-- 20 YEARS AGO, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, running for re-election, won the presidential election in the first round. -- AT 13:30, THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF HEALTH WILL HOLD A CONFERENCE. OVER 4200 CASES TODAY - 300LIVE: https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/10/08/ -- IN THE COMING MONTHS, WE MAY BECOME THE COUNTRY WITH THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE WORLD - RAFAŁ HIRSCH ON SPIDERSWEB: “We haven’t experienced this in Poland’s history before. There’s a chance that in the coming months, we’ll become the country with the lowest unemployment rate in the world. Or at least among the most significant economies in the world that actually calculate this rate reliably, because no one will likely ever catch up to North Korea in this regard.” -- WE CAN SURPASS JAPAN IN LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT - HIRSCH CONTINUES: “Of course, the European Union is not the whole world, so achieving the lowest unemployment in the EU doesn’t automatically mean we’ll be the best on the planet in this regard. But there’s a good chance of that too. According to OECD data for the thirty-seven most important economies in the world, only Japan currently rivals Poland and the Czech Republic in terms of unemployment. There, in July (the latest available data from the OECD database), 2.9 percent of the workforce remained jobless. A few days ago, Japan reported that its unemployment rate rose to three percent in August.” -- BUT WE HAVE MANY ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VISIBLE IN UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS - HIRSCH CONTINUES: “So, the unemployment rate in Poland might be record low and soon the lowest in the world, but largely because we have a very large number of economically inactive people who don’t work but aren’t counted in unemployment statistics. According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS), there are as many as 13.5 million such people in Poland, compared to 16.2 million employed individuals. And this army of inactive individuals is a bigger problem for the economy than the slightly over half a million unemployed. But this doesn't change the fact that we might indeed have the lowest unemployment rate in the world very soon.” https://spidersweb.pl/bizblog/bezrobocie-polska-eurostat/ -- BOSACKI ON THE SENATE COALITION'S SENSITIVITY, DGP ON THE POSSIBILITY OF EFFECTIVELY BLOCKING THE ANIMAL WELFARE BILL BY INTRODUCING EXORBITANT COMPENSATION - as written by Grzegorz Osiecki and Tomasz Żółciak in DGP: “We need to consider the welfare of animals, but also the welfare of tens of thousands of people working in the industry, as well as the mathematics and sensitivity of the Senate coalition – emphasizes Marcin Bosacki, head of the Civic Coalition’s Senate club. In this scenario, blocking the bill is also possible. – If the opposition proposes amendments with some billion-zloty compensations, it will be difficult to pass the bill further, and it's possible it will end up in the 'freezer' in the Sejm – says a PiS senator.” https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/polityka/artykuly/7843225,ustawa-futerkowa-ochrona-zwierzat-senat.html -- A PIX POLITICIAN EXPLAINS TO JACK GĄDEK IN GAZETA.PL WHY KACZYŃSKI SYMPATHIZES WITH MORAWIECKI: “There is no other politician in PiS who could compete with Morawiecki in terms of vision. The Prime Minister is very beneficial for his party because he contributes to further electoral victories – including Andrzej Duda's – while being a dutiful executor of the president's will. A PiS politician adds: – The President genuinely likes and values Morawiecki. Morawiecki is pathologically hardworking, which impresses Kaczyński. He has a reputation as a workaholic who ensures people are aware of his workaholism. His colleagues tell stories that he used to send SMS messages or emails at night and on holidays, as they indicate he always has his finger on the pulse.” -- 40 OF MORAWIECKI'S DEPUTIES IS STILL QUITE AN OPTIMISTIC ESTIMATE - GĄDEK CONTINUES: “Morawiecki wanted to bring his people into the Sejm, ensuring them places on PiS lists, but only a few individuals managed to get elected. Morawiecki's people are called 'scouts' or those from 'Morawiecki's stable' in PiS. Some MPs from Porozumienie wanted Jadwiga Emilewicz (who is leaving the government) to support him, but that plan completely failed. The Prime Minister tried to attract nationalist MPs. A group of young but already significant PiS politicians, such as Michał Dworczyk and Łukasz Schreiber, who are closer to the Prime Minister's technocratism than the old-school PiS style, orient themselves towards Morawiecki. The Prime Minister can count on MPs like: Piotr Müller (government spokesperson), Anna Gembicka (Deputy Minister of Funds and Regional Policy), or Adam Andruszkiewicz (Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs) in the Sejm. In total, only a few dozen people may actually align with Morawiecki. Onet wrote