-- PIONTKOWSKI ON NO INTENTION TO ERASE WAŁĘSA, DWORCZYK ON GOVERNMENT AID WITH THE CZAIKA FAILURE AND RECONSTRUCTION, SCHETYNA ON TUSK'S AND HIS OWN ROLE IN THE PLATFORM – 300LIVE: https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/08/31/ -- JOANNA LICHOCKA: TRZASKOWSKI'S OFFICIALS BEYOND ANY MEDIA CONTROL – writes in GPC: “Incompetent officials, led by Rafał Trzaskowski, not subject to any media control, have disregarded this. Once again, the PiS government will have to help and prove, through competence and effectiveness, how fortunate it was that the results of the recent parliamentary and presidential elections were as they were. Meanwhile, the Vistula river pollution case shows that ignorance and laziness, combined with a lack of media control – because most media protect PO people, including how Trzaskowski governs in Warsaw – lead to catastrophe.” https://niezalezna.pl/349141-ignorancja-bez-kontroli -- TRZASKOWSKI IS UNLUCKY, NOT SUITABLE FOR THE HIGHEST STATE OFFICES – JACEK KARNOWSKI: “The second Czajka failure is not just a sign that Rafał Trzaskowski is unlucky and therefore unsuitable for the highest state offices. It's not just a sign that Warsaw, managed by him, cannot cope with crises requiring more than PR statements. It is, above all, a signal that the structural neglect in Warsaw is truly profound, accumulated, and essentially stems from the presidency of Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.” -- CZAIKA AND OTHER SMELLY MATTERS ARE SECONDARY FOR TRZASKOWSKI – KARNOWSKI CONTINUES: “At the same time, we know that in recent months, Rafał Trzaskowski has likely devoted most of his time not only to the election campaign but is also preparing for increased political activity. He wants to establish a social movement, the so-called 'New Solidarity'. He talks about this in interviews, he discusses it during numerous meetings. This is what occupies him primarily. Czajka and other smelly matters must by necessity be in the background. Anyone with even elementary life experience knows that you cannot focus on two large projects simultaneously. In any case, it rarely succeeds.” https://wpolityce.pl/polityka/515516-trzaskowski-musi-wybrac-albo-warszawa-albo-duza-polityka -- ZIOBRO WILL HAVE TO GO HIS OWN WAY SOONER OR LATER – MARCIN FIJOŁEK ON POLSAT NEWS: “'Ziobro's people are doing everything and seizing every opportunity to present themselves as a more conservative party, faithful to values, than PiS' – we hear within Law and Justice. The tug-of-war over the direction the 'good change' camp will take in the autumn is only one (albeit true) premise, as there are many summer rumors. A few of them: the reason for Solidary Poland's strategy was a conversation between Jarosław Kaczyński and Zbigniew Ziobro, in which the latter received a clear signal that the door back to PiS is closed. Another rumor: the PiS chairman's declaration in unofficial, internal talks that his successor will be Mateusz Morawiecki, and the conversation is about when, not if, it will happen. In this logic, Ziobro will sooner or later have to go his own way, because all he shares with the head of government today is a tactical ceasefire (and sometimes it's not even kept). Finally, a strategic premise – in the absence of a joint PiS list with smaller coalition partners in 2023 (and such a scenario is on the table in talks between PiS leaders with Porozumienie and Solidarna Polska), the 'Ziobroites'' strategy is calculated for 2023, and perhaps even for the 2025 presidential elections.” -- THE PLATFORM'S PANDORA'S BOX HAS BEEN OPENED – THE CONVICTION THAT THEY CAN ONLY DEAL WITH THEMSELVES – FIJOŁEK CONTINUES: “The issue of pay rises has opened a Pandora's box within the Platform. Discussions about who should replace Budka as club leader, and even in which hotel to discuss it, have led to something worst for PO people: the conviction that they can only deal with themselves. More and more people are beginning to realize that a simple replacement of Grzegorz Schetyna with a slightly younger leader will not be enough to solve the party's problems. The same applies to the demands for a change of logo or party name that are constantly being made. 'The thirty-something generation in politics lives under the impression that it's enough to say something at a press conference and it happens. That's not how it works,' insists a politician from the older generation of the Platform.” -- TRZASKOWSKI'S MOVEMENT AS A NEW VERSION OF KOD – FIJOŁEK CONTINUES: “And that's why within the Platform, they would most readily see Trzaskowski's idea as a new version of the Committee for the Defence of Democracy, i.e., a de facto appendage of PO. The party knows that based on a social movement, one can organize several large demonstrations in Warsaw, but it will not replace daily, organic work. 