Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, appeared unable to offer a substantive response to claims raised by the PiS candidate for the job, Dr. Tobiasz Bochenski. In an interview on TVN24 with Monika Olejnik, Trzaskowski chose to attack rather than address the core issues. He argued that the party leadership was aiming to disrupt local government functioning instead of cooperating and that politics had eclipsed actual work.
Asked on the Kropka nad i program whether he would run again in the upcoming local elections, Trzaskowski replied in part: “Correct. This is what we discuss. I think the first episode will be next weekend and then we’ll talk about the tagline—” he noted when questioned about the election slogan.
He stressed that a portion of the electorate feels the prior parliamentary elections produced tangible changes, but that the next round of local elections carries equal weight. The message remained clear: if the aim is to end the PiS era, victory in the local elections is essential. He argued that PiS had weakened not only the media and judiciary but also the functioning of local government, and the next elections are critical to restoring democracy and ensuring decisions are made close to citizens, rather than centralized in the capital.
When pressed about facing Dr. Tobiasz Bochenski, the PiS candidate for the Warsaw presidency, Trzaskowski admitted that all opponents are treated seriously, including Bochenski. If Bochenski intends a serious debate, the interview suggested it might not always look that way in practice, which raised questions about the depth of the forthcoming discussions.
Reflecting on Bochenski’s tenure as voivode, Trzaskowski remarked that he seemed to fail to act as a state official and instead played a party role, suggesting he may have been preparing for this position all along. The mayor criticized the party leadership for hindering normal local governance by prioritizing politics over concrete work. He cited disputed decisions such as the establishment of paid parking zones and concerns about how anniversaries of the Warsaw Uprising would be commemorated, including whether to emphasize insurgent participation or use the holiday to promote a political ideology.
Trzaskowski noted that the Warsaw insurgents are frequently referenced in local politics, often through photographs, meetings, and conversations with living veterans who share his faction’s views. The comments underscored the tension between commemorating the uprising and leveraging it for political purposes in the broader national debate.
Nationalists, Insurgents, And Legal Controversies
When the prosecutor’s investigation into the Warsaw Uprising, prompted by nationalist involvement, was mentioned, Trzaskowski expressed surprise and argued that the day should not be dominated by nationalist slogans. He implied that the event should honor the insurgents rather than become a platform for political messaging. He did not specify which slogans were under discussion and whether nationalist groups were spreading them at the event.
He cited that after a year and a half, the public prosecutor’s office had opened proceedings in coordination with other ministries, highlighting a trend toward politicized legal action. The presenter floated conclusions bordering on conspiracy theories, prompting Trzaskowski to respond that the timing of the investigations reflected attempts to affect the country’s path toward rule of law and democracy.
The discussion then turned to the start of Bochenski’s campaign and whether the PiS candidate sought to exploit tensions within the legal system to influence the country’s governance. Trzaskowski claimed the point was to move away from an overly politicized prosecutor’s office that could stifle progress and hinder judicial independence. The implication was that the current legal scrutiny was being used as a political tool rather than a neutral pursuit of justice.
Does Trzaskowski Play a Psychological Role?
Olejnik also asked about President Andrzej Duda’s stance in light of his decision to defer certain outcomes until parliamentary support for specific ministers could be clarified by the Constitutional Court. Trzaskowski expressed disappointment that the president had previously signaled openness but now appeared to defend two individuals who he believed crossed legal lines and ought to face legal consequences. He challenged the notion that all lawyers agreed with the current interpretation, suggesting that the legal landscape can be nuanced.
The president’s approach was described as a choice between unwavering support for PiS and Jarosław Kaczyński or maintaining a degree of independence. Trzaskowski speculated that a calmer, more deliberate stance might emerge once emotions settle, predicting that the issue would soon be resolved without continued emotional volatility. He closed by noting that his own role during this discussion was not to assume the lawyer’s hat but to present a straightforward political perspective.
The Crimea Question And Foreign Policy
On Crimea, Trzaskowski referenced President Duda’s corrective remarks and the broader stance that Crimea is part of Ukraine. While Olejnik pressed for a stronger stance from the president on foreign policy, Trzaskowski reiterated a debt to the international community for a measured, mature response. He thanked Radosław Sikorski for articulating a measured conclusion after the president corrected his initial wording, arguing the matter had been settled and should not be reopened. The journalist pressed for further comment on a potential Ukrainian perspective, but the focus remained on presenting a unified approach to foreign affairs and regional security, avoiding public disputes where possible.
Trzaskowski asserted that if the president had made a misstep, it should be acknowledged and closed, rather than milked for ongoing controversy. He suggested that, ideally, both leaders would speak in one voice in foreign policy and security matters, and he hoped the president would draw the appropriate conclusions from the episode. The interview then shifted to the broader question of how the Polish leadership handles international relations and the need for consistent, steady communication with allies.
The TVN24 host’s overall approach sought to draw the participants into a more platform-based, policy-focused discussion. Yet, according to the remarks, Trzaskowski suggested that a serious contest with Bochenski should center on residents’ daily concerns rather than partisan showmanship. The segment ended with a reminder that relations between Warsaw’s mayor and national figures remain deeply intertwined with the ongoing political contest.
Source notes and media attribution were provided by national outlets reporting on the interview [Source: wPolityce].