-- COLD WAR WITH RUSSIA COULD TURN HOT - MICHAŁ FISZER ON TYGODNIK POLITYKA PORTAL: “It is obvious that stopping aid for Ukraine means its end. It could offer hopeless resistance for half a year, maybe a year. After its fall, refugees unwilling to live in the ‘Russian world’ would head for Europe. If we were not preparing to repel Russian aggression, it would come very quickly, and we would find ourselves in Ukraine’s situation. This would lead to a fight to the death with a difficult and relentless enemy, ready to sustain losses that Spain, France, or Belgium could not bear. It is possible that the war would be interrupted by negotiated ‘peaces’ that Russia would use solely to rebuild its offensive capabilities.” https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/swiat/2237792,1,651-dzien-wojny-powrotu-do-beztroski-lat-90-nie-ma-zimna-wojna-z-rosja-moze-zrobic-sie-goraca.read ​​-- 6 YEARS AGO Beata Szydło resigned as Prime Minister, submitting her cabinet's resignation, which President Andrzej Duda accepted and nominated Mateusz Morawiecki as Prime Minister. -- POLITICAL PLAN FOR THURSDAY: PARLIAMENT ON THE INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE AND ENERGY PRICES, GLAPIŃSKI'S CONFERENCE, SENATE ON IVF - 300LIVE: https://300polityka.pl/live/2023/12/07/ -- UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION INDICATES TOMASZ SYGUT IS TO RECEIVE A KEY POSITION IN THE NEW TVP LEADERSHIP - AGNIESZKA KUBLIK IN GW: “According to our unofficial information, Tomasz Sygut is to receive a key position in the new TVP leadership, being responsible for information and public affairs, overseeing, among others, the Television Information Agency (which includes TVP1's 'Wiadomości', TVP2's 'Panorama', and TVP Info).” -- IT WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE PIOTR KRAŚKO, BEATA TADLA, OR DIANA RUDNIK. - THERE WILL BE NO RETURN TO 2015 - WE HEAR - KUBLIK CONTINUES IN GW: “It will definitely not be Piotr Kraśko, Beata Tadla, or Diana Rudnik. – There will be no return to 2015 – we hear. (...) The new team is also convinced that the name 'Wiadomości' cannot remain. – Yes, we have an idea for a new name, but it’s too early to reveal it – we hear. – It is compromised, beyond repair – comments one of the new publishers.” https://wyborcza.pl/7,75398,30480207,nie-bedzie-juz-wiadomosci-tvp-wiemy-kto-pokieruje-publiczna.html -- PUBLIC MEDIA DO NOT NEED PLURALISM, ONLY BORING RELIABILITY - KATARZYNA SKRZYDŁOWSKA-KALUKIN IN KULTURA LIBERALNA: “An independent TVP is needed to ensure that viewers are watching an impartial program. How to achieve this? Let's imagine that as a supporter of the coalition, you are sitting at a family dinner opposite your aunt who voted for PiS, but none of you wants an argument at the table. And in this way, let's create our TVP. For public media to serve as a guarantor of reliable information, pluralism and dedicating airtime to specific sides are not needed, but rather that boring part of discussion – standards. And these, contrary to appearances, exist and are the basis of journalistic work – for example, we document our theses, listen to both sides, separate opinion pieces from information. Then the program will be free from sensational headlines and interpretations. However, you cannot hire stars distinguished in the fight against PiS for public media perceived in this way – but rather boring, diligent information functionaries. In addition to the mentioned advantages, they will also not irritate PiS voters. And then perhaps they will start watching a non-PiS TVP.” https://kulturaliberalna.pl/2023/12/07/skrzydlowska-kalukin-media-publiczne-nie-potrzebuja-pluralizmu-tylko-nudnej-rzetelnosci/ -- POLITICIANS ONCE AGAIN WANT TO MAKE POLES HAPPY BY FREEZING ENERGY PRICES. BUT YOU CAN'T TALK REALITY INTO SUBMISSION: WE LIVE IN TIMES OF EXPENSIVE ENERGY - ANDRZEJ KUBLIK IN GW: “Freezing energy prices also creates the illusion that this period of high prices can be weathered. Nothing of the sort. Most experts predict that the time of energy prices inflated by Russia is behind us. But at the same time, they will remain high in the coming years. Delaying this shock can only intensify it in the future and discourage energy saving. Because nothing encourages turning down radiators and switching off unnecessary lights better than bills from the gas and electricity companies.” https://wyborcza.biz/biznes/7,179190,30478487,zamrozenie-cen-energii-to-rachunek-z-odroczona-zaplata.html -- PIŚ – A NORMAL OPPOSITION? THIS SHOW HAS ALREADY BEGUN. THEY WANT TO REPEAT A KNOWN MANEUVER - MARIUSZ JANICKI IN TYGODNIK POLITYKA: “Since they failed to extend their rule, PiS will try to squeeze everything out of their opposition status, entering the mode from 2011-15. That is, first, they will build a Smoleńsk-like legend of defenders of national identity, solidify supporters, fortify their base, so that people don't disperse. And then, in the second phase, find a young person for president, behind whom the old team will once again rally, counting on a tried-and-tested hatred for Tusk and attracting the more gullible voters from the 'center' and the left. This tactic worked in the last decade and is supposed to work again. Especially if the media and public opinion once again buy the fairytale of PiS as a normal opposition, a natural successor to power, and allow themselves to be led by the nose by Bielan and Mastaler's spin doctors. It is already evident that PiS in opposition will be treated much better than Platforma and other groups were when they held opposition status.” -- TRZECIA DROGA IS ESSENTIALLY A MISLEADING AND NOT VERY FORTUNATE NAME, IT SHOULD RATHER BE 'TRZECIA SIŁA' (THIRD FORCE), AS IT DOES NOT SEEM TO IMPLY POSITIONING HALF-WAY BETWEEN AUTOCRACY AND DEMOCRACY - THE FIRST DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF TYGODNIK POLITYKA CONTINUES: “Such treatment of Hołownia is likely an usurpation. The leader of Poland 2050 is, so far, a loyal participant in the democratic coalition. Trzecia Droga is essentially a misleading and not very fortunate name (it should rather be 'third force'), as it does not seem to imply positioning half-way between autocracy and democracy. Hołownia and Kosiniak-Kamysz were looking for a way to exist politically alongside political giants, but it seems, not in the sense of seeking some middle ground on the scale of systemic values. This is how PiS and Morawiecki try to position them, suggesting that TD is a swing element, it can be with PiS as well, which has not lost its honorable democratic capabilities.” -- MASTALEREK IS REPLACING DWORCZYK IN THE ROLE OF THE RIGHT-WING CAMP'S GOOD GUY, IT IS WORTH GETTING ALONG WITH HIM NOW - JANICKI CONTINUES IN POLITYKA: “Today, all attention of the ‘called journalists’ (to quote Minister Dworczyk’s phrase) flows to the Palace, and the ‘travel agency,’ previously popular in the Prime Minister's Chancellery, where foreign trips for journalists on board a government plane looked like a reward for friendly relations, also moves there. Michał Dworczyk’s role as the right-wing camp’s good guy is being replaced by Marcin Mastalerek, head of the President’s cabinet; it is worth getting along with him now.” https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kraj/2237464,1,pis--normalna-opozycja-to-przedstawienie-juz-sie-zaczelo-chca-powtorzyc-znany-manewr.read?src=mt -- PIŚ SHOULD PROPOSE A CLEAR CONTRACT TO SOCIETY, BASED ON THE DEFENSE OF POLISH RIGHTS, INTERESTS, AND FREEDOMS - JACEK KARNOWSKI: “In short, Law and Justice should propose a clear contract to society, based on the defense of fundamental Polish rights, interests, and freedoms. This is the path to success. Trying to resemble mainstream parties, trying to imitate them, will end in defeat. Such a PiS will be a proposal that will convince no one, and that few will need.” -- THE KEY TO PIŚ'S FUTURE IS THE CLEAR, TRANSPARENT DEFENSE OF THE INTERESTS OF SOCIETY AND THE NATION - KARNOWSKI CONTINUES: “Of course, finding a formula for effective opposition will take time; mistakes and dead ends are inevitable. The other side will also be looking for the best response to the strategy of the independence camp. We also do not know how deep the political repressions will be, openly announced by the Third Polish Republic camp. We also do not know how strong, how brutal, and how unlawful the blows will fall on independent institutions, including those in the media sector. One thing seems certain today: the key to PiS's future is the clear, transparent defense of the interests of society and the nation. In essence, PiS, along with President Andrzej Duda, are today the guarantors of elementary democratic order, an elementary fair social and economic order. Both PiS and the President are today the shield of independence, as well as a shield that protects Poles from ideological madness and exploitation, including economic exploitation.” https://wpolityce.pl/polityka/673571-pis-powinno-zaproponowac-spoleczenstwu-czytelny-kontrakt -- PIŚ LOSES VOTES, BUT WON THE ISSUE OF THIS LAW PROPGANDISTICALLY. ALL THANKS TO THE PROVISIONS ON WIND