that around 40 – that’s still an optimistic estimate.” -- GĄDEK ON THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF HOW THE ELECTION OF PIX VICE-PRESIDENTS MIGHT UNFOLD - CONTINUES IN GAZETA.PL: “And he adds: – If the president says to vote for Morawiecki, even those who are reluctant towards the Prime Minister will say that they are, of course, for Morawiecki. But in the vote, they might still cross him out. A secret ballot is there so they can vent their negative emotions, and ultimately, it will be as the president wishes. However, a realistic scenario is that among all the candidates proposed by the PiS president for his deputies, Beata Szydło – beloved by the 'rank and file' – or Mariusz Kamiński – considered the 'sheriff' – receive the most votes, while Morawiecki gets the fewest in the entire field. This means: the president's favorite has the least support in the party.” https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114884,26372186,robot-czy-lzeprawica-w-pis-szemranie-ale-morawiecki-i.html -- TOMASZ SAKIEWICZ ON SYCOPHANTS, STATE-OWNED COMPANY PRESIDENTS, AND MARKETING DEPARTMENTS: “I feel terrible among the crowd of sycophants and fixers. I prefer meetings with ‘Gazeta Polska’ clubs a thousand times over social events. Of course, like thousands of club members, when mobilization is needed, we go to Warsaw, or even to Hungary. I expect nothing. Perhaps just that after years, I deserve a little respect. And that’s why when I see some young whippersnapper telling me what I should and shouldn’t do in my media, I consider it disrespectful. When a president of a state-owned company, or his marketing head, who is little known for their skills, merits, and often intellectual capacity, asks me what I have done for them, I also consider it disrespectful. When my journalists, who risked their necks to bring about a breakthrough in this country, are judged for not aligning with this or that person, while competitors who coasted through the Third Polish Republic’s salons or took money from oligarchs are presented as role models, I consider it disrespectful. I calmly endure financial problems, personal threats, or unfair attacks from enemies. The number of absurd court rulings against me recently has surpassed what happened under Tusk.” -- DON’T BLAME ME FOR STRAIGHTENING A FEW THINGS OUT SOON - SAKIEWICZ CONTINUES: “It seems it has to be this way, and it's the price to pay for being oneself. However, I am getting older, and I'm running out of patience for people who don't know how to behave. So please, don't blame me if I straighten a few of them out soon.” https://m.niezalezna.pl/356291-jestem-troche-wkurzony -- MORAWIECKI HELPED ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE, BUT SUPPORT FOR THE 'WHITE RIGHT' IS WEAK, THERE WILL BE NO BETTER RIGHT-WING - PAWEŁ MUSIAŁEK AT KLUB JAGIELLOŃSKI: “Jarosław Kaczyński had many people around him who helped him fight for power, but few who would help him govern. Mateusz Morawiecki emerged as the only politician who respects the past and understands the present, and therefore would be able to take care of the future. He believed he could put Poland on a modernizing track without pushing its historically rooted identity into a ditch. The president's intuition did not fail him. Morawiecki helped achieve the impossible. Poland was spending record amounts on redistribution, but thanks to the tax streamlining by Morawiecki's team, public finances were in a very good state. Almost all economic and social indicators were improving. Difficulties in expanding power are not due to Morawiecki's deficits. The key is the weak social support for the 'white right' he represents. This is primarily a result of the relatively stable identity of the Third Polish Republic's right-wing, which is largely 'red' and built on different emotions.” -- MUSIAŁEK ON MORAWIECKI'S LEADERSHIP TEST: “However, there is no doubt that power in political parties and electorates is not gained through anointing. For a crown to sit firmly, one must first pull it out oneself and then place it on one’s head. A crown bestowed by others is usually unstable and falls off at the first stumble. Although Kaczyński seems close to naming Morawiecki as his successor today, the Prime Minister himself, not the party leader, must seize this opportunity. He is beginning a test of his political leadership abilities, resource utilization, and overcoming the limitations he faces. And these are not insignificant and are worth examining closely.” -- MUSIAŁEK ON THE INDICATOR SIKORSKI DEMANDED – IF CREDIBILITY IS MEASURED BY BOND COSTS, MORAWIECKI’S POLAND IS IN THE BEST CONDITION EVER: “Although the crisis of democracy in Poland has had a permanent column in foreign magazines in recent years, we have simultaneously recorded record market confidence. If we believe Radosław Sikorski, who a decade ago during his expose as Foreign Minister explained that a state's credibility should be measured by the cost of its bonds, then Morawiecki's Poland is in the best condition in its history.” -- MUSIAŁEK