-- NO ONE CALLED ANYONE A TRAITOR OR COMMUNIST, MAY THIS MOMENT LAST - MICHAŁ SZUŁDRZYŃSKI IN RZ: “Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with opposition party leaders to discuss the situation beyond the Bug River. No one called anyone a traitor or a communist; suddenly, it turned out that the Member of Parliament from Wiosna, Robert Biedroń, could be appreciated. As head of the European Parliament's delegation for Belarus, he can represent the Polish point of view during meetings of deputies from various factions. Suddenly, it even became possible to say a few kind words about former presidents – Aleksander Kwaśniewski or Bronisław Komorowski – and how they acted during successive uprisings in Ukraine. -- IT'S GOOD THAT THE PRIME MINISTER DECIDED TO BRING A BIT OF NORMALCY TO POLISH POLITICS - SZUŁDRZYŃSKI CONTINUES: “So, it's good that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki decided to bring a bit of normalcy to Polish politics. One can only hope that this is not just a move in the internal dispute within the United Right regarding the political line for the next three and a half years, or – as the aforementioned Ziobro supporters want – a total conflict awaits us, or – as the pragmatists surrounding Morawiecki seem to want – the state needs modernization, economic rebuilding after the crisis, and practical goal achievement, without which PiS will not win new voters in 2023. Therefore, without forgetting what was, let's enjoy what is now, and keep our fingers crossed for this state to last as long as possible.” https://www.rp.pl/Komentarze/308269923-Michal-Szuldrzynski-Chwilo-trwaj.html -- TODAY LUKASHENKA HAS ESCALATED TENSION IN THE REGION, TOMORROW HE WILL DO THE SAME IN PUTIN'S INTEREST, A JOINT REGIONAL STRATEGY IS NEEDED - ANDRZEJ POCZOBUT IN GW: “– You will sit quietly! – the dictator tells his neighbors, and by juggling military units, he demonstrates that he is ready to ignite a conflict that will become a serious problem not only for Warsaw or Vilnius but also for Brussels and Washington. Today, he escalated tension in the region of his own free will; tomorrow, he will do the same in Vladimir Putin's political interest. This presents new challenges for Warsaw, as well as Vilnius, Riga, and Kyiv. Regardless of differences in their approach to the Belarusian problem, the new threat forces these countries to develop a common policy towards the regime. Poland, as the strongest of these countries, should take on the coordination of developing such a policy.” https://wyborcza.pl/7,75399,26238374,lukaszenka-problemem-dla-regionu-polska-powinna-przejac-inicjatywe.html -- PUTIN DISLIKES LUKASHENKA BUT FEARS ANY REVOLUTION EVEN MORE - ANDRZEJ ŁOMANOWSKI IN RZ: “President Vladimir Putin cannot stand Alexander Lukashenko, but he hates revolutions even more. The Kremlin has no developed strategy for events in Belarus. Reason suggests that it would be sensible to bring about Lukashenko's peaceful resignation, and then try to ensure a pro-Russian candidate wins the elections. However, emotions do not allow him to permit the dictator to be overthrown by a revolution.” https://www.rp.pl/Rosja/308269935-Kremlowskie-fobie-i-kalkulacje.html -- BELARUSSIANS IMPOSE MORAL OBLIGATIONS ON THE EU - SŁAWOMIR SIERAKOWSKI FROM MINSK: “Since Belarusians rely primarily on themselves and show incredible evidence of courage and determination, they are, on the one hand, making Russia's situation more difficult, and on the other hand, imposing a moral obligation on EU countries. The multiplying solidarity actions by citizens of member states create pressure on politicians to start acting. Especially since Belarus is imperceptibly but quickly shifting towards the West. Putin's congratulations to Lukashenko after the falsified elections, sending "journalists" from Russia to replace striking employees in Belarusian state media, and the lies of Russian media about the protests – discourage Belarusians from Russia. The poisoning of Alexei Navalny did not help Moscow either. It has harmed them that Lukashenko threatens the protesters with Russia and its tanks.” -- SOLIDARITY BEHAVED EXCELLENTLY, ANY OF US CAN HELP - SIERAKOWSKI CONTINUES: “Lukashenko cannot cope with four threats: 1) with women, who are at the forefront here, and the system