-- IT IS TERRIFYING TO THINK WHAT COULD RESULT FROM THE COMBINATION OF PUTIN'S OBSESSIONS WITH TRUMP'S OBSESSIONS IF HE WERE TO WIN IN THE US IN NOVEMBER - JERZY HASZCZYŃSKI IN RZ: "It is terrifying to think what could result from the combination of Putin's obsessions with Trump's obsessions if he were to win the US presidential election in November. (...) One must hope that Trump's declarations - not just those from the rally in South Carolina, as his reluctance for allied commitments and his fawning over Putin are a constant element of his election campaign - will be heard by American voters of Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Finnish, etc., origin. We need to help them draw the right conclusions, as they could influence the election outcome in several states. Americans, Donald Trump is playing with the future of your ancestors' countries." https://www.rp.pl/opinie-polityczno-spoleczne/art39816731-jerzy-haszczynski-amerykanie-trump-gra-przyszloscia-krajow-waszych-przodkow -- WE NEED CONSCIOUS AND DECISIVE SUPPORT FROM THE WEST. THE KREMLIN UNDERSTANDS THIS AND THAT IS WHY IT WILL NOT CEASE SOFTENING WESTERN MINDS - MAREK CICHOCKI IN RZ: "Central-Eastern Europe, including Poland, is an obstacle for Russia from this perspective that needs to be eliminated. And that is why Russia's ability to deter and repel is crucial for us today. However, we will not achieve this goal alone, even if armed to the teeth. We need conscious and decisive support from the West. The Kremlin understands this, and that is why it will not cease softening Western minds." https://www.rp.pl/opinie-polityczno-spoleczne/art39816551-marek-a-cichocki-carlson-u-putina-czyli-rozmiekczanie-zachodnich-umyslow -- RZ CITES A PANEUROPEAN SURVEY BY A PR AGENCY: "Preferences do not differ significantly from recent national surveys. KO takes first place with 36% support, ahead of PiS with 29%, Trzecia Droga with 16%, Lewica with 9%, and Konfederacja with 8%. 3% of respondents do not know who they will vote for." https://www.rp.pl/polityka/art39818381-badanie-przed-wyborami-do-pe-ko-przed-pis-silna-pozycja-trzeciej-drogi -- MORAWIECKI ON THE PI-S "PEGASUS LIST." SERVICES ALLEGEDLY SPYING ON HIM - KRZYSZTOF ZASADA IN RMF.FM: "According to our information, agents were interested in Mateusz Morawiecki's assets – we are talking about the Prime Minister's real estate. Another matter concerns the Prime Minister's contacts with the Material Reserves Agency during the Covid-19 pandemic." https://www.rmf24.pl/raporty/raport-pegasus/news-mateusz-morawiecki-na-pisowskiej-liscie-pegasusa-sluzby-mial,nId,7326819 -- MARSHAL PYSZAŁEK - FAKT ON THE COVER ABOUT HOŁOWNIA'S LIMOUSINE. -- MYRCHA ON CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL: WORK IS NEARING COMPLETION - 300LIVE: https://300polityka.pl/live/2024/02/12/ -- INSTEAD OF POINTING OUT GOVERNMENT FLAWS WHERE SOCIETY WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO AGREE WITH PiS – E.G., ON AMBITIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS – KACZYŃSKI'S PARTY RADICALIZES ITS MESSAGE, TALKING ABOUT A COUP D'ÉTAT - JAKUB MAJMUREK IN KRYTYKA POLITYCZNA: "Looking not only at PiS's antics in and around the Sejm, it's hard to resist the impression that the Polish right wing to the right of Civic Platform is in a deep crisis. Its largest party clearly cannot cope with its electoral defeat, understand why people thanked it in October for continued governance, and is unable to adapt to the role of the opposition. Instead of pointing out government flaws where society would be more likely to agree with PiS – for example, on ambitious infrastructure projects – Kaczyński's party is radicalizing its message, talking about a coup d'état, threatening the rulers with life imprisonment, engaging in scuffles with the Marshal's Guard, and warning that 'political assassinations' can be expected from the ruling coalition. -- THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING THE POLISH RIGHT TODAY IS DERADICALIZATION. BOTH AMONG PARTY ACTIVISTS AND VOTERS - MAJMUREK CONTINUES: "The biggest challenge facing the Polish right today is deradicalization. Both among party activists and voters. Because PiS's turn towards the far-right has helped cultivate an anti-system electorate whose views are problematic from the perspective of liberal democracy. This group is a minority of PiS voters – but the most loyal minority, having a huge impact on the party's activities." https://krytykapolityczna.pl/kraj/problemem-polskiej-prawicy-jest-jej-radykalizacja-nie-to-ze-wolno-jej-mniej/ -- KACZYŃSKI CONSCIOUSLY AND CONSISTENTLY CHOOSES A RADICAL COURSE – AND USUALLY A MORE RADICAL ONE THAN ONE MIGHT EXPECT - TOMASZ SAWCZUK IN KULTURA LIBERALNA: "In recent weeks, there has been no reflection from the right on the abuse of power during its time in government, but rather further threats. As the leader of PiS stated during a recent speech, 'this time we won't bother with any Unions here. [...] Those who said that this was all a big game, that it had nothing to do with the rule of law, that they had found a stick to beat us with, were completely right. And we will draw conclusions from this.' In other words, full throttle. -- TREATING KACZYŃSKI'S STATEMENTS AS ABSURD WOULD MEAN TREATING HIM LENIENTLY, ON THE BASIS OF 'HE'S JUST LIKE THAT.' - SAWCZUK CONTINUES: "It therefore seems that treating Kaczyński's statements as absurd would mean giving him a free pass, on the basis of 'he's just like that.' However, they have real political significance. If PiS's official position is indeed that all parliamentary parties from left to center-right should be outlawed – using an institution headed by Jarosław Kaczyński's colleague – then one can infer what kind of parties adopt such a stance; and who, if the course remains unchanged, may eventually become a candidate for outlawing." https://kulturaliberalna.pl/2024/02/12/sawczuk-czy-pis-zostanie-zdelegalizowane/ -- HOW TO GUARD DEMOCRACY IN A COUNTRY WITHOUT AN OPPOSITION - MAREK BEYLIN IN GW: "The problem is that against the backdrop of the constantly revealed injustices and moral destitution of PiS, the flaws of the new rulers seem negligible and insignificant. This is a government almost devoid of substantive external criticism, undertaken in the name of shared values. And this is dangerous for democracy, for the government itself, and for our future. Because power that is not watched always degenerates into arrogant power, deaf to citizens' voices. Therefore, civil society must today assume the role of a democratic opposition, supported by culture, an underestimated but fundamental guardian of reality and designer of a future good order. Free media must also play such a role." https://wyborcza.pl/7,75968,30682110,jak-pilnowac-demokracji-w-kraju-bez-opozycji.html -- WHY THE MEDIA IS PLAYING PiS'S GAME, AND THE TENSION IN POLAND WILL BE UNBEARABLE - JACEK NIZINKIEWICZ IN RZ: "Although Donald Tusk is in power, Jarosław Kaczyński is setting the political narrative. The government not only did not have a honeymoon period, but will not have a day of peace thanks to PiS, from which theoretically nothing depends, but which sets the tone for public debate. -- IF THE LACK OF A SENSE OF STABILITY PERSISTS, TENSION IN POLAND WILL ESCALATE, AND IN THE GENERAL CONVICTION, RESPONSIBILITY MAY FALL ON THE AUTHORITIES - NIZINKIEWICZ CONTINUES IN RZ: "In the short term, Civic Platform and the ruling parties gain. However, if the lack of stability persists, subsequent Sejm sessions will be burdened by the risk of skirmishes, and tension in Poland will escalate, then in the general conviction, responsibility may fall on the authorities, who are a party to the dispute, unable to resist the destabilizing side, but also because the rulers are responsible for everything that happens in the country. -- THEY NEGATIVELY RESPOND TO JOURNALISTS' INVITATIONS FOR INTERVIEWS, AND USUALLY DO NOT ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE ASKED QUESTIONS DURING PRESS CONFERENCES. SO WHO IS CENSORING WHOM? - WRITES NIZINKIEWICZ IN RZ: "PiS will accuse the media of censorship if some of