We deserve better Poland, but its shape depends largely on us, on local governments - said the Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz on Tuesday during the "Self-governing Poland" meeting in Gdańsk.
The "Self-governing Poland" session was organised within the framework of the Celebration of Freedom and Solidarity that is taking place in Gdańsk to mark the 30th anniversary of the first partially-free elections of the 4th of June 1989. The meeting of local governors was held in the Polish Baltic Philharmonic on the Ołowianka island in Gdańsk. The participants presented 21 theses that include proposed changes in the functioning of local governments.
The debate was commenced by Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz and Mayor of Sopot Jacek Karnowski. "We have a brave plan to reconsider the place and role of local governments within the structure of power in Poland. We want to designate our place and role," said Dulkiewicz explaining that a group of local governors prepared 21 theses which are to discussed soon.
Dulkiewicz reminded that next year will mark the 30th anniversary of first local elections in Poland and the 40th anniversary of the August Agreements. "I can't imagine not trying to change Poland for better until then, but we must begin today, we must make the first step today," she said.
"We deserve better Poland, but its shape depends largely on us, on local governments, on our citizens, so it's high time to fulfil this duty and to stand for principles, because we will live in Poland that we deserve," added mayor Dulkiewicz.
Jacek Karnowski said that "we mustn't allow the one and only righteous party to decide about fundamental issues for residents, because clean air and good health aren't in line with the party policy".
Referring to the 21 theses prepared by local governors, Karnowski said that they pertain "to fundamental things and at the same most important for our citizens". Karnowski explained that works over the theses should result in "postulates and later on in draft bills". "So that on the 30th anniversary of local governments Poland would look just like former prime minister Mazowiecki dreamed of," said the mayor of Sopot.
About 400 local governors from all over Poland took part in the meeting, including mayors of cities, towns and villages, as well as voivodeship marshals.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: tvn24