'I'll give you an example,' laughs a Platform politician. 'During the 2019 elections, I asked people from KOD if they wanted to run, to strengthen our election lists, to get seriously involved. We used maybe two names. The rest either couldn't gather a serious number of votes or didn't want to run, believing that engagement on Facebook and at a demonstration was enough. It's a waste of energy on them' – we hear.” -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE CALCULATING – FIJOŁEK CONTINUES: “Supporting Trzaskowski's anti-government movement closes many of these doors for discussion and makes it harder to resolve specific issues, such as expanding the city, deciding on a new location for the local courthouse, or securing funds for sports investments. Not everyone is ready – like Aleksandra Dulkiewicz or Tadeusz Truskolaski – to bear these political costs just to strengthen the political position of the capital's mayor. Not all local government officials want to die for Trzaskowski, even if they cooperate with him daily or simply like him.” -- PARADOXICALLY, WE NOW HAVE THE BEST MOMENT TO MAKE UNPOPULAR MOVES – FIJOŁEK CONTINUES: “If anyone thought that the prospect of no scheduled elections in the next three years would usher in a calmer period in Polish politics, they should slowly realize their mistake. Paradoxically, this is precisely the best time to make unpopular moves that can provide a better starting position for the next electoral marathon. The closer it gets to autumn, the more will fall out from under the carpets where political bulldogs are fighting – and this regardless of party affiliations and ideological sympathies: these most often become just convenient tools for the real struggle for power: within factions, parties, and finally, the entire state.” https://www.polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2020-08-28/jesienne-czyszczenie-przedpoli-nowy-sezon-w-polityce/ -- UNDERMINING TRUST IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IS DELIBERATE, A PRELUDE TO A SYSTEMIC CHANGE THAT WILL BE THE CENTRALIZATION OF THE STATE – MICHAŁ SZUŁDRZYŃSKI IN RZ: “But this game is about more than just shifting responsibility for the expected educational and epidemiological chaos. Undermining trust in local government is deliberate and has a goal: to dismantle local power. Narrative salvos aimed at local communities and their leaders are a prelude to a systemic change, which will be the centralization of the state. It is worth recalling the discussion about limiting the number of terms for mayors and district heads – the most frequent argument then was that local governments are hotbeds of cliques and near-criminal conspiracies.” -- IT IS EASIER TO GAIN CONTROL OVER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BY STRIPPING THEM OF POWERS THAN BY WINNING ELECTIONS – SZUŁDRZYŃSKI CONTINUES: “The point is that local governments are a sphere over which PiS has not yet established its control. And instead of winning elections in thousands of municipalities, it is easier to gain control over local governments by stripping them of their powers. And what if Poles are most satisfied with local governments and identify with them most strongly? It is more important that 'they' do not have power. Only 'we'. Only 'us'.” https://www.rp.pl/Komentarze/308309958-Szuldrzynski-Niebezpieczna-wojna-z-samorzadem.html -- ZIOBRO'S PEOPLE ARE OUTLINING NEW FIELDS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE LIMITED TO JUSTICE – TOMASZ ŻÓŁCIAK IN DGP: “Ziobro's people no longer want to be associated solely with the judiciary and the controversial court reform, which is why they are outlining new areas of engagement, such as environmental issues and climate neutrality. Hence the sharp criticism of the actions of Climate Minister Michał Kurtyka or the policy of moving away from coal. This allows them to win over more groups and forge tacit alliances. Recently, Ziobro's people have moved closer to Solidarity on the issue of suspending the European Union's Emissions Trading System. We also hear unofficially that two MEPs associated with the ruling camp wanted to transfer to Solidarna Polska, but Ziobro's people reportedly did not accept them to avoid worsening the atmosphere within PiS. Nevertheless, Solidarna Polska activists are aware that PiS may try to seek a new coalition partner in the Sejm or attract