At 8:15 AM, a press conference will be held in the Sejm by the leader of the PiS parliamentary club, Mariusz Błaszczak, along with Marcin Ociepa and Bartosz Kownacki.

At 9:00 AM, the Sejm will resume its session – this is the final day of the sitting. At this time, a 1.5-hour block of votes will take place, during which MPs will vote on, among other things, a draft concerning the increase of the CIT tax for domestic and foreign banks.

At 10:30 AM, the first reading of the presidential amendment to the act will take place. This concerns, among other things, ensuring equal access to healthcare benefits for both Polish citizens and citizens of other countries, including Ukraine, legally residing in Poland, and changes to the criteria for granting child-rearing benefits, i.e., "800 plus", to Ukrainian citizens legally residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

At 11:00 AM, a press conference by Nowa Lewica and Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe regarding the legal protection of informal unions will be held in the Sejm. During the conference, Katarzyna Kotula, Urszula Pasławska, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Włodzimierz Czarzasty will speak.

At 12:00 PM, the Sejm will address – in the first reading – the government's draft concerning the update of the so-called excise tax roadmap through an increase in excise tax rates on ethyl alcohol, beer, wine, fermented beverages, and intermediate products.

President Karol Nawrocki will be visiting Gdynia, where at 12:00 PM he will visit BCT – Baltic Container Terminal.

At 1:00 PM, a press conference will be held in the Sejm by the leader of the PiS parliamentary club, Mariusz Błaszczak, and MP Kacper Płażyński.

At 6:20 PM, during the European Forum for New Ideas, Prime Minister Donald Tusk is scheduled to deliver a speech titled “War or Peace”.

Subsequently, at 8:00 PM, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will be a guest of Kuba Wojewódzki and Piotr Kędzierski on the podcast "WojewódzkiKędzierski".

- There is always a certain exaggeration in all these political emotions - said Przemysław Czarnek in an interview with Karolina Pajączkowska on VOX FM's "Morning Ring" and Super Express, when asked about his "nomination" for prime minister.

- Nothing major happened there. The chairman, Jarosław Kaczyński, was introducing speakers from Saturday's demonstration, and as he started listing, he said he was prime minister, Ms. Beata Szydło was prime minister, Mr. Mariusz Błaszczak was deputy prime minister, but politely, as Chairman Kaczyński says, one says "prime minister," and Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki was prime minister, it remained with him that Przemek is still in the back, and Przemek hasn't been prime minister, but maybe he will be, so that's all that resulted from it - he continued.

- The matter is exceptionally political. According to the legal principles our state has adopted, he would probably have to be handed over, but according to a sense of justice and the national interest, he should not be handed over. If it were up to me, I would hand him over, but to Ukraine - said Krzysztof Bosak on "Morning" on Radio Republika.

- Two wasted years of harmful, superficial, inconsistent, and ineffective policy. I think it’s a very weak government and two very weak years - said Krzysztof Bosak on Radio Republika’s “Morning” program.

- The biggest problem with Łukasz Mejza in this case was that he didn't take the ticket immediately. When you exceed the speed limit, even if it's not 200 [km/h], but in general, you take the ticket and that's that, humbly - said Przemysław Czarnek in "Poranny Ring" on VOX FM and Super Express.

- I like him personally, in such contact and in his parliamentary work and actions, he is a very friendly and incredibly helpful person. However, he sometimes exhibits behavior like this, driving at 200 km/h on the S3 and not taking the ticket, and that is problematic. But I think it will end soon; his explanations and ultimately accepting the ticket should resolve the matter - he continued, when asked if he was a problematic parliamentarian for PiS.

- Regarding budget problems, they had been intensifying for a few years, and we were sounding the alarm on this matter, stating that at the very end of PiS's rule, we were on the verge of a budget crisis. Of course, just as now, back then it was concealed through various kinds of transfers, withholding various strategic projects or delaying them, or by incurring gigantic debt. So, when it comes to budget policy, from our perspective, Konfederacja, PiS, and Platforma exhibit a policy of complete continuation - said Krzysztof Bosak in "Poranek" on Radio Republika.

- Any combination with marriage is a violation of Article 18 of the Constitution, which states directly: only marriage as a union of a woman and a man is under the legal protection and care of the Republic of Poland - said Przemysław Czarnek in the "Morning Ring" of VOX FM and Super Express, when asked about the draft concerning informal unions, which is to be presented by PSL and Nowa Lewica.

- I don't understand why we can't talk about how if two, or three, or even five people live together, and they don't have to be partners, it could even be siblings, meaning everyone who runs a common household, couldn't they have facilitated access to medical information, e.g., if one of them gets sick, or facilitated access to medical information [...] or a facilitated way of inheriting the common household after each other - he continued.

