Referendum in Częstochowa Is Set. Will Warsaw Follow?

Częstochowa will hold a referendum on the future of its mayor and city council after organizers gathered more than 16,200 valid signatures. The threshold stood at 15,900, making the vote possible under the required rules.

The campaign is linked to corruption allegations against Mayor Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk. Prosecutors accuse him of accepting at least 40,000 złoty in cash in exchange for changes to the city budget that would have benefited a designated contractor. They also allege that he accepted financial benefits from several people between at least September 2020 and October 31, 2025, totaling no less than 129,000 złoty.

The Central Anticorruption Bureau arrested Matyjaszczyk at the end of February on a prosecutor’s order as part of a wider corruption investigation. Prosecutors sought his detention, citing concerns about interference with the case and the possibility of a severe sentence. The court rejected the detention request but imposed other measures, including suspending him from his official duties, barring him from entering City Hall and prohibiting contact with employees. His responsibilities passed to First Deputy Mayor Zdzisław Wolski.

The city council had earlier rejected a proposal from Law and Justice councillors to initiate a referendum itself. Eleven councillors supported the motion, seven opposed it, six abstained and one was absent. The measure needed 15 votes. In June, the “Time for a Referendum” committee began its own campaign to remove the mayor and council.

Attention is now turning to Warsaw. The organizers of the Capital Referendum Operation urged residents on the final day of the summer break to sign their petition at locations across the city. Kraków committees are also preparing for possible votes but are dealing with formal problems and internal disagreements.

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On the last day of the summer break, we are in many districts of Warsaw, from morning to evening. If you have not yet signed, do something good for your city today.