their statements are not published, but they themselves respond negatively to journalists' invitations for interviews, and during press conferences, they usually do not allow themselves to be asked questions. So who is censoring whom?" https://www.rp.pl/polityka/art39813081-jacek-nizinkiewicz-dlaczego-media-graja-w-gre-pis-a-napiecie-w-polsce-bedzie-nie-do-zniesienia -- WHY IS HE BURNING BRIDGES JUST BEFORE DONALD TRUMP'S LIKELY VICTORY? - JACEK KARNOWSKI: "From a political point of view, this is an obvious mistake, even extreme stupidity. If Trump wins, he will have immense power in his hands, and the consequences of his decisions will affect the fate of Poland and Poles. Taking on the role of a hothead who taunts Trump and the Republicans, who, without any necessity, takes on the role of an opponent of the future President of the United States, does not fit into any normal political logic. Even Prime Minister Tusk knows this. -- IT IS ABOUT CREATING A PRETEXT THAT WILL ALLOW ABANDONING THE ALLIANCE WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND THROWING ONESELF INTO THE ARMS OF GERMANY AND FRANCE IN EVERY SPHERE, INCLUDING MILITARY - KARNOWSKI CONTINUES: "If Tusk consistently and clearly clashes with the Republicans and Trump, it means there is another purpose behind it. And it is quite clear: it is about creating a pretext that will allow the abandonment of the alliance with the United States and the embrace of Germany and France in every sphere, including military, with all its consequences. Today, Poles would not accept such a shift. They know the value of security guarantees from Berlin and Paris. They see that only the Anglo-Saxons next to us have rushed with real help to the attacked Ukraine. The only chance to change this state of affairs is to push America out of Poland so that there is no alternative. And Tusk is working hard on this today." https://wpolityce.pl/polityka/681461-tusk-chce-wypchnac-usa-z-polski-w-interesie-niemiec -- PERHAPS ONE DAY THE AUTHORITIES AND THE OPPOSITION WILL BE FORCED (SIC!) TO AGREE THAT A DIVIDED COUNTRY WITH HOLLOWED-OUT INSTITUTIONS LOSES AUTHORITY - PRZEMYSŁAW SZUBARTOWICZ IN INTERIA: "And yet, the debate about stepping down from the Polish barricade is lurking around the corner, as geopolitics may put our country to a severe test. Not only pessimists point out that we are already in a different place than before the parliamentary elections. Perhaps one day the authorities and the opposition will be forced (sic!) to agree that a divided country, shaken by ineffective internal conflict, with hollowed-out institutions, loses its authority. Not only in the eyes of enemies, but also of allies. -- TODAY POLITICS - FUNDAMENTAL, NATIONAL, AND EVEN INTERNATIONAL ISSUES - WILL BE THE AXIS OF DEBATE IN THE COMING MONTHS - SZUBARTOWICZ CONTINUES: "This year's local government campaign, which has just begun, will be an extension of the parliamentary elections and another stage of systemic change in Poland. While in 2010, Civic Platform plastered billboards with Donald Tusk under the slogan 'Let's not do politics' (let's just build bridges, schools, Poland), today politics – fundamental, national, and even international issues – will be the axis of debate in the coming months." https://wydarzenia.interia.pl/felietony/news-zejsc-z-barykady,nId,7326764 -- WE ARE TAKING THE FIRST STEP FOR NOW, THERE WILL ALSO BE CHANGES IN THE CURRICULUM SO THAT THERE ARE NOT MANY THINGS THAT CANNOT BE DONE DURING THE LESSON - BARBARA NOWACKA IN CONVERSATION WITH KAMIL SZEWCZYK IN SE: "School needs changes. The first step is to move away from homework. Children, especially in primary schools, who already have overloaded curricula, work extra by doing homework. Many of them are probably done by parents, but not every parent is at the level of a chemistry or physics teacher, and besides, such tasks always cause tension and stress. On the other hand, parents who are wealthy pay for tutoring. School is for children to learn. At home, they can reinforce their knowledge. We are taking the first step