- But why immediately create partnership or informal unions, or whatever else they call them, this is an attack on marriage [...]. No matter how much Mr. Kosiniak-Kamysz from PSL tries to conjure reality, this is an attack on marriage, completely unnecessary, and certainly contradictory to the Constitution - he went on to say.

- Any registration of these unions other than a civil law contract is an attack on marriage, that's all - he added.

- If we were in power, we certainly wouldn't have allowed it, we would have blackmailed, we would have imposed sanctions on the European Union, just to prevent Mercosur from taking effect - said Przemysław Czarnek on VOX FM and Super Express's "Morning Ring.".

- The first four years were about fulfilling our election promises, without lying about not getting 100% of the votes, but only 37%. We could also have said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, we didn't get 100% of the votes, only 37%, therefore we've fulfilled our plan by 37%, which is fair mathematics,' only a liar like Tusk could say that - said Przemysław Czarnek on "Poranny Ring" of VOX FM and Super Express.

- [The bill] on the status of next of kin, of persons who are closest, who live in relationships, of course. Our female MPs will present the name today: MP Pasławska, Minister Kotula, who worked on this bill. But the status of next of kin, for me, this is an important direction - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Tomasz Terlikowski on RMF FM.

- I think we have found an agreement - and this is the most important thing, that those who were, one might say, at extreme positions within the coalition on this matter, have found an agreement that enables and facilitates life - he continued.

- This law [on the legal protection of informal unions] offers a significant chance for acceptance. Not accepting this project will mean branding oneself and one's political formation as belonging to the extreme wings. And I don't know if the President would want to be a part of extremism – said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the “Morning Conversation” on RMF FM.

- I don't see [a similarity to marriage in this project]. I perceive it as making life easier. It will concern facilitating inheritance, tax aspects, and matters related to access to medical information – he continued.

- We proposed such a stance in the form of a Sejm resolution obliging the Minister of Foreign Affairs to send a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation demanding the relocation of the Russian embassy in Warsaw. And it turned out that the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that this is impossible, and the chairman of the joint committees adjourned the session and fled - Mariusz Błaszczak said at a press conference in the Sejm.

- So we are dealing with a situation where the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, is delivering empty slogans at the United Nations forum, saying that the current government's policy is anti-Russian, but when it comes to verification, it turns out that the current government's policy is pro-Russian, despite the attack on the night of September 9-10 - Mariusz Błaszczak continued.

- Today, we will be repeating our demand for the resolution to be adopted. First, by the joint committees, and then by the Sejm of the Republic of Poland - Mariusz Błaszczak continued.

- Yes. This is a project that offers a chance for broad support in parliament - Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said in the "Morning Interview" on RMF FM, when asked if he was sure that a majority of PSL MPs would vote for the project concerning the legal protection of informal unions, the assumptions of which are to be announced today.

- I would like [there to be more American soldiers in Poland]. I also discussed this with the Secretary of War. [He said] that Poland is a model ally, that Poland meets all the conditions that the United States expects, that it is worth investing in Poland. He confirmed all security guarantees - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the "Morning Interview" on RMF FM.

He stated: - It seems to me that we are certainly on the right track to maintain these approximately 10,000 soldiers. That is the first thing. This was not obvious, because the first signals that came through were that Europe would want to withdraw its activity. The Baltic states have a much bigger problem here in these transatlantic relations.

- Poland is certainly in the best situation in terms of the presence of American troops. There is a chance to increase the presence - he added.

The Sejm (lower house of the Polish parliament) has amended the Act on Corporate Income Tax and the Act on Tax on Certain Financial Institutions. The government's bill proposes an increase in the corporate income tax (CIT) for both domestic and foreign banks.

According to the amendment, the CIT rate will be 30% in 2026, 26% in 2027, and 23% from 2028 onwards. As stated in the regulatory impact assessment, the increase in the CIT rate is expected to boost tax revenues in 2026, generating approximately 6.6 billion PLN in additional CIT income.

The bill was supported by almost all MPs from the ruling coalition (with the exception of two Civic Platform MPs who voted against it) and the Razem parliamentary club, totaling 238 votes. The majority of the Law and Justice (PiS) parliamentary club (171 MPs) voted against the bill, with the exception of 9 MPs who abstained. The Confederation party was divided in the vote, with 9 MPs voting against and 6 abstaining.

