Standing her ground

The Law and Justice (PiS) and Civic Platform (PO) parties exchanged more blows last week in their bout over the legality of Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz's mayorship. Despite the commotion, the outcome was less than definitive. The mayor will remain in office at least for the next few months while the courts weigh the case. Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński said that under the law, a commissioner could be brought in to run the capital in her place but emphasizes that "such a move could cause serious social conflict." Instead he advocates waiting for the court's decision.

The new Voivode of the Mazowieckie voivodship, Jacek Sasin, announced the termination of Gronkiewicz-Waltz's mandate at the beginning of last week, due to revelations earlier this year that she had failed to submit her husband's asset declaration. "Taking the city's best interests and those of its residents into account, I appeal to Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz to step down immediately and make room for new elections," was Sasin's statement. He claims that that the Mayor's refusal to resign from her duties makes the city and its people vulnerable to instability and insecurity in both social and financial regards.

Warsaw's City Council, dominated by the coalition of PO and the leftist parties, announced that it is  taking the Voivode's decision to court. Gronkiewicz-Waltz herself announced that she would also appeal against the decision in court. "Until [the court's verdict is issued], I am the rightful Mayor of Warsaw," she said.

Experts differ on how long it would take for the court to reach a decision, but many expect an answer by autumn.