Wrocław councillors of the erstwhile word earned almost PLN 5 million in municipal companies – according to the study of councillors Sławomir Czerwiński and Robert Suligowski. The evidence holder, Alderman Jarosław Charlampowicz, earned over PLN 850 thousand. However, the declaration of president Wrocław shows that specified practices no longer take place.
Analysis of the employment of city councillors
Wrocław Councillors of the Civic Coalition, Sławomir Czerwiński and Robert Suligowski, decided to take a closer look at the actions of the councillors of the erstwhile term. On 14 August, they received a answer to the appeal concerning the employment of councillors in companies with the participation of the Municipality of Wrocław. On its basis, they compiled a study they published on Tuesday.
According to the report, 16 councillors earned almost PLN 5 million in total. They were rewarded for various services, including consulting or advisory services.
Robert Suligowski points out the differences in wage amounts: “These are different amounts – from twenty-a-miles for a fewer months of activity, as with Councilman Piotr Uhle in TBS, to over PLN 850 1000 with Councilman Jarosław Charlampowicz, who in 2 municipal companies, including TBS, achieved specified income.”
Conflict of interest and doubt
Suligowski emphasizes that it is impossible to combine the relation of a business relation with the nonsubjective exercise of a councillor's mandate. It besides draws attention to possible conflicts of interest, as city-owned councillors frequently took part in voting on these companies, for example in raising share capital.
"There was frequently a vote on the companies themselves, specified as an increase in share capital. Where those councillors who raised specified money from these companies acted in a clear state of conflict of interest between what they did for the company and erstwhile they decided on its financial situation," added Suligowski.
Changes in the current word of office
During the current term, councillors are no longer employed in subordinate municipalities of companies, which was regulated, among others, in a coalition agreement with the Civic Coalition. president Wrocław supports transparency in public life. "The president of Wrocław supports transparency in public life and is in favour of disclosing information (for the erstwhile word of office – PAP), unless disclosure violates the applicable law," Jakub Mazur wrote in consequence to the explanation of the Councillors of Wrocław.
The request for legal changes
Robert Suligowski considers that the problem has a wider dimension and proposes that the ban on hiring councillors in local companies be introduced by law. This would prevent akin situations in the future and increase public assurance in self-government.
Councilmen's earnings in 2019-2024
According to the report, in the years 2019-2024 the most earned by the Citizens' Platform councillors:
- Jarosław Charłampowicz – about 865 1000 PLN,
- Agata Gwadera-Urlep – PLN 725 thousand,
- Marta Kozłowski – about PLN 579 thousand.
The following seats were taken by Paweł Karpiński from PO (PLN 498 thousand) and Ewa Wolak, the then president of the PO club, who earned about PLN 321,000. The councillors of the Left besides achieved crucial incomes; Bartłomiej Ciażyński earned over PLN 437 thousand, Czesław Cyrul over PLN 262 thousand, and Dominik Kłosowski about PLN 231 thousand.
Conclusions and future prospects
The publication of the study sparked a broad debate on the employment of councillors in municipal companies and possible conflicts of interest. These practices are controversial and undermine public assurance in local authorities. The introduction of legislative changes could prevent akin situations in the future and guarantee greater transparency in public activities.
Will the ban on hiring city councillors become a standard, or will we proceed to witness specified controversy? Time will show how local governments will respond to the challenges of conflict of interest and transparency.
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Wrocław city councillors made almost PLN 5 million in municipal companies
