Poznań mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak struck by cake during confidence vote session

The incident

At around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, during a Poznań City Council session, a group entered the chamber. After Mayor Jaśkowiak presented a report on the city's condition, one of the intruders threw a cream-covered sponge cake in his face. The attacker was quickly restrained and led out by police who had arrived at the municipal building.

Attacker and motives

The man shouted slogans as he was overpowered, saying,

This is a vote of no confidence from Poznań residents for President Jaśkowiak.

He also yelled about the mayor ruining the city with municipal investment companies (PIM). Leaflets were handed out with the slogan "A one-way ticket for Jacek Jaskowiak for anti-social policy," signed by the Climate Movement Collective Jazda. Reports indicate the group included anarchists and members of the Greater Poland Tenants' Association.

Mayor's reaction

Jaśkowiak, who was using crutches, said he had expected such an event and was mentally resilient.

I am not afraid of attacks like this, nor a knife attack, nor a gun attack,

he told reporters. He condemned the aggression, calling for action to remove such people from offices.

A physical attack on a local government employee during a session is crossing all boundaries.

A female official sitting nearby was in tears and said she was afraid.

Context: confidence vote

The session was scheduled to hold a vote of confidence and grant discharge to the mayor. The attack occurred before the vote. Jaśkowiak has faced criticism from housing activists and environmental groups over his administration's policies.

Police response

The attacker was detained on the spot. No injuries were reported, and the session later resumed.