The Sejm has passed an amendment to the Animal Protection Act, introducing a ban on fur farming (with the exception of rabbits). Entrepreneurs operating farms will be obliged to cease their activities by December 31, 2033. Those who do so earlier may be eligible for compensation.

339 MPs voted in favor of the amendment, 78 were against, and 19 abstained. The bill was supported by almost all coalition MPs (with the exception of Minister of Agriculture Stefan Krajewski).

The PiS club was strongly divided in the vote – 100 MPs voted for the bill (including Jarosław Kaczyński and Mateusz Morawiecki), 55 voted against (including Przemysław Czarnek), and 18 abstained. Konfederacja voted entirely against.

"Yes, I can imagine it, I have no personal or political problem with it. I sometimes have comments about the work of ministers, including Minister Pełczyńska, if something isn't working, so that's one thing, but I know what my priority is, I know what is important for Poland, and what is of secondary importance" - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in an interview with journalists in the Sejm, when asked if he could imagine Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz being his deputy.

- On the issue of fundamental human rights, we are talking about unions, we have something that nobody will be delighted by: neither opponents nor proponents of more progressive solutions, but it offers more than a shadow of a chance - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.

As he noted: - Somewhere at the end is the president's signature, let's still remember that. But the fact that we managed to reconcile these extremes within the coalition, of which I am the prime minister, and find some ground for compromise, is definitely a step forward.

- A law on the status of a next of kin in a relationship and a cohabitation agreement has been created. The name itself shows that we have met halfway. This is a government project, one project - said Katarzyna Kotula at a press conference.

- This law is an agreement concluded at a notary and regulates rights and obligations. It speaks of mutual respect, help, care, loyalty, and acting and cooperating for the common good. It regulates matters of property relations, allowing one to decide at the notary whether we want community or separate property - she continued.

- It regulates housing rights, the possibility of mutual alimony, mutual, accessible medical information, exemption from inheritance and gift tax, the possibility of joint tax settlement if community property has been declared, but also exemption from civil law transactions tax, guarantees a family pension, as well as testamentary inheritance, health insurance for both parties, and care leave - she further elaborated.

- These are not all the regulations, because today we are telling you the details of the main law, an implementing act will also be available soon [...]. This law does not change marital status, but it does not allow for marriage - she added.

- This is a good solution, this government project is written in such a way that we can talk with the President and the Presidential Palace to seek agreement for the signing of this law - she emphasized.

- The Marshal [Szymon Hołownia] asked me to his office for a moment of conversation. I have – contrary to what some may say – personally good relations with him, because I greatly value people who are decent, human beings – Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm.

- I am too experienced to feel calm about anything at all. […] But when it comes to what Marshal Szymon Hołownia will do - yes, I am calm - Prime Minister Donald Tusk told journalists in the Sejm, when asked about the rotation of the Marshal's office.

- I also spoke with him just now about not giving any pretexts - and no one wants to give pretexts - that here, sometimes it's said 'Hołownia is blackmailing Tusk'. No, that's not the case - he assured.

- Marshal Hołownia sets no preconditions and, as he committed to in the agreement, he will resign in favor of Włodzimierz Czarzasty - Tusk indicated.

- If you ask me whether I know how all MPs, without exception, will vote on this matter - that is always the area for potential, fingers crossed, surprises. But here I do not have a clear answer - he noted.

- What distinguishes this act [on the status of a nearest person in a relationship and an agreement on cohabitation] from previous regulations is its freedom-oriented concept, because the conditions that Minister Kotula just mentioned are optional, meaning that the parties will determine for themselves how this agreement is to be structured. What's more, this agreement will also be amendable - said Urszula Pasławska at a press conference.

- In civil status records, there will be an annotation confirming the fact that such an agreement has been drawn up under civil law, i.e., we are not entering into rights and obligations by force of law, but we freely shape the agreement between two parties ourselves - she continued.

- The act excludes any worldview-related issues, which were also an element of discussion; we have also heard this over the past two years of discussions on this topic - she went on to say.

- This act also does not violate or harm the institution of marriage in any way - said Urszula Pasławska at a press conference.

- This can often be a prenuptial agreement, because entering into marriage will automatically dissolve the cohabitation agreement - she continued.

- This law will likely be modified further. Why do I say this? Because with full respect and attention, we are also addressing the Presidential Palace for dialogue, for comments, and we are open to both dialogue and comments - Urszula Pasławska said at a press conference.

- President Karol Nawrocki highlighted the necessity of regulating this sphere of life, not only because we are obligated by judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, not only because we are one of only 4 countries that lack such solutions, but also because there is a societal need for it - she continued.

- This law is intended to facilitate functioning, life, information transfer, property matters, tax matters; it is an innovative approach, a progressive approach, but today's times demand it - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.

