Constitution Run

Running for Office?

In order to celebrate the 3rd May Constitution, authorities organised a run which took place in Warsaw and was even attended by the Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This year’s five-kilometre route was a perfect distance for beginners, so the event had a wide appeal among Warsaw residents. Both amateurs as well as professionals took part in the run and everyone who completed the run was awarded a commemorative medal. An additional attraction was provided for children who could participate in 700-metre run. “Today’s patriotism is all about being able to bring up our children as well as we can. A real patriot should never harm a child. A liberated Poland should primarily be a good home for our children and about that I am truly convinced,” said Donald Tusk. The Prime Minister said that he is not enthusiastic about a number of provisions in the current Constitution, but he believes that it is a Constitution of an independent state and so we should appreciate it and celebrate this fact. Tusk also commented, “Nothing is perfect, neither is our Constitution, however it includes all the most important things. And after all, the 3rd of May is a day to celebrate freedom and independence”. After the race finished, the head of the Polish government also said that he was able to run 5 km in less than 25 minutes, which he considered a very good result. He joked, “I am still alive, so it’s a success”. The run began on Rozbrat street and finished in Agrykola Park. The route covered a distance of 5 kilometres along the streets of Warsaw. According to the organisers, about five thousand people took part.
Rp.pl

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Poland to Change Time?

Poland’s Palace of Culture

Polish PM Donald Tusk is considering whether to resign from the change to summer time. “During the Council of Ministers we discuss twice a year if there are reasons to cancel the change to summer time. There are arguments for and against it,” said Tusk, “For half a year there will be no change,” he declared. The most serious argument for the continuation of time changes twice a year is of course money. Donald Tusk fears that when we stop adjusting the clock, as it happens in other European countries, our economy will suffer. “It is important that our time is correlated with the time of the largest Western European countries, including our most important partners Germany and France. If, for example, we do not change, it could result in financial fluctuations for individuals, companies and institutions,” said the Prime Minister. He also pointed out that keeping summer time in winter would mean that it would still be dark at 8:30 am. Referring to the possibility of extending the day, Tusk said that “life is just more fun” in countries such as France, Spain or Portugal where for nearly half a year it is bright until 10 or even 11 pm. However, as he stressed, if in Poland you could benefit from sunlight until 9-10 pm in April or in October it does not automatically mean that “the cafés will be full”. In Poland the time is changed twice a year. This is governed by a regulation of the Prime Minister from the 5th January 2012 concerning the introduction and removal of CEST in the years 2012-2016. The time change, which takes place twice a year, contributes to the efficient use of natural light and energy saving, although opinion about these benefits is divided. Throughout the European Union, including Poland, summer time begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October. It is regulated in the EU by a directive from January 2001: “Starting from 2002, the summer-time period shall end in any Member State by 1 am of the Universal Time (GMT) on the last Sunday of October”. According to data available on the WorldTimeZone.com website the time change is valid in almost all European countries. The exceptions are Iceland, Belarus and Russia.
tvn24.pl

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E-books for Pupils

Time for the Classroom?

“Every September 1, when the school year begins, Polish parents become understandably irritated because of having to spend considerable amounts of money on textbooks. This is why I am convinced that by 2015, basic e-textbooks will be available for free, and will be available for all pupils on laptops and iPads. We predict that in 2015, all children will be able to use this technology at school,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He reminded parents that the government is currently implementing its digitalization in education programme. “I will not suggest radical changes. For centuries, here in Kashubia [the region where Tusk was born] we have been aware of how important industriousness, self-restraint, moderation, and common sense are. However, we also see that in this school [the Prime Minister was visiting a school in Sulęczyn, Kashubia], modernity presents us with the need to sometimes make a breakthrough and the computerization of the education process will surely allow us to do this.” Donald Tusk discussed the government’s Digital School programme and also work on preparing at least eighteen e-textbooks devoted to fourteen subjects and over 12,500 educational multimedia documents which have been made available thanks to so-called ‘open licenses’. Krystyna Szumilas, the Minister of Education, says that “the content of e-textbooks will not be monopolised, as it will be possible to freely copy, change, and pass them on. She stated that everybody, including publishers, will be able to take advantage of these new, broad possibilities in e-publishing.
Gazeta Wyborcza

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Victory of Polish Patriotism

Smuda to Blame?

Poland’s football players did not live up to the nation’s expectations. However, journalist Dominik Zdort regards Euro 2012 “a splendid time for patriotic emotions.” The Rzeczpospolita journalist said on TOK FM radio that, “I have watched masses of Poles in white-and-red T-shirts with pleasure. It’s a positive awakening.” He added, “Such excitement is necessary for the country to feel a certain togetherness.” It is interesting that Dominik Zdort does not belong to the group of journalists heavily criticising Polish manager Franciszek Smuda. He stated, “I like this young team. I would not dismiss coach Smuda either, even though he made mistakes in  tactics.” Being a political journalist, Zdort could not resist adding a political twist: “This national team is politically pluralistic. There were hints that Robert Lewandowski is a Civic Platform (PO) supporter and Kuba Błaszczykowski is pro Law and Justice (PiS), but they managed to play together very well.” According to the Rzeczpospolita journalist, Franciszek Smuda and PM Donald Tusk are alike with regard to their… reluctance to make changes. Also, Marek Zając from TVP (Polish TV) shares the opinion that Euro 2012 is a chance for Poles to demonstrate their patriotism. However, he has does not agree with Zdort with regards to the team. “We lost mentally. I blame the manager, Franciszek Smuda, who was supposed to motivate his team to fight from the beginning right until the end.” He added, “Remember how Smuda announced before the Greece match that if the game was looking like finishing a draw he would not throw players on to attack. Before the Russia game Smuda said that he would be satisfied with a draw. It now looks like this drawing attitude, and not playing for a win, backfired on Smuda.”

