-- JAKI PRESENTS ANOTHER COMMITMENT: WARSAW PARKING CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM: https://300polityka.pl/live/2018/05/05/

-- ZANDBERG ON SHORTENING WORKING HOURS - writes in SE: “Work from 9 to 4. No urgent calls at dawn, no staying at the company until midnight. And no constant taking work home. The boss knows they have to distribute tasks sensibly. They ensure everyone has something to do, otherwise the company won't meet its orders. After seven hours, at 4 PM, employees go home. (...) They manage companies like serfdom: they shout, force overtime, cut wages. The effect is the same as in serfdom - low productivity. It's time to end this. That's why on Monday, in front of the Sejm, we are launching a signature collection for shortening working hours. The citizens' bill "Work Shorter" means an hour more for family obligations, for learning, or simply for rest. But a shorter work week is primarily a signal to Polish companies: no more predatory exploitation of people. The Razem party wants to introduce this change safely for the economy – gradually, step by step. And if a company really needs to keep people at work longer? They should pay a higher rate for overtime. Poles deserve a balance between work and rest.” http://www.se.pl/wiadomosci/opinie/adrian-zandberg-krocej-znaczy-madrzej_1052673.html

-- JAN ŚPIEWAK: PIS'S ONLY USEFUL IDIOTS ARE THOSE WHO FOR YEARS TURNED A BLIND EYE TO THE REPRIVATIZATION MAFIA: "Whoever is not with us is with PiS" and "Śpiewak, a useful idiot of PiS." Famous slogans promoted by Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz before the reprivatization scandal erupted. The only useful idiots of PiS I see are those who for years turned a blind eye to the activities of the reprivatization mafia and today want to convince us that there is a two-party system in Poland and one can only vote for the lesser evil. It wasn't Zandberg who won the elections for PiS, but the Civic Platform, which thought that by scaring people with PiS, they would win again. Now these same elites are behaving exactly as they did in 2015. It's time to stop choosing the lesser evil, which, surprisingly, always turns out to be evil in the end. Do you want to repeat the same thing now?” https://www.facebook.com/janekspiewak/posts/10155264704391533

-- IT WASN'T POPULISTS WHO BOMBED WITHOUT A UN MANDATE, INEQUALITIES DIDN'T GROW WITH POPULISTS IN POWER - JAN ZIELONKA, AUTHOR OF THE BOOK ON LIBERAL EUROPE IN REVERSE, in an interview with Agnieszka Rosner in GW: “Liberals have, however, forgotten about their principles. It wasn't populists who were in power when inequalities dramatically increased. It wasn't populists who bombed other countries without a UN mandate, and then left them to the mercy of warlords, causing unimaginable suffering and related migrations. All of this happened, as the English say, on their watch. I'm not saying it was their intention, no. But this history cannot be erased.”

-- LIBERALISM DEFINED THE CONCEPT OF NORMALITY - says Zielonka: “Why was liberalism so powerful for many years? Because it was capable of defining the concept of normality, it became an ideology. Like any ideology, it set the framework for what is good and what is bad. If one defines what is rational and what is irrational, there is no need to use sanctions or punishments for people to act in the way dictated by the given ideology. The greatest political power lies in the strength of ideology. If it weakens, one has to bribe citizens. Or resort to violence.”

-- PEOPLE DESPERATELY LOOKED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO PO: “I don't know if PiS has a monopoly on normality in Poland. In the last elections, people desperately looked for an alternative to PO, the best evidence is that two of the parties that entered parliament – Nowoczesna and Kukiz’15 – didn't exist at all a few months before the elections.”