- We, as the oldest party with its experience, also feel that without our agreement today, nothing else will pass in this parliament. Because there have been more liberal or more extreme, more traditional attempts, none of which have passed so far - he continued.

- There is a huge chance to pass this with a significant majority in the Sejm, because I believe that the right side of the Sejm can also calmly vote for this law, not limiting ourselves to the coalition, although we are counting on it heavily - he went on to say.

- This is an agreement into which everything that was possible at this stage and in this parliament has been incorporated. Some things did not make it into this agreement, and the reason for that is that we did not find a consensus on these matters, nor would we find a majority in parliament - Włodzimierz Czarzasty said at a press conference.

- Perhaps not enough, perhaps there is a large group of people or a small group of people who are dissatisfied, but pragmatism should prevail in this matter. The first step has been taken - he continued.

"An agreement concluded at a notary's office, with obligatory registration at the Civil Registry Office, which does not change marital status, but prevents marriage, is one of the elements that, I hope, will also be an argument for President Karol Nawrocki," said Katarzyna Kotula at a press conference.

“Attention⚠️ I am declaring an alarm🚨!

The ruling camp has reached an agreement with banks on a micro-tax on excess profits. Protest loudly! Forward!” - a post with this content was published by Mateusz Morawiecki on the X platform. A recording from the Sejm was attached to the post.

- Today the Sejm adopted a micro bank tax. Be aware, they want to slip past this problem. Instead of taxing banks, which are earning over 40 billion zlotys, according to a scheme I proposed above a certain amount of return on capital, and thereby collect 20 billion zlotys annually for the budget, a tax was proposed which in the first year will mean 6 billion, in the second about 4, in the third perhaps 3. These are truly small amounts compared to the gigantic profits of banks. I propose a solution that will realistically help to plug part of the budget deficit and help Poles - says Mateusz Morawiecki in the recording.

Uwaga⚠️ Ogłaszam alarm🚨!
Rządzący dogadali się z bankami na mikro podatek od nadmiarowych zysków. Protestuj głośno! Podaj dalej! pic.twitter.com/oxf2OwocLm

— Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) October 17, 2025

"It is untrue that today at an office or with a notary one can conclude all of this. This is untrue because provisions regarding the marital property community cannot be concluded, nor can a will that would protect the person covered by it from third-party claims [...] the issue of taxes, we also cannot regulate this with a notary today" – said Urszula Pasławska at a press conference.

- This is another legislative initiative that will shortly be submitted to the Marshal of the Polish Sejm, and it is a further fulfillment of my election campaign commitments. The Plan 21, 21 postulates, will be implemented with full determination over the next 5 years. Just as during the election campaign I said yes to CPK, and this bill is already undergoing legislative work in the Polish Sejm, so today, loudly from Gdynia, I say yes to Polish ports. This is another point that I will implement as the President of the Republic of Poland - said Karol Nawrocki in Gdynia, after the ceremonial signing of the legislative initiative concerning the 'Yes! To Polish Ports' bill.

- This is an attempt at a strategic, broad perspective on the Polish maritime economy. The tasks facing the Polish state, but also an attempt, on the one hand, to discipline and obligate the government to complete investments that were initiated during the United Right era, to mobilize, but also to give the Polish government the opportunity to solve certain problems that arise around many investments. Therefore, this is a bill directed not against anyone, but a strategic view of the necessity to address the issue, to address, or above all, port infrastructure - said Karol Nawrocki in Gdynia, after the ceremonial signing of the legislative initiative concerning the "Yes! For Polish Ports" bill project.

- We must primarily be aware that the fundamental part of international trade takes place precisely thanks to Polish ports. Polish ports generate 230,000 jobs and contribute 60 billion Polish złoty to the state budget - said Karol Nawrocki in Gdynia, after the ceremonial signing of a legislative initiative regarding the 'Yes! For Polish Ports' bill.

- Dynamic trade through Polish ports was developing until 2024. This year, 2024, was a kind of crisis, because for the first time, trade in 2024 was lower than in the previous year - the president continued.

- The proposal for partnerships concluded before a notary is not only flagrantly unconstitutional but aims to replace traditional marriage with pseudo-unions. This is an ultraleft solution striking at the fundamental social unit, which is the family - Jarosław Kaczyński wrote on the X portal.

Propozycja związków partnerskich zawieranych przed notariuszem jest nie tylko rażąco niekonstytucyjna, ale zmierza do zastąpienia tradycyjnego małżeństwa pseudozwiązkami. To ultralewicowe rozwiązanie uderzające w podstawową komórkę społeczną, jaką jest rodzina.