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The 3rd Anniversary

Is Tusk Happy?

Today is the third anniversary of the Civic Platform – Polish People’s Party (PO-PSL) coalition. All government ministers have sent their reports to the prime minister in which they have presented their achievements. What can the  government be proud of? Probably with EU grant expenditure and investments for Euro 2012. What is interesting, the government has always willingly summarised its ‘anniversaries’. However, this time, the closer we get to the end of the government’s tenure, the less the government is willing to report on its achievements. Over the last three years, the government has not implemented many of its promises, often making decisions inconsistent with its pledges.

For example, it promised to reduce taxes but Poles are now having to face an VAT increase (from 22% to 23%) from January next year. The government blames this on the crisis, however, Civic Platform has also not succeeded in introducing a one-mandate electoral system for parliamentary elections, limiting the power of the diplomatic immunity of parliamentarians and reforming KRUS (the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund). A pension reform has only just been started. PM Tusk succeeded in withdrawing the Polish army from Iraq, introducing a ‘regular’ army, separating the functions of the minister of justice and the attorney general, implementing regulations regarding the extension of maternity leave and enabling 6-year-old children to go to school. The process of building stadia for Euro 2012 and so-called Orliks (school playing fields) also looks promising.
Rzeczpospolita

Another Chair Affair?

At It Again

Following the so-called “Chair War” when President Kaczyński and Prime Minister Tusk were at loggerheads about who would attend the EU summit, emotions seemed to have calmed down. However, not so. Another round of political handbags at ten paces seems likely. There were frayed nerves when Poland’s President and Prime Minister could not agree about who would attend the Katyń memorial together with Russian Prime Minister Putin in April. Their public spats do not show any signs of abating – the Office of the President has demanded to know what the Prime Minister’s plans are regarding the Nuclear Summit in Washington on the 12-13 April. Not only can the two not agree on who will attend but their respective policies on American involvement in Europe seem to be vastly different. Kaczyński wants a greater US presence in Europe, whereas Tusk takes a more cautionary approach.
Rzeczpospolita

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Civic Platform’s Ratings Plummet

Tusk Thinking About Polls

If a general election had taken place on the coming Sunday, ruling Civic Platform (PO) would achieve 37%, according to SMG/KRC Millward Brown’s poll conducted for TVN’s “Fakty”. Compared to a November 2009 poll, this is a 9% drop and the worst rating for Civic Platform in recent months. Law and Justice (PiS) received 28% among respondents, which is a 4% increase compared with the November 2009 poll. Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) has received a similar boost, with 11% of those interviewed planning to vote for the party in the coming election. The support for the Polish People’s Party (PSL) has grown by 1%, achieving a 5% result.

Where did this slump in the PO’s support come from? “It is a result of long-term ignorance by Civic Platform’s leaders of the alarming signals surrounding them, and a kind of widespread arrogance displayed by the party,” claims Prof. Wawrzyniec Konarski, a political scientist at Warsaw School of Social Sciences and Humanities (SWPS). 69% of respondents claimed that PM Tusk’s reaction to the National Health Fund (NFZ) head’s decision was insufficient. The head, Jacek Paszkiewicz, issued an order forbidding non-standard ways of treating cancer patients except for hospitals hiring provincial oncology consultants. As punishment, Mr Tusk cancelled Mr Paszkiewicz’s monthly salary, which for 22% of those interviewed was an insufficient penalty. Respondents similarly judged Civic Platform for its attitude towards the gambling scandal, with 23% attributing the confusion of the investigative commission to PO, 7% holding Law and Justice accountable, while 55% of respondents blamed both parties equally. “It was inevitable that excessive support for Civic Platform and the actions of Mr Tusk would sink. One swallow does not make a summer but I am certain that this downward trend in the case of Civic Platform will continue,” argues Marek Migalski, a Law and Justice MEP. “This is just one of many polls, I do not assign much importance to it,” said Sebastian Karpiniuk of Civic Platform. SMG/KRC interviewed a sample of 1,009 adults by phone on January 11. The questions concerning political allegiances were asked to those respondents who have already declared that they will vote in the next general election, or those who as yet are undecided.
Rzeczpospolita

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Wishes From President And Prime Minister

Happy New Year?

