Civic Coalition has tasked Deputy Speaker Dorota Niedziela with steering the party’s campaign for the upcoming early mayoral elections in Krakow and reorganizing the party’s regional structures.
The Shift in Leadership
Aleksander Miszalski, the former head of Civic Coalition’s (KO) Lesser Poland structures, was removed from his post following the recall of his mandate as Mayor of Krakow in a May 24 referendum. His departure has triggered a mandatory early election process.
Stanisław Kracik, the former deputy mayor, will serve as commissioner until a new mayor is elected. According to the electoral code, the repeat vote must take place within 90 days of the referendum results being announced.
Niedziela’s Strategic Mandate
KO parliamentary club leader Zbigniew Konwiński announced that Dorota Niedziela, deputy chair of KO and Deputy Speaker of the Sejm, will oversee the party’s mayoral campaign. Her primary tasks include selecting a mayoral candidate and crafting the campaign strategy.
Niedziela is also charged with managing elections for the Lesser Poland regional council and the subsequent appointment of the regional party board leadership. Until these new structures are in place, the national board of the Civic Coalition will assume control.
Reorganizing the Regional Ranks
Regarding the dissolution of local structures, Niedziela noted that the decision, while directed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Secretary General Marcin Kierwiński, was necessary to ensure the party is prepared for the snap elections. She emphasized that she accepted the role to streamline regional operations and restore order.
MP Marek Sowa, one of the dismissed regional vice-chairs, stated he was unaware of the specific details regarding the central leadership’s resolution, but characterized the move as a positive and long-awaited change for the party.
The Field of Candidates
While the Civic Coalition and Law and Justice (PiS) have yet to name their candidates, the electoral field is growing. Bartosz Bocheńczak will represent the New Hope party, while Alexandra Owca is running for the Razem party. Other announced candidates include Grażyna Zofia Świat for the Non-Partisan Local Government Activists, Michał Klimek for the Confederation of the Polish Crown, and former Supreme Audit Office president Marian Banaś.
