Hanna Zdanowska has led Łódź since 2010 and she announced plans to seek a fourth term in the forthcoming local elections. She framed the message around a pledge: a steady partnership between the city and the national government, with a clear hope that a substantial pool of EU funds will be approachable to drive important developments for Łódź. This commitment came as she confirmed her candidacy, underscoring that the city has shaped the most meaningful chapters of her life and career.
In a public statement on Tuesday, Zdanowska reiterated her decision to run again for mayor, stressing that the heart of her work is rooted in Łódź and that the next term would be focused on consolidating what has already been achieved and pushing forward with ambition for the city’s future.
Changes in Łódź
“I have decided to run for mayor of Łódź. If you place your trust in me, this could be my final term. The period ahead will be special because it will hinge on strong collaboration between the city and the government, and the chance to access a large pool of EU funds that is soon to be released. With that funding, there is real potential to bring about meaningful changes for our beloved city.”
She acknowledged that some promises had not yet been fulfilled to the letter, but she stressed the importance of completing the commitments made to residents. The changes in Łódź have been visible to many: a city adapting to new needs, inviting residents to live and visit with renewed enthusiasm, and a community that has demonstrated resilience and progress even in a busy daily rhythm. The aim now is to finish what was started and deliver tangible benefits for the citizens.
“Łódź is transforming before our eyes. We have shown that through collective effort and shared purpose, remarkable things become possible”, she said, adding that residents deserve a city that continues to evolve in ways that improve everyday life.
Local government elections
Zdanowska urged the people of Łódź to participate in the April 7 poll in large numbers, highlighting that democratic engagement is essential to sustaining the city’s momentum. She reminded residents of an earlier milestone, inviting them to see the progress as a sign that bold, community-driven efforts can lead to lasting results. The message was clear: a strong Łódź requires broad support and ongoing participation from residents, as the city works to shape its path forward together.
She emphasized the need to maintain momentum and to continue shaping Łódź with residents by their side, forging ahead with a shared vision for the city’s future. The effort to keep changing Łódź in cooperation with the people was a recurring theme in her remarks, signaling a long-term plan that rests on teamwork and public trust.
During the campaign, Zdanowska indicated that future discussions about Łódź’s program would occur in ongoing meetings with residents. As a member of the Civic Platform, she is aligned with the Civic Coalition’s electoral framework and is preparing to participate as part of that alliance’s electoral committee. The local landscape has seen other confirmed candidates, including economist Dr. Janusz Wdzięczak, who represents Energia Łodzi and leads the Pirate Party in Poland, signaling a diverse field as the election approaches.
Zdanowska’s tenure in Łódź
Zdanowska has been the president of Łódź since December 2010, taking office less than a year after the city’s referendum that shifted leadership away from the previous president. In the 2010 elections she ran as a member of the Platforma Obywatelska and defeated earlier rivals in both rounds, securing broad support that helped her become the first woman to hold the post in Łódź. Her re-election campaigns followed a similar pattern of decisive first-round support, illustrating persistent public backing for her administrative approach.
In 2014 she secured her position again in the first round with a solid share of votes, defeating a PiS challenger and a candidate from the SLD Lewica Razem lineup. The 2018 election saw another first-round victory with a strong lead, while the second-place rival drew substantial backing from the United Right coalition. These results collectively reflect a steady political arc and the ongoing trust of a broad portion of Łódź’s electorate.
Born and raised in Łódź, Zdanowska pursued environmental engineering at the Lodz University of Technology. Her early career included building housing developments in districts such as Retkinia and Radogoszcz, leading a private company, and serving as director of the Łódź Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the city’s largest economic self-government body. Her public service path progressed from city councilor to vice-president, and then to the presidency of Łódź, outlining a long arc of local governance and urban development.
Her political journey began in earnest when she served as a councilor and later assumed higher responsibilities before becoming president of the city. The trajectory highlights a deep familiarity with Łódź’s administrative infrastructure and a long record of guiding the city through various stages of growth.
The Łódź political landscape has also witnessed ongoing conversations about the city’s development and governance. In recent discourse, there have been discussions about continued collaboration among political factions to support Łódź’s growth, with leaders emphasizing a shared aim of delivering tangible improvements for residents. The broader commentary underscores how local leadership is tested by the balance between promises and delivery, and how residents respond to leadership that maintains an accessible, concrete approach to change.