POWER PLANTS - PIOTR ŚMIŁOWICZ IN TYGODNIK POWSZECHNY: “PiS is losing votes, but it has won the issue of this law propagandistically. All thanks to the provisions concerning wind power plants, attached to a parliamentary bill initiated by Polska 2050. They fundamentally changed the rules governing the construction of windmills. The goal was political – it was about forcing President Andrzej Duda to sign the law, as its most important part concerns next year's energy prices.” -- THE FUTURE PRIME MINISTER GAINED POLITICAL POINTS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LESS EXPERIENCED MARSHAL OF THE SEJM. AT THE SAME TIME, HE TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE NEW WIND POWER LAW - ŚMIŁOWICZ CONTINUES: “According to backstage information, the decisions were made under the pressure of Donald Tusk himself, who thus decided to extinguish the political fire caused by Hołownia’s people. The future Prime Minister gained political points at the expense of the less experienced Marshal of the Sejm. At the same time, he took responsibility for the passage of the new wind power law. So that the new coalition does not bear the stigma of a complete political failure, it should be submitted to the Sejm as one of the first initiatives of the new government. And it should take such a shape that President Andrzej Duda has as few pretexts as possible to veto it.” https://www.tygodnikpowszechny.pl/ceny-energii-i-wiatraki-w-sejmie-wiatr-w-oczy-holowni-i-wyzwanie-dla-tuska-185593 -- SHOULD WE ACCEPT THE ALLEGED IMPOSSIBILITY OF MAKING CHANGES TO THE FUNCTIONING OF DEFORMED AND DEGENERATED STATE BODIES? - JANUSZ A. MAJCHEREK IN GW: “Should we really believe that PiS authoritarianism and nepotism are irremovable? Should we accept the alleged impossibility of making changes to the functioning of deformed and degenerated state bodies? For a democratic and law-abiding state, maintaining institutional continuity and stability is important. But it was precisely the PiS team that broke and destroyed them, so now they must be restored. Terms have been interrupted, judgments not published, verdicts ignored, elected representatives not sworn in, and illegally appointed individuals continue to be appointed. And now we are told that this cannot be reversed, and any actions in this direction will be futile.” -- SUGGESTIONS ARISE THAT STRONG AND SHARP TOOLS WILL BE NEEDED TO 'DEBETONIZE' THEM. HOWEVER, LET'S TRY THE CLEVER (AND THOUGHT-OUT) ONES FIRST, BUT LET'S NOT ABANDON THE INTENTION ITSELF - MAJCHEREK CONTINUES IN GW: “In 1989, we already learned that concrete can be crushed, not only the Berlin Wall, but also the party ranks of the communist party, forming the so-called party concrete. The phrasing about 'betonowanie' (cementing) institutions suggests that strong and sharp tools will be needed to 'debetonize' them. However, let's try the clever (and thought-out) ones first, but let's not give up on the intention itself.” https://wyborcza.pl/7,75968,30479877,pis-zabetonowany-na-wieki-wiekow-amen.html -- THE FIGHT AGAINST WINDMILLS IS ALSO A SCANDAL. IT PERPETUATES HIGH ENERGY PRICES - KRZYSZTOF A. KOWALCZYK IN RZ: “Although the ranks of mine workers are shrinking year by year, the mining lobby remains influential. Including employees and their families, this is at least half a million votes in Silesia. And it is precisely for these votes that the United Right has been fighting consistently for years, introducing the so-called distance act in 2016, which practically blocked the development of cheap wind energy in Poland and limited it to only 2% of the country's area. So, if anything deserves to be called a wind power scandal, it is this distance act, which nearly eight years ago condemned Polish industry and consumers to high energy prices.” https://www.rp.pl/opinie-ekonomiczne/art39525621-krzysztof-a-kowalczyk-walka-z-wiatrakami-to-tez-afera-utrwala-wysokie-ceny-energii -- NOTHING BETTER COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE NEW MAJORITY BUILT BY KO, TRZECIA DROGA, AND NOWA LEWICA. PIŚ'S USE OF THE WORD 'SCANDAL' IN RELATION TO THE COALITION'S LEGISLATIVE MISTAKE IS THE BEST SAFETY BRAKE FOR THEM IN THE FUTURE - ZUZANNA DĄBROWSKA IN RZ: https://www.rp.pl/opinie-polityczno-spoleczne/art39525581-zuzanna-dabrowska-dlaczego-pis-pomaga-nowej-koalicji-tzw-afera-wiatrakowa -- PIŚ'S DIAGNOSIS OF THE 'GAMES' HAS COMPROMISED ITSELF, AS PRESIDENT DUDA AND PRIME MINISTER MORAWIECKI PUT ON THE MOST 'NATAL Crib' POLITICAL SHOW OF RECENT DECADES - DARIUSZ KOSIŃSKI IN TYGODNIK POWSZECHNY: “This