On December 15, the Mazovian Voivode, Mariusz Frankowski, announced the full resolution of the Otwock City Council from November 15, 2023, concerning the operation of a cultural institution jointly with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The institution is named the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought, honoring Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski. This decision was reported by the Mazovia press team and stands as one of the early actions of the new voivode. Observers noted that the move could be a step toward reducing the Institute’s funding in the near future, a possibility raised by political figures such as Marcin Kierwiński.
The Mazovian Voivode was questioned about the matter, with Kierwiński signaling concerns about the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought. He did not conceal the view that subsequent steps could include suspending funding for the Institute.
Speaking publicly, Kierwiński pointed to almost PLN 100 million allocated in the budget for political purposes, arguing that these funds would be redirected to the Ministry of Culture and used for essential needs. He described this as a deliberate reallocation intended to support other priorities.
The Mazovian Voivode explained that the Otwock Municipal Council had misinterpreted the resolution as an act of local law. The council had approved the joint operation with the Minister of Culture and National Heritage for the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought, named after Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski, viewing it as a shared cultural institution. The resolution was adopted at the council meeting on November 15, 2023 and was communicated to Mazovia on November 16. Because the voivode raised objections, a monitoring procedure was initiated, and a supervisory decision followed on December 15. This information was conveyed in the official message from the press office.
The grounds for invalidating the resolution included, but were not limited to, the incorrect designation of the document as an act of local law. Misclassifying the resolution led to an erroneous determination of its effective date and to a legal requirement for publication in the provincial government gazette, which is a serious procedural violation. The press team noted that the resolution should align with legal provisions and adhere to formal and substantive requirements.
The press department emphasized that the resolution contains a one-time authorization to operate a cultural institution jointly with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought, named after Dmowski and Paderewski, as a shared cultural institution, and that this falls outside the scope of local law. For a decision to be classified as local law, it would need to be general, abstract, and generally applicable; the document did not exhibit these characteristics.
The announcement further stated that, under the Law on Municipal Self-Government, the described resolution constitutes a form of internal management aimed at initiating future actions by the executive body and is binding insofar as it guides those actions. It was added that the resolution does not express a position of the Otwock City Council or authorize any direct actions by the President of Otwock, but rather reflects the typical stance of Otwock’s decision-making body.
Kierwiński’s public briefing
Earlier, during a press conference, Kierwiński, who heads the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, shared the voivode’s decision. He noted that the monitor procedure had resulted in withdrawal of the disputed resolution. The minister stressed that the voivode’s decision could lead to the termination of related contracts. Kierwiński added that the matter would be resolved in line with current political priorities and legal procedures.
He also reiterated the belief that nearly PLN 100 million, which he personally felt should have been used for other political purposes, would remain within the Ministry of Culture’s budget to support what was deemed necessary.
In November, the Otwock City Council had approved a resolution proposing the joint operation of the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The debate surrounding this resolution and its subsequent monitoring was a focal point for officials and observers alike. The initial news and statements surrounding the case were summarized by media outlets such as tkwl/PAP and were reported by various outlets.
Overall, the events highlight a significant tension between municipal authorities and central government over control and funding of cultural institutions. The ongoing discussions and legal reviews underscore the importance of precise legal classifications and compliance with established procedures when establishing or reorganizing funded cultural entities. The case illustrates how governance structures at the regional level intersect with national cultural policy, and it may influence future budgetary allocations and oversight mechanisms for cultural heritage projects.
Notes accompanying the announcements indicate ongoing scrutiny of the status and structure of the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought and its designation within the national cultural framework. The resolution process continues to be a point of reference for discussions on how best to manage cultural heritage in Poland, balancing local authority initiatives with national strategic aims. The situation remains under review as new developments unfold. End of report.
Source: internal communications and official statements cited in Polish press coverage.