ON HOW PiS BECAME HEGEMONIC THANKS TO POPULIST ACCENTS: “Taking over and managing substantial LPR and Samoobrona electorates allowed for party hegemony on the right side of the political spectrum. This was also a breakthrough moment for PiS, as it shifted its identity towards a revanchist party whose primary goal is to change the distribution of social respect in Poland, with all other objectives to be subordinated to it. The anti-liberal entourage allowed for channeling the immense social anger caused by the transformational shock. Those who think PiS would be a better party without Macierewicz, Pawłowicz, and Ziobro forget that it would then be a party incapable of governing independently. To govern, it would most likely be forced to form coalitions with greater radicals.” -- KACZYŃSKI EXTENDS A PROTECTIVE UMBRELLA OVER MORAWIECKI OUT OF STATE INSTINCTS - MUSIAŁEK CONTINUES: “Only with the above processes in mind can we understand why the lack of support from PiS activists for Morawiecki is not an anomaly. Rather, it's surprising that we are even considering him as a candidate for party leader. Morawiecki represents an attitude and competence for which there is no social or party demand. The current party constellation, in which Morawiecki still controls a large part of the government, might be the maximum influence that the 'white right' in Poland can achieve. Morawiecki owes this position mainly to Kaczyński's authority, who, out of state instincts, extends a protective umbrella over the prime minister.” -- THERE WILL BE NO BETTER RIGHT-WING; PIX’S PLACE MIGHT BE TAKEN NOT BY THE RIGHT WING OF THE LIBERAL UNION BUT BY THE ALT-RIGHT - MUSIAŁEK'S CONCLUSION: “Those who still hope for the 'civilizing' of the right-wing in the future due to the exhaustion of the dispute over the genesis of the Third Polish Republic are incorrigible optimists. This scenario, I hope, is not entirely excluded, but it is less probable than probable. Growing polarization creates pressure that crushes everything moderate and centrist. It reduces the already minimal demand for state-building and nation-inclusive narratives. PiS's place in the future might be taken not by the right wing of the Liberal Union, but by the alt-right Confederation or another group targeting its current voters. Therefore, the alternative to the current PiS is not a responsible, elegant, and ambitious right-wing, but a secularized, anti-community, and anti-Western one. The past and future clearly indicate that it is not surprising that the 'white right' has so little influence on Poland today. It should be surprising, rather, that it has such significant influence today. Anyone cheering for it should therefore not worry, but savor the moment. There will likely be no better right-wing in Poland.” https://klubjagiellonski.pl/2020/10/07/kaczynski-i-morawiecki-lepszej-prawicy-nie-bedzie/ -- WE NEED TO DEVELOP A THIRD WAY - JACEK KARNOWSKI: “We need to develop a third way: between negating the threat and the easiest solution, which is a de facto lockdown. Between indifference to the fate of the most vulnerable and risking the social and economic collapse of the entire community. Between abnegation and hysteria. This last point is perhaps the most important.” -- DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE, BUT DO NOT CAPITULATE IN LIFE - KARNOWSKI CONTINUES ON THE PANDEMIC: “I repeat: the phenomenon should not be underestimated. But neither is it an answer to this challenge to do something that essentially means civilizational – or rather, life? – capitulation. A resignation from practically everything: from concern for the economy, for jobs, for the upbringing and education of children, for maintaining social life, including religious life, for maintaining social ties.” -- WE MUST NOT BE AFRAID AND LIVE AS BEFORE - KARNOWSKI CONTINUES: “It is characteristic that when a major attack occurs in the West, we hear that our victory will be in preserving our way of life. We are not to be afraid and live as before. In the case of a pandemic, we are advised to 'kill' the whole world. What’s worse, as we see from the current sharp increase in infections in Poland (as Maciej Pawlicki points out – rather ‘diagnosed infections’) and worldwide, this direction does not seem to be bringing us success.” -- WE MUST FIGHT FOR A NORMAL LIFE WITHOUT FEAR - KARNOWSKI CONTINUES: “I wear a mask, I take care of disinfection, I follow all recommendations. That's how it should be. But we must also fight for our world, for our lives, for the normal lives of our children. Wisely, sensibly, but without the blindness that fear breeds, which always suggests that the safest place is in the basement. And this is often a mistake, as anyone who knows the fate of Pompeii can attest.” https://wpolityce.pl/polityka/520996-nie-unikniemy-dyskusji-o-adekwatnej-reakcji-na-problem-covid -- MICHAŁ KOLANKO ON HOŁOWNIA'S TALKS WITH TEN MPS: “One of the topics in the Sejm's corridors on the day of its session became the information that talks are underway with another