-- ELECTION SILENCE IN JUST ONE MONTH AND 12 DAYS! -- POLITICAL SATURDAY: Second day of the Senate session, visit of the President of Ukraine, conference of Brudziński and Gróbarczyk, PMM in Gdańsk, Witek in Lubin https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/08/31/ -- PIS LACKS 2 SEATS FOR A MAJORITY - PIOTR PACEWICZ ANALYZES IPSOS POLL FOR OKO: “In the IPSOS poll for OKO.press, PiS (41 percent) is not losing support due to the Piebiak hate-mongering scandal. KO (28 percent), Lewica (13 percent), and PSL with remnants of Kukiz'15 (5 percent) collectively gather 46 percent – more than KE and Wiosna in the European elections. However, Kaczyński needs two more seats for a single-party government, while the opposition needs as many as 13. Korwin is dancing on the threshold.” -- THREE BLOCKS ARE BETTER FOR VOTES THAN ONE - PACEWICZ CONTINUES: “Therefore, it can be cautiously stated that the three-force scenario is not worse for the opposition than two, at least in terms of votes, and possibly even better. However, when it comes to seats, the opposition loses its advantage and needs to gain a few more percentage points.” -- THE ENTRY OF PSL AND KONFEDERACI REDUCES PIS'S CHANCES FOR A MAJORITY: “The entry of PSL and Konfederaci into the Sejm reduces PiS's chances for a single-party majority; the electoral defeat of one, and especially both parties, increases these chances. For example, if in our poll Konfederaci did not reach the threshold, and the remaining parties had the results as above, PiS would obtain 235 seats, one more than they gained in 2015, and the three opposition parties – 224. And Kaczyński could continue to govern alone.” -- PIS DEEPENS ITS POPULIST PROFILE - PACEWICZ'S ANALYSIS OF THE IPSOS SURVEY FOR OKO.PRESS CONTINUES: “Kaczyński's party is deepening its populist profile. It wins elections thanks to particularly strong support from voters: aged 50 and over – 51 percent of votes; rural residents – 53 percent and residents of towns up to 100,000 inhabitants – 44 percent; poorer individuals with incomes up to PLN 1500 gross per person – 57 percent and with incomes of PLN 1501-2500 – 49 percent. In a Sejm elected solely from rural areas, PiS would have 299 seats, almost a constitutional majority. The differences in educational profiles are striking.” https://oko.press/pis-41-proc-mocny-ale-opozycja-razem-mocniejsza-46-proc-mandaty-odwrotnie-229-do-218-sondaz/ -- WE'LL SMELL WARSAW'S SEWAGE - FRONT PAGE OF Gazeta Pomorska. -- THE PRIME MINISTER SAVES WARSAW RESIDENTS - FRONT PAGE OF SE. -- IT'S WORTH APPRECIATING THAT THE MORAWIECKI GOVERNMENT DID NOT POLITICIZE THE SEWAGE ISSUE - MICHAŁ KARNOWSKI: “We have reached a time when the politicization of some local governments has reached such a level that the city authorities responsible for an ecological disaster of enormous scale seem more concerned with PR than with the contamination affecting citizens and nature. These dances around the 'problem' of how to accept government aid without it being called government aid will be remembered for a long time. Against this backdrop, the help offered by Prime Minister Morawiecki's government – well-thought-out and swift – appears to be a good example of the opposite attitude. No electoral calculations, no politicization, just a focus on the goal of stopping the outflow of an unimaginable amount of sewage into the Vistula.” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/461630-warto-docenic-ze-rzad-morawieckiego-nie-polityzowal-sprawy -- THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR UNEXPECTEDLY CONFIRMED HER PARTICIPATION - GW: “Merkel could have used the situation where the attention of those following the ceremony would not be focused on the US President, with whom she has rather cool relations, and decided to take his place. For the Polish authorities, this is a twist of fate. After Trump's refusal, Merkel's presence in Warsaw greatly elevates the importance of the ceremony.” -- MERKEL IS A GODSEND FOR THE GOVERNMENT - GW CONTINUES: “The fact that Merkel declared her arrival in Warsaw (she was invited like all other European leaders) can be linked to the equally unexpected absence of President Donald Trump, who was supposed to be the main figure of the celebrations. Merkel could have used the situation where the attention of those following the ceremony would not be focused on the US President, with whom she has rather cool relations, and decided to take his place. For the Polish authorities, this is a twist of fate. After Trump's refusal, Merkel's presence in Warsaw greatly elevates the importance of the ceremony.” http://wyborcza.pl/7,75399,25137628,trumpa-nie-bedzie-ale-przyjedzie-angela-merkel.html -- THE PLATFORM'S TOO STRONG A SWING TO THE LEFT WAS AN OBSTACLE - JÓZEF ZYCH in conversation with Błażej Dąbkowski in Głos Wielkopolski: “I can only refer to the words of our chairman, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who stated that the obstacle was the Platform's too strong swing to the left. Very often, the people I talk to recall our coalition with SLD. I held the positions of Marshal and Deputy Marshal when Józef Oleksy, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, or Marek Belka