The Council of Ministers, during its Tuesday session, unanimously accepted the candidacy of Piotr Serafin for the position of Commissioner in the European Commission. It also adopted a resolution on the Rare Disease Plan for 2024-2025. The Council of Ministers also heard information on the work of the Commission for the Study of Russian and Belarusian Influence.
Government candidate for commissioner
The Council of Ministers has recommended Piotr Serafin for the position of Commissioner in the European Commission. He currently serves as the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the European Union in Brussels, and in 2014–2019 was the head of the cabinet of the President of the European Council Donald Tusk. Previously, he was also the closest collaborator of Janusz Lewandowski and co-author of the record European budget for Poland.
Then these gigantic investments started, which were so loud not only in Poland – Poland was really being rebuilt at an express pace thanks to these funds. Piotr Serafin played a very important role here
– said the Prime Minister during a press conference.
The procedure for appointing a commissioner still requires consultation with President Andrzej Duda and then the opinion of the Sejm’s European Union Committee.
I would very much like Europe to know that in matters concerning Polish interests, Polish money, Polish security, we cooperate well with each other, regardless of political affiliation.
– admitted the head of government.
The appointment of Piotr Serafin, an experienced European affairs expert, as EU commissioner is an opportunity for Poland that could bring tens of billions of euros.
It seems very likely that the Polish commissioner will receive a portfolio that is key from our point of view, which would be the European budget.
– admitted Donald Tusk.
The portfolio of the commissioner responsible for the budget opens up a wide field for building cooperation and influencing decisions in various areas of life in Europe. Every European Union commissioner must take into account the position of the commissioner for the budget. Taking responsibility for the European budget would be a great challenge, but it could also mean a great opportunity for Poland.
Help for those suffering from rare diseases
In Poland, about 3 million people suffer from rare diseases. On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers passed a resolution that will provide patients with greater support. In 2024-2025, the government wants to spend almost PLN 100 million for this purpose.
We were all very concerned about the fate, especially the smallest ones, sometimes doomed to tragedy, suffering, sometimes to death. When there was a shortage of medicines or even medicines or procedures that could save especially children with rare diseases, including oncological or genetic ones.
– said Donald Tusk.
Since July 1, 24 new drugs have been available, including for rare diseases, the number of which reaches 10,000. Very often, they concern the youngest – infants and children.
We spend a lot more money. I think we will spend at least four times more on rare disease treatment than our predecessors did a year ago.
– explained the Prime Minister.
Rare Disease Expert Centres will be established in other voivodeships.
– Our ambition is to create such expert centers for rare diseases as soon as possible on the entire map of Poland, i.e. in 16 provinces. This is a prerequisite for effectively spending more and more money. Diagnosis, selection of the appropriate treatment procedure, appropriate drugs – all this requires a much better system than the one we inherited, and that is why we will support the creation of centers
– announced Donald Tusk.
Laboratories will be equipped and access to diagnostic tests will be improved. Data will be collected to feed the Polish Rare Disease Registry, and a Rare Disease Patient Card will be created – this is necessary to monitor processes related to medical care and increase the safety of patients with rare diseases.
There will be no mandatory pregnancy registry
Prime Minister Donald Tusk also presented important information for Polish women. The pregnancy registry introduced by the previous government, which stirred up a lot of emotions, will no longer be mandatory.
Polish women had this feeling – and it was unfortunately justified by facts – that this mandatory pregnancy register, available not only to doctors but also to prosecutors, was a de facto reason for repression against pregnant women. Presence in this register will be only with the consent of the interested party and the period of very unpleasant, dark creativity around how pregnant women are treated in Poland will end
– emphasized the Prime Minister.
The decision to enter a pregnancy into the registry will be up to the woman alone. It will not be possible without her will. Information about a pregnant woman will be used only by doctors in situations necessary to save health or life.
Commission for the Study of Russian and Belarusian Influence
On Tuesday, the first details of the work of the Commission for the Study of Russian and Belarusian Influence were also presented. During 24 meetings so far, the members of the commission have developed an organizational and methodological report.
I was very keen for this Commission to investigate the real threats resulting from the influence of Russian and Belarusian services on economic, social and political life, and not to be a “witch hammer” for opposition members – a tool for attacking the opposition or political opponents – this is an absolutely key issue.
– noted the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the first report of the Commission will be presented on 29 October 2024. It will contain substantive findings regarding the alleged activities of foreign services and foreign influence in Poland.
A summary of the work of the Commission on Russian and Belarusian Influence to date is available on the website.