individual politicians, for example, from PSL, and thus aim to marginalize Zbigniew Ziobro. This is also an attempt to secure themselves against a situation where – as a result of an escalating conflict – PiS either brings about early elections or announces that it will no longer allow Solidarna Polska politicians on its lists.” -- PIS RESEARCH INDICATED THAT DUDA GAINED WHEN HE SOFTENED HIS RHETORIC – ŻÓŁCIAK CONTINUES: “PiS politicians, in turn, emphasize that the recent elections were won mainly thanks to voters from outside large cities, seniors, and less educated individuals. And this is not a good basis for maintaining power for years to come, hence the drive for programmatic evolution and correction of PiS's program line. Also, from research conducted during the last presidential campaign, it emerged that when the course was toughened, Andrzej Duda lost in polls, and gained when he softened his rhetoric. Nevertheless, Ziobro's people are of the opinion that after years of 'rebuilding the state' and after the planned government reconstruction, the period of potentially three years without elections should be used to launch an ideological and programmatic offensive.” https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/polityka/artykuly/7810570,ziobro-ms-kaczynski-pis-solidarna-polska-konflikt-prawica-rekonstrukcja-rzad.html -- EARLIER THE PRIME MINISTER WAS AN ARBITER, BY TAKING OVER EU POLICY HE BECAME A PARTY TO DISPUTES IN THE CHANCELLERY – JACEK CZAPUTOWICZ IN CONVERSATION WITH JĘDRZEJ BIELECKI IN RZ: “It was also beneficial for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it relieved us of the obligation to coordinate ministerial positions on technical matters or to assess the legality of each law, allowing us to focus on foreign policy. However, this posed a certain risk for the Prime Minister, which was quickly confirmed. Namely, previously the Prime Minister was an arbiter in disputes between ministers, such as between Minister Ziobro and myself regarding the rule of law or the tactics for proceedings before the CJEU. Today, the Prime Minister has become a party to disputes with Minister Ziobro. I would add that the Chancellery constantly expects reactions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when, for example, Commissioner Jourová criticizes Poland for judicial reform. However, after the Chancellery took over the department of Poland's EU membership, we no longer have the legal basis, competence, or necessary expertise for this.” -- RAU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GYMNICH – CZAPUTOWICZ CONTINUES: “|We see today that the moment of my resignation and the assumption of office by the new minister was very opportune. The Prime Minister said that immediately after my announcement of resignation, Professor Rau was proposed to head the ministry. Presumably, it was assumed that the change would occur as part of a broader government reconstruction, which would have been logical. On the other hand, the resignation of Minister Szumowski and two deputy ministers changed the situation. I then decided that for the good of Polish foreign policy, we could not wait any longer. It turned out to be the right decision, Minister Rau quickly took over his duties and has already managed to participate in the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (the so-called Gymnich) in Berlin. This gave him an opportunity to present himself and hold his first conversations with his counterparts.” -- RAU ALSO CARES ABOUT RESOLVING THE ISSUE OF THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR – CZAPUTOWICZ CONTINUES: “As I understand the functioning of diplomacy, this is strange. In the past 20 years, it has not happened that Poland has not granted agrément to any ambassador, whether from Russia, China, or North Korea, let alone from friendly states, EU and NATO members. During this time, there have been three such cases involving Polish ambassadors – in 2000 in post-communist Georgia under Eduard Shevardnadze, and twice in Iran. I think this matter will eventually find a positive solution, which Minister Rau also cares about.” https://www.rp.pl/Dyplomacja/200839989-Czaputowicz-Sprawa-ambasadora-Niemiec-bedzie-pozytywnie-rozwiazana.html -- NO – WE DON'T HAVE TOO MANY OFFICIALS IN POLAND. THEY NEED RAISES, NOT CUTS – PIOTR WÓJCIK IN KRYTYKA POLITYCZNA: “The planned cost cuts in administration by PiS – freezing wages in 2021 and, above all, probable staff reductions by one-fifth – can also be criticized from an economic perspective. Employment cuts during a crisis can deepen the recession even