gives rise to the suspicion that politics having a connection to reality is unfounded, that these are merely – as the right constantly repeats – 'games' organized by the new majority, which does not want or cannot deal with real problems. Such a diagnosis, however, has compromised itself when President Duda and Prime Minister Morawiecki put on the most 'natal crib' political show of recent decades, namely the swearing-in of the government on November 27th. Everyone involved gave the impression of being animated by someone else's hands, which was further emphasized by posing for photos while signing their appointments. The mechanical movement of the President's pupils from right to left was reminiscent of a puppet theater, manipulated by a hidden puppeteer.” -- KACZYŃSKI, IN HIS STRATEGIC FORESIGHT, PROBABLY DID NOT CONSIDER THAT THE PROLONGED SPECTACLE OF HIS PARTY'S POLITICAL INEFFECTIVENESS AND THE MISFORTUNES OF ITS PROTAGONISTS' APPEARANCES COULD CAUSE MORE HARM THAN GOOD - KOSIŃSKI CONTINUES IN THE WEEKLY: “Jarosław Kaczyński, in his strategic foresight, probably did not consider that the prolonged spectacle of his party's political ineffectiveness and the misfortunes of its protagonists' appearances could cause more harm than good. There are probably no studies on this matter, but based on comments under broadcasts and videos on YouTube, one can hypothesize that one of the reasons for the popularity of broadcasts from the current Sejm is the satisfaction that opponents of this group may feel after eight years of PiS arrogance, watching the ridiculed party bulldogs and noting Kaczyński's successive lost votes. The performativity of the Sejm theater is realistically eroding faith in the effectiveness of a formation that until recently ruled undivided, and the hopes that 'your autumn – our spring' may also prove futile as a result.” https://www.tygodnikpowszechny.pl/sejm-stal-sie-hitem-co-my-wlasciwie-ogladamy-185545? -- PKO BP ANALYSTS: IN OUR OPINION, INTEREST RATES WILL REMAIN HIBERNATED DURING THE WINTER PERIOD, A POSSIBLE AWAKENING WILL BE POSSIBLE IN MARCH: https://300polityka.pl/live/2023/12/06/analitycy-pko-bp-naszym-zdaniem-w-okresie-zimowym-stopy-pozostana-zahibernowane-ewentualne-przebudzenie-bedzie-mozliwe-w-marcu/ -- THE NECESSARY EXPENDITURES MAY REACH EVEN APPROXIMATELY PLN 250 BILLION ANNUALLY ON AVERAGE BY 2030 – ERNEST PYTLARCZYK AND KRZYSZTOF MRÓWCZYŃSKI, ECONOMISTS AT BANK PEKAO SA, WRITE IN AN OPINION FOR FORSAL.PL: “In just a few key areas (energy transformation within Fit for 55, expansion and modernization of the Polish army, further development of road and rail infrastructure, or investment projects outside of energy implemented with funds available to Poland under the KPO), the necessary expenditures may reach even approximately PLN 250 billion annually on average by 2030. Of this, excluding road and rail plans (which are in fact a continuation of previous expenditures), even over PLN 200 billion annually should be absorbed by other transformation programs (assuming timely fulfillment of all EU requirements), which will largely constitute an superstructure over the path of existing expenditures in the Polish economy. Of course, the investors in a large part of the mentioned programs will not be non-financial enterprises, but entities from the public sector. However, even such projects may potentially generate additional demand for external capital from the contractors’ companies. Some projects may also be implemented in the form of public-private partnerships, which together should significantly support the growth of demand for corporate loans. Further foreign expansion of Polish companies may increase the demand potential of the corporate banking sector.” -- THE BANKING SECTOR MAY BE ONE OF THE KEY FINANCIAL VEHICLES FOR THE DESIRED INVESTMENT GROWTH IN POLAND - THE ANALYSTS FROM BANK PEKAO SA CONTINUE TO WRITE: “The banking sector may be one of the key financial vehicles for the desired investment growth in Poland. Both the economy and the banking sector itself would benefit from this, including to a large extent the corporate banking segment, whose development could significantly accelerate in such conditions, although a potential limitation may be the supply-side aspects of implementing such investments (the capacity of individual sectors to effectively undertake such an effort).” https://forsal.pl/biznes/bankowosc/artykuly/9374174,polska-bedzie-potrzebowala-do-2030-roku-rocznie-co-najmniej-250-mld-zl.html -- BIRTHDAYS: Andrzej Czuma, Witold Pahl, Adam Kwiatkowski.