Pawel Adamowicz has repeatedly declared that the city authorities do not intend to strip the Nobel prize laureate of his honorary Gdansk citizenship, though the issue is still to be officially decided on by the City Council.

Speaking for Polish Radio, mayor Adamowicz quoted a just conducted opinion poll on the matter among the city’s residents. 72% of respondents voiced the opinion that the council members should not motion for taking the honor away from Grass.

Also more than half of the surveyed said Guenther Grass should not give up his honorary citizenship voluntarily. Pawel Adamowicz stated it is yet too early to speculate whether the Gdansk born writer would be visiting the city to celebrate his 80th birthday.