further, leading to a decrease in domestic demand. Southern European countries have learned this, where austerity policies have had dire consequences, and their labor markets have not yet returned to their pre-crisis state. Above all, however, the planned changes lack any substantive justification. Public administration in Poland is not overgrown; on the contrary, it is rather modest. In terms of quality, it performs averagely compared to other EU countries, while being one of the cheapest. The possibilities for savings seem therefore meager.” -- WÓJCIK ON MENTAL MILLIONAIRES: “The government is taking the easy way out, looking for money in the pockets of a professional group that society will not want to defend. The level of solidarity in Poland is so low that an attack on hardly any professional group would meet with outrage, yet an attack on officials is particularly safe for the rulers. Of course, the government has the means to find money to patch up the budget deficit. It could simply raise taxes on the wealthiest. Only, they will be defended by mainstream media and thousands of Polish 'mental millionaires'. Meanwhile, another blow to officials will undoubtedly not meet with social opposition. On the contrary, it might even bring applause to the rulers. Unfortunately.” https://krytykapolityczna.pl/gospodarka/nie-nie-mamy-w-polsce-zbyt-wielu-urzednikow-potrzebuja-oni-podwyzek-nie-ciec/ -- WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT WAS WOMEN WHO STRUCK, NOT THE POPE – AGNIESZKA WIŚNIEWSKA IN KRYTYKA POLITYCZNA: “We invented the anniversary of the strike's outbreak at the shipyard in Krytyka Polityczna to commemorate it with a book about Henryka Krzywonos, a story about a woman, a worker. Because we lacked stories about women workers and social history back then. After 10 years, a little has changed in the latter regard. There is a display case dedicated to women at the European Solidarity Centre, but more space is still devoted to the Pope. With all due respect, but it was women who struck, the Pope was not there, and the priest didn't even want to celebrate Mass without the consent of the PZPR authorities. The 'God-fearing' history has overshadowed the story of the workers' strike. The history of Solidarity has its interesting threads, but perhaps because of what has been done with it, I am increasingly reluctant to delve into them.” https://krytykapolityczna.pl/kultura/historia/kogo-dzis-obchodzi-solidarnosc/ -- VAGUE ECHOES OF A VETERAN PAST IN THE NEW SOLIDARITY – TOMASZ SAWCZUK FROM KULTURA LIBERALNA: “It is no different with the slogan 'New Solidarity', which Rafał Trzaskowski, the Civic Platform's presidential candidate, invoked during his campaign. One could give this slogan contemporary meaning, but so far, nothing of the sort has happened. And since it is not being done, only vague echoes of a veteran past resonate within it, previously visible in the symbolism of the Committee for the Defence of Democracy, but this time more ambiguous, with less emotional charge.” -- HERITAGE FROM ANOTHER WORLD – SAWCZUK CONTINUES: “History never begins anew. Solidarity will remain with us as part of our historical heritage. However, it is a heritage that comes from another world. It exists in the memory of people who had the good fortune and the curse to live on the border of two different realities. Only they could show us what Solidarity is today. We will create something different.” https://krytykapolityczna.pl/kultura/historia/spiecie-solidarnosc-kultura-liberalna-sawczuk/ -- BELARUSIANS WILL REMEMBER WHO SUPPORTED THEM, THIS IS CAPITAL – MICHAŁ RACHOŃ IN NIEZALEŻNA: “However, the support of millions of Belarusians in their fight against a Russia-backed dictator, who does not hesitate to murder ordinary people on the streets, will provide us with capital more valuable than all diplomatic complexities. Sympathy and friendship of people who will sooner or later regain their freedom. And when that happens – they will remember who supported them in difficult times. On such a basis, one can build not only real interests but also security. And it is hard to find a better guarantee of security than friendly and brave neighbors.” -- RACHOŃ ON THE CONFEDERATION'S POLICY – AGAINST POLISH INTERESTS: “Politicians who suggest that Poland should not support citizens rebelling against a dictator are acting cynically, foolishly, and – what's worse – against Polish interests.” https://m.niezalezna.pl/349094-realpolitik-bezpieczenstwo-i-sasiedzi -- 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUGUST AGREEMENTS. -- BIRTHDAYS: Henryk Woźniakowski.