Bosak in the Sejm.

– This resolution, moreover, confirms falsehoods. There is no statement in the European Parliament's resolution that the East Shield project is a flagship project for the European Union. There is no pre-determined financing there. There is only an intention added to point 15, at the end of that point, clearly after a comma, it states “and East Shield” – he continued.

“It’s either uniform, or there’s a priority”

– In point 20 […] you will find the principle of uniform distribution of defense investments […]. The principle of geographical uniformity on a continental European scale is directly contrary to what you are lying to Poles about, namely the alleged privileging of NATO's eastern flank. It is impossible to simultaneously arm the Baltic states, Poland, and Portugal and Spain. It’s either uniform, or there’s a priority – he went on to say.

– Shifting competencies to Brussels is directly contrary to our defense priorities. […] No general will support this […]. No euro-debt, no further eurobonds, no new competencies for the European Union, the only thing the European Union could and should do is provide low-interest loans – he added.

“You are as imprudent as Prime Minister Morawiecki”

– You are weakening Poland's negotiating position. Most of the details regarding how this instrument is to be structured are undecided. The Prime Minister is discussing this today. And you are elevating support for a pig in a poke to a doctrinal level? You are as imprudent as Prime Minister Morawiecki was, when he advertised the KPO here, and it later turned out that there was euro-debt, there were eurobonds, and there was no money – he emphasized.

– Nobody wants, and nobody in their right mind in Poland [...] wants to replace NATO with the European Union. It's impossible and nobody wants that, so please, do not lie [...]. I must say, Mr. Chairman [...] these regulations that the European Union is adopting today [...] are a great success for all those who, from the very beginning, said that the European Union should not compete with NATO, but should be a complement to NATO, because that is what is happening today – said Paweł Zalewski in the Sejm.

– What military capabilities, what armed forces capabilities is the European Union to finance, what does the white paper foresee? Exactly those and solely those capabilities that are expected of NATO member states. So, at this moment, we have an ideal situation where the European Union is using its economic and financial potential to finance NATO capabilities, and you, Mr. Chairman, should be pleased about this – he continued.

After the Deputy Minister of National Defence's statement, Jarosław Kaczyński took the floor.

– I thought, because we were once in the same party, that you were an intelligent man, but it turned out that was just my impression – said the PiS chairman.

– What is being proposed now is nothing other than unleashing political dynamics, dynamics that a significant part of the European Union wishes for, and above all, the two largest states, incorrectly called superpowers, dynamics that will lead to at least a great weakening, and perhaps even the liquidation of NATO – he continued.

The Sejm has adopted a resolution concerning the security of the Republic of Poland and the Eastern Shield.

In the first vote, 420 MPs participated, with 230 voting in favour, 189 against, and 1 abstaining. After several minutes (during which Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took the floor), the presiding officer Piotr Zgorzelski proposed that the vote be held again, as he had mistakenly used the phrase "together with the adopted amendments" previously, and no amendments had been adopted.

– This will give an opportunity for those who were still mistaken to correct themselves – said Piotr Zgorzelski.

This time, 391 MPs voted, with 220 in favour and 171 against; no one abstained. The resolution was supported by all MPs from the governing coalition and the Together parliamentary group who participated in the vote. The MPs from PiS, Confederation, and Republicans voted against it.

– You failed the exam, the right side of this chamber failed the exam in the European Parliament, it failed the exam today. What has happened to you, because the problem is deeper than just this vote – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm.

– Many Poles voted for you because you had a good sense of the threats from the East. And even answers to them. You have completely lost that, you have lost that ear, and now you have lost the ability to act for the good of the Republic – he continued.

– You are doing something insane […]. What are the goals of the East Shield? Facilitating the movement of our own and allied troops. So what are these allied troops? These are allied troops within the North Atlantic Pact. And you don't want to facilitate their movement? The second point of the East Shield is hindering the movement […] of enemy troops. […] So you are in favor of facilitating their movement if we don't build it? Where is your reason, where is your logic? – he went on.

“They had a choice: support the resolution or face disgrace. They chose disgrace, and we passed the resolution anyway. PiS and Confederation are once again against the Eastern Shield and European unity in the face of Russian aggression,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X.

Mieli do wyboru: poparcie uchwały albo hańbę. Wybrali hańbę, a uchwałę i tak przegłosowaliśmy. PiS i Konfederacja ponownie przeciw Tarczy Wschód i europejskiej jedności wobec rosyjskiej agresji.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) March 20, 2025

– Tusk's decisions regarding defense amount to handing over Polish funds for armament and control over the Polish army to Brussels and Berlin. We cannot agree to ceding significant attributes of our sovereignty. They know what they're doing and are trying to hide it from Poles with a false Sejm resolution – Jarosław Kaczyński wrote on social media.

