Following the successful referendum to recall Aleksander Miszalski, Confederation has officially inaugurated its pre-campaign for the upcoming early mayoral election in Krakow, nominating entrepreneur Bartosz Bocheńczak as its candidate.
The Recall and Transition
Krakow voters ousted Aleksander Miszalski (KO) from the office of mayor in a Sunday referendum, triggering early elections expected by late August. Until a new mayor is chosen, Stanisław Kracik, previously the deputy mayor, will serve as the city commissioner.
Confederation’s Vision for Krakow
On May 29, Sławomir Mentzen introduced Bartosz Bocheńczak as the Confederation candidate at the Main Market Square. Mentzen criticized Miszalski’s tenure, citing the implementation of the Clean Transport Zone, cronyism, and rising municipal debt as failures. He argued that Krakow has the potential to become a “Polish Silicon Valley” focused on new technologies.
Bocheńczak’s Electoral Platform
Bartosz Bocheńczak framed the referendum results as a historic victory for citizens, asserting that residents have proven they will no longer tolerate governance that disregards their voices. He pledged to restore normalcy and cooperation to city hall, moving away from policies he described as a “war with residents.”
His platform includes a comprehensive financial audit of the city and municipal companies, promising legal consequences for any mismanagement. Bocheńczak proposed the creation of a dedicated zone for innovative technology companies and emphasized infrastructure improvements, including a subway system, expanded commuter rail, and multi-level parking facilities.
A Crowded Field of Contenders
The race remains fluid as political maneuvering intensifies. Przemysław Czarnek (PiS) has publicly urged Confederation to support a single, joint conservative candidate to secure a victory. Other potential candidates include Aleksandra Owca (Razem), Marian Banaś, and Łukasz Gibała, the latter of whom narrowly lost to Miszalski in the 2024 runoff.
Additional names circulating include Daria Gosek-Popiołek (New Left) and Paweł Śliz (Poland 2050), though the Civic Coalition (KO) has yet to declare its candidate for the upcoming election.