Kraków residents have voted to remove Mayor Aleksander Miszalski from office, with official results confirming a 97.93 percent vote in favor of his recall during Sunday’s referendum.
Referendum Results and Legal Consequences
On Monday, May 25, officials announced that 176,228 residents participated in the referendum, representing a turnout of 29.99 percent. Out of 175,212 valid votes cast, 171,581 were in favor of the mayor’s removal.
The decision takes effect immediately, resulting in the termination of Aleksander Miszalski and his deputies. City Secretary Antoni Fryczek will temporarily oversee municipal operations until the Prime Minister appoints a formal commissioner.
Appointment of a Commissioner and New Elections
Prime Minister Donald Tusk must appoint a commissioner within seven days of the official referendum results. Simultaneously, he will schedule snap elections for the new mayor of Kraków, which must occur within 90 days of the recall.
Lesser Poland Voivode Krzysztof Klęczar stated that while he has potential candidates in mind, the Prime Minister may appoint a commissioner independently. Klęczar emphasized his commitment to maintaining urban stability and preventing administrative chaos during this transition.
Motivations Behind the Recall
The referendum was initiated by a citizens’ group supported by local councilors and politicians from the PiS and Confederation parties, alongside associates of Łukasz Gibała. Proponents cited unfulfilled election promises and rising municipal debt.
Further grievances included the controversial implementation of the Clean Transport Zone and the decision to increase public transportation ticket prices, which organizers claimed negatively impacted the city.