were Prime Ministers. These were difficult coalitions, but at the time, the primary difference between us was, for example, our approach to agriculture, not ideological matters.” -- ZYCH RECALLS CONVERSATIONS WITH KRZAKLEWSKI ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION: “I remember sitting with Marian Krzaklewski, the then-chairman of the union, over wine. He brought one bottle, I brought another, and of course, we paid for them with our own money. We discussed how to create a single joint project that would be accepted by everyone. I also met with John Paul II, who was concerned, among other things, with Article 18, or the preamble referencing the name of God. In the final reading in the National Assembly, there were 400 amendments, yet we managed to resolve the issue. Most importantly, no motion to reject the Constitution was ever made then.” -- I CANNOT REMAIN SILENT WHEN SOMEONE CALLS THE CONSTITUTION BOLSHEVIK - MARSZAŁEK ZYCH CONTINUES IN GŁOS WIELKOPOLSKI: “It's not remembered today, but it was PSL that initiated its adoption. The Constitution was not only a compromise of various circles but also had significant public support. That is precisely why I cannot remain silent if someone calls this document 'Bolshevik' and thus insults Poles. The tragedy of the state and the nation is that some politicians have not read it and do not know it. Therefore, no one who does not know this document and criticizes it should be in Parliament.” -- PSL DID THE MOST - ZYCH CONTINUES: “I often hear from city dwellers that Kosiniak-Kamysz is a good politician, but they immediately add, 'but from PSL...'. The 'Ludowcy' (people of the land) could not get their achievements across, even though it was primarily thanks to us that Poland joined NATO and the European Union. They labelled us as 'fixers'. But let's look more broadly at Polish politics and other parties; does PSL fare worse against them? I don't think so. I believe, and there is irrefutable evidence for this, that after 1989, PSL, and especially its representatives in the leadership of the Sejm and government, did the most in both domestic and foreign policy.” -- MARSZAŁEK ZYCH ON HIS LOVE FOR STOCKS: “That's worse now. For years, my greatest passion was storks. I don't know if there are many people in Poland who own all the albums in the world about birds. One of them weighs 12.8 kg; it's a gift I received from my friend Bernard de Gaulle, the nephew of the great Charles. This book was published only in France in a very limited edition. I am currently dedicating more time to my second hobby, which is flowers.” https://plus.gloswielkopolski.pl/jozef-zych-chcialem-byc-blizej-rodziny-przeprowadzilem-sie-do-poznania/ar/c1-14384565 -- I HAVE GREAT HOPES ASSOCIATED WITH WOJCIECHOWSKI - SYLWIA SPUREK ON HER BLOG: “We have to wait for his program, but one thing is certain – he cannot be accused of lacking knowledge and experience, sensitivity to animal rights, and political independence. All three traits are unique in Polish politics. I do not hide that I have great hopes associated with his candidacy, because I know that he is sensitive to animal suffering, and the Common Agricultural Policy needs many, many changes. Not only in the interest of animals, but also of people, in the context of food security and in the interest of the climate, which can no longer wait for good political decisions.” https://natemat.pl/blogi/sylwiaspurek/283087,czy-janusz-wojciechowski-bedzie-dobrym-komisarzem-ue-ds-rolnictwa -- THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE HIGH PRICE IN RELATIONS WITH THE USA - PIOTR ZAREMBA IN PTT: “When Trump, with his characteristic boorish condescension, praised Poland, stating that only she pays for this presence, the opposition immediately considered it a symbol of excessive compliance by PiS politicians. But there is probably no special alternative to this high price. The leaders of the opposition PO first mock it, and then de facto endorse this policy, even if their media or intellectual base is more toxic. It is worth adding here that Trump's own team is as divided on the issue of their attitude towards Poland as on any other. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who consistently avoided visiting Poland, has left, but in various government institutions, including the Pentagon, there are often warnings against excessively valuing Poles – for many reasons.” -- ZAREMBA RECALLS AMERICAN INTERVENTIONS IN TVN AND THE CHANGE OF AXEL SPRINGER'S OWNERSHIP - PIS WILL HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR ITS AMERICAN PARTNERS: “But they also cannot become attached to a vision of entirely conflict-free relations. When the National Broadcasting Council tried to fine TVN, a station controlled by American capital, Ambassador Mosbacher reacted immediately. And an American investor has just entered another media concern, Axel Springer, which publishes opposition titles like Onet and Newsweek. If PiS still plans a revolution in the media market, it will have to look very closely at its American partners. This administration, presented in internal US debates as fundamentalist, almost fascist, reacted poorly to the dismissal of a Polish Supreme