-- REGIONAL PRESS CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON PIS LEADERS. -- WILL SCHETYNA BE THE FIRST PO LEADER IN YEARS TO LOSE TO KACZYŃSKI? - MICHAŁ WOJTCZUK IN GW: “Years pass, and Jarosław Kaczyński is almost invariably supported by one-fifth of all voters in Warsaw. The percentage of votes cast for the leader of the PO list, however, is dynamically decreasing. Will Schetyna be the first PO leader since 2005 to lose an electoral duel with the PiS leader? (...) Despite the passage of years, the percentage of votes cast for Jarosław Kaczyński in Warsaw is only slightly decreasing. On the other hand, the percentage of votes cast for the leader of the list endorsed by PO is decreasing very dynamically. This is mainly due to competitors vying for the same pool of liberal voters.” http://warszawa.wyborcza.pl/warszawa/7,54420,24994864,czy-schetyna-przegra-wyborczy-pojedynek-z-kaczynskim-w-warszawie.html -- IF 350 KM OF EXPRESSWAYS ARE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THE TOTAL LENGTH OF ROADS BUILT UNDER THE PIS GOVERNMENT WILL BE ONLY SLIGHTLY LESS THAN DURING THE 2 TERMS OF PO - Krzysztof Smietana in DGP. https://auto.dziennik.pl/drogi/artykuly/602657,ile-drog-wybudowalo-pis-platforma.html -- JAROSŁAW GOWIN ANNOUNCES A NEW PACKAGE OF JUDICIAL REFORMS - in an interview with Grzegorz Osiecki and Tomasz Żółciak in DGP: “Our government consistently maintains that rule of law issues fall within the domain of sovereign member states. Further changes in the justice system will be necessary regardless of the stance of EU institutions. Previous reforms have not led to their main objective, which is to increase the efficiency of courts and shorten the time for rulings. The future Minister of Justice will face the task of preparing a new reform package.” -- GOWIN IN DGP ON MEDIA REPOLONIZATION: “Prime Minister Gliński recently mentioned that he has a ready project in his drawer – not so much repolonization, because in the EU capital cannot be divided by nationality, but media deconcentration. Respected countries ensure that they do not allow the media space to be monopolized by a few corporations. After 1989, we found ourselves close to such a situation. This is a threat from the perspective of freedom of speech or media pluralism. (...) I believe that the scale of this pluralism, especially in local media, is too low by liberal democracy standards.” -- GOWIN REFUSES TO EVALUATE TVP: “Please excuse me from answering this question, because over the last four years I have appeared on television more often than I have watched it. I do not undertake to assess the condition of any television station – neither TVP, Polsat, nor TVN. Among my friends, opinions on public media are radically divided.” -- GOWIN ON RAISES FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR: “Under the United Right government, incomes in the market sector have significantly increased, which I am very proud of. However, at the same time, the gap between incomes in the market sector and in the public sector has widened dangerously. In the long run, it is impossible to build an efficient state without well-paid teachers, scientists, or officials.” https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/opinie/artykuly/602663,podwyzki-urzednicy-repolonizacja-media-unia-europejska-gowin-wywiad.html -- THE GOVERNMENT'S FAULT, NOT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' - KANTAR FOR TVN ON EDUCATION, SAWICKI ON PSL'S CHANCES FOR A COALITION WITH KUKIZ - 300LIVE: https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/07/16/ -- MICHAŁ SZUŁDRZYŃSKI ON SUCCESSION IN PIS AND HOW MANEUVERS IN BRUSSELS STRENGTHEN MORAWIECKI: “On the other hand, Morawiecki's position has strengthened after the European summit. Kaczyński realized that only the current prime minister is capable of conducting partnership negotiations with EU leaders in Brussels. Kaczyński himself does not know languages, and a deputy cannot be sent to the summit – either the president or the prime minister goes. Who else could go? Mariusz Błaszczak? Perhaps Joachim Brudziński? The catch is that next year, the person holding the role of prime minister will face the task of negotiating the new EU budget. Therefore, Kaczyński knows that he will need Morawiecki after the elections