Piłsudski Square in Warsaw
An interview on Radio Zet featured Bogdan Zdrojewski, a Civic Coalition MP, who was asked about the future of Piłsudski Square. On October 31, 2017, Mariusz Błaszczak, then head of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, signed a decision designating the square as a closed area. Zdrojewski suggested that it would likely be returned to local government management, noting that this decision could not be decided unilaterally and must reflect the interests of the Polish state.
When pressed about the capital’s central square, Zdrojewski and the interviewee agreed that control would probably revert to local authorities where it belongs. The discussion underscored that PiS has historically treated local governments with a bottom‑up approach, expanding both the scope of powers and the final say at the local level.
The proposal to treat Piłsudski Square as a reserved zone was described as a turning point in PiS’s stance on local governance and the broader Polish state. The timing of any return to city management was framed as a matter to be coordinated between the new voivode and the city leadership represented by President Rafał Trzaskowski. The message was clear: there is no rush, and any decision must align with national interests and a careful assessment of circumstances.
In mid‑2017, Masovian Voivode Zdzisław Sipiera sought to take over management of Piłsudski Square to host official ceremonies. A subsequent order in October 2017 transferred square control to the voivode, and on January 31, the Mazovia Office announced that management had shifted. The transfer protocol was signed without the city president of Warsaw present, and the city hall noted that the process remained incomplete due to the absence of a city representative signature.
The October 2017 action by the head of the Ministry of National Defense, who also led the Ministry of the Interior and Administration at the time, established the square as a reserved area. The ministry explained that the voivode must coordinate the activities of all government and local bodies in the area to ensure national defense and public order, particularly in situations posing a real threat. This framework positioned Piłsudskiego Square as a space where security considerations could guide administrative decisions.
In March 2018, Warsaw’s City Hall filed a notice with the prosecutor about possible overstepping of authority by the defense minister. At first, prosecutors declined to open an investigation, but the city hall appealed and the district court later ordered the case to proceed. By August 2021, the investigation had been halted due to insufficient evidence of a prohibited act.
The Saxon Palace Reconstruction
Zdrojewski also addressed the topic of reconstructing the Saxon Palace in relation to Piłsudski Square. He described a dilemma between two architectural visions: a strong case for rebuilding Brühl Palace, celebrated for its Warsaw character and high architectural quality, and a caution against reviving an eclectic, historically ambiguous design tied to the Saxon Palace. He emphasized the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a critical contextual factor in any decision.
There were suggestions that bringing the Saxon Palace back could coincide with moving the city hall, but Zdrojewski stressed the need to consider the opinions of art historians and urban planners. They highlighted that the symbolism surrounding the Saxon Palace is not entirely clear or positive for contemporary Warsaw. He urged careful consideration of the project’s architectural language and functionality, arguing against a sprawling conservatory of corridors that would feel out of step with the site.
He stated that his own view did not advocate rebuilding the Saxon Palace in its eclectic form, though a broader reflection on any future project at that site would have to respect the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the site’s historical sensitivity. Zdrojewski also noted that a decision on reconstruction would come after thorough cost assessments and evaluations of feasibility and reliability of plans. An inventory update was expected within weeks.
Media Law Debates
During the discussion, Zdrojewski was asked about media law and potential reforms slated for 2024. He indicated that key provisions would appear in the first half of the year, with plans to publish the bill in March or April rather than later. He added that there were concerns about whether President Andrzej Duda would sign the legislation, but expressed optimism that the president would engage with the issue. He also mentioned a separate bill on dissolving the National Media Council, noting it had been paused in parliamentary deliberations.
Zdrojewski recalled that parts of the media reform debate had already been aired in 2023 among journalists, producers, and others in the industry. He described the broader approach as largely ready, with some refinements anticipated before final passage. He also referenced a proposal to appoint Marshal Elżbieta Witek to oversee the process. While acknowledging ongoing discussions, he suggested the core elements were in place and ready for finalization.
Liquidation of Public Media
On the topic of the public media, Zdrojewski acknowledged that the government faced tough choices and that the state had to address serious financial and structural challenges. He described the steps taken as necessary responses to a broader political and economic context. When asked about the decision to halt the TVP Info signal, he defended the measure as a response to extraordinary circumstances and attributed it to the political situation rather than technical failings alone.
He argued that the move could be seen as a corrective action aligned with the budgetary realities and the longer-term health of public broadcasting. He cautioned that accountability would follow for those who had made decisions perceived as detrimental to the state’s institutions. He framed the public media’s difficulties as a symptom of deeper financial and strategic constraints rather than a single incident.
The discussion also touched on accountability for leaders who directed the media landscape. Zdrojewski suggested that figures responsible for harmful outcomes would face consequences, emphasizing the seriousness with which public accountability would be pursued.
Parliamentary Situations
The Radio Zet appearance also covered a case involving PiS MPs Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik. Zdrojewski described the situation around the mandate expirations as a trap for the Marshal of the Sejm, arguing that the formal process had been misrepresented as an administrative decision. He believed the outcome would have been clearer if the expiration framework had operated from the outset without ambiguity. He lamented the erosion of formal and legal norms and noted that the opposition leader’s stance further complicated the matter.
Zdrojewski warned against rushing decisions grounded in political convenience, urging careful adherence to urban planning and historical considerations. He suggested that moving forward would require practical and lawful steps, guided by professional assessments rather than expedient political calculations. The interview closed with a reflection on the broader implications for the governance and future of public projects in Warsaw.
aja/Radio Zet, PAP