is not prepared for their mass protest, 2) with gigantic protests, 3) independent media, which compromise the regime daily, report on detainees, expose those who beat them, 4) worker strikes in large enterprises, on which the Belarusian economy relies. Their scale depends on how many workers can be intimidated by financial consequences. Solidarity funds can help, guaranteeing strikers and their families that they will not lose their livelihood by opposing Lukashenko. Everyone, as well as public and private institutions, can help in this matter. "Solidarity" behaved excellently, donating one million zlotys and tons of food for the strikers.” -- WE MAY DISLIKE EACH OTHER, BUT ON THE ISSUE OF BELARUS, WE SHOULD ACT TOGETHER - SIERAKOWSKI CONTINUES: “We may like each other or not, but on the issue of Belarus, we should act together for pragmatic, ethical, and honorable reasons. Collections are being organized for each of the causes I have listed (workers, journalists, NGOs). Therefore, we can not only cheer for the Belarusians but also contribute to overthrowing the regime ourselves.” https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/swiat/1969126,1,jak-realnie-pomoc-bialorusi-nie-wystarczy-kibicowac.read?src=mt -- BELARUSIAN NOBEL LAUREATE QUESTIONED - BELSAT: “Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich went for questioning at the Investigative Committee today. She is a witness in the case of the opposition Coordination Council, on whose presidium she sits. The Prosecutor General of Belarus had previously stated that the Coordination Council aims to seize power by force and ordered an investigation into the matter. Yesterday, a member of the Council's presidium, Pavel Latushka, former director of the National Theater, and previously Minister of Culture and ambassador to Poland and France, was questioned. After leaving the Investigative Committee, he said that the questioning was conducted properly, but it is a form of pressure. On the same day, two members of the Council's presidium were sentenced – Volha Kavalkova and Siarhei Dyleuski.” https://belsat.eu/pl/news/o-czym-bialoruska-noblistka-myslala-przed-przesluchaniem/ -- ZDROJEWSKI FOR LESZCZYN, BIELAN ON THE FIGHT FOR MINISTRY BEING RIDICULOUS, DWORCZYK ON TRZASKOWSKI - 300LIVE: https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/08/27/ -- THE SITUATION ON THE PiS-SOLIDARNA POLSKA LINE HAS ESCALATED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT CONSIDERATIONS OF EARLY ELECTIONS HAVE APPEARED - TOMASZ ŻÓŁCIAK IN DGP: “The situation on the PiS – Solidarna Polska line has escalated to such an extent that considerations of early elections and building a parliamentary majority without Zbigniew Ziobro have appeared within the ruling camp. According to some PiS politicians, the circumstances are potentially favorable. On the one hand, Jarosław Kaczyński's party has stable poll ratings and a safe distance from the Civic Coalition. On the other hand, Platforma is busy recovering from an image crisis and is torn by internal conflicts. Everything depends on whether the PiS leader reaches an agreement with Zbigniew Ziobro, who is opening more and more fronts before a swift government reconstruction, irritating the larger coalition partner. How to bring about earlier elections? PiS could use the failure to pass next year's budget. According to the constitution, if within four months of submitting the draft to the Sejm, parliament does not send the act to the president, the president may order the shortening of the Sejm's term.” -- ŻÓŁCIAK ON KURSKI'S POSITION - HE WILL EITHER FIGHT ZIOBRO OR BE FIRED: “– This is the beginning of a war that must be resolved somehow – assesses another important politician from the ruling camp. – I would not rule out faster elections, although today it is not a highly probable scenario. Kaczyński will first try to reach an agreement with Ziobro, and if that fails, he will start building a majority without him. It is unknown whether the entire nineteen "SolPolowcy" will want to risk going outside of politics – he indicates. And he points to the role that the president of TVP and Zbigniew Ziobro's man, Jacek Kurski, may play in a potential PiS – Solidarna Polska conflict. – The situation is simple: he will either fiercely fight