— Jarosław Kaczyński (@OficjalnyJK) October 17, 2025

- A Polish court refused the extradition to Germany of a Ukrainian suspected of bombing Nord Stream 2 and released him from custody. And rightly so. Case closed – Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on the X portal.

Polski sąd odmówił ekstradycji do Niemiec Ukraińca podejrzewanego o wysadzenie Nord Stream 2 i zwolnił go z aresztu. I słusznie. Sprawa zamknięta.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) October 17, 2025

The Presidential Chancellery has published photos of Karol Nawrocki with American soldiers.

"The 598th Transportation Brigade integrates and synchronizes the strategic deployment and distribution of ground forces to move, position, and sustain armed forces for the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and Africa Command (USAFRICOM)," the Presidential Chancellery stated on X.

"Transports of American military equipment regularly appear in the port of Gdynia as part of exercises and strengthening NATO's military presence in the region," the post reads.

Prezydent RP @NawrockiKn z żołnierzami US Army.

598. Brygada Transportowa integruje i synchronizuje strategiczne rozmieszczenie i dystrybucję sił naziemnych w celu przemieszczania, rozmieszczania i utrzymania Sił Zbrojnych na rzecz dowództwa USA w Europie (USEUCOM) i Afryce… pic.twitter.com/V3w6hAuCeY

— Kancelaria Prezydenta RP (@prezydentpl) October 17, 2025

"The scale of this government's hypocrisy probably no longer surprises me... They'll twist and turn even on this issue, even though it was Tusk's and Żurek's illegal prosecution service that allowed for the extradition of a Ukrainian suspected of sabotaging the Nord Stream pipelines to Germany." - Jarosław Kaczyński wrote on X.

"Had it not been for the court's rational approach, the fate of this man would have been predetermined. Also noteworthy is the reasoning behind the court's refusal of the Tusk prosecution's request: the weak justification for the request sent by the Germans and the politicization of the German judiciary, as politicians in Germany appoint judges." - he continued in his post.

Skala obłudy tego rządu już mnie chyba nie zaskoczy...
Nawet w takiej sprawie będą odwracać kota ogonem, choć to przecież nielegalna prokuratura Tuska i Żurka była za dopuszczalnością wydania Niemcom Ukraińca podejrzewanego o wysadzenie gazociągów Nord Stream. Gdyby nie…

— Jarosław Kaczyński (@OficjalnyJK) October 17, 2025

"Regarding the attack on the PO headquarters in Warsaw. The police are acting. The perpetrators will not go unpunished. After Bąkiewicz's disgusting words, we appealed to the PiS authorities to condemn this hate speech. There was no condemnation. There was admiration" - wrote Marcin Kierwiński on X.

W sprawie ataku na siedzibę PO w Warszawie. Policja działa. Sprawcy nie pozostaną bezkarni. Po obrzydliwych słowach Bąkiewicza apelowaliśmy do władz PiS o potępienie tej mowy nienawiści. Potępienia nie było. Były zachwyty.

— Marcin Kierwiński (@MKierwinski) October 17, 2025

"I will be talking shortly, after our meeting concludes, with President Zelensky, who will report on the effects of his talks in Washington to several European leaders," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during EFNI.

- Driving from Olsztyn to you, I also heard the news, I expected it sooner or later, about a man who tried to set fire, in this case, to the headquarters of my political party in Warsaw, with shouts which I will not quote, but you can guess, directed at me and at Civic Platform, a Molotov cocktail, a rare thing in Poland - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Forum for New Ideas.

- Frankly, no wonder, if Mr. Bąkiewicz speaks from a podium provided by the opposition leader, calling for weeding out the weeds [...] and burning this land with napalm so that weeds like you do not grow. I am saying this because this is also a dimension of the war. We must constantly be aware that this great dispute, which is taking place in Poland, in Europe, and also has a global dimension, is a dispute about fundamental matters - he continued.

- On my way to Olsztyn, I heard that a Polish judge absolutely rose to the occasion. It is absolutely not my role as prime minister, as a politician, to review or recommend the actions of Polish courts. [...] But after what happened, I can say that I have great satisfaction that a Polish judge spoke these very simple words: if a Ukrainian is fighting Russia, they deserve glory, not arrest – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Forum for New Ideas.

- Because for long months I was involved, until it landed in the hands of the court - this case has a long history - in ensuring that people, heroes, were not punished simply because of procedures or still quite nasty interests. So, as you can guess, I also had a very personal - as a Pole, as a prime minister, as a human being - satisfaction here – he continued.

