It is becoming a tradition in Bolesławiec to put forward mayoral candidates as late as possible. Four years ago, Karol Stasik decided to run in the autumn elections around the time of the long May weekend. This year's contest will probably not begin any earlier. There may be two reasons for this. Either the candidates are following the example of national politicians, or there is only one candidate. That is why no one is in a hurry.
We have our own three election picks. Let us begin with candidate number one. That is, of course, Piotr Roman. Eight years of constant promotion and, most importantly, an established political position make him the strongest candidate. His second term is calmly sailing into the safe harbor of a third, and nothing seems likely to stand in its way. But as we know from adventure films, pirate ships emerged at the last moment, and the enemy attacked by stealth.
Under the wing of the clay music instrument, supported by small business owners, committed young people and artistic souls, Bogusław Nowak is emerging. Billboards bearing his likeness, advertising his restaurant and hotel, are placed at the city entrances. Anyone entering or leaving, especially from the direction of Lwówek or Bożejowice, sees his face. And people need to get used to seeing someone. Besides, Gliniada has considerable promotional power, and Bogusław Nowak is its face. A crowd of potential voters comes to the restaurant, where numerous meetings, concerts and events are held. Councillor Bogusław Nowak is charismatic and stands out.
The third candidate is Dariusz Kwaśniewski, who will probably be put forward by Bolesławiec's Civic Platform. Kwaśniewski has neither billboards nor a restaurant. Recently, he has not promoted himself anywhere except on internet forums. But he has party backing. Of course, it is not Tusk's backing. But Tusk will certainly support Kwaśniewski, as he once supported Stasik, and with the full force of a professional campaign team.
Is Piotr Roman's caravel genuinely unsinkable? Roman's weak point is his avoidance of personal contact with Bolesławiec residents and his fear of confrontation in a public debate. Roman does not talk to residents. He greets them from the stage, provides information in commissioned interviews and lectures them. Wherever he appears, his officials present him as Mr. Mayor, who has graced the event. Then there is applause, and it is no longer possible to step out of the role of a senior state official. But this style of governance is already passé. Times have changed. Even Kaczyński is softening his image. He is trying to be more human and less official. The longer Piotr Roman governs, the more serious he becomes. Voters now expect something different: someone more flexible and detached from the office he holds. No one likes being treated from above, officially. And an unsuitable image in a world dominated by the media can destroy even the strongest player.
Nowak could be such a candidate, with a good media image. But only if he had made a name for himself in life through something more serious than acting. The only actor-president known so far was Ronald Reagan. But our democracy is not American democracy. Poles are conservative. Politicians belong in city hall, actors on the stage. Paradoxically, then, organizing the artistic Gliniada could hinder Nowak in the election more than help him. Nowak also has no serious backing—political or business. The few small business owners who dream of taking power in the city do not have sufficient financial resources. Nowak can hope for a miracle and a large inheritance from an unknown wealthy aunt. But without a miracle, with a handful of his most devoted friends and hot-headed young people, he can only parade around.
Dariusz Kwaśniewski has serious political backing, and probably financial backing as well. Unfortunately, he has neither an image nor a recognizable face. How can one vote for someone when one does not even know what he looks like? One can safely guess, without conducting research, that one in every fifty people in Bolesławiec knows Kwaśniewski. That is a little too few to constitute an electorate capable of threatening anyone. Besides, Dariusz Kwaśniewski is a member of the county authorities… This is certainly an honorable position, but 99 percent of society sees it as an abstract occupation. In short, Kwaśniewski is our Man in the Mask. Apparently he exists, but no one knows who he is.
We have left out all the other candidates, whose name recognition is so low that only their wife, children and dog know them. Naturally, this does not mean that they will not want to run in this election. We wish them, of course, every success.
Piotr Roman is already mayor. Kwaśniewski and Nowak have a chance in this election, but only if they finally make up their minds—and start doing something to win voters' support.
Swój głos w wyborach prezydenta miasta oddam na:
(ii editorial information)