-- MY DAD AND I KNEW IT WAS A SWINDLE - a year ago, the front pages of newspapers featured statements from Michał Tusk.

-- MICHAŁ KAMIŃSKI ON JAKI BEING BETTER THAN DUDA - KAMIŃSKI ON TRZASKOWSKI'S CAMPAIGN: https://300polityka.pl/live/2018/06/22/

-- TRUSKOLASKI ISSUED PLN 20 MILLION IN BONUSES - Kurier Poranny's front page: “In addition, over PLN 7 million was allocated for special allowances and PLN 4.8 million for bonuses. This is how Tadeusz Truskolaski rewarded officials” https://plus.poranny.pl/wiadomosci/a/hojny-jak-prezydent-bialegostoku-tylko-na-nagrody-wydal-20-mln-zl,13267296

-- MORAWIECKI STABILIZED THE SITUATION, PULLED THE TEAM THROUGH A DIFFICULT PERIOD - writes Marcin Fijołek: “Recent weeks have seen a lack of major blunders by PiS politicians, a calming of moods, and a stabilization of the situation despite Jarosław Kaczyński's absence. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki deserves considerable credit for this, as he skillfully defused several potential explosive situations and was the one who pulled the party-parliamentary team through what was, after all, a difficult period.”

-- WAŁĘSA HARMED THE PROTESTERS - FIJOŁEK REFERS TO PIS RESEARCH: “The stabilization of PiS's approval ratings was also contributed to by the end of the disabled persons' protest in the Sejm. Interestingly, this situation was defused not by Mateusz Morawiecki, but by… Lech Wałęsa. Internal PiS research indicates that until the former president's visit to the Sejm, many Poles identified with and sympathized with those occupying the parliament's corridors. Wałęsa's visit dramatically changed this.”

-- FIJOŁEK QUOTES A PIS POLITICIAN ON BREAKING THROUGH STAGNATION THANKS TO A SERIES OF LOCAL MEETINGS: “From a Warsaw perspective, it might seem strange, but when I explain what, for example, Morawiecki's 'Five' program entails, people often have their eyes widen. They haven't heard of it, or don't know the specifics. I believe, moreover, that it's thanks to these meetings that we broke through our stagnation, that we emerged from this deep defensive position.”

-- JAKI'S CAMPAIGN BENEFITED PIS'S APPROVAL RATINGS - writes Fijołek: “The successes in the United Right's approval ratings were also aided by Patryk Jaki's pre-campaign in Warsaw. While the Deputy Minister of Justice is not making a splash in the capital – research indicates, for example, that residents are generally uninterested in the privatization issue and the scandals in the city hall – his dynamism, especially against Rafał Trzaskowski, is yielding results. This may not translate into electoral success in Warsaw itself, but it provides political fuel for PiS in Poland. A campaign paradox, if you will.” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/400589-sezon-wakacyjny-pis-zaczyna-bez-zadyszki-w-notowaniach

-- JACEK GĄDEK ON MORAWIECKI'S UNUSED POTENTIAL: “Today, however, Morawiecki still falters sometimes, gets tangled in improvisation, forces applause, and devolves into rambling instead of maintaining a clear vocal delivery. Examples? He constantly resorts to illegible literary or historical allusions. He adopts a provocative and journalistic tone, for instance, by asserting that Poles should be proud of March '68, and that in general, Poland didn't exist during the PRL era. Or – even worse – he speaks of "Jewish perpetrators" of the Holocaust, causing an international scandal. And he writes in the American press about judges universally expecting bribes. Morawiecki has – as I wrote immediately after his appointment as prime minister – gigantic potential, which however remains unused, or even wasted.”

-- GĄDEK NOTICES MORAWIECKI'S ABILITY FOR POLITICAL SPEECHES: “And when speaking in the Sejm, he parrots PiS's party line, although he naturally delivers it with flair. Grzegorz Sroczyński writes about Morawiecki's brilliance in the Sejm (June 6). But this is not his first such speech – at times brimming with verve. Already at the PiS convention two months ago, Morawiecki showed that he could also fit perfectly into the role of a people's tribune. Now he is simply developing his skills to captivate both PiS members and the party's voters.” http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,161770,23573881,morawiecki-chce-byc-jak-bono-ale-na-razie-gra-stare-covery.html#MT