-- PEOPLE WANTED CHANGE - says Zielonka in an interview with Rosner: “Please be careful when saying: 'their electorate.' This electorate had voted for Civic Platform for many years before. One needs to ask why they are now voting for PiS. I have lived in this country through various types of propaganda: Gierek's, Gomułka's, Urban's (laughter). The electorate chose PiS before Kurski started controlling television. One needs to ask how it happened that the voter turned their back on liberals. (...) Of course, I have [an answer]. Because issues of inequality, social policy as such, were neglected. Because the enormous economic growth did not encompass many social groups across the country. How many people from your generation have a permanent job? And how many of these people can afford an apartment, let alone a pension? Furthermore, in international affairs, we participated in brawls without batting an eyelid. Family policy practically didn't exist. People wanted change.” http://wyborcza.pl/magazyn/7,124059,23356577,prof-jan-zielonka-prosze-ostroznie-z-ich-elektorat-lepiej.html

-- MICHAŁ KARNOWSKI ON WHAT THE MEDIA OF THE III REPUBLIC ARE PREPARING FOR THE CAMPAIGN - AWARDS ARE LIKE INNOCENT TICKLES: “We must say it clearly: the balance sheet of the "good change" actions in the area of media pluralism is tragic. The costs are already visible. And they will be higher. The coordination of media campaigns by the III Republic camp is clearly palpable, targeting (salami tactic) successive, already isolated, elements of the "good change." For now, the whole thing holds together somehow, but the pressure is growing. In the 2019 campaign, it will reach its peak. Behind the scenes, it is heard that these media are already gathering ammunition for that time. The spectacle organized by the right regarding awards will then be remembered as innocent tickles. There will be few strong institutions capable of resisting. Especially since many in conservative journalistic circles have also decided that it is more profitable to come to terms with the establishment than to remain unequivocally in a camp that is so weak in the media sphere, and often disloyal at that. Conformist attitudes are intensifying.”

-- KARNOWSKI ON PRIVACY RESPECT IN TABLOIDS BEING RESERVED FOR TUSK: “A tabloid founded by Germans for Poles has no qualms about crossing the elementary boundary of privacy, which is human suffering in illness. Jarosław Kaczyński on crutches? Face contorted with pain? Here we go! Respect for privacy is reserved for Donald Tusk and his colleagues. This is a symbolic statement that they will now try to strip the last layer of elementary respect from this government in the media.” https://wpolityce.pl/media/392845-bilans-dzialan-dobrej-zmiany-w-obszarze-pluralizacji-mediow-jest-tragiczny-koszty-juz-widac

-- NOT WHETHER TO CLOSE ARTICLE 7 PROCEDURE BUT HOW - KATARZYNA SZYMAŃSKA BORGINON: “Closing the Article 7 procedure is within reach, although officially both sides are still very cautious. The discussion is no longer just about whether to close the Article 7 procedure, but how it will be done.” http://www.rmf24.pl/tylko-w-rmf24/katarzyna-szymanska-borginion/blogi/newsamp-bruksela-wycofa-art-7-ruch-nalezy-do-komisji-europejskiej,nId,2576821?__twitter_impression=true

-- NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ARE MORE POLITICAL THAN SUBSTANTIVE - writes Ewa Siedlecka in Oko: “I don't know if the European Commission will be satisfied with such changes. Apart from appointing assessors and a certain narrowing of the extraordinary appeal, they are not changing the court "reforms" of PiS for the better, i.e., more in line with the principle of judicial independence, impartiality of judges, and the separation of powers. But it is possible that the negotiations with the European Commission are currently more political than substantive. That it's not so much about restoring the rule of law, but about closing the case.” https://oko.press/pis-udaje-idzie-na-kompromis-z-bruksela-czy-komisja-europejska-uda-ze-zostala-przekonana/

-- 16 YEARS IS ENOUGH - WOJCIECH MUCHA ON MAJCHROWSKI: “The city, however, is not utilizing its potential; instead, it is being torn apart by cliques – from developers to the president's relatives and acquaintances. And over 16 years, relatives and acquaintances have multiplied like rabbits. I don't know if, as in the song by the group Pod Budą, Krakow's florists are "waiting for a miracle." Certainly, thousands of Krakow residents are waiting for a new vision for the city. A city that doesn't want to be a capital but cannot be a provincial backwater, and at best, a weekend alternative to Kazimierz Dolny.” http://m.niezalezna.pl/224286-szesnascie-lat-wystarczy