ten parliamentarians. Michał Kobosko, who will lead the party being formed within Hołownia's movement, announced that the goal is to form a parliamentary club in the Sejm – which means attracting at least two more MPs. As Kobosko admitted in an interview with Interia, talks are underway with, among others, those who are unsure of their position on future Sejm lists. This may suggest that politicians from the opposition who opposed their parties' internal decision to vote 'for' MP raises in August will move to Hołownia. Because after that vote, there were rumors circulating in the Sejm that these rebels might not make it onto the lists in 2023, especially in Civic Coalition.” https://www.rp.pl/Polska-2050/310079901-Holownia-przymierza-sie-do-poselskiego-kola-w-Sejmie.html -- TWO REALITIES IN THE EU - POLITICAL-SYMBOLIC IS THE LASHING OF POLAND, AND THE SECOND IS MERKEL'S REALPOLITIK - TOMASZ PIETRYGA IN RZ: “The Vice-President of the European Commission gave this interview after a series of debates in the European Parliament, which only reinforces the thesis that we have two realities in the EU. The first, political-symbolic, is used to lash certain EU countries. The second is Angela Merkel's Realpolitik, for whom the integrity of the Union and its sustainable development are important. Nothing yet indicates that these two realities will intersect.” https://www.rp.pl/Opinie/310079892-Tomasz-Pietryga-Jourova-odciela-sedziom-tlen.html -- MR. VOIVODE AND MR. PRESIDENT OF WARSAW: THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO COUNT VOTERS - ZUZANNA DĄBROWSKA IN RZ ON THE PANDEMIC SITUATION IN WARSAW: “This is happening now, half a year after the outbreak of the epidemic. No new 'field' hospitals have been built during this time, and infectious disease wards are being converted again, depriving other patients of the chance for normal treatment. It is being said more and more loudly that we are effectively implementing the 'Swedish model,' i.e., one in which those who gain immunity survive. However, our healthcare system is much worse than the Swedish one... The epidemic is getting out of control, it is evident. 'Soon the entire country will be a red zone,' says Prof. Simon in an interview with 'Rzeczpospolita.' And the duty of politicians is to set aside party rivalry for a moment. Mr. Mazovian Voivode from PiS, Mr. President of Warsaw from PO: this is not the time to count voters.” https://www.rp.pl/Komentarze/310079898-Zuzanna-Dabrowska-Warszawa-stolica-pandemii.html -- THE SWEDISH MODEL IS BEING COPIED WITH CLUMSY HANDS - JACEK ŻAKOWSKI IN GW: “In the fight against the coronavirus, the Polish government is copying the Swedish model. But in its own way, meaning without order or sense, with entirely clumsy hands. (...) That's why the government is copying the Swedish model, even though it's afraid to say so. It's doing it its own way, meaning without order or sense, with entirely clumsy hands, relying on the isolated Ministry of Health. That's why the Territorial Defence Force is slacking off instead of transporting the sick and supporting those in isolation. That's why a minister of cultural war, not a manager of digitalization and educational organization, became the Minister of Education. That's why more of us will die and get sick than necessary before a vaccine is available. This is not Sweden. This is the chaotic country of King Ubu, who cares so little about us that he doesn't even bother to put on gloves.” https://wyborcza.pl/7,75968,26377382,epidemia-koronawirusa-sztokholm-w-warszawie.html -- CORONAVIRUS IN POLAND HAS LANDED ON THE 'CAN'T BE DONE' SHELF - GALOPUJĄCY MAJOR CRITICIZES POLITYCZNA: “Apparently, we have accepted that the Polish state, not only practically but even theoretically, is incapable of responding to real challenges. Therefore, we do not demand respirators or testing children in schools. No one even demands that the authorities themselves wear these cursed masks.” -- IT'S LIKE ROAD ACCIDENTS - MAJOR CONTINUES: “It's the same with road accidents, in which 3,000 people die annually, including over fifty children. Have you ever seen a heated discussion in the Sejm and people biting each other's heads off over whether there should be more traffic lights, speed bumps, or grade-separated intersections? Well, unless someone proposes limiting the speed limit in cities…” -- MAJOR ON HOW SOMETIMES CERTAIN MATTERS 'CAN BE DONE' AND MOVE TO A DIFFERENT SHELF OF SOCIAL IMAGINATION: “Can this attitude towards authority change? Yes, sometimes matters from the 'definitely can't be done' shelf move to the 'oh, but it was done' shelf. This was the case with accession to the EU under the SLD, it was the case with motorways under PO, and finally, it was the case with 500+ under PiS.” https://krytykapolityczna.pl/kraj/koronawiurs-i-panstwo-mniej-niz-teoretyczne/ -- KINGA DUDA WITH AN IQOS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF FAKT: https://www.egazety.pl/rasp/e-wydanie-fakt.html -- BIRTHDAYS: Michał Gramatyka, Ewa Drozd, Czesław Siekierski, Zbigniew Siemiątkowski.