"I am a scapegoat." Aldona Machnowska-Góra on the behind-the-scenes of her resignation

Aldona Machnowska-Góra, formerly a deputy mayor of Warsaw, feels she has been made a scapegoat following her resignation over a scandal at the Southern Hospital. She revealed details of her departure in an interview with Onet, describing a brief meeting with Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski on July 3.

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Good politics starts with good standards.

According to Machnowska-Góra, Trzaskowski summoned her to his office before his press conference that day. He informed her of the situation and stated that decisions and responsibility needed to be taken. She immediately offered her resignation, which she stated she did not expect. She told Trzaskowski she was not to blame for the issues at the Southern Hospital. The mayor’s response, she recounted, was, "Aldona, you were unlucky to be on the supervisory board."

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I want to emphasize that I am not assigning any blame, but in public matters, expectations and thus responsibility are simply higher than in private life.

Machnowska-Góra confirmed she understood the need for political responsibility, even though she feels the situation was unfair. She noted that Trzaskowski expected her resignation. She is now on a three-month notice period and was earning 29,000 PLN gross per month, plus 3,500 PLN net for her role on the hospital's supervisory board. She expressed some regret but also understanding of the political dynamics, comparing herself to a scapegoat being led out of the kitchen.

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What happened at the Southern Hospital should never have happened, it cannot be repeated, and it will not be repeated. This matter is and will be investigated to the very end, without any half-measures.

She declined to comment on why another deputy mayor, Tomasz Mencina, who was responsible for municipal companies like the Southern Hospital, retained his position. Machnowska-Góra suggested that resignations should perhaps wait until investigations conclude. When asked if Trzaskowski had to keep his schoolmate in office, she responded that she resigned with dignity and honor, feeling a bit of sorrow but understanding the world she is in.

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I said I would submit my resignation. I admit I did not expect it. I said I was not to blame for the situation at the Southern Hospital.