Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, a deputy minister of culture, criticized President Andrzej Duda on Jedynka radio. She argued that his remarks suggested an intent to block the Polish Sejm and to preemptively dismiss future government initiatives. She believed the president was undermining himself by speaking in that way, noting that Duda has a history of changing his mind within hours or days.
Budget law sent to the Constitutional Court through post-control procedures
In recent actions, President Andrzej Duda signed the 2024 budget law as well as the budget law and an amendment to the higher education act.
Due to questions about the legality of the adoption process for these acts and the absence of MPs Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik from Sejm proceedings, the President opted to submit the acts to the Constitutional Court for verification of constitutional compliance as a form of ex post control.
– announced the President’s Chancellery.
Scheuring-Wielgus criticizes the president
Coalition politicians led by Donald Tusk have been accused of letting personal disputes overshadow Poland’s interests. They have been portrayed as showing hostility toward the president. Deputy Sienkiewicz of the Ministry of Culture has shared the same sentiment.
Scheuring-Wielgus recalled her early parliamentary days when Law and Justice held a majority and the 2016 budget was adopted with limited opposition presence. She expressed surprise that Duda now cites the cases of Kamiński and Wąsik, two individuals convicted by final verdicts, as a reason to treat them as parliamentarians. She stated that they are not parliamentarians and cannot decide parliamentary outcomes, calling for replacements from the party list.
– she stated on PR1.
The president’s remarks, she said, signal an attempt to disrupt the Sejm and preempt future government proposals. She argued that Duda is seen as overstepping, noting his tendency to alter his position quickly.
– she added.
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– A chorus of hostility from December 13 coalition members toward Duda’s decision.
– Tusk’s mockery about the budget signing and the broader implications.
“Byzantium” of the Tusk government
Scheuring-Wielgus was asked about Donald Tusk’s large cabinet. Reports indicate over 100 ministers and secretaries, with more appointments anticipated. She spoke of great workload and emphasized the need for strong leadership.
She reflected that the current government should show greater involvement, especially in relation to Ukraine, and supported certain positions taken by Paweł Kowal.
She noted in her ministry there are five staff members, each with clear responsibilities, highlighting the demanding workload.
— she commented.
SEE ALSO: A discussion on the size and scope of the government and its reform aims.
A rift in the coalition
The discussions also touched on a split within the coalition ahead of local elections. Reports suggest Donald Tusk halted negotiations with left-leaning parties over a coalition. Left-wing figures reportedly felt sidelined.
Scheuring-Wielgus described a shift toward a broad bloc in the local elections, with Third Way pursuing its own path. She indicated that talks about joint candidacies continued but that some parties might contest separately.
– she stated on PR1.
She added that Razem and other allied groups form a left-wing coalition and that talks may evolve if new alignments emerge.
– she concluded.
SEE ALSO: Reports on coalition dynamics and local election strategies.
Liquidation of the National Media Council
The deputy head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage was asked about potential negotiations to divert funds from the National Broadcasting Council license fee to public media, noting a slow pace in this area.
She indicated that an idea exists and could be announced soon.
She described the National Broadcasting Council as a political body that should serve as a buffer against political pressure, a role she argued has not been fulfilled in the past eight years.
She criticized the current leadership for hindering public media and emphasized that the council should safeguard media independence and freedom.
She recalled ongoing debates about depoliticizing the council and highlighted the six-week tenure of the government as a window of opportunity to implement changes.
The discussion also touched on the proposed media law and the plan to create a public media framework that is accessible to all, resilient to technological shifts, and backed by a robust governance structure.
She noted that the law on liquidating the National Media Council is ready in principle, but President Duda indicated yesterday that he would veto any bill. The idea of a citizens’ panel and broader civil society involvement was also mentioned as a possible path forward.
She stressed the goal of public media being led by experts and widely understood by citizens rather than by party loyalists, emphasizing careful preparation.
As the conversation progressed, some coalition voices appeared to contradict themselves, with calls to place expertise above political appointments.
SEE ALSO: References to the Ministry of Culture and public media reforms.
wkt/Polskie Radio/PAP
Attribution: wPolityce