Following the successful referendum to remove Aleksander Miszalski from office, new polling suggests the result is widely perceived as a significant political defeat for his party, the Civic Coalition.
Public perception of the recall
According to an SW Research poll conducted for Rp.pl, 48.5 percent of respondents view the removal of Aleksander Miszalski as president of Krakow as a failure for the Civic Coalition. Conversely, 25.6 percent of those surveyed disagree, while 25.9 percent remain undecided.
Referendum motivations
Exit poll data from the Ogólnopolska Grupa Badawcza for Polsat News, gathered on May 24, shows that 74 percent of voters cited dissatisfaction with city management as their primary motivation. Another 26 percent indicated their participation was driven by a negative assessment of the government led by Donald Tusk.
The political career of Aleksander Miszalski
Aleksander Miszalski became president of Krakow in 2024, having served as a Civic Coalition member of parliament since 2019. He was appointed head of the party’s structures in the Lesser Poland region this past March.
Referendum in Krakow: Aleksander Miszalski removed
Key issues that prompted Krakow residents to vote included the implementation of the Clean Transport Zone (28.3 percent), the city’s debt levels (22 percent), the management of municipal companies and nepotism (14.3 percent), and rising living costs (10.5 percent).
Official results and transition
A total of 176,228 Krakow residents participated in Sunday’s referendum. With a turnout of 29.99 percent exceeding the 26.98 percent validity threshold, the vote is binding. Of those who cast ballots, 171,581 (97.93 percent) voted to remove Miszalski, while 3,631 (2.07 percent) voted to keep him. Stanisław Kracik now serves as commissioner until the next election, expected in late August.
Miszalski’s statement
In a social media statement, Aleksander Miszalski acknowledged the experience as a significant lesson, noting that while serving as president was an honor, his decisions and the surrounding emotions led to a loss of public trust.
Early elections and potential candidates
Candidates already declaring interest include Krakow city councilor Aleksandra Owca and former Supreme Audit Office head Marian Banaś. Councilman Łukasz Gibała, who narrowly lost to Miszalski in the 2024 runoff, is also expected to run.
Future of the mayoral race
The list of potential candidates includes Left party MP Daria Gosek-Popiołek and Poland 2050 club head Paweł Śliz. The Civic Coalition and Law and Justice have yet to announce their nominees.