for now, and there will also be changes in the curriculum so that there are not many things that cannot be done during the lesson. The point is for teachers to have time for students. -- CHILDREN RETURN AROUND 3-4 PM, AND THEN SPEND SEVERAL HOURS DOING HOMEWORK. AND THEY NEED TO HAVE TIME FOR PASSIONS, READING - NOWACKA CONTINUES WITH SZEWCZYK IN SE: "There will be more time for teachers to talk with children. We are not forbidding homework, we just don't want to grade that homework and grade its absence in a student. But we are also talking about curriculum changes so that there is time to cover the material. We also need to take care of children's well-being, their strength to learn. They return around 3-4 PM, and then spend several hours doing homework. And they need to have time for passions, reading, extracurricular activities, for rest. -- THERE WILL BE AN EQUALIZATION FROM JANUARY 1ST, WHENEVER THAT MONEY COMES - SAYS NOWACKA TO SZEWCZYK IN SE: "It will be in March or April. Besides, we are talking with local governments, they will do everything to ensure the money comes as soon as possible, but they must reach an agreement with the trade unions. Everything is moving in the right direction. We assume that most teachers will receive raises in April or already in March. If someone doesn't, it's unfortunately because the President vetoed the act. However, we promise one thing: there will be equalization from January 1st, whenever that money comes. Teachers simply need these raises. -- THERE IS NO BOOK WRITTEN IN THE 21ST CENTURY ON THE READING LIST - SAYS BARBARA NOWACKA IN SE: "A minister cannot plan like that, but an expert team is working, which is also looking into streamlining the Polish language curriculum. And they are also looking at the reading list. There is no book written in the 21st century on the reading list. It is worth considering that if we want to have youth with knowledge, open to the world, they must also read contemporary literature." https://polityka.se.pl/wiadomosci/ministra-edukacji-barbara-nowacka-o-podwyzkach-dla-nauczycieli-lekturach-szkolnych-i-zmianach-w-resorcie-odbudujemy-jakosc-polskiej-szkoly-aa-BADv-R2B1-pAv9.html -- I HAVE ABSOLUTE TRUST IN MINISTER BODNAR, BUT I WILL KEEP AN EYE ON EVERY AUTHORITY – SAYS IGOR TULEYA, JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN WARSAW - IN CONVERSATION WITH MATEUSZ MIŁKOWSKI IN RZ: "It is true that politicians responsible for ruining the judiciary and destroying the rule of law have been removed from power in democratic elections. Unfortunately, all this chaos and ruin remains. We must now face it. Moreover, our task is to keep an eye on every authority, regardless of who is in power. The role of citizens and lawyers did not end on October 15th, because we are at a pivotal moment where we can build a justice system fit for the 21st century. (...) I have absolute trust in Minister Bodnar. I believe he is an excellent minister for this difficult period. -- I HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS THE APPROACH OF THE RULERS HAS CHANGED AND THE ACTIONS OF THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE ARE MORE DECISIVE - TULEYA CONTINUES IN RZ: "I thought the changes would happen quickly. However, the first weeks after the elections greatly disappointed me. I had the impression that the rule of law in our country was still slowly dying, and the politicians who took power were doing little. Their actions were palliative, merely pain-relieving. I have the impression that in the last three weeks the approach of the rulers has changed and the actions of the Minister of Justice are more decisive. This is evident in what he is doing in the prosecutor's office. I believe he will act similarly in the judiciary. For now, such radical changes are unfortunately not visible." https://www.rp.pl/prawnicy/art39818131-igor-tuleya-bronilismy-praworzadnosci-teraz-ja-odbudowujemy-to-tez-bedzie-trudne -- BIRTHDAYS: Marek Magierowski (52) Bix Aliu, Jan Kidawa-Błoński, Rafał Baniak, Szymon Gutkowski, Krzysztof Strzałkowski.