Southern Hospital Scandal: Majority of Respondents Call for Trzaskowski’s Resignation

A recent United Surveys poll reveals that 51.2% of respondents believe Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski should resign following a series of corruption and ethical scandals involving the city’s Southern Hospital.

Poll Findings on Mayor’s Resignation

According to a survey conducted for Wirtualna Polska, 38.1% of respondents answered “definitely yes” and 13.1% chose “rather yes” when asked if the Mayor should step down. Conversely, 41.1% of participants opposed his resignation, while 7.7% remained undecided.

Public sentiment is sharply divided along political lines. Supporters of the ruling coalition overwhelmingly oppose Trzaskowski’s departure, with 85% expressing confidence in him. In contrast, 82% of opposition voters favor his resignation, a sentiment that peaks among supporters of the Confederation party.

The poll was conducted between June 26 and June 28, 2026, using a mixed-mode method with a sample size of 1,000 respondents.

Allegations and Hospital Misconduct

The scandal centers on severe allegations regarding the hospital’s morgue, where the coordinator allegedly promoted his associate’s funeral business, filmed human remains for social media, and permitted the facility to be used as a film set.

Additional reports concern Dr. Dawid Kacprzyk, an anesthesiologist and local politician, who allegedly earned 1.6 million PLN while serving as a coordinator. Investigations also examine claims that political allies were granted priority access to medical examinations.

The hospital has since terminated the morgue coordinator’s employment with immediate effect, citing the unacceptable commercialization of human death.

Official Investigations and Political Fallout

The District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw has opened two investigations into the facility, focusing on fraud exceeding half a million PLN and the abuse of power by a public official. The probes are based on multiple notifications submitted by both the hospital and various members of parliament.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the controversy, vowing to eliminate “VIP lounges” and unsustainable salary structures within the healthcare system. Meanwhile, Mayor Trzaskowski has accepted the resignations of his deputies, Aldona Machnowska-Góra and Renata Kaznowska, promising a thorough explanation of all irregularities.