Decyzje Tuska w sprawie obronności to oddanie do Brukseli i Berlina polskich pieniędzy na zbrojenia i kontroli nad polską armią. Nie możemy zgodzić się na oddanie istotnych atrybutów naszej suwerenności. Wiedzą, co robią i próbują ukryć to przed Polakami fałszywą uchwałą Sejmu.

— Jarosław Kaczyński (@OficjalnyJK) March 20, 2025

– The Civic Coalition has submitted a motion to reject at the first reading the bill by Confederation MPs, which shortens the statute of limitations for tax liabilities from 5 to 3 years. This is what their attitude towards entrepreneurs and taxpayers looks like in practice. I hope voters will remember this – wrote Przemysław Wipler on the X portal.

Koalicja Obywatelska złożyła wniosek o odrzucenie w 1-szym czytaniu ustawy posłów @KONFEDERACJA_ skracającej przedawnienie zobowiązań podatkowych z 5 do 3 lat. Tak wygląda ich stosunek do przedsiębiorców i podatników w praktyce. Mam nadzieję, że wyborcy to zapamiętają.

— Przemysław Wipler (@Wipler1978) March 20, 2025

– The Left, as the only responsible political force in Poland on this matter, has said from the beginning: no to lowering the health contribution. We said that we would not vote for a solution that takes money away from healthcare funds instead of contributing to them – said Anna Maria Żukowska at a press conference in the Sejm.

– We will do this consistently if further attempts are made to introduce this irresponsible solution […]. We do not agree with this proposal, we announced a vote against it, we voted against this bill in the health committee, and fortunately, we did not have the opportunity to vote on it in the plenary hall, as this bill was fortunately removed from the agenda by the decision of Marshal Zgorzelski – she continued.

– We will always be against it, we will consistently block it, we hope that also under the influence of the statements of Minister Leszczyna, who said that she would also not vote for this project, there will be reflection among those of our coalition partners who truly irresponsibly want to ruin Polish healthcare – she went on to say.

– We are dealing with a situation that is, in a sense, unprecedented, one might say, because it so happens that we have two for one. Because Krzysztof Stanowski, another presidential candidate, is with us. It is rare for there to be two candidates at the same time, a big round of applause, so it has happened, dear ladies and gentlemen, that we have two candidates in one room. I think this is the first time something like this has happened to me, so I am very happy about it and welcome him to the meeting – stated Rafał Trzaskowski in Turek.

Turek. Jakaś impreza się tu zaraz zaczyna. pic.twitter.com/ScT6XRpDIB

— Krzysztof Stanowski (@K_Stanowski) March 20, 2025

– Accessing funds on the markets, when the entire Union applies for them, is much cheaper for Poland than when Poland applies individually [...] a small market pays more for credit, for loans, than a large market, and that's why it's profitable for Poland – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz in RMF FM's "Popołudniowa rozmowa" (Afternoon Interview).

A post featuring Anna Bryłka's statement appeared on Konfederacja's profile. According to the MEP:

MEPs from the ruling KO-PSL-PL2050-Lewica majority want to:
– permanently establish funding for Ukraine in relation to Polish GDP;
– hand over defence decisions to EU institutions and strip the Polish government of its veto power;
– create another European debt and lose influence over what, where, and for how much Poland buys;
– cede the mandate for defence procurement orders to the European Commission, at the expense of member states!

– Don't fall for Tusk's deceitful propaganda – he is not strengthening Polish defence, he is handing it over to the EU – Bryłka emphasizes.

UWAGA, podajcie dalej❗ Pokazujemy prawdę za czym głosuje koalicja Tuska❗@annabrylka: Europosłowie z większości rządzącej KO-PSL-PL2050-Lewica chcą ?
– stałego ustanowienia finansowania dla Ukrainy w relacji do polskiego PKB;
– oddać decyzje o obronności do instytucji UE i… pic.twitter.com/6DaLai27Za

— Konfederacja (@KONFEDERACJA_) March 20, 2025

– I don't quite understand where the Confederation stands here, because the Confederation says: it's bad that there is no decided financing, but on the other hand, we shouldn't have any financing connected with the Union at all, and in general, we shouldn't take out any loans, but we should arm ourselves very heavily – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on RMF FM.

– It's just unknown where to get the money from, so it's already so detached from all economic realities, because money doesn't grow on trees – she continued.

– There is no order, there is a strong recommendation, which I think is justified. If we are urging Poles to take our security situation seriously, it's difficult for us in the government to treat it unseriously – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on RMF FM, when asked about military training recommended by the prime minister.

– I will undergo such training, but I think they will be differentiated, because each of us has a different potential when it comes to the possibility of actions and behaviors. A 20-year-old young person has a different potential than an 80-year-old elderly person – she continued.