President Lech Kaczyński delivered his traditional New Year’s speech with the sound of the national anthem against the background of the flag of Poland and the European Union. Prime Minister Donald Tusk wished Poles all the best after a New Year’s football match during which he scored a goal. In his speech the President addressed everyone as “Polish women and men”, “dear fellow-citizens”, “children” and “dear youth”. He thanked them for the fact that Poland succeeded in the times of the economic crisis. “Development was slower than in previous years, but there was development. Unemployment increased but not significantly. This is a Polish success and you are Poland, dear citizens. We owe all this to your talent and skills, thanks to which Poland is in the best situation of all the EU countries. Thank you so much for all this,” said the President.

He said that 2010 will be a year of historical anniversaries, including the 600th anniversary of the victory of the Battle of Grunwald, the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw and the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Solidarity (Solidarność). Also, it will be a time of “joyful hope” for the beatification of Pope John Paul II and Priest Jerzy Popiełuszko. At the same time Prime Minister Donald Tusk was in Gdańsk, in a green T-shirt, a little breathless after a football match. He was also talking about the good economic situation of Poland. “I share this success gladly with everybody, although not everyone deserves it. People will judge those who contributed to this success. However, one thing is certain – this is a Polish success,” he said. He also pointed out the fact that in 2009 the Polish economy was better than the German economy. For the Prime Minister, personally, the 30th anniversary of Solidarity will be the most important anniversary. “I did not take part in the battle of Grunwald, despite the rumours,” he joked. Tusk wished Poles “all the best, a lot of love and good luck” and he hoped that the political opposition will play fair, “to believe in their strength, nothing is lost yet, gentlemen”.
Gazeta Wyborcza

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Difficulties with Revised Shield Project

Stationed in Poland?

The visit of the American VP, Joe Biden, to Poland, his words and the revised anti-missile shield offer which he brought with him met with an optimistic response. However, there are still a number of issues that still need resolving.  As the American administration’s officials stressed yesterday, it still remains unknown just how many missiles would be located in Poland. What is known, however, is that the project’s implementation will start no sooner than 2015 and end before 2018. This timeline would reflect the successive stages of retrofitting the SM-3 missiles that have primarily been designed to be used solely on battleships. Such a distant date for implementing the revised plan is a cause for concern in Warsaw. There is also the matter of the still unresolved legal status of American soldiers stationed in Poland; an issue about which negotiations are still under way. Despite numerous declarations of the will to reach an agreement from both parties, a joint position on the soldiers’ liability is yet to be worked out. “There are some difficulties here but I hope that they will be resolved by making compromises on both sides,” said the Polish President after meeting with Biden. However, the head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), Aleksander Szczygło, was critical of the Polish PM’s optimistic declarations. “The perspective of 6 to 9 years needed for the shield to become a reality is a distant one. The PM’s statement is surprising. It is a shame that the government did not adopt the previous agreement this quickly. It is astonishing that it is agreeing to something that is very distant and drags on the talks on the status of American soldiers which is crucial for Patriot missiles to arrive in Poland along with any kind of American military presence on our soil,” commented Szczygło for Rzeczpospolita.
Rzeczpospolita

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Poland to Take New Shield

A Different Kind of Polish Patriot

After meeting American Vice-President Joe Biden, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirms that Poland will accept SM-3 launchers. Warsaw welcomed Joseph Biden in the cold and rain but the American guest had many warm words to say to the Poles. “Poland is one of our closest allies. We share the same values and ideals,” Biden said after the meeting with the Polish PM. Later on during the joint conference with the Polish President, Lech Kaczyński, the American VP said, “We have Poland in our hearts”. Biden came to Poland to neutralize the bad impression left by the unfortunate way Obama’s administration presented the new shield concept. He also came to confirm the US revised offer which Tusk later  declared that Poland will accept. “Poland is willing to participate in the SM-3 project,” he said. After the meeting with Biden, Tusk explained that “the new plan for the world needs Poland to be more than a country that just needs help”. He added, “For Americans we have become a partner expected to take action and joint responsibility for all the good that is supposed to happen in the world”.

His guest was clearly pleased with such a declaration. “The US appreciates Poland’s willingness to take this step and to have the system’s elements installed,” Biden said and went on to add that “the shield will not only work for America’s benefit but also to increase NATO and Polish security”. He assured the Polish authorities that the US treats its obligations to its allies seriously. Various Polish diplomats told Rzeczpospolita that Warsaw did not expect any specifics from this visit; rather a formal confirmation of the American will to locate the modified SM-3 missiles in Poland. Wess Mitchell, the head of the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington, says that the significance of Biden’s visit is quite substantial. “It is a step in the right direction. The Central-European allies needed to be thoroughly run through the workings of the new anti-missile defence system. They also needed a specific offer inviting them to become a part of this system. The offer that was put on the table is very fair but for the time being it is too removed in the future for its details to be of any greater significance. What is important, however, is that America has shown its allies that it remains a credible partner which fulfils its obligations,” Mitchell told Rzeczpospolita. “We have good reason to feel satisfied,” according to Polish Foreign Affairs Minister, Radosław Sikorski, summing up Biden’s visit for Polsat News. He went on to say that he will be flying to Washington in November where, in all likelihood, he will meet up with the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
Rzeczpospolita

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