Nieprawidłowości w Szpitalu Południowym. Jest ruch prokuratury

A group of Warsaw residents has announced plans to initiate a referendum aimed at recalling Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. The initiative, known as the Stołeczna Operacja Referendalna (SOR), is being led by Maciej Wilk, president of the Tak dla CPK and Polish Development Foundation. According to Wilk, the campaign will require gathering over 132,000 valid signatures from Warsaw residents, which he estimates could realistically reach 150,000 due to potential verification issues. This number aligns with legal requirements for initiating a recall referendum in Poland.

The organizers have outlined a detailed plan for collecting signatures, with the official collection set to begin in late July. Prior to this, volunteers will be recruited, funding secured, and necessary materials prepared. The process will primarily take place on the streets, as electronic signature collection is not permitted under current regulations. Social media platforms will play a supporting role in mobilizing citizens and providing updates throughout the campaign.

Wilk emphasized that the organizers are drawing on experience from similar efforts in Krakow, where a referendum was recently initiated. He noted that the team is in contact with individuals involved in that project and aims to apply their lessons learned to ensure the smooth operation of the Warsaw referendum from its inception.

The proposed referendum comes amid growing dissatisfaction with Trzaskowski’s leadership, particularly following controversies surrounding the South Hospital (Szpital Południowy). Wilk described this situation as the “drop that overflowed the bucket,” although he clarified that it is not the sole reason behind the planned referendum. Other issues such as the malfunctioning of the Czajka waste management system, problems with waste management, and delays in infrastructure projects also contribute to public discontent.

According to Wilk, for the referendum to be considered valid, approximately 460,000 to 470,000 Warsaw residents must participate. He expressed confidence that the campaign would achieve this level of engagement, emphasizing the need for a more efficient and dedicated city administrator who genuinely cares about Warsaw's future.

The timeline for the referendum includes a 60-day period for collecting signatures, followed by a verification phase. If approved by the election commissioner, a voting date will be set. Given the timeframe, there is speculation that the referendum could potentially occur around Christmas, hence the reference to “such a gift for Santa Claus.”

The initiative has sparked discussions about the broader implications for Warsaw’s political landscape. While Trzaskowski has responded to the allegations regarding the South Hospital, the extent of his awareness of other controversies remains unclear. Questions remain about whether he was informed of concerns raised about the work of Dawid Kacprzyka, a former hospital director linked to the controversy.

As the campaign progresses, the focus will shift towards ensuring broad public participation and addressing the various grievances cited by the organizers. The success of the referendum will depend largely on the ability of the campaign to mobilize sufficient support within the specified timeframe. The upcoming months will be crucial in determining whether the initiative gains enough traction to proceed to the voting stage.