Following the recall of Aleksander Miszalski in a May 2026 referendum, public debate and new surveys have turned to former President Andrzej Duda as a potential candidate for Kraków’s top office.
The Recall of Aleksander Miszalski
Kraków is preparing for new mayoral elections following a May 24, 2026, referendum in which residents voted to remove Aleksander Miszalski from office, just two years after his election. The ballot was the result of a civic initiative backed by diverse political and local government groups.
Critics cited unfulfilled campaign promises, the controversial implementation of the Clean Transport Zone, rising public transit fares, and broader fiscal decisions as primary reasons for the recall. Out of 176,228 participants, 171,581 voted to dismiss the mayor.
Public Sentiment Toward Duda’s Candidacy
Following the referendum results, speculation emerged regarding potential candidates for the city’s leadership. Former President Andrzej Duda was among those frequently mentioned. A survey conducted under our recent article asked readers if they believed he would be a suitable mayor.
Of the 2,798 respondents, 1,852 (66.19 percent) answered “yes,” while 901 (32.20 percent) voted “no,” and 45 participants (1.61 percent) had no opinion. These results were collected on June 1, 2026.
Polling Data and Political Reality
A separate study conducted by SW Research for the weekly magazine “Wprost” also featured Duda, who led the list of potential candidates with 11.4 percent support. He was followed by Grzegorz Braun (8.4 percent) and Bogdan Klich (4.8 percent), along with other political figures. This survey, however, polled residents across all of Poland rather than just Kraków.
According to Onet, Andrzej Duda expressed frustration upon seeing his name on the list of potential contenders. The former president has reportedly shifted his focus toward professional and expert activities outside of active politics since leaving the Presidential Palace.
Life After the Presidential Palace
A lawyer by training and formerly associated with Law and Justice, Duda served as President of the Republic of Poland for ten years. Since concluding his second term, he has focused on his own advisory business, private sector projects, and public speaking engagements on international policy and security.