Piotr Wielgus, a public advocate for urban movements and an expert in sustainable local development, announced his candidacy for the presidency of Toruń. The candidate spoke about the city needing to reclaim an open, tolerant, diverse and European identity.
During a press conference, Wielgus was supported by his wife, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, a left-leaning Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
Wielgus underscored that now is the moment for dialogue, urban democracy, and resident participation in decision making. He highlighted the demand for high quality public services, a clean and safe city, and strong governance. He explained that when invited to run for mayor, he did not hesitate. He chose to devote his time, energy, and expertise to Toruń and its development.
He clarified that the aim was to restore Toruń as an open, tolerant, diverse and European city, arguing that the city needed new governance and fresh approaches. He noted that the other candidates in the campaign were the same faces in leadership roles, and that none could guarantee left leaning values.
Wielgus called for modern municipal housing with rent regulation, rather than projects driven purely by developers. He proposed that roofs on apartment complexes be equipped with photovoltaic panels.
He also advocated for a real geriatric department in the city hospital, health clinics in every residential area, and dental and psychological services in every school. Other priorities included free public transport for children and teens, a tram connection to the left bank of the Vistula, and the creation of recreational paths. He stated clearly that there would be no opportunistic performances on Radio Maryja’s birthday.
Critique of Rydzyk’s influence
Scheuring-Wielgus stressed that Toruń has been labeled as a city aligned with the Rydzyk legacy and noted a lack of left representation in the city council over the past decade. She pointed out that the city’s leadership had partnered with the ruling party for years and that conservatives had controlled the administration. Her remark underscored the belief that urban policy needs both a right and a left foot in balance.
Piotr Hemmerling, the Co-Chairman of the Provincial Council of the New Left and Deputy Voivode of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, also attended the conference. He affirmed that the regional left is ready for elections in terms of program and personnel.
During the event, New Left candidates for both the municipal council and the Provincial Council in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region were introduced. The lead candidate for the municipal council list is Piotr Wielgus, who is running for president, with Marian Frąckiewicz, Elżbieta Olszewska and Zofia Czerwińska heading other lists. The Toruń Regional Council list was opened by Jacek Warczygłowa, a co-chairman of the New Left in the region.
Thus far, aside from 71-year-old Michał Zaleski, who has led Toruń since 2002 and is seeking re-election, several other figures have announced their participation in the mayoral race. They include Magdalena Noga from the Coalition of Urban Movements, Paweł Gulewski from the Civic Coalition, Adrian Mól, the city’s Vice President with the PiS affiliation, councilor Bartosz Szymanski from the Active Club for Toruń, and Maciej Cichowicz representing the Confederation and the Impartial Local Government. The candidacy of the I Love Toruń Committee for the presidency remains unconfirmed, with speculation about a potential eighth candidate.
On Monday, Trzecia Droga was set to present its list for municipal elections. The party was not expected to field its own mayoral candidate in Toruń.
Disrupting a religious service
To bolster her husband’s campaign, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus shared a message on the social platform X. The spring sun shone over Toruń as letters to the Regional and Municipal Councils were announced and the candidate for Toruń’s mayor, Piotr Wielgus, was introduced.
It is recalled that the left candidate and his wife disrupted a Holy Mass to protest a Constitutional Court decision. A few days after the court ruling on abortion restrictions, Scheuring-Wielgus and her husband entered the Church of St. James the Apostle, stood with their backs to the altar, and displayed placards bearing messages about women’s rights. They then turned toward the altar, signaled to the celebrants, and left the temple.
The discussion also referenced later commentary about the court ruling and ongoing debates within the left-wing movement.
mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce