At a joint press conference, the presidents of Gdańsk, Sopot and Sosnowiec referred to the Sejm’s passing of amendments to the law on the judiciary, which may unblock EU funds allocated to the National Reconstruction Program for Poland. – Without a constitution, self-governance and transparency, funds from the European Union can be used to build authoritarianism – stressed Jacek Karnowski, the mayor of Sopot.
The Mayor of Sopot said that – as a representative of local government officials gathered around the “YES! For Poland” movement – he wanted to emphasize the role of the rule of law and democracy. – We care about these values as much as about financial resources. Funds that are due to Poles, residents, entrepreneurs, local governments – said Jacek Karnowski.
He appealed to politicians – especially the ruling party – not to “treat the European Union as an ATM”.
– Treat the EU as a union of values based on free courts and their independence. For a fair and transparent distribution of funds – he noted.
He added that if the basic values in Poland are not respected, EU measures “can only be used to build an authoritative state that will eventually leave the European Union.”
That’s why we’re emphasizing it. In this matter, we must not only talk about money, but also about values - he stressed.
The role of free media
Aleksandra Dulkiewiczthe Mayor of Gdańsk emphasized that the conference was organized not by accident in front of the historic gate of the shipyard, where the postulates of August 1980 were posted.
President Dulkiewicz on the role of free mediaTVN24
– It is clear that we are waiting for money from the KPO, thanks to which it will be possible to carry out thermal modernization of schools. However, it is necessary to talk about freedom of the media and respect for fundamental values, stressed the president.
Dulkiewicz pointed out that “local government officials are on the side of freedom of speech, democracy and the rule of law.”
– I appeal to the rulers of the country, to the people who represent nearly 40 million Poles. Keep in mind what unites us.
The mayor of Sosnowiec, Arkadiusz Chęciński, spoke in a similar tone.
– Let me state the obvious. Without the values mentioned by the predecessors, the money from KPO will have no value, he stressed.
President Chęciński on the role of “fundamental values”
Amended Judiciary Act
On Friday, the Sejm adopted the law on the judiciarymainly by the votes of Law and Justice and with the majority of the opposition abstaining. Solidarity Poland was opposed to the act that could open the way for Poland to receive money from the European Union.
Contributed in December by PiS deputies According to the authors, the draft amendment to the Act on the Supreme Court is to meet the requirements related to the key “milestone” determining the launch of funds for KPO by the European Commission.
Main photo source: PAP/Jan Dzban