Krakow Mayor Aleksander Miszalski appealed to residents to stay home during a May 24th referendum on his recall, as opponents mobilize to gather votes.
Mayor Miszalski Responds to Referendum Announcement
Aleksander Miszalski emphasized his commitment to accountability to Krakow residents, stating he has consistently sought to be judged on his performance since taking office. He highlighted ongoing investments in transport, schools, safety, and public spaces, characterizing these as a process requiring time and consistency.
Miszalski believes Krakow deserves stability, responsibility, and the completion of ongoing projects. He intends to spend the next seven weeks persuading residents to allow him to finish his term and then decide “what next.”
Appeal for Low Turnout
The Mayor directly appealed to residents regarding the referendum, suggesting that staying home on referendum day would be a demonstration of support. He stated that a low turnout and high participation in future elections would represent a victory.
Opposition Mobilizes for Referendum
Jan Hoffman, one of the referendum’s initiators and chairman of the Old Town district council, urged supporters to share information about the referendum date. He stated that May 24th will be a final reckoning for Miszalski and the City Council regarding months of “chaos and ill-conceived experiments.”
Hoffman asserted that 179,792 votes are needed to remove the current administration and thanked volunteers for their efforts in collecting signatures, even in challenging weather conditions. He framed the referendum as a “historic opportunity” for significant change and a better Krakow.
Referendum Details and Background
The Krakow City Commissioner issued a decision on April 7th to organize a referendum on the recall of the Mayor and City Council before the end of their term. The referendum will be held on May 24th.
The referendum was initiated by a group of residents who emphasized they are not a political group, though opposition parties (PiS and Konfederacja) and supporters of Łukasz Gibały, Miszalski’s main opponent in the 2024 mayoral election, participated in the signature collection process.
At least 58,355 valid signatures – 10% of eligible voters – were required to trigger the referendum. For the vote to be valid, at least 158,555 Krakow residents must participate (3/5 of those who voted in the second round of the mayoral election). For the City Council, the threshold is 179,792.
Voting will take place in over 400 permanent polling stations throughout Krakow, with additional stations established as needed in hospitals, care homes, and detention centers. Miszalski won the mayoral election in April 2024 with 133,703 votes, defeating his opponent who received 128,269 votes. The City Council is majority-held by KO and Nowa Lewica, with PiS and Kraków dla Mieszkańców (Łukasz Gibały) forming the opposition.
