Gdańsk will set up consultations on Lech Kaczyński Street. There are first symptoms

wbijamszpile.pl 6 months ago

The inhabitants of the Gdańsk territory of Przymorze Wielki will face an crucial choice. From 10 January to 31 March 2025 there will be a public consultation which will decide on the future of the name of Lech Kaczyński Street. Any resident and organisation operating in the territory may speak, proposing a fresh name or maintenance.

How will the consultation take place?

The main question to which participants will answer is: "What name should the current president Lech Kaczyński Street have?". There are 4 options:

White Court, (name given first by the city)
Pebbles,
President Lech Kaczyński,
Another proposal, with the anticipation of entering your own name.

Residents and entities from the large Przymorza may vote, specified as NGOs, companies, schools or public institutions.

Available forms of participation

The consultation may take respective forms:

Electronic survey – available on the authoritative website of Gdańsk (www.gdansk.pl).
Paper survey – to be downloaded in the Municipal Office in Gdańsk at 8/12 Nowe Ogrody Street, where it can besides be submitted or sent by post with the inscription “Consultations – president Lech Kaczyński Street”.
Consultation points – will be organized on 9 February 2025 at the polling stations during the election to the Pram Wielkie territory Council.

Why does it matter?

Changing the street name is not just a formal matter. The choice of a fresh name, if taken, can symbolize changes in the community, its priorities and identities. In addition, this process is emotional due to the fact that it concerns the figure of president Lech Kaczyński, who is inactive unparadoxed by liberal leftist environments.

Public consultation on the future of the name of the street of president Lech Kaczyński in Gdańsk inspires emotions, but besides controversy. any environments indicate that the city may favour 1 of the proposed options – the name "White Court" – which may undermine the impartiality of the full process.

Does the order substance on Lech Kaczyński Street?

In a survey prepared for participants, the name “White Court” is placed first. Psychologists and public opinion experts have repeatedly stressed that the first place in the survey can influence the decision of respondents. Studies have shown that people frequently choose an option that is apparent first, especially erstwhile they do not have a strong opinion on the subject.

Read more: Change the name of Kaczyńskiego Street in Gdańsk. crucial voice of the president of the IPN in the discussion

Why the White House?

The proposal “White Manor” refers to the historical name that existed in this area years ago. The White Manor was located right at the confluence of Kołobrzeskie Street and Kaczyńskiego Street. The city promotes it as a symbol of local tradition and heritage. Critics, however, point out that highlighting 1 option, even if it were placed first, may propose any bias on the part of the consultation organisers.

Supporters of the current street name – president Lech Kaczyński – conservatives and right-wing people and another social circles note that the city may effort to influence the result of the consultation in order to avoid political controversy related to the figure of the erstwhile president. They point out that the choice of a historically neutral name, specified as the White Court, can be interpreted as a convenient compromise that will not origin ideological disputes.

PiS councillors complain of the resolution on Lech Kaczyński Street

It is besides worth noting that opposition councillors disagree with the planned consultations. They lodged a complaint with the WSA on the resolution to consult on 2 grounds. Firstly, the city wants to return the shameful name, or "Dąbrowszczaks", and nothing like that in their opinion happened to introduce a fresh name after six years of naming the street.

Dissatisfaction among Residents

Residents who want a genuine, bottom-up decision-making process call for greater transparency and impartiality in the organisation of consultations. According to any participants, the city should avoid situations that could be read as an effort to impose a single solution.