-- 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF BLESSED FR. JERZY POPIEŁUSZKO: “Today, October 19, marks the 35th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko. At 6 PM in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Warsaw's Żoliborz district, a solemn Mass for the canonization of the blessed will be led by Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz. During the service, a chapel with relics of the cassock, a testament to Fr. Jerzy's martyrdom, will be consecrated.” -- FR. JERZY'S PROFILE IN KAI: “Workers and professors, opposition members, and even party officials listened to him. People came from all over Poland, and their numbers grew month by month. It's no surprise that provocations soon appeared from the authorities, attempts to harass him, and pressure on the curia to limit the priest's activities. He was accused of engaging in politics, inspiring demonstrations, etc. These were false accusations. Fr. Popiełuszko's sermons did not contain political accents, although he spoke about truth, sometimes inconvenient truth. However, they always focused on the Gospel in the spirit of St. Paul's message: 'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good' (Rom 12:21). The Masses for the Fatherland were accompanied by numerous conversions; many returned to the Church after a dozen or even several decades, and many asked for baptism. People left the church calm, internally at peace, and inclined to look kindly even upon their enemies. Just like Fr. Jerzy himself, who, during the winter, at the beginning of martial law, to the surprise of all his acquaintances, went out with hot coffee to the army and militia stationed on the streets.” https://ekai.pl/ks-jerzy-popieluszko-sylwetka-meczennika-2/ -- IPN SERVICE ON FR. POPIEŁUSZKO: https://popieluszko.ipn.gov.pl/xjp/ -- KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA FOILED ZDANOWSKA'S PRESIDENTIAL PLANS - PAWEŁ RUTKIEWICZ IN ŁÓDŹ GW: “I think Hanna Zdanowska tried to gauge the atmosphere around her potential candidacy, but Kidawa-Błońska thwarted her plans,” a person from the Łódź mayor's circle tells us. -- RUTKIEWICZ ON ZDANOWSKA'S CALCULATIONS REGARDING KIDAWĄ-BŁOŃSKĄ: “Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, running from the first place on the KO (Civic Coalition) list in Warsaw in the last parliamentary elections, garnered over 416,000 votes, which was the best result in the country. Speculating about who would be a candidate for President of the Republic of Poland, Lenkowski indicated that much depends on the parliamentary election results. He assumed that Kidawa-Błońska – whom KO presented as a potential prime minister in the past election campaign – would be a natural candidate for president if KO had achieved success. However, the result is quite far from expectations, which has led to a demand for leadership change within the coalition. However, it is not clear whether removing Grzegorz Schetyna from the leadership of KO will not be tantamount to abandoning his proposed presidential candidate, who – according to unofficial information – was to be Kidawa-Błońska.” https://lodz.wyborcza.pl/lodz/7,35136,25321200,wybory-prezydenckie-2020-hanna-zdanowska-miala-zakusy-pytanie.html -- LESS THAN 2 PERCENT AND PiS WOULD LOSE POWER - PROF. JAROSŁAW FLIS IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAŁ PŁOCIŃSKI IN RZ: “Firstly, they will accept that a final victory is impossible, and secondly, that a 'points victory,' which PiS clearly achieved in the recent elections, will always be decided by swing voters given this distribution of forces. That is, those who are capable of changing their minds. And there doesn't have to be many such voters, because changing tracks is much easier than building tracks and pulling wagons. I haven't yet managed to calculate exactly how many voters would have had to change their minds for the opposition to gain power last Sunday, but it's definitely less than 2 percent. So, while political debate usually acts like a bucket of slop – it rarely calms moods – the election results are a bucket of cold water. There's nothing more to discuss, everything is clear as day.” https://archiwum.rp.pl/artykul/1414387-Glupi-podli-i-ci-umiarkowani.html -- IN THE INTERNET, CREATIVITY MATTERS, NOT BUYING ADVERTISEMENTS - PAWEŁ SZEFERNAKER IN CONVERSATION WITH PIOTR WITWICKI IN RZ: “The thing is, in the internet, creativity matters. Our spots were just like that. Users watched them without ads – and that's what truly counted. Buying banners on portals has moderate significance.” -- PRESIDENT AT 41 CONVENTIONS, PRIME MINISTER A FEW MEETINGS A DAY - SZEFERNAKER ON THE PiS MACHINE: “Field meetings are equally important, and here we were a well-oiled machine. Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński was in every district in Poland. He held 41 convention meetings. In my district, Koszalin, the hall was packed, and not everyone could get in due to security reasons. At the same time, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki held several meetings a day in different parts of Poland.” -- IN POLAND TOO, A CONSERVATIVE PARTY CAN GOVERN LIKE THE CDU FOR MANY TERMS - SZEFERNAKER CONTINUES: “We wanted to prove that we can hold power longer. It is customary in Poland that a party can govern for a maximum of two terms, and it is important to build a political environment for years. In Germany, the CDU has been in power for many terms, and that is natural. It's time for a right-wing conservative party in Poland to also be able to govern longer.” -- PEOPLE COMPLAINED THAT THE NEIGHBOR HAD A BANNER AND THEY DIDN'T - SZEFERNAKER CONTINUES: “I was surprised by the public response. People even contacted us in the Koszalin district, which is difficult for PiS. Indeed, for years there was a lack of places where banners could be hung. Now it happened that many people called and asked us to hang a poster at their place. I encountered a situation where people complained that we were hanging a banner on a neighbor's fence, but not on theirs.” -- SZEFERNAKER ON THE QUESTION OF TVP: “Law and Justice won the elections four years ago, even though they were not in power. At that time, public television attacked us 24 hours a day. Please recall how Andrzej Duda was treated in 2015.” -- WE IMPOSED RULES ON OURSELVES WITH SENATE CANDIDATES THAT DID NOT HELP US OBTAIN A MAJORITY: “The opposition put forward a joint candidate in each district, which complicated the situation. In many places, we did not nominate candidates who had run for us before. Examples of Senators Kogut or Bonkowski also show that we have cleaned house. And Civic Platform had no problem supporting Stanisław Gawłowski. We imposed rules on ourselves that did not help us in these elections. We won the Senate elections, but we do not have a majority there.” https://www.rp.pl/Plus-Minus/310189978-Pawel-Szefernaker-PiS-moze-rzadzic-tak-dlugo-jak-CDU.html -- IS KACZYŃSKI BACKED AGAINST A WALL? - AGATA KONDZIŃSKA AND PAWEŁ WROŃSKI IN GW: “Zbigniew Ziobro and his people are demanding that PiS quickly tighten the screws. But from Jarosław Kaczyński's circle, we hear that they have overbid.” -- ZIOBRO OVERBID, KACZYŃSKI CAN'T STAND IT - ANONYMOUS PiS POLITICIAN IN GW: “Because there is no consent within PiS for changing the head of government. – Ziobro overbid. He had a strong negotiating position, but he unnecessarily allowed his people to publicly question Morawiecki's mandate – says an important politician from the ruling camp. Ziobro's faction is not playing for Kaczyński's appointment, but for Morawiecki's dismissal. – They thought they would entangle PiS in double negotiations, but if there is one thing Kaczyński cannot stand, it is being backed against a wall. Ziobro is just bluffing to eventually withdraw from changing the prime minister and gain something in return – claims a politician familiar with the behind-the-scenes talks.” http://wyborcza.pl/7,75398,25323656,ziobro-stawia-pis-pod-sciana-chce-nowego-premiera-i-panstwa.html -- KACZYŃSKI'S BIGGEST SUCCESS, BUT LIFE REMINDED HIM HE ISN'T OMNIPOTENT - PIOTR ZAREMBA IN DGP: “When Jarosław Kaczyński achieved his greatest success, life brutally reminded him that he is not omnipotent. And even that his power could now suffer serious damage.” -- PiS DIDN'T WIN DESPITE KACZYŃSKI, BUT THANKS TO HIM - ZAREMBA CONTINUES: “What did Jarosław Kaczyński's expression and body language tell us on the evening of October 13, 2019? One might have the impression of ease, strength, and control over his surroundings. This is how a person confident in their position behaves, having shed their burden. He himself gave the floor to himself and others (including the prime minister), fell silent, and then spoke again. It couldn't have been otherwise. The decisive electoral victory, unprecedented in the history of the Third Polish Republic, is his doing. Indeed, four years earlier he orchestrated everything, but he was hidden behind Beata Szydło. He didn't feel strong enough to make Piotr Gliński prime minister after those elections instead of Szydło, although he preferred the latter option. Now he is not only the author of the strategy but also a recognized warrior by everyone. PiS won not despite him, but thanks to him. This gives a sense of superiority over the world. Yet, Kaczyński's speech contained tones of disappointment. A shadow of melancholy crossed his face. He called for 'reflection on what did not succeed.' And he reminded his people that 'a significant part of society decided that we should not be supported.'” https://www.gazetaprawna.pl/artykuly/1435587,piotr-zaremba-kaczynski-wybory-pis-polityka.html -- KONRAD PIASECKI ON THE GRIND OF PiS WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: “And this presents another problem for Law and Justice – the presidential elections. One doesn't even need to write about what a gigantic problem a change of occupant in the Presidential Palace on Krakowskie Przedmieście would be for the ruling party. The result of these elections showed that it is