- In recent days, I have been speaking with people who will hopefully help me prepare actions that will restore the belief for both Ukrainians and Poles that our solidarity and cooperation is in the interest of all Poles and all Ukrainians. It must be wise, it must be thoughtful, but it is in the interest of both nations - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Forum of New Ideas.

- And that the alternative [...] will be a geopolitical catastrophe if we allow the haters on both sides, and there are plenty of them in Kyiv and Lviv, let's not have any illusions. If we allow both sides, who have ill will and negative emotions, to set the new tone in our relations, we will be in very serious trouble - he continued.

- This war opened our eyes, all of us who too naively believed either in the end of history, or the end of the age of ideologies, or in eternal peace, or in international order. This war has shown us very clearly that we cannot - as Poland and as Europe - outsource security issues. We cannot outsource everything connected with industrial production - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Forum of New Ideas.

- We cannot sacrifice our own security, our own production and defense capabilities in the name of beautiful ideas, such as climate protection, but we must find a balance everywhere. We need to reasonably re-establish, with iron consistency, the hierarchy of priorities. Safe development. Where possible and necessary, autonomy and sovereignty - he argued.

- There were moments when we knew how to build common priorities despite all our differences. We must return to this task. This is a matter of security. This is a matter of elementary unity that cannot be discredited by violence - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Forum for New Ideas.

- It must be effective defense of the border and territory. I had the courage to tell you this here, the courage, which required courage in my environment, that one of the conditions for Poland's security, Poland's development, is the effective, firm defense of the border and territory - he continued.

- Fortunately, everyone understands today. I want to tell you this openly as well. The fact that some understood so late that the defense of the border and territory is an obvious duty of every government and every society, has, among other things, led to the triumph of cheap, dangerous, primitive populism in so many places around the world - he went on to say.

- I would like us to take away the tools, weapons, and arguments from all those who, in the name of security, in the name of defending sovereignty or borders, want to and are starting to do very ugly things - he emphasized.

- Lech Wałęsa's dream of Poland becoming the second Japan has come true. Exactly next year, according to the International Monetary Fund, Poland will reach [GDP] per capita – and this is a fairly reliable calculation – exactly the same as Japan has today – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Forum for New Ideas.

- Only if people believe that it is possible to be simultaneously a champion of freedom, democracy, tolerance, and peace, and that these same people can simultaneously be tough and strong when defending all of us, our businesses, our families, our borders against various threats, and don't back down… - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the European Forum for New Ideas.

- The nation has the right to expect from those who believe in the ideals of liberal democracy – there is no alternative here, it's not just an expectation, it's, and I think we all understand this now, an obvious fact – that democrats are strong, effective, and, when necessary, even ruthless in defending values, security, and peace - he emphasized.

- The Civic Coalition, that is, the political party or the team with which I decided to undertake this fight, has lost nothing in terms of support. [...] I'm talking about facts - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the WojewódzkiKędzierski podcast, when asked about losing 2.5 million voters.

- When I look at the level of support for President Macron, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer in Great Britain, Viktor Orbán in Hungary recently, I must say that I am doing quite well. I have no complexes, I am aware of how divided public opinion is in Poland; if today I enjoy the trust of 30, 35, sometimes 40% of Poles, that is a great reward for me anyway - he continued.

- I will not be told that after these two years people have turned away from us, because that is not the case - he went on to say.

- And you get excited like 13-year-old boys that Confederation is so powerful with 15%, and this Civic Coalition is so shit [he cut off at the letter “s”, not uttering the full word - ed.], because it has 32% and this is a total disaster - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the “WojewódzkiKędzierski” podcast.

- The challenge is [Confederation]. Well, then we have to fight - Donald Tusk continued, when asked if he felt threatened by Bosak and Mentzen.

- Of course, it's not pleasant. It wasn't a joke on my part when I replied that I have a soft spot for the slogan “Donald Matole.” Everyone knows the rest, because it first appeared, I think, at the end of 2010, before the 2011 elections, and I don't know if you remember, I was then traveling in a Tuskobus. - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski.”

- Everyone said, I don't know what colleague Wojewódzki was saying then, this Tusk is worn out, he'd better leave, he will definitely lose the election, and many things indicated that. We won the election in 2011, of course, and the fans helped me a lot with the slogan “Donald matole, your government will be overthrown by hooligans.” - Donald Tusk continued.

Kuba Wojewódzki, in a conversation with Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the podcast "WojewódzkiKędzierski," referred to Szymon Hołownia's notorious nocturnal meeting with Adam Bielan.

