The referendum on the dismissal of the mayor of Szaflar is invalid due to low turnout

Sunday's referendum on the dismissal of the mayor of the Szaflary commune, Rafał Szkaradziński, before the end of his term is invalid due to too low turnout - according to official data from the National Electoral Commission. 8.78% of people took part in the vote. entitled.

For the referendum to be valid, at least 2,159 people had to take part in it. This is three-fifths of the number of residents who took part in the elections for the mayor of the Szaflary commune in 2024. At that time, 3,597 people voted.

In Sunday's vote, 729 people voted for the mayor's dismissal and 26 were against. Three invalid votes were also cast. A total of 758 ballots were issued.

Despite the overwhelming majority of votes in favor of the recall, due to too low turnout, the referendum is invalid and Rafał Szkaradziński remains in office.

Charges against the commune authorities

The initiators of the referendum accused the municipal authorities of, among others, method of local government management, increase in debt, investment policy, poor cooperation with the commune council and relations with residents and social organizations.

They also indicated, among others: for the prolonged implementation of the geothermal investment. One of the main reasons for the residents' dissatisfaction, according to the referendum initiators, was the investment related to the use of geothermal waters, which had been ongoing for years.

Dispute over investments and debt

In 2016, drilling of a well began in Szaflary, which was to reach a depth of 7 km and be one of the deepest wells of this type in the world. Due to very hard rocks, the work was completed at a depth of approximately 6 km. Hot waters were encountered at depths of approximately 3 and 5 km. The well is to be a source of heat for the emerging geothermal network.

According to the referendum initiators, however, residents are disappointed with the pace of project implementation and the scope of benefits that the investment is expected to bring to the commune itself. The referendum committee also criticized the increase in local government debt. The initiators pointed out that the repayment of liabilities was spread until 2044 and questioned the scale and method of carrying out the investment.

The mayor denies the allegations and announces further development

The mayor refuted the allegations, arguing that the commune was implementing large-scale investments that would increase its assets and development opportunities in the future. He indicated, among others: for the development of geothermal energy, investments in road, water and sewage, educational, sports and cultural infrastructure, and modernization of Volunteer Fire Department stations.

Szkaradziński emphasized that over PLN 300 million had been spent on investments in the commune since 2014. In his opinion, the difficulties associated with them are temporary, and abandoning the investment would mean a lack of development of the local government. The Szaflary commune consists of seven villages: Bańska Niżna, Bańska Wyżna, Bor, Maruszyna, Skrzypne, Szaflary and Zaskala.