-- TADEUSZ ZYSK ON BEING A NON-PARTISAN PRESIDENT OF POZNAŃ: “Poznań residents expect a non-partisan president. Regardless of whether I am in PiS or not, my views on many things are close to PiS. I differ on economic issues, such minor things, for example, the head of PiS structures in Poznań believes that public transport should be free. I think differently, that everything always costs something.” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/392844-tadeusz-zysk-zapewnia-ze-nie-wstapi-do-pis-poznaniacy-oczekuja-bezpartyjnego-prezydenta

-- GW ON SOLVERE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE - CONTINUED IMAGE MISTAKES - writes Agata Kondzińska: “Piotr Matczuk has become the head of the Government Information Centre in the new arrangement, but Morawiecki continues to make image mistakes. The Sejm, another day of protest by parents of adult disabled people. The Prime Minister is going to them. But before he enters, he glances at his notes, has a brief consultation with Matczuk. The image is captured by a TVN camera. Previously, President Andrzej Duda was with the protesters. Against his backdrop, Morawiecki fares much worse. – He said something about a roadmap, he had no specifics, he didn't fit in at all, he didn't even look at the disabled people, it turned out very badly – commented sources in PiS. – He fell into deep politics, which he doesn't know how to do. He's a sensitive guy who has adopted the pose of a bankster. He never felt comfortable in large groups; as soon as there are more than ten people, he withdraws – says someone from the Prime Minister's circle.” http://wyborcza.pl/7,75398,23357738,morawiecki-zostal-sam-zaufani-ludzie-odeszli-z-otoczenia-premiera.html

-- CELIŃSKI CANDIDATE FOR THE CITY HALL? - Michał Wojtczuk in Gazeta Stołeczna: “For the city hall seat, Jaki may potentially compete with Andrzej Celiński, a former opposition activist, "Solidarity" activist, later a Member of Parliament for the Democratic Left Alliance and Minister of Culture in Leszek Miller's government, and even later – the head of the fringe Democratic Party. Currently non-partisan, Celiński admitted that he received an offer from the SLD to run in the elections for the Mayor of Warsaw. On Friday, he said on TOK FM radio: "I imagine I will win these elections. There is growing disillusionment with politics confined to the PO-PiS sphere" – he argued. He claimed that Poland lacks a democratic left that "would be social, but culturally liberal." http://warszawa.wyborcza.pl/warszawa/7,54420,23357497,andrzej-celinski-kandydatem-sld-w-wyborach-na-prezydenta-warszawy.html

-- MARCIN FIJOŁEK ON THE REFERENDUM: IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPECT SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER TURNOUT THAN IN KOMOROWSKI'S CASE: “For now, much indicates that the president will have his way and push through the consultative referendum, which will take place on November 10-11. Against the opposition, with the cool indifference of PiS, probably with a small support from Kukiz'15. If, moreover, the referendum were to take place alongside, and not together with, the local elections (and their campaign), it will be difficult to expect significantly better turnout results than in the case of Bronisław Komorowski's plebiscite.”

-- FIJOŁEK ON THE OPTIMISTIC SCENARIO FOR THE PRESIDENT: “Unless, of course, cooperation between Nowogrodzka [PiS headquarters] and the Palace gains momentum, and an interesting idea regarding constitutional changes becomes one of the driving forces of the election campaigns – both local (to a lesser extent) and subsequent ones. But only the greatest optimists probably believe in this scenario. For the latter, there is still hope in the president's personal charm and the inventiveness of his advisors, who would create a fully professional, interesting, and captivating referendum campaign. But can this be done when a major local election campaign is unfolding alongside? The last year and the Palace's efforts in this matter also offer a small hint that this is a very difficult challenge.” https://wpolityce.pl/polityka/392840-miedzy-czekaniem-na-dziejowy-moment-a-zimnym-pragmatyzmem-referendum-konsultacyjne-pad-przed-dluga-droga-do-sukces

-- FAKT ON THE PIS CHAIRMAN'S OPERATION.

