Donald Tusk defends Aleksander Miszalski and warns of destabilization in Krakow

The political situation in Krakow is becoming increasingly tense due to an initiative for a referendum aimed at recalling Mayor Aleksander Miszalski. Prime Minister Donald Tusk weighed in on the matter, clearly siding with the city's leader during a press conference. According to the Prime Minister, the motion to recall the mayor does not stem from genuine dissatisfaction among residents but is the result of actions by opposition parties – Law and Justice and Confederation – seeking to cause chaos in the capital of Lesser Poland. Tusk emphasized that Miszalski has the government's full trust, which is crucial for the implementation of strategic development projects. However, speculation about alternative political scenarios is growing around Krakow's city hall. Some media suggest that the Civic Coalition is preparing an emergency solution in case the referendum initiators succeed. In this context, the name of Bogdan Klich, the current ambassador, is most frequently mentioned, with his experience supposedly intended to calm tensions in the city. Klich himself has denied these reports, issuing a statement declaring his focus on his current diplomatic duties. Former Mayor Jacek Majchrowski, who served in Krakow for over two decades, also spoke out. He criticized the referendum idea, calling it a political chutzpah organized by the same circles that attacked him during his long tenure as mayor. Beyond personal disputes, a debate about investment priorities is ongoing in Krakow. Majchrowski expressed skepticism about plans to build a metro, arguing that the city does not need such expensive infrastructure. Meanwhile, the current administration is focusing on developing pro-family policies, announcing an increase in the number of nursery places, which is intended to be a tangible response to the needs of Krakow's residents. It is worth noting that the wave of referendums is also affecting smaller municipalities; near Wrocław, in the Sobótka commune, