An exit poll indicates that 97.8 percent of Krakow voters support the recall of Mayor Aleksander Miszalski, with opposition leaders framing the overwhelming result as a precursor to national political change.
Exit Poll Results Point to Major Shake-up
An exit poll conducted by OGB and Stan360 for Polsat News shows that 97.8 percent of participants voted to recall Mayor Aleksander Miszalski. Additionally, 96 percent of voters supported the removal of the city council, signaling that early elections in Krakow are highly likely.
Morawiecki and Kaczyński Weigh In
Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticized the current administration for prioritizing social media presence over addressing citizens’ problems, arguing that the challenges seen in Krakow are mirrored on a national scale. Jarosław Kaczyński described the referendum as a triumph of democracy, asserting that citizens cannot be silenced and labeling the result a “red card” for the ruling power.
Diverse Reactions to the Referendum
Politicians from across the spectrum reacted to the exit poll figures. Łukasz Gibała noted a 33.4 percent turnout, while Sławomir Mentzen, Waldemar Buda, and Przemysław Czarnek framed the outcome as a “knockout” for the current leadership and a warning for Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Conversely, Daria Gosek-Popiołek of The Left advocated for a shift toward substantive debate rather than national partisan rhetoric.
Logistics and Requirements for Validity
Voting took place across 453 locations, including permanent precincts and special polling stations in hospitals and prisons. For the recall to be valid, a minimum turnout of 158,555 voters was required for the mayoral recall, and 179,792 for the city council, based on the electoral records of the 585,228 eligible citizens in Krakow.