Barbara Nowak, a former member of the PiS party, has stepped down from her role as a councillor in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. She disclosed her resignation during an extraordinary meeting of the regional council, which also saw the election of the new term’s board.
Nowak cited a series of setbacks over the past three months as the reason for her departure. She pointed to a disappointing outcome when the candidate endorsed by PiS President Jarosław Kaczyński, Łukasz Kmita, failed to secure the marshal position. She added that she did not appreciate the criticism directed at Kaczyński and Kmita.
According to Nowak, those who opposed Kmita in the preceding five votes were branded as “traitors” by some within the party alignment.
When asked about the situation, Nowak explained that she backed the marshal and the other board members in the most recent vote, aligning with the preferences of the PiS parliamentary club.
“I don’t like this arrangement,” she stated, emphasizing that she values her personal integrity and the trust placed in her by voters, which compelled her to resign.
She also stressed that her decision did not reflect opposition to the new administration in the voivodeship and noted that she had not consulted anyone beforehand about stepping down.
Nowak expressed regret for any disappointment caused to her constituents. She argued that the current situation was not acceptable because those responsible for the poor outcomes had not been identified, and she questioned whether a future return would be for personal gain.
During the session, the former education inspector for Małopolska spoke to reporters, reiterating her stance and the reasoning behind her resignation.
Her remarks came as the region moves forward with its newly elected leadership, with attention turning to how the party and its supporters will respond to the changes and who will be held publicly accountable for recent decisions.
The shift in leadership dynamics in Lesser Poland has sparked discussion about party strategy, internal unity, and the balance between loyalty to party leadership and accountability to voters. Observers note that the episode highlights ongoing tensions within regional branches and the broader political landscape.
In summary, Nowak’s resignation marks a notable moment in Małopolskie politics, underscoring the pressure politicians face to align with party expectations while maintaining their own credibility with constituents. As the region settles into its new administration, stakeholders will watch closely for any further developments that could signal shifts in alliances or governance approaches.