– We are in Brussels after a meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. During the meeting, we discussed the alarming centralizing tendencies of the European Union concerning nation-states, member states. We discussed the security of the EU, but also of our countries – says Karol Nawrocki in a recording published on social media.

– A very fruitful, successful meeting discussing the future of the EU, but also the future of Poland and Italy – summed up the candidate supported by PiS.

It was an extremely important meeting with Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni – thank you!? pic.twitter.com/veviALk4tE

— Karol Nawrocki (@NawrockiKn) March 20, 2025

– Today, the task of a presidential candidate, and even more so the President of the Republic, should not be to inflame emotions. Not political games, but a clear plan that simply answers the question of what we need to do in Poland to strengthen this security – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Turek.

– Of course, we must take care of our own safety. We must strengthen our security. We must build an army that will be the largest European NATO army, perhaps apart from the Turkish army. We must strive for this army to be as modern as possible. This is very important, and we must, of course, also strengthen our defense industry and generally focus on industry and self-sufficiency, and strengthen our eastern border – he continued.

– Responsible politicians should not be guided by emotions, but by a calm plan and an idea of how to talk to the new administration, because our ally is the United States, not one or another American administration – stated Rafał Trzaskowski in Turek.

– You saw President Duda, who immediately went to Washington, and it was very good that he went and conveyed our arguments. Whether it was well prepared is another matter. I wouldn't show a president impatiently pacing the room for so long, but that's probably more the fault of the advisors, and the President likes to walk, as he himself said, which also aids reflection – he continued.

– I observed what was happening in the Sejm and I cannot understand why PiS politicians are attacking the European Union today. They have often looked for an enemy in the European Union before, but truly, today the enemy is not in the European Union. Anyone who thinks rationally knows this perfectly well. Putin is our enemy, not the European Union – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Turek.

– I don't understand how PiS politicians can vote against a resolution that recognizes the East Shield as a European project. I don't understand how they can question that Europe wants to be stronger. Note – not in opposition to NATO, but hand in hand with NATO – he added.

– This is an idea [for reducing the health contribution for entrepreneurs] included in the coalition agreement, so we all committed to it. It's a consequence of the so-called Polish Disorder, which disproportionately burdened micro-entrepreneurs with levies. The effect was, and still is, that these micro-entrepreneurs, their businesses are doing really poorly, many micro-enterprises are closing down – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on RMF FM.

– I don't know why Polska 2050 remembers this common commitment, while some simply forget what we jointly promised the voters. […] This reform came out as a government project […] not just some individual MP – she continued.

– It's a systemic problem of the Polish tax system that sole proprietorships are often not entrepreneurial activities, but are de facto employment. I am in favor of solving this, but not by burdening all entrepreneurs with levies – she continued.

– The project has not been withdrawn for work, but will be voted on. However, I am super astonished by the situation where a coalition government project, enshrined in the coalition agreement, emerges […] we establish that it exists, and suddenly there are these individual u-turns, saying 'actually, no'. This really shoots at the credibility of this government – she added.

– There were times – I promised again that I wouldn't talk about PiS, so very briefly – there were times when entrepreneurship in general was viewed with suspicion. We also have a lot, the entire liberal side of the political spectrum has a lot to admit, because we didn't focus on entrepreneurship as much as we should have, but we also did quite a lot – stated Rafał Trzaskowski in Turek.

– Today, something has finally started to happen in this regard, because there is a whole program of deregulation, which actually translates into facilitation for entrepreneurs. I promise you that I will guard this like the apple of my eye. Anything that is not implemented in terms of easing things for entrepreneurs, I will demand it and will even submit my own legislative initiative to make life easier for entrepreneurs – he continued.

– Our army is not to be sent anywhere, but our army is to secure the border. Our army is to be a deterrent, so that Putin knows that whatever happens, he will break his teeth, and they know it. They already broke their teeth in Ukraine, we are three times stronger – said Rafał Trzaskowski in Turek.

– When it comes to cadastral tax, the government as a whole, I must honestly say, through the words of Minister Domański, states that it will not happen. However, my personal view is that from the third apartment, we should seriously consider it, and at the same time, abolish the fee on the first apartment, which exists today, the property tax – said Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz on RMF FM.

– If someone already has more apartments, has them for rent or as a capital investment, it is worth considering such a cadastral tax – she continued.

– For years, I have been trying to engage and talk with young people as an academic lecturer, and at Campus Polska Przyszłości, which I organize, we seriously discuss, listen, and translate the demands that are important to young people, such as child psychiatry or psychology, into action, but of course, that's not enough – stated Rafał Trzaskowski in Turek.

– Here, we need to reach young people who, for example, are making the accusations you mentioned. They ask: okay, what difference does it make if I have no prospects for development in my hometown? Especially if someone is a young man. What difference does it make if I perceive, for instance, that the Polish educational system is generally set up in a way that can lead to discrimination against young boys. We have focused so much on women's rights, and rightly so, because they were violated and trampled upon, but we must see the other side of the coin, and I say this also as a father – he continued.