Ziobro, or he will be fired from TVP. This was the condition Jarosław Kaczyński set when he reinstated Kurski as head of television. Therefore, it is not the most secure position. It is also evident that Solidarna Polska has largely disappeared in terms of appearances on public television – our interlocutor describes. Onet has already written about the fact that SP politicians are not appearing on TVP Info.” https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/polityka/artykuly/7807187,pis-solidarna-polska-kaczynski-ziobro-rekonstrukcja-rzad-sejm.html -- AGATA KONDZIŃSKA ON BUDKA'S SUPPORTERS NOT FEARING SCHETYNA - NOT ENOUGH SWORDS TO TIP THE SCALES - writes in GW: “In Budka's circle, one hears that they are not afraid of Schetyna. – We have counted the Schetyna supporters well; they don't have enough swords to tip the scales – says a PO politician. The actions of the former PO leader regarding salary increases did not please everyone in the party. – He didn't have the courage to vote against the increases, he just abstained, didn't say anything, didn't give any recommendation. And now when he criticizes Budka, those who voted for the increases also feel addressed by this criticism – says one of the PO leader's supporters.” https://wyborcza.pl/7,75398,26243142,platforma-obywatelska-jechac-czy-nie-jechac-oto-jest-pytanie.html -- HOŁOWNIA'S PROJECT THE BIGGEST WINNER OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON, HAS THIRD PLACE IN POLLS - ŁUKASZ ROGOJSZ IN GAZETA.PL: “Despite Rafał Trzaskowski's loss, the presidential elections were supposed to give wind to the sails of the Civic Coalition and the entire opposition. Meanwhile, Szymon Hołownia's new project, Polska 2050, appears to be the biggest winner of the holiday season. At least, if the polls are to be believed. Where does Polska 2050's strong and stable position come from? The answer is: the passivity and mistakes of the opposition. Shortly after the second round of the presidential elections – it was exactly July 17 – Rafał Trzaskowski announced the establishment of a new civic movement in Gdynia. He named it "Nowa Solidarność" (New Solidarity). He announced that further meetings would take place in August on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of "Solidarity" and on September 5, when the new project would officially launch.” -- HOŁOWNIA WITH HIS NON-PARTISANSHIP IS SEVERAL LENGTHS AHEAD OF NEW SOLIDARITY - ROGOJSZ CONTINUES: “In turn, the leader of the movement himself disappeared for over a month. He almost never appeared publicly or in the media, nor did he comment on the most important issues. Some may think he needed to rest after a tough presidential campaign, but then should he have launched a project called "Nowa Solidarność" on July 17? After all, the beginning is the most important in any action. What's more, in the context of "Nowa Solidarność," one constantly hears that the Civic Platform will be largely responsible for its creation and functioning. It will provide the money, people, and know-how needed to create the new movement. The point is that Trzaskowski has been repeating from the beginning that the movement is to be civic, and what kind of civics are we talking about when politicians design it from A to Z? In this context, Hołownia, with his non-partisanship, is several lengths ahead of "Nowa Solidarność.” https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114884,26243080,holownia-rozpycha-sie-na-scenie-politycznej-zabiera-zwlaszcza.html -- IF THEY BUILD A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT LIKE THIS, PIS CAN SLEEP SOUNDLY - GRZEGORZ WSZOŁEK IN NIEZALEŻNA: “Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, the mayor of Gdańsk, posted a photo on August 25 in the company of Trzaskowski, commenting effusively: "The first day after President Trzaskowski's and my vacation, hence our joy that we are returning to work for our small homelands and the big Homeland with new energy." This is very heartening news, although – to quote Bareja – for this "new secular tradition" to be fulfilled, shouldn't the mayor of the city on the Motława be on well-deserved holidays on September 1? After all, presidents of cities opposed to the current government are not concerned with such trivial matters as the commemoration of