- I consider it shameful, small, and contemptible. His grand words about patriotism turned out to be small gestures in reality, at night - he stated.

- What a fire. What a blow you landed just now, Mr. Editor - commented the head of government.

- Because I've known him longer than you have - Wojewódzki retorted.

- For me, a return to ethical balance is a return to a state where the justice system consists of independent judges, independent prosecutors, who decide who goes to jail and who doesn't - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the WojewódzkiKędzierski podcast.

- And not Kuba Wojewódzki with Donald Tusk and Piotr Kędzierski in the studio saying, "oh, I hate him so much, I'll put him in the slammer, or preferably, I'll chop his head off..." - he continued.

- I will not be a 'Bąkiewicz', meaning if you want a 'Bąkiewicz' on our side, you have to find someone completely different - he went on to say, responding to Kuba Wojewódzki's assertion that if he spoke in such a language, he wouldn't have lost 2.5 million voters and that "you lack a bit of 'Bąkiewiczów', people who really pull out the big stick and define reality in a simplified way."

- I am in politics to ensure that 'Bąkiewicze', whether they have liberal, right-wing, or left-wing colours, I am in politics to ensure that 'Bąkiewicze' do not rule Poland. Whoever they may be - he added.

- I had the opportunity to personally congratulate him on his family, because those family threads really didn't sit well with me. You know what I mean, those attacks on [Kasia Nawrocka], that was also being instigated, it was absolutely being instigated, and someone wanted to convince people that we were attacking our opponents' children - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- I will not say a bad word about the people who want to cross the border. I am saying that they cannot cross this border because we must protect our border, but not because they are worse, or unwashed, or because they have germs. So even on this matter, the division is clear. - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- I have great appreciation for Rafał Trzaskowski's determination, and I prefer to take responsibility for the decisions made regarding who the candidate is. I believe he did everything in his power - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on the podcast „WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- Yes, [October 15th] was a turning point. Did we deliver on all the promises, commitments over two years? No, we didn't. We delivered the most important thing. You are not being wiretapped. You are not being wiretapped. Kaczyński is not being wiretapped - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in the WojewódzkiKędzierski podcast.

- If someone has prosecutorial charges, according to you not enough, too slow, they aren't in jail, we don't broadcast them being transported somewhere in handcuffs, okay, you can complain about that, but I fought to ensure I wouldn't be the one deciding who goes to jail - he continued.

- For 8 years you lived in a country where you were powerless and helpless. They tapped your phones, they jailed whoever they wanted, they stole as much as they could, they were beyond all control, they bought some media outlets - he went on to say.

- You don't need an incredible imagination to see what a negative campaign against Radosław Sikorski would look like, not only regarding the anti-Semitic digs [at his wife], which have already occurred. Whenever Sikorski gains popularity, Kaczyński or someone else will always make such infantile, stupid remarks about his wife, 'you know who she is.' We won't find an answer to what would have happened if Sikorski had run - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- Quite quickly, I won't specify the date, but quite quickly - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski.”

- For two years, in the most spectacular setting, that of the Ministry of Justice, we had a minister I am proud of. Adam Bodnar truly believed that it was possible to restore legal civilization in Poland through civilized methods, and it turned out that this is not true - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- This is a very serious communication problem, and I am aware that what PiS managed to do in 2015, building a narrative around 500+, a very massive, groundbreaking, social, strong, simple promise… - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- So you lacked that, didn't you? Such an ideological neon sign? - asked Kuba Wojewódzki.

- That kind of “moving forward” – “oh, this is our big project that concerns everyone”? Yes, this is the biggest deficit, and I know that this is the task that lies before me for these 2 years - replied Tusk.

- I don't rule out that we will achieve a composition in the Constitutional Tribunal within a year, because that's roughly how the calendar will look. Thus, the Constitutional Tribunal will regain its rule-of-law character. I think that within a year, regarding the Constitutional Tribunal, we should see very clear progress - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast „WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

"Do you know what the true review of my state of mind, my mobilization, and my readiness to fight is? Not what the disappointed write about me, but what those who consider me their main adversary say and write" - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the WojewódzkiKędzierski podcast.

"If I listen to those who have also harassed you, and my task is to ensure they do not return to power, their obsession with me has not diminished. [...] [Listening to] Bąkiewicz, Kaczyński, Confederation – no, I'll say it brutally: whom do they fear? If they fear anyone in Poland, it's me" - he continued.

"They wouldn't fear a lazy, demobilized, or frustrated old man" - he went on to say.