– Classic Soviet diplomacy. Russia is threatening us with retaliation for leaving the landmine convention, to which it does not belong itself – wrote the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, on the X portal.

Klasyka sowieckiej dyplomacji. Rosja grozi nam odwetem za wyjście z konwencji o minach przeciwpiechotnych, do której sama nie należy.

— Radosław Sikorski ???? (@sikorskiradek) March 20, 2025

– This is a hooligan mentality [referring to the words of PiS MP Jacek Ozdoba, who suggested he would push prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek], but Kaczyński really likes such people – Borys Budka said in an interview with Grzegorz Kępka on Polsat News’ “Gość Wydarzeń”.

He continued: – After all, it was precisely this type of candidate he chose as the PiS candidate for president. A person – I am talking about Mr. Nawrocki – who is passionate about criminal circles, who boasts about writing a biography of one of the most vile gangsters of the 90s in Poland under a pseudonym.

– And Ozdoba? He’s all talk when his colleagues are around. This only shows the essence of the politics practiced by Kaczyński. After all, Mejza, Ozdoba, Matecki are in parliament thanks to Kaczyński putting them on his lists. And this hooligan, worst behavior is the true face of PiS – he assessed.

– Yes, [Prof. Andrzej Zoll] is an authority [for me]. And I understand his reservations regarding certain procedural issues, especially concerning the selection of the prosecutor in this case… – said Borys Budka in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

– In the Two Towers case. Because Prof. Zoll said that appointing prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek was a mistake. Do you agree with that? – the host, Grzegorz Kępka, inquired.

– Yes, I believe it was… That despite all my professional admiration, because I know what a good prosecutor Ms. Ewa Wrzosek is, what a professional prosecutor she is, however, in this case, one could have acted differently. Only the times when politicians appointed prosecutors have ended, with the departure of Zbigniew Ziobro – replied the KO MEP.

– The biggest scandal is that Kaczyński is once again trying to play on the death of a person, and one from his closest circle at that. Let's recall that for the last 10 years, Kaczyński has been playing on the Smolensk catastrophe, lying to people, instilling in them some nonsensical theories by Macierewicz about an assassination attempt – said Borys Budka in "Gość Wydarzeń" on Polsat News.

– Now he will try to politically exploit the family's tragedy [...]. But there is one thing that is disgusting in this matter: this death occurred 3 days after the interrogation. There is no causal link. And he's playing on something like this. This is truly something that disgusts recipients of politics who might see it – he pointed out.

– I also see her as a great hope, once I become president, for preserving the fabric and identity of the European Union and the common sense of the European Union. Because, as we discussed today, Giorgia Meloni shares the views that I also share publicly with you regarding concerns about the centralization of the European Union. In many areas, including security, and I think this is a very good thread of understanding, besides her being a pleasant person – stated Karol in the program "Guest Today" on TV Republika.

– I do not question NATO's Article 5 in any way. Nor do I question Article 3 of the treaty, which in a way mobilizes the future president to develop the potential of the Polish Armed Forces – stated Karol Nawrocki on TV Republika.

– If I become president, I will propose a test for Donald Tusk's government. I will return to those promises, to those specifics that would be good for Poles and have not been implemented, such as raising the tax-free amount. Poles have been waiting for this, and they have simply been deceived; Poles feel deceived – stated Karol Nawrocki on TV Republika.

– President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, had a plan for a European Union-United States summit to be held in Poland. There is an excellent opportunity for this, with Poland holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, but the current Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, is not taking advantage of this occasion. I am going beyond the scope of Poland's security here, which is, of course, the most important to me, but considering what has changed in the White House and in the context of customs, as well as security, such a summit is simply essential – Karol Nawrocki stated on TV Republika.

– I would have preferred this summit to take place in Warsaw, but Prime Minister Donald Tusk is not fulfilling his duties towards Poland, the European Union, and relations with the United States – he continued.

– It must be said clearly – today the Polish Prosecutor's Office is an annex of the political party PO and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. I say this with great pain, because I myself am the head of 100 prosecutors – stated Karol Nawrocki on TV Republika.

– I am no longer surprised by Donald Tusk; I would be misleading you if I said I was surprised. Donald Tusk cannot surprise me with anything today. Donald Tusk is, unfortunately, a habitual liar, and when he should speak, he stays silent – said Karol Nawrocki on TV Republika.

– This appearance was necessary to continue the research work, to say that such a book exists, and to await the book's reception. And Tadeusz Batyr, who appears there, could not refer to another scientist because there was only one in Poland who dealt with these topics, so everything is in order. I am reassuring you and encouraging you to read this book; it is truly interesting – stated Karol Nawrocki on TV Republika.