Warsaw’s mayor is blamed for spending far‑away trips, delivering empty Instagram clips, and letting political and developer interests shape the city’s future.
The Mayor’s Visible Absence
When a new pedestrian crossing opened on Marszałkowska, the mayor was abroad in Brazil, so the city’s Instagram reels omitted the opening itself. He rarely attends city council sessions, appearing only briefly or not at all.
Unfinished Infrastructure Projects
Trzaskowski promised to finish the Śródmieście ring road, yet the project remains stalled. Though he announced the ring road would be completed, the intersection near Praga and Grochów remains incomplete, causing ongoing congestion.
Housing Policy and Development Pressures
His claim to build 1,500 apartments a year has not materialized; very few municipal flats remain. A developer consortium plans the Nycz Tower on a historic pre‑war site, while municipal offices are removing communal flats to enable the tower.
Party Control Over Local Governance
For two decades, party leader Tomasz Kierwiński has shaped key local positions, appointing council chairs and municipal board members. Decisions therefore lie with the party rather than the mayor.
Public Accountability and Governance Practices
City council meetings often conclude with formal motions to halt discussions on contentious topics, effectively silencing residents and opposition voices.
Lack of Policy Innovation
In focus on image rather than substantive policy, the mayor has taken little action on safety or transport reforms, leaving critical city challenges unaddressed.