On Thursday, 2 October, Warsaw’s city council convened an extraordinary session to debate a pilot night‑time prohibition of alcohol sales in Śródmieście and Praga Północ, a plan met with harsh criticism from councilors who say it lacks logic and purpose.
Board Questions the Pilot’s Logic
Councillors highlighted the absurdity of testing a night‑time ban in only two districts when a full city ban is set to take effect on 1 June 2026, rendering the pilot’s findings meaningless.
Alleged Misuse of Public Money
Alicja Żebrowska demanded the cost of today’s session be disclosed and questioned whether residents would be repaid for what she called a humiliating spectacle, and urged the council to apologize for remarks made by Mayor Trzaskowski.
Call to Avoid Politicising the Issue
Martyna Jałoszyńska urged councilors to refrain from turning the proposal into a political showdown, insisting that the plan should be presented as thoughtful rather than hurried.
Criticism of the Pilot’s Practicality
Jan Mencwel described the pilot as “like a preschool quarrel,” noting that supporters of the proposal—including politicians such as Donald Tusk and Jarosław Kaczyński—are unlikely to resolve the dispute, leaving the rest of Warsaw waiting while the two districts experiment.
Broader Implications for Warsaw’s Alcohol Policy
Councilors argue that the focus on the joint strategy of various factions undermines the welfare of residents, and they demand a decision on the city-wide prohibition before the two‑district trial can commence.