for at least a year. And it is precisely through the prism of these rumors and behind-the-scenes games that Kaczyński's Sunday statement should be viewed. He threw out a slogan and will closely monitor the reactions.” https://www.rp.pl/Komentarze/190719652-Michal-Szuldrzynski-Kaczynski-zapowiada-swoja-emeryture.html -- POLAND FIGHTS FOR THE AGRICULTURE OR ENERGY PORTFOLIO - Grzegorz Osiecki and Magdalena Cedro in DGP's front page: “Support for Ursula von der Leyen depends, among other things, on whether she agrees to a commissioner portfolio for agriculture, energy, or economy for a Pole.” https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/polityka/artykuly/602645,bruksela-rzad-pis-ursula-von-der-leyen-teka-komisarz-polak.html -- NOT A SANITARY CORDON AROUND PIS, BUT AROUND SZYDŁO, WHO IS CONSIDERED A PROVOCATIVE SYMBOL - TOMASZ BIELECKI FOR DEUTSCHE WELLE: “Szydło's second defeat does not mean that the European Parliament's 'sanitary cordon' has encompassed the entire PiS or the conservative faction, but only the former prime minister. This is because, as one Western MEP explains, she is considered one of the 'provocative symbols' of the Polish authorities, which have been heavily criticized by the majority of the European Parliament in recent years for violating the rule of law. While MEPs blocked all candidates from the 'Identity and Democracy' faction for leadership positions in 22 committees last week (including Matteo Salvini's League, Marine Le Pen's people, AfD), only PiS itself – apart from a post for Rafalska – received first vice-chair positions in two important committees (Witold Waszczykowski for foreign affairs and Zdzisław Krasnodębski for industry), and Ryszard Czarnecki even won the secret ballot for third vice-chair of the petitions committee.” -- RULE OF LAW REVIEW PROPOSED BY VON DER LEYEN AS DILUTING CHARGES? - BIELECKI CONTINUES: “In her addresses to the S&D and Renew Europe factions, von der Leyen supported the proposal to link the rule of law to the EU's multiannual budget (post-2020). The European Commission presented a draft regulation on 'money for rule of law' over a year ago, which was heavily criticized by Poland and Hungary. However, the annual review of the state of the rule of law in all EU countries, supported by von der Leyen, is seen by many critics as a risk of diluting charges against specific countries. – Such a review would be good, as it would not single out selected countries. All countries would be treated equally. This would show that the solutions in Poland are consistent with the solutions in other countries – said the head of diplomacy, Jacek Czaputowicz, in Brussels.” https://www.dw.com/pl/beata-szyd%C5%82o-zn%C3%B3w-przegra%C5%82a-w-europarlamencie/a-49601664-0 -- TOMASZ BIELECKI IN RP ON WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IF VON DER LEYEN'S CANDIDACY IS REJECTED: “If von der Leyen fails the vote, her candidacy returns to the European Council. And the leaders must agree on a new candidate within a month, by a qualified majority of votes. Given that other positions in the package are already assigned and the party balance is achieved, it would be logical for it to be another candidate from the European People's Party. But certainly not Michel Barnier, whose name has often appeared before, as France already has the ECB president.” https://www.rp.pl/Unia-Europejska/307159927-Ursula-von-der-Leyen-walczy-o-kazdy-glos-Czy-PiS-ja-poprze.html -- POLAND ON THE MARGINS OF EUROPE - DOMINIKA WIELOWIEYSKA IN GW: “The distribution of key EU positions ended in disaster for Poland. Jarosław Kaczyński should reflect on where his European policy has led us.” http://wyborcza.pl/7,75968,24997074,rosja-unia-i-my-pozyteczni-idioci-polska-zepchnieta-na.html -- "RAINBOW WŁADEK" HURT KOSINIAKA - MARCIN FIJOŁEK ON PSL'S BACKGROUND: “What's more, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz was reportedly personally hurt by accusations that equated him with the most radical LGBT activists. This is not surprising; I myself saw the leader of the PSL start his day (and not just one day, it was a regular process) with a visit to one of the Warsaw churches. 