LGBT campaigner Biedron sworn in as Slupsk mayor
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
07.12.2014 14:23
Robert Biedron, Poland’s first openly gay mayor, was sworn in at a ceremony in the northern town of Slupsk, Saturday, after he won the vote there in Poland’s recent local elections.
Robert Biedroń being sworn in as Słupsk mayor. Photo: PAP/Piotr Wittman
Robert Biedroń sworn in as Słupsk mayor, Saturday 06.12.2014. Photo: PAP/Piotr Wittman
Biedron replaces Maciej Kobylinski, who was the town’s mayor for twelve years.
Robert Biedron, now a former member of the liberal Your Movement party, managed to win 57.08 percent of the ballot in the second round of voting. His rival, centre-right Civic Platform’s Zbigniew Konwinski, received 42.92 percent of votes.
During his opening speech at Saturday’s ceremony, Biedron promised changes to the local administration and hard work on his part.
“It is high time to roll up the sleeves and get to work,” he enthused, adding that “now a new chapter is being written in the history of Slupsk”.
It is still not clear who will be deputy mayor of the debt-ridden town, although Biedron said he would announce his team on Monday.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by head of Your Movement, Janusz Palikot, local Your Movement MP Piotr Bauc, as well as Biedron’s mother and other residents of the town. (jb)
Source: PAP
Photo: PAP/Piotr Wittman