not impossible. If the opposition treats the first round as a primary election, and in the second round focuses around a non-PiS candidate (today, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska seems most likely in this role, unless Donald Tusk reveals ambitions to return), then anything can happen. The PiS leader therefore has something to think about. And something to worry about.” https://www.tvn24.pl/magazyn-tvn24/jak-wygrac-by-przegrac-wszystkie-zmartwienia-jaroslawa-kaczynskiego,240,4144 -- MICHAŁ KARNOWSKI ON THE DILUTION OF TVP AND TVN, WHICH INDUCES EMOTIONAL TREMORS IN VIEWERS: “Without changing this state of affairs, this ship will encounter increasingly larger waves. Because as October 13th showed, one cannot count on a historical breakthrough even with the most successful socio-economic policy. Because it is precisely in this area that the fight for lasting dominance is waged. I understand that not everything can be changed. But to do so little? And as an aside: some are suggesting to further dilute TVP now, to soften it. With a TVN like this, whose every broadcast induces emotional tremors in viewers and causes moral panic! Well, good luck. If someone wants to drive into a mire and doesn't listen to warnings, you can't help them.” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/469035-to-jest-sprawa-ktora-trzeba-nazwac-bez-ogrodek -- ANDRZEJ STANKIEWICZ ON THE WAR ON THE RIGHT: “So, after the elections, the masks have fallen. During the campaign, PiS presented itself as a solid, credible, and also cohesive and disciplined group. However, it was enough for the election result to be worse than expected, and the first thing politicians from the ruling camp did was to air their dirty laundry. Emissaries from all PiS factions are calling journalists alternately, slandering others and trying to inspire publications – so that the slander spreads far and wide. The slanderers claim that Ziobro is demanding the prime minister's dismissal, although this is more of a spectacle to gain more in other areas. Because Ziobro simply wants more power and money for his people, as well as a tougher political line. Ziobro is supposedly supported by a frustrated Beata Szydło, sidelined and merely a rank-and-file MEP.” -- PURE HATRED IN THE UNITED RIGHT - STANKIEWICZ CONTINUES: “As can be seen, a new government will not be formed soon. As a consolation for our tears, we will get a series about pure hatred among the main players of the United Right. Surely, once they finally reach an agreement, the quarrels will cease and harmonious work will begin. For Poland, of course.” https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/newsletter-onetu-andrzej-stankiewicz-o-nienawisci-wewnatrz-pis/eg1lpdc -- WITHOUT A CHANGE OF LEADER, PO WON'T MOVE FORWARD, WE'LL CEDE GROUND TO THE LEFT AND WITHER - JOANNA MUCHA IN ONE: “No, there's no talk of a rebellion. But in my opinion, the dominant emotion among Platform members and our voters is the need for change. And the feeling that without changing the leader, Civic Platform will not move forward. If we don't decide to change the leader today, we will cede ground to the left, and we will wither.” -- MUCHA IS CONSIDERING RUNNING: “Discussions are ongoing. I know of several candidates who are considering running. I am also considering running for the head of PO. We are currently having discussions, it's too early to make a decision. Even if it turns out that there will be several candidates, I am convinced that we will be able to reach an agreement. We will compete beautifully with each other, and at the finish line, we will know what to do to ensure one of us wins.” -- KIDAWA IS A NATURAL CANDIDATE - MUCHA CONTINUES: “Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska is a natural candidate. But perhaps there will be more candidates, and we will have interesting, great primaries?” https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/czy-grzegorz-schetyna-straci-stanowisko-szefa-po-joanna-mucha-rozwaza-start/nmxtf38 -- HEAD OF CIS ON LIFTING THE SEJM BAN FOR JAKUB HARTWICH: The son of the newly elected MP will of course be able to participate in the swearing-in. The ban is no longer valid. The Marshal's Guard has changed the decision made in 2018, following a protest in the Sejm. -- THE NEW KO MP IWONA HARTWICH SAYS SHE WANTS HIM TO BE AT THE SWEARING-IN IN POLSAT NEWS: “I very much want the ban on entering the Sejm building to be lifted for all those who protested,” Iwona Hartwich told polsatnews.pl. Over a year ago, she was known to all of Poland when disabled people and their caregivers demonstrated in parliament. On November 12, Hartwich will return to the Sejm corridors, but in a different role – as an MP. She admitted that she has trauma associated with the Sejm building. https://www.polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2019-10-19/syn-chce-byc-na-moim-zaprzysiezeniu-a-ma-zakaz-wstepu-hartwich-przed-sejmowym-debiutem/ -- BIRTHDAYS: Beata Mazurek, Robert Lubański, SUNDAY: Piotr Guział.