'I've never been so attacked,' he reportedly said during a meeting with his closest associates, referring to the campaign's 'Rainbow Władek' label.” -- PSL NEEDS OVER A MILLION VOTES - A DIFFICULT GAME TO PLAY - FIJOŁEK CONTINUES: “But is the PSL capable of crossing the electoral threshold on its own? It needs just over a million votes – which would mean increasing its vote share from four years ago, quite significantly. Is this possible? Kosiniak-Kamysz himself says frankly that he would not risk his career at the age of 38 by betting on a card that might turn out to be uncertain. Among the peasant politicians, there's a desire for eight, maybe even ten percent. But all of this is putting on a brave face. At least, it's a very difficult game to play.” https://wpolityce.pl/polityka/455167-nie-wyprowadzic-sztandaru-dlaczego-psl-odmowilo-schetynie -- IF THE PEASANTS ULTIMATELY GIVE IN, WE WILL FACE THE COMPLETION OF A DUOPOLY IN THE FALL - PIOTR TRUDNOWSKI ON THE JAGELLONIAN CLUB PORTAL: “The atmosphere of coalition negotiations among opposition parties shows that the party scene outside the United Right currently constitutes a set of interconnected vessels, from the Left Party to Konfederacja. There are still many options on the table, but no one is making any binding decisions, while simultaneously blocking the decisions of others. A stalemate persists, and the ruling camp stands to gain the most from the negotiation chaos. Politicians are forced to create new arrangements for the first time in a long time, which shows that we are on the cusp of tectonic shifts on the Polish political scene, which may shape it for decades to come. Much depends today on the Polish People's Party and whether it will maintain its assertiveness towards Grzegorz Schetyna, which it demonstrated during Friday's press conference. If the peasants ultimately give in, we may face the final completion of a duopoly in the fall.” -- STARTING WITH PLATFORM MEANS A DECLINE IN THE PSL'S IMPORTANCE IN THE LONG TERM - TRUDNOWSKI CONTINUES: “Starting with Platform, although it is probably the option preferred by the structures today, it means a decline in the Polish People's Party's importance on the Polish political scene in the long term. It is difficult to imagine that after another term alongside liberals and a difficult presidential election in 2020 for the PSL, the peasants will still be able to fight for an independent position on the Polish political scene in the next electoral cycle (2023 – a culmination of local and parliamentary elections).” -- KUKIZ IN THE BIGGEST DEFENSE - TRUDNOWSKI CONTINUES: “Paweł Kukiz's formation is probably in the greatest defense – after a poor result in the European Parliament elections, the ability to collect the signatures needed for an independent start is in serious doubt. Therefore, Kukiz is condemned to some coalition. The possibilities include: an agreement with the PSL, an agreement with Konfederacja, and an agreement with the Non-Partisan Local Government Officials. The latter may not be enough to collect signatures or to get close to the electoral threshold with high turnout. Starting with the PSL would be much more likely, if not for the problem, already described, of not being able to name the committee anything other than KW Polish People's Party. This causes resistance among real and, especially, virtual activists of the movement. Starting with Konfederacja, on the other hand, has long caused resistance from the group's leaders, but with Kukiz's virtual consultations with sympathizers being launched, it is becoming increasingly likely. The ephemeral movement #R by Mariusz Max-Kolonko is also added to the puzzle.” -- THE RIGHT IS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE DISRUPTION, ONLY A BLACK SWAN CAN TAKE POWER FROM KACZYŃSKI - TRUDNOWSKI CONTINUES ON THE JAGELLONIAN CLUB PORTAL: “The United Right operates outside this system and is the biggest beneficiary of the entire disruption. It does not need changes, new coalition partners, or regrouping. Not only its excellent result in the May elections and consistently high support in polls play into its favor, but President Duda may also help by announcing the exact date of the elections. A short campaign and time to collect signatures is a chance to eliminate smaller players who may not be able to register their lists. PiS, with its auxiliaries, can already work towards its autumn result and arrange lists – on Saturday, Jarosław Kaczyński is to announce as many as 41 'ones' – while the competition doesn't even know in what configuration it will run. It still seems that only a 'black swan' can take away Jarosław Kaczyński's camp's solo rule. https://klubjagiellonski.pl/2019/07/15/chocholi-taniec-opozycyjnych-koalicji/ -- THEY ARE RUNNING INDEPENDENTLY BUT ARE NOT HAPPY - ZUZANNA DĄBROWSKA IN RP: “'They are running independently, but they are not happy' – this was how the mood of the peasant politicians could be described on Monday. One thing is certain: talks with Platform have frozen.” -- IS THE PSL ON BALAZS' SILVER PLATTER FOR PIS? - DĄBROWSKA CONTINUES: “In this situation, PO politicians are looking for conspiracy theories. One hypothesis points to the overwhelming role of Artur Balazs, who allegedly convinced the PSL to abandon PO. – I am not surprised that the PSL's first decision after the elections (to the European Parliament – ed.) was to end cooperation with that coalition – he rejoiced in June in Polsat News, a former minister of agriculture in the AWS government. The peasants admit that he is a very influential figure. He is said to be even a 'silent partner' in the PiS government. – He has his minister there – adds one of the PSL deputies – it's Marek Zagórski (head of the Ministry of Digitization). If Artur Balazs (who is also an economically successful man with a large personal fortune) managed to 'bring the PSL on a platter,' his influence on the PiS government would be further strengthened. And strength is, after all, the basis of politics.” https://www.rp.pl/Analizy/190719602-Dabrowska-Ludowcy-z-glowa-na-srebrnej-tacy.html -- ŁUKASZ PAWŁOWSKI ON SCHETYNA'S INTERVIEW FOR TRÓJKA - IT STARTED WITH A REAL CATASTROPHE: “However, it started with a real catastrophe. On Friday afternoon, the PO leader clearly stated on the 'Trójka' radio station that topics such as registered partnerships would not be part of the election campaign at all. But on Saturday morning, he announced that as soon as Platform took power, registered partnerships would be... legalized. How voters are supposed to reconcile these messages remains a great mystery. Some opponents of PiS must have felt disappointed by Friday's statement and received Saturday's volte-face with disbelief. Doubts about the solid foundations of this point of the Civic Coalition's program (and consequently, others) have unfortunately been sown by the leader himself.” -- PAWŁOWSKI ON PLATFORM'S MANEUVER WITH THE REGISTERED PARTNERSHIP ISSUE - THEY LEARNED THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE TOLD HOW TO LIVE: “Of course, LGBT activists may have justified complaints against Schetyna, that he is only introducing registered partnerships (not marriages) and even for the wrong reasons (respect for privacy instead of openly acknowledging that there are gay couples in Poland and they should have the same rights). And yet, the justification cited by the PO chairman may make sense from his point of view. No, Platform is not a party supporting LGBT movements, Schetyna will be able to say: it simply does not tell people how to live.” -- A FAIRLY GOOD SPEECH BY SCHETYNA, BUT CAN PO DELIVER? - PAWŁOWSKI'S CONCLUSION: “A fairly good speech by the party leader and the presentation of program proposals is one thing. Now the rest of the PO politicians must convince voters that they truly believe in Schetyna's promises. And all this in just three months.” https://kulturaliberalna.pl/2019/07/16/schetyna-szesciopak-schetyny-program-ocena-pawlowski/ -- MICHAŁ KARNOWSKI ON HOW THE AMBER GOLD FILM WAS DEEMED POLITICAL: “One must admit: it's a good punchline to the crude 'Kler,' Vega's announcement, and Sekielski's work. And the advertisements for these 'works' that flooded Poland during the election period! But Michnik's newspaper readers will surely not disappoint. In the same week, they will nod their heads at the right-wing's madness, which sees conspiracies everywhere, which does not understand cinema, and in the same week, they will be outraged at TVP, which wants to 'attack' the election with a feature film.” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/455189-no-prosze-film-fabularny-moze-byc-atakiem-politycznym -- BIRTHDAYS: Krzysztof Łoziński, Danuta Grabowska, Rajmund Miller.