Mayoral Eviction

The Warsaw Voice reported on Tuesday that:

Łódź Residents Vote to Recall Their Mayor , January 19, 2010 Inhabitants of the central city of Łódź have voted unanimously to recall their mayor, Jerzy Kropiwnicki, in a special referendum on Sunday.

Over 95 percent of these who took part in the referendum wanted the incumbent mayor dismissed, with the 22.2 percent turnout, which is enough to consider the results binding.

When the referendum results are confirmed Kropiwnicki, who has been the mayor of Łódź since 2002, will be replaced by a commissioner appointed by the Prime Minister.

The referendum was inspired by local Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) politicians, who blame the right-wing mayor for ineffectual investments, expensive and unnecessary business trips, closure of a new theatre complex and faulty infrastructure and transport.

To those who know Lodz this comes as no surprise. There have been a catalogue of bad decisions and people are generally frustrated with his actions.