historical anniversaries important to Poles. If the former KO candidate for president wants to build a grassroots social movement in this way, it is fitting to wish him good luck. PiS can sleep soundly.” https://m.niezalezna.pl/348267-nie-ma-to-jak-zasluzony-urlop -- THE SUCCESS OF THE HOLIDAY PROJECT FAR EXCEEDED CONFEDERACJA'S EXPECTATIONS - MICHAŁ KOLANKO IN RZ: “Konfederacja politicians have just concluded their summer project "Holidays with Konfederacja," during which the party leaders held several dozen meetings with voters in the most popular seaside resorts. Now Konfederacja is preparing for a new parliamentary season, and its politicians are still traveling around the country. Informal meetings from the "Beer with..." series are particularly popular. Konfederacja has begun building so-called Konfederacja clubs in recent weeks. Approximately 20,000 sympathizers of the entire environment have signed up for the clubs in a grassroots manner. This success has significantly exceeded the initial expectations for this project – we hear from Konfederacja politicians who are hoping for more sign-ups.” https://www.rp.pl/Dyplomacja/308269926-Od-Konfederacji-po-Lewice-Rzad-z-opozycja-o-Bialorusi.html -- PIONTKOWSKI WASHES HIS HANDS AND DISINFECTS, SCHOOLS WITHOUT SUPPORT - PIOTR PACEWICZ IN OKO: “The Ministry of National Education is shifting all decisions regarding education during the epidemic to school principals. It does not foresee any expenses, and "no evaluation of the effects of the regulation is assumed." There is no chance for screening tests if an infection occurs, especially... if someone doesn't have a car.” https://oko.press/wobec-covid-19-szkoly-zostaja-bez-wsparcia/ -- OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS ARE AN IDEAL TRANSMISSION BAND FOR RIGHT-WING POLITICIANS ON THE INTERNET - GALOPUJĄCY MAJOR IN KRYTYKA POLITYCZNA: “Facebook and Twitter are ideally suited for this war, and opposition voters, whether left-wing or liberal, form an ideal transmission band. "Listen to the howling? Excellent" – goes one of the PiS truths, meaning the more the opposition howls, the more celebrated is the one who caused the howling. In short, every time opposition voters interact with a right-wing politician, mocking him with self-satisfaction and trying to needle him, they not only "boost his reach" but also increase his value in the market of slanderers of the Fourth Polish Republic. This value is then monetized by the politician, if not immediately with a promotion, then with recognition, which can lead to a promotion in the future.” -- IT'S NOT YOU, THE CRITICS OF PIS, WHO ARE MANIPULATING RIGHT-WING POLITICIANS, BUT THEY ARE MANIPULATING YOU - GALOPUJĄCY MAJOR CONTINUES: “In this sense, it is not you, dear critics of PiS, who are manipulating right-wing politicians, but they are manipulating you. The sooner you understand that people like Janusz Kowalski should be banned, not promoted, the sooner you will stop being transmission bands for the Polish right. But then you would have to give up the sense of superiority hidden behind every, even the stalest joke. And you can't deny yourself that, can you?” https://krytykapolityczna.pl/felietony/galopujacy-major/to-nie-wy-rozgrywacie-politykow-prawicy-w-social-media-ale-oni-was/ -- THE LACK OF AN AMBASSADOR IN WARSAW IS NOT GERMANY'S PROBLEM, BUT POLAND'S - KLAUS BACHMANN IN OKO: “If anyone counted on the agrément issue hurting Berlin, they were mistaken. For months, no one noticed it, because the absence of an ambassador is not Germany's problem. In the asymmetric relations between states, it is the host country that has a greater interest in having a diplomat who is well-situated in the country's power circles sent to it. Someone who has access not only to the leadership of their ministry but also to the minister or even the head of government. In this regard, the departing Ambassador Nikel was an almost ideal case, as he was a high-ranking official in the German Foreign Ministry, who came there from the Chancellery, where he worked with Angela Merkel.” https://oko.press/w-berlinie-nikt-nie-zauwazyl-braku-ambasadora-niemiec-w-warszawie/ -- BIRTHDAYS: Jadwiga Emilewicz, Jan Wyrowiński, Małgorzata Prokop-Paczkowska, Bożena Kamińska, Marek Dyduch, Zbigniew Sobotka, Tadeusz Sławecki.