Court judge, contrary to the American doctrine of judicial independence. And the American embassy willingly engages in campaigns for gay rights. https://polskatimes.pl/piotr-zaremba-czy-donald-trump-faktycznie-sprzyja-polsce/ar/c1-14385851 -- NO BLOW, RATHER A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR PIS - JAKUB MAJMUREK ON TRUMP'S POSTPONED VISIT: “There's no point in hiding it: the cancellation of Trump's visit to Warsaw is an image problem for PiS. The entire propaganda layer of the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II celebrations was supposed to be based on the presence of the American president, which was particularly important six weeks before the elections. However, the opposition should not delude itself that the cancellation of the American leader's visit will particularly harm the ruling party in October – the situation with the American president turning out this way is rather a missed opportunity for PiS to gain more points, rather than a clear blow.” https://opinie.wp.pl/majmurek-trump-popsul-pis-wyborczy-spektakl-opinia-6419139866904193a -- I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO PUT MY HANDS - AN OPPOSITION POLITICIAN IN ŁUKASZ ROGOJSZ'S ARTICLE IN GAZETA.PL: “– It's a tragedy. I don't even know where to put my hands – says a Civic Coalition politician in a resigned tone, when asked about the chances of implementing the so-called Senate Pact, an agreement between opposition formations aimed at winning the battle for the upper house of parliament. – There's a regular war going on, although outwardly everyone smiles nicely for the cameras and utters empty platitudes – adds our interlocutor.” “http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114884,25137788,dajemy-schetynie-czas-do-wtorku-mial-byc-pakt-senacki.html -- AGNIESZKA HOLLAND JOINS THE ATTACK ON UJAZDOWSKI FOR THE SENATE FROM WARSAW - article by Piotr Pacewicz from Oko: "I have a serious concern that the main opposition parties are doing a lot to lose the elections. That they do not understand that their duty is to give people faith in values and a sense of purpose. That credibility is extremely important" - Agnieszka Holland criticizes Kazimierz Ujazdowski's candidacy for the Senate and appeals to Grzegorz Schetyna for dialogue with voters.” https://oko.press/holland-do-ujazdowskiego-stan-do-debaty-z-kasprzakiem-do-schetyny-nie-lekcewazcie-ludzi/ -- SŁAWOMIR SIERAKOWSKI ANNOUNCES HIS REPORT - A SOCIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS - in conversation with Eliza Olczyk in RZ: “Przemysław Sadura and I will present a sociological diagnosis in mid-September when we publish our report. However, regarding the current situation, where we risk a second term for PiS, we must think not in terms of dreams, but of available possibilities. The three leftist parties were on the brink of collapse, and unification was their only chance. Accusing them of calling each other names before or that the new left betrayed them by joining SLD makes no sense. If all entities build trust among themselves and no one intends to deceive anyone, they have a future. The temptation is there, because SLD has taken control of finances and symbolically of the whole. I think this is a topic for journalists, and I don't know if voters care about it. Those who are more informed will understand that there might not have been another way. I am very curious to see how they fare in the campaign.” -- THANKS TO POLITICAL CRITICISM, BALCEROWICZ IS NOW AN EXTREME - SIERAKOWSKI CONTINUES: “Of course. We didn't invent the wheel; we built factories and went to war. No one made jokes about us anymore. Bringing these ideas together, unifying the language, adding a vision of culture, international affairs, history, and entering the center of disputes with it – that was our goal. We managed to pluralize the debate about the economy by publishing a lot of books, organizing discussions, inviting dozens of people from the West, and writing thousands of texts. It was a gigantic effort, 17 years old now. It is thanks to us that Leszek Balcerowicz is considered an extremist today, not the left.” -- THE LEFT COULD NOT REACH SMALL TOWNS LIKE PIS DID - SIERAKOWSKI CONTINUES: “I believe that 'Krytyka Polityczna' played a part in this, leading to an evolutionary change in consciousness in the areas of economy, culture, and worldview. Of course, this applies only to a part of Poland – the part reached by the media world. We failed to reach the small-town electorate, which today ensures PiS wins in elections. No new left has managed to do so. This is our tragedy.” -- IN THE PROVINCES, I WOULD HAVE NO GOOD REASON NOT TO VOTE FOR PIS - SIERAKOWSKI CONTINUES TO OLCZYK: “In a sense, Jarosław Kaczyński proved his own conspiracy theory. First, he claimed that elites stole people's money and didn't want to share, and then he came to power and started distributing money. If I were a voter from the deep provinces, I truly wouldn't have a good reason not to believe PiS.” https://www.rp.pl/Plus-Minus/308299919-Slawomir-Sierakowski-Jaroslaw-Kaczynski-udowodnil-wlasna-teorie-spiskowa.html?cid -- BIRTHDAYS: Stefan Frankiewicz, SUNDAY: Mirosław Chojecki, Urszula Augustyn.