Marcin Kierwiński criticized the city’s handling of the proposed nighttime alcohol sales ban, calling it a collective misstep.
Communication Breakdown
Marcin Kierwiński, appearing on TVN24, stated that the communication around Warsaw’s proposed nighttime alcohol sales ban was mishandled, claiming “we all failed on the communication front.” He argued that misinformation and false claims—particularly that the ban was solely an initiative by Civic Platform—undermined their message. Kierwiński emphasized that the proposal was broader than previous local movements, including measures like reducing alcohol sales points and creating a risk map.
He also clarified that the idea was developed long before the recent controversy, which erupted after Civic Coalition councilors rejected a left-wing proposal for a nighttime alcohol sales ban. Kierwiński claimed that Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski withdrew his original proposal after discussions with councilors, leading to a more comprehensive plan.
Disputing the Statistics
During the interview, host Konrad Piasecki argued that cities with similar bans saw fewer police interventions and fewer individuals on sobering-up stations (SORs). Kierwiński countered with data from Kraków, where incidents disrupting public order increased by 3.2% in 2024 after the ban was implemented. He noted that the Municipal Guard’s official report showed a 7.6% rise in alcohol consumption in prohibited areas, urging a “smart” approach to interpreting statistics.
Piasecki presented conflicting data, stating that in July 2022, before the ban, authorities intervened 287 times due to nighttime alcohol consumption in Kraków. By July 2025, two years after the ban, interventions dropped to 87. Kierwiński acknowledged that the issue was more complex than it appeared.
Expanding the Ban
Rafał Trzaskowski announced that an extraordinary city council session will be held to pass a resolution on the alcohol sales ban, starting in November in two districts: Praga Północ and Śródmieście. He also stated that from June 1, 2026, the ban will apply citywide. Trzaskowski plans to submit the resolution to the council in spring 2026.
Last week, the city council rejected a left-wing proposal for a citywide alcohol sales ban between 10 PM and 6 AM. Earlier, the city hall withdrew a similar proposal that would have restricted sales from 11 PM to 6 AM.