-- THEY ARE PREPARING AN OPERATION FOR THE CHAIRMAN - SE. http://www.se.pl/wiadomosci/polityka/kontuzja-kaczynskieg-wiemy-jak-do-tego-doszlo_1052644.html

-- MONIKA JARUZELSKA TELLS ANDRZEJ STANKIEWICZ WHO KISZCZAK WAS TO HER: “Who was General Czesław Kiszczak to you? Uncle Czesiek or the head of security who murdered Father Popiełuszko?” I asked her. She replied: “Neither one nor the other. I was friends with the general's daughter, but I probably didn't call him uncle; he wasn't part of my closest social circle. Even if I judged him very badly, I wouldn't say it publicly. I won't attack those whom others attack.”

-- STANKIEWICZ ON JARUZELSKA'S COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH: “This is all said by a proponent of abortion liberalization and partnership unions, who largely avoids churches. The thing is, with Jaruzelska, nothing is radical, clear-cut, or decisive. She is an atheist, but was baptized by her grandmother in secret from her father. This happens. The snag is that as an atheist, she herself also baptized her son. And today she claims that Gustaw is an unbeliever.” https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/jaruzelska-kocha-samotnych/w2j7s87

-- MICHAŁ SZUŁDRZYŃSKI ON LESSONS FROM THE PERSISTENT THERAPY CASE OF ALFIE EVANS: “And if any good is to come from the tragic fate of Alfie Evans, perhaps it should be the realization that we need a serious debate on the ethical consequences of medical development. As a society – but also as individuals, who themselves or their loved ones will encounter this complexity – we need to think through and discuss these matters.” http://www.rp.pl/Plus-Minus/305049972-Michal-Szuldrzynski-Etyczne-konsekwencje-rozwoju-medycyny-czyli-pytanie-ktore-zostawil-Alfie-Evans.html

-- THE DEMOCRATIC UNION WAS ACTUALLY MORE ANTI-COMMUNIST THAN ZCHN AND PC - KRZYSZTOF KRÓL in conversation with Eliza Olczyk: “I don't know, maybe they disliked KPN. In any case, we didn't have supporters of the decommunization option in ZChN or Porozumienie Centrum. Moreover, we saw that PC attacked some PZPR members and supported others. Over time, it turned out that they were looking for SB officials whom they could use to fight their opponents. That's why Andrzej Anklewicz, an SB officer who conducted the file provocation, appeared alongside Antoni Macierewicz. I believe that the Democratic Union was actually much more anti-communist than ZChN or PC.” http://www.rp.pl/Plus-Minus/305049962-Krzysztof-Krol-Jaroslaw-Kaczynski-dazy-do-dyktatury.html&cid=44&template=restricted

-- ARTUR ANDRUS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF RELATIVE CONSOLATION - in a cover interview with GW: “In one restaurant, I asked the waitress if they had cold soup, and she said: "No, but we had it on the weekend." It dawned on me, and I formulated the principle of relative consolation. It occurs when a person thinks: "Well, I didn't succeed, but only a little, because I am in the right place, just at the wrong time."

-- ANDRUS ON CYMAŃSKI'S "UN-JOY": “Recently, Robert Mazurek asked Tadeusz Cymański about returning awards. Cymański replied that he first said he was furious, but now he would say it differently. "What would you call this phenomenon?" Mazurek asks, and Cymański: "There is this un-joy within me." Wonderful! These are the moments I wait for, for such moments when politicians brush against poetry. I would have already written a song about "un-joy," but I know it's not my copyright, I didn't invent it.” http://wyborcza.pl/magazyn/7,124059,23356577,artur-andrus-brakuje-mi-powtorki-z-rozrywki-spedzilem-w.html

-- BIRTHDAYS: Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Witold Waszczykowski, Witold Kołodziejski, Kamil Dziubka, Tomasz Wróblewski, SUNDAY: Stanisława Prządka, Marcin Zawiła, Witold Bereś.