The recent marathon EU summit resulted in „an unprecedented success for Poland,” according to Poland’s Minister for European affairs, Konrad Szymański.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters yesterday that the agreement reached in Brussels meant Poland would receive almost EUR 125 billion in grants and around EUR 34 billion in low-interest loans under both the stimulus plan and the EU’s next common budget—working out to „a total of almost EUR 160 billion at current prices.”

Most importantly for Poland and fellow Visegrad member Hungary, stipulations tying the disbursement of funds to „rule of law” measures were stripped from the historic final agreement. Both leaders also managed to secure funding for poorer regions of their respective countries; with Morawiecki announcing that „a significant amount of money will be allocated to four regions of Hungary and five regions in Poland.”

Source: Radio Poland, Radio Gdańsk

A former Polish government minister has been charged with masterminding a massive bribery and graft scheme involving road construction projects in Ukraine.

The official, who has been identified only as „Sławomir N.” under Polish privacy laws, served as transport minister from 2011 to 2013 and later headed Ukraine’s State Road Agency (Ukravtodor) from 2016 to 2019.

According to a spokeswoman from the Warsaw Prosecutor’s office, „Sławomir N.” is suspected of receiving more than PLN 1.3 million (EUR 293,000, USD 335,000) in kickbacks in return for illegitimately awarding contracts to private businesses for road construction and repair in Ukraine.

Two other suspects have also been detained in connection with the case, including „Dariusz Z.”, a former commander of Poland’s elite GROM special forces unit, and a businessman from Gdańsk, identified only as „Jacek P.” Both men have been charged with participation in an organized criminal group, money laundering, and accepting financial benefits.

Source: Radio Poland, Radio Gdańsk

Warsaw’s iconic Soviet-style Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury) celebrated 65 years of existence yesterday with free souvenir photos and 3D printing workshops.

Opened to the public on July 21, 1955, the controversial landmark remains an instantly recognizable symbol of Warsaw and one of the tallest buildings in the European Union.

The monumental edifice was a gift from the Soviet Union to Poland after a Moscow-backed communist regime was installed in the country following World War II.

Since 2007, the 237-meter building has been listed as a cultural heritage site, and it now serves as a major tourist attraction with a viewing terrace open to the public daily from 10:00 to 20:00 and Fridays until 22:00.

For more information on this historic landmark, visit www.pkin.pl.

Source: Radio Poland

After residents of Sopot complained of being „squeezed like sardines in a can” by improperly parked cars, city officials have responded by shutting down additional parking lots near the beach.

Such a move is designed to force visitors to leave their cars at the „Eco Parking” lot at Ergo Arena instead of driving them into the city, where improperly parked cars block sidewalks and driveways, causing problems for pedestrians and emergency services. On weekends, Sopot municipal police typically issue dozens of parking fines, tow multiple vehicles, and impose 50 to 80 wheel locks per day.

Sopot, a city of only 36,000, hosts an estimated two million tourists a year. Although there are fewer visitors this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, parking still remains a major issue. Due to legal restrictions, the City of Sopot cannot introduce weekend parking restrictions or additional fees in the city center, as such parking zone measures are only applicable in cities with more than 100,000 residents.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be mostly sunny and mild with a strong breeze coming in from the east and very little chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around a high of 20°C, or 68°F, dropping overnight to 12°C or 54°F.  The sunny weather should continue through tomorrow, with a chance for rain returning again on Friday.

EP/am