Climate activists storm Warsaw mayor's campaign HQ, demand public transport overhaul Photo / Video

A group of climate activists from Ostatnie Pokolenie (The Last Generation) occupied the campaign headquarters of Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, calling on him to endorse their transport-related demands and arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Around a dozen activists entered the premises on Wiejska Street in central Warsaw, while others staged a protest outside, Caliber.Az reports, citing Polish media.

The demonstrators are demanding that Trzaskowski, who won the first round of Poland’s presidential election, support a plan to divert road infrastructure funding to local and regional public transport and introduce a nationwide monthly public transport ticket for 50 złoty.

“If Trzaskowski wants to be president of all Poles, he must meet with us today and take our demands seriously,” said activist Tytus Kiszka in a statement shared with local media. “The planet is on fire — and now the fire is at your feet.”

Activists warned they would not leave the premises unless Trzaskowski met with them to discuss the proposals, which they first submitted in late April. They accused him of ignoring growing climate risks and said public transport access was critical to social and environmental justice.

The group said their demands would benefit approximately 15 million people in smaller towns and rural areas lacking access to affordable public transport, while also helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Protester Martyna Leśniak described the ongoing campaign as a response to the “rise of far-right rhetoric” and accused Trzaskowski of lacking the political courage to implement socially progressive policies.

“If we want to live in a safe country — free from floods, hunger and war — we need cheap, accessible public transport now,” she said.

‼️PILNE: Ostatnie Pokolenie okupuje sztab Trzaskowskiego dzień po pierwszej turze. Domagamy się rozmowy! pic.twitter.com/jDTyYjcISp

— Ostatnie Pokolenie (@OstatniePokolen) May 19, 2025

Bridge blockades and other civil disobedience actions have disrupted traffic in Warsaw for the past two weeks as Ostatnie Pokolenie ramps up pressure during the presidential election campaign.

The group insists that addressing the climate crisis should be a top priority for any future head of state and is urging closer cooperation between the presidency and the government to enact immediate reforms.

By Aghakazim Guliyev