-- PATRYK JAKI IS WRITING A DOCTORATE: “Patryk Jaki, the Deputy Minister of Justice, intends to write a doctoral dissertation at the University of Opole. On Thursday, the Council of the Institute of Political Science unanimously supported his motion to open doctoral proceedings. (...) To open doctoral proceedings, one must demonstrate a prior publication of a scientific article in a scientific journal. Patryk Jaki has fulfilled this condition. In the "Przegląd Więziennictwa Polskiego" (Polish Prison Review), he published an article titled 'Employment of Convicts in Poland in Comparative Perspective. Selected Issues.'” http://www.nto.pl/serwisy/akademicka/a/patryk-jaki-chce-pisac-doktorat-i-bedzie-prowadzil-zajecia-ze-studentami-na-uniwersytecie-opolskim,13278942/

-- DO RZECZY WRITES ABOUT TRZASKOWSKI'S SURPRISING IDEA FOR TRAFFIC JAMS - WE NEED TO TALK: “Rafał Trzaskowski from Civic Platform has a surprising idea on how to alleviate Warsaw's traffic jams. According to him, the problem… simply needs to be discussed. – We need to talk and make it easier for all drivers who need to get to work, and we will do that (...). Let's talk about it, let's show the existing parking lots, and the situation will improve. It's a matter of conversation – insists the PO and Modern coalition candidate for the Mayor of Warsaw at one of the meetings, a recording of which has surfaced online.” https://dorzeczy.pl/kraj/68216/Jak-rozwiazac-problem-korkow-w-Warszawie-Zaskakujaca-propozycja-Trzaskowskiego.html

-- FORTUNE STOPS SMILING ON POLAND - Michał Szułdrzyński in Rzeczpospolita: “Our authorities, on the other hand, seem surprised by the turn of events. Some have concluded that after several concessions, a compromise on the rule of law principle is simply due to us. The government is seeking allies but is either counting on blocking potential sanctions or dividing the budgetary cake in the future perspective. As if completely ignoring the fact that the Union is slowly but surely changing. Simultaneously, we hear announcements that a new EU treaty will emerge from Poland. Of course, it would be wonderful if Poles had enough influence to shape the new architecture of the Union's operation. But for now, we are unable to even realize our basic interests within the Community.” http://www.rp.pl/Publicystyka/306219900-Szczescie-przestaje-usmiechac-sie--do-Polski.html

-- ANNA SŁOJEWSKA ON HUNGARY POSSIBLY FACING ARTICLE 7 PROCEEDINGS - writes in Rzeczpospolita: “I believe it will happen. It's high time to initiate Article 7 proceedings against Hungary as well – says Josef Weidenholzer, Vice-Chairman of the Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. The MEP recalled the double standards towards both countries, resulting – in his opinion – from the fact that Hungary is governed by a party affiliated with the European People's Party, the largest political group, which includes Germany's CDU, among others.” http://www.rp.pl/Unia-Europejska/306219904-Polska-nie-pozbyla-sie-Timmermansa.html

-- ANDRZEJ STANKIEWICZ ON THE GOVERNMENT PRACTICALLY SUSPENDING THE INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE ACT: “The number of reports to the prosecutor's office based on the controversial IPN act is growing – there are already over 80. However, prosecutors are hesitant to bring charges for 'Polish concentration camps.' Data obtained by Onet shows that the government has effectively suspended the operation of the act, criticized in Israel and the USA. But it won't openly admit it.” https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/prokuratorzy-nie-chca-scigac-za-polskie-obozy-koncentracyjne/1wftg1y

-- RAPPER WSZ SUPPORTED JAKI - from Maciej Gnatowski's FB: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2150144751663845&set=a.471890309489306.111679.100000050227222&type=3&theater

-- OKO PRESS ON THE SITUATION AT LOT (POLISH AIRLINES): “Self-employment, disrespect for labor rights, loss of income during illness, and financial catastrophe in case of pregnancy. Employees are rebelling, but the company has blocked the strike and fired the union leader. The government encourages LOT's management. 'This is a symbol of colossal regression in labor and union rights in Poland.'” https://oko.press/smieciowki-i-zwalnianie-zwiazkowcow-prezes-lot-chce-zeby-ludzie-brali-sprawy-w-swoje-rece-i-mogli-sie-rozwijac/

-- JACEK KARNOWSKI ON THE PRESIDENT'S FATE BEING TIED TO THE FATE OF THE ENTIRE RIGHT: “The conclusion is as follows: the political fate of the president is much more closely linked to the fate of the entire right wing than one might think. In times of 'peace,' one can be lulled into the illusion that these are merely parallel paths, but when a serious confrontation arises, the picture becomes clear. Only the success of the 'Good Change' (Dobra Zmiana) gives the president room to expand his electorate beyond the hard base. Only full support from one's own camp generates the energy that can truly attract additional votes.” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/400696-los-prezydenta-jest-scisle-zwiazany-z-losem-calej-prawicy

