Mayors and local government leaders protested in Warsaw against soaring energy prices

Polish mayors and local government representatives gathered in front of the Sejm on Friday afternoon, where they filed a petition regarding limiting the costs of electric energy.

The protester then marched towards the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. They carried flags of their cities and towns and did not chant any slogans.

"At the moment we are constantly at the frontline. It was the same during the pandemic, when the local governments had been saving the citizens. Later on the war and refugee crisis broke out - and even though it wasn't our job - we would welcome our neighbours," Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski said.

"Energy crisis, prices that are absolutely unbearable for the people and local governments - some of you were faced with increases by a few hundred percent. This government is not handling the situation and shifts responsibility onto the local governments. In October they have come up with an idea that we will be responsible for purchasing and distribution of coal," Trzaskowski added.

Mayors of big metropoli, as well as of smaller cities and towns spoke during the protest. Everyone shared the problems they were faced with due to soaring energy prices. Aprroximately at 2 p.m., the manifestation came to an end and the protesters dispersed.

Deputy spokesperson of the ruling PiS party, Urszula Rusecka, commented on the protest staged by the local governments. "In this trying moment, when a regular war is being waged behind our eastern border, when the parliament is working on the state budget for the next year, 2023, in front of the Sejm we have a protest of local governors with strong ties with the opposition," she said.