The Polish National Election Commission (PKW) has officially confirmed an absolute majority of 235 seats in the Sejm and a relative majority of 48 seats in the Senate for the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The official figures were a slight improvement over projected figures for the Civic Coalition, which ended up with 134 seats, as well as Lewica and Wiosna (SLD) which will enter the Sejm with 49 seats. The top three groups are followed by the Polish People’s Party (PSL) with 30 seats, and Korwin Mikke’s Konfederacja with 11 seats.
In a somewhat surprising outcome, PiS secured only a relative majority of 48 seats in the Senate, with Civic Coalition taking 43, PSL taking 3, SLD with 2, and four independent candidates taking the rest. While less powerful than the Sejm, the Senate plays an important role in nominating key officials and has the power to delay and amend legislation proposed by the Sejm.
According to Wiesław Kozielewicz, chairman of the PKW, the official turnout of 61.74% makes this the highest turnout in parliamentary elections in the last 30 years.
Source: PAP
Thousands of Ukrainains marched in Kiev yesterday in opposition to President Zelenskiy’s proposed peace plan for the contested region of Donbass.
Last Tuesday in Minsk, Ukraine agreed to the so-called “Steinmeier Formula,” which calls for elections and a special status for the territory currently controlled by the separatists. The move is a prerequisite for potential top-level peace talks next month between Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia.
The protest in Kiev followed similar rallies last week in which an estimated 10,000 Ukrainians demonstrated on Independence Square in opposition to what they see as capitulation to Russia.
Zelenskiy has made resolving the conflict in Donbass a cornerstone of his presidency, arguing in a marathon 14-hour press conference last Thursday that he “would never betray Ukraine” but that a meeting with Putin and dialogue with Russia “must happen” in order to end the war.
In other positive news for Ukraine, their men’s national football team successfully qualified for the Euro 2020 after defeating Portugal 2:1 last night in Kiev, despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and his 700th career goal. The victory puts Ukraine in first place in Group B and guarantees them a spot alongside Poland, Russia, Italy and Belgium at next summer’s finals.
Source: PAP, Reuters
After dominating Canada yesterday 3:0, the Polish men’s volleyball team again proved their mettle this morning against Iran during the last day of the Volleyball World Cup in Japan.
As in previous matches, the Poles easily defeated the weaker Iranian team in three straight sets, solidifying their position behind the undefeated Brazilian team and ahead of the United States. Despite identical win-loss records, the Poles were able to top the Americans in overall points based on the number of sets and points scored.
The 13th Annual “All About Freedom” film festival takes place all this week at the European Solidarity Center with film screenings, discussions, and live performances.
Through the lens of film, the festival attempts to take a hard look at what has been accomplished over the past 30 years in Poland and around the world in support of the ideals of democracy and freedom. “Have we used this time to build a better world?” is the question posed by ECS director Basil Kerski.
Tonight’s screenings include the indie science fiction film Little Joe, which garnered a best actress award for Emily Beecham at the Cannes film festival earlier this year, and the French period drama Portrait of a woman on Fire, which took home the award for best screenplay.
All films are shown with English subtitles and Gdańsk residents with Karta Mieszkańca or Karta do Kultury are eligible for 9 złoty promotional tickets. Meetings and interviews with film directors, as well as live performances in the Winter Garden, are free and open to the public.
For more information or to book tickets, visit https://www.ecs.gda.pl/title,Jezyk,pid,54,lang,1.html
Weather
Yesterday’s sunny weather will continue through today with an expected high of 19 degrees Celsius, or 66 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm temps will be accompanied by a gentle breeze from the southeast and some occasional clouds. Tomorrow looks to be slightly cooler, with a chance of rain late in the evening.
RGEN News/EP