- Unlike people commenting on politics, I cannot succumb to this, and it is indeed an illusion, that PiS is on the offensive now. No. PiS is in a very bad situation altogether. Because Nawrocki has taken over the spiritual leadership on the right flank – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast „WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- I say this without any malicious satisfaction, but Kaczyński has an existential problem today – he assessed.

- I believe the problem with Szymon Hołownia and his party stemmed from a very false premise, that on October 15, 2023, a significant portion of Polish voters cast their ballots for a "third way," meaning neither PiS nor PO, but rather to find some third solution - stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- No. Poles voted because after 8 years, they were truly fed up with the brutal, vulgar mess that PiS had inflicted upon us. Paradoxically, seeking a third way, even the name itself was adopted, seeking a third way was, in a sense, the first stage being the symmetry of "PiS-PO - one evil." The second stage is the illusion that because of this, we will find something beyond or alongside. And the fundamental dispute in Polish politics and the fundamental emotion among ordinary people is precisely this dispute - he continued.

- Because if one can go to Bielen, we know who he is, the host of this dinner, we know who he was and what he stands for. To go to him at night and fraternize with Kaczyński, that was a consequence precisely of this symmetry - Donald Tusk concluded.

- You'll see that soon not only Poles will be returning from England, but the English will be coming to Poland to look for work. Not to have a drink in Krakow, but to look for work - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast „WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- In the case of Jarosław Kaczyński, precisely because Nawrocki has become the point of reference at this moment, and unequivocally so. When it comes to a political collective that stirs emotions, it is Konfederacja today rather than PiS. This is a blow of some sort and it is more populist - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast „WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- However, when it comes to the issue of personal leadership, Jarosław Kaczyński suddenly understood that he is out. Because he is indeed out. I say this without satisfaction, because Karol Nawrocki will be a more serious challenge - he stated.

Radosław Sikorski responded to a post by Péter Szijjártó, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who described as scandalous an earlier comment by Donald Tusk. In that comment, the Polish Prime Minister informed about the release of Volodymyr Zelenskyy by a Polish court. According to the Hungarian minister, this is an endorsement of terrorism.

"No, Peter. When a foreign aggressor bombs your country, you can legitimately counterattack by sabotaging its ability to finance the war. That’s called self-defense" - a comment to this effect appeared on his account on the X platform.

No, Peter. When a foreign aggressor is bombing your country you may legitimately strike back by sabotaging the aggressor’s ability to finance the war.
It is called self-defence. https://t.co/AOcea3ea7Z

— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) October 17, 2025

- No… I am not a cruel reaper or mower, no – Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in the podcast "WojewódzkiKędzierski," responding to a comment that he "mows down" competition within Civic Platform (PO) and wanted to "tame and pacify" Rafał Trzaskowski.

- Shouldn't the leader know that halfway through the term, the largest governing party, the coalition, should already be in the starting blocks for the next election campaign? - asked Kuba Wojewódzki on the podcast "WojewódzkiKędzierski".

- Yes, I know - replied Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

- And what about it? What will happen? A slogan, an idea? Will Sławomir Nitras again, the same 'hawks' who led Trzaskowski to success, run this campaign? - the host pressed.

- No - the head of government answered.

- But do you have an idea for new people? - the journalist continued to ask.

- Yes - PDT replied briefly.

- I have to, all these emotions of mine… You don’t even know what emotions sometimes boil inside me when I see what’s happening with some of them. I have to hide it all deep down. I have to, a bit like a father – I apologize for that phrasing – ensure this family doesn’t fall apart – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski”.

- I can’t call a joint phone call with several European leaders a conversation. We had three such situations, one in Kyiv, one in Paris. However, a one-on-one conversation or in a small, direct group, that happened when I was President of the European Council - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on the podcast “WojewódzkiKędzierski,” when asked when he last spoke with Donald Trump.

- We never had chemistry. My opinions on President Trump’s policies were also known earlier. This is a very delicate matter. Many leaders around the world have learned to remain silent about various things they don't like. Because, you know, there’s calculation, a balance of power, etc. - he continued.

- I am doing everything I can not to harm Polish-American relations. And here, things are really okay. If it’s a certain inconvenience for me that President Trump is not my fan, let’s call it that - and vice versa, I am also not a fan of President Trump - but this probably affects the essence of Polish-American relations to the slightest degree, i.e., the issue of military cooperation or mutual business - he stated.

- Which country will you leave for if PiS takes power? - Kuba Wojewódzki asked on the podcast 'WojewódzkiKędzierski'.

- Ger... There is no such scenario - Prime Minister Donald Tusk replied.

- I already thought you'd say Germany... - Wojewódzki commented.

- I deliberately played it like that, I'm that witty - the head of government responded.