-- CZARZASTY HOPES CIMOSZEWICZ'S AND KWAŚNIEWSKI'S INVOLVEMENT IN CELIŃSKI'S CAMPAIGN WILL BOOST SLD - as Marcin Antosiewicz writes in Newsweek: “Czarzasty, as his associates report to us, hopes that Celiński will be supported in his campaign by Aleksander Kwaśniewski and Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, which will positively impact the party's results nationwide. In an interview with 'Newsweek,' Celiński declares 'respect' for the SLD's program. – However, regarding personnel matters, I believe that today all political parties have captured the state, and if I am elected, I will certainly put an end to such policies in the city – he says.”

-- CELIŃSKI TELLS ANTOSIEWICZ HE WON'T ENGAGE IN BIDDING WARS: “Andrzej Celiński, as he states in an interview with us, does not yet have an election slogan, but he will not create it in opposition to his rivals. He does not intend to compete with Patryk Jaki and Rafał Trzaskowski. He promises a different kind of campaign than that already conducted by PiS and PO candidates. He declares that he will not allow topics or methods of soliciting votes to be imposed on him. – When one says, '10 kindergartens!', and the other says, '50 kindergartens!', I won't say, '85 kindergartens!'. Because it's known to be a big deception! I consider such campaigns a crime against democracy – he tells 'Newsweek.'”

-- ANTOSIEWICZ ON CELIŃSKI POTENTIALLY BEING BERNIE SANDERS FOR SLD: “Celiński's independence, at 68, is both a weakness and a strength, depending on your perspective. He can be radical, and young people like that, so SLD might have its Bernie Sanders moment. At his age and with his biography, he doesn't need to justify his words, behavior, or actions. He has enough self-confidence to want to create models rather than adapt to existing ones.” http://m.newsweek.pl/polska/polityka/andrzej-celinski-kandydatem-na-prezydenta-warszawy,artykuly,429048,1.html

-- TOMASZ SAKIEWICZ ON HOW THE PRACTICE OF THE RUCH COMPANY FAVORS GERMAN PRESS AND THE NEED TO CREATE A NATIONAL OPERATOR: “This places German publishing houses in a decidedly privileged position. They not only possess enormous capital but also organize themselves into large groups, thereby gaining a negotiating advantage and increasing their survival capacity. If this continues, they will soon take over Ruch or its components and decide a significant portion of the market. Instead of creating further media deconcentration projects, a national operator for press and book sales should be established. A company created from Ruch and Poczta Polska (Polish Post) could serve this role, with funding from the Polish Development Fund (PFR). A national operator would ensure the promotion of culture in small towns and oversee fair margins and payment terms. This would be a real strengthening of the Polish press and even book market. Without it, Polish press may disappear soon.” https://gpcodziennie.pl/92312-onarodowegooperatoradlaprasy.html

-- PIOTR WÓJCIK PROVIDES NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF NEOLIBERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT: “Local governments are also keen on outsourcing public services. In Warsaw, some public transport services are provided by private companies – e.g., Arriva Bus Transport Polska or Europe Express City. For years, the Veolia concern, known for having sued Egypt in arbitration for daring to raise the minimum wage, also did this. At that time, Veolia was removing waste in Alexandria, which increased its costs. Gdańsk went even further, privatizing water supply and sewage disposal, which is handled by the private company Saur Neptun Gdańsk. The price for sewage disposal there is now one of the highest among large Polish cities.”

-- WÓJCIK ON MASS PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: “The Supreme Audit Office (NIK) examined the commercialization of public hospitals for the years 1999-2010. The main thesis of the report was that commercialization yielded no expected results. The financial situation of commercialized hospitals did not improve, nor were queues shortened. Furthermore, local governments made numerous mistakes. For example, they transferred ownership of real estate to companies (instead of leasing them), which, in case of the company's bankruptcy, did not secure their infrastructure for providing medical care in their area. Another group of local governments, while leasing real estate, did not ensure proper valuation, thus charging absurdly low rates. And when transferring fixed assets to new companies, they didn't even bother with inventory.” https://nowyobywatel.pl/2018/06/20/neoliberalny-samorzad/

-- BIRTHDAYS: Elżbieta Rafalska, Magdalena Rigamonti, Kazia Szczuka, Ireneusz Krzemiński, Andrzej Machowski.