Kraków faces potential referendum to recall Mayor Miszalski as over 73,000 signatures collected, with Bogdan Klich reportedly considered as a replacement candidate.
Referendum Collection Underway
In Kraków, a collection of signatures for a referendum to recall Mayor Aleksander Miszalski is ongoing. The head of the referendum committee is Jan Hoffman, Chairman of the Council and Management of the I Stare Miasto District.
According to information provided by the organizers, as of now, over 73,000 signatures from residents supporting the organization of the referendum have been collected. Although this is already a sufficient number, the organizers want to collect 100,000 signatures. If the referendum actually takes place, it will be valid if at least approximately 158,500 eligible residents participate.
Mayor’s Response to Opposition
Opponents of the current mayor of Kraków criticize him, among other things, for decisions regarding the introduction of the Clean Transport Zone from the beginning of this year, price increases for tickets, and personnel policy in municipal institutions and companies.
“The debate about the referendum in Kraków is for me a signal that we went one step too far and did not manage to communicate our policy. Yes, I know we made mistakes. Now it’s time to draw conclusions,” wrote Mayor of Kraków Aleksander Miszalski on social media on Monday.
Government Stance on Referendum
“First of all, our correction concerns mobility policy. I have already announced changes regarding the Clean Transport Zone and Paid Parking Area. Now it’s time for the most difficult decision regarding ticket prices,” he added. He noted that the city will not withdraw from the price increases, but there will be the possibility of purchasing a monthly ticket for residents for 99 zł instead of the proposed 109 zł.
“It is known that these ideas about a referendum in Kraków, and then in other cities, appear and this is the idea of PiS or Confederation to cause chaos, political turmoil, so I have no doubt that this is the only reason for which this referendum is organized. Of course, Mayor Miszalski has our full support,” declared Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday.
Potential Replacement Candidate
The portal Wp.pl unofficially reports that in the Civic Coalition, a scenario is being considered in which Bogdan Klich would compete for the position of Mayor of Kraków (in case of Miszalski’s defeat in the referendum). Bogdan Klich is currently the chargé d’affaires of Poland in the United States.
Both President Andrzej Duda and Karol Nawrocki consistently refused to nominate Klich as an ambassador. By placing Klich in Kraków, the Civic Coalition could place a diplomat acceptable to the president in Washington.
“Admittedly, Senator Monika Piątkowska is also being considered, but Klich would win there by a landslide. An intelligent man from Kraków, a beautiful ethos of opposition, you can embellish it with a story that he returned from the US to save Kraków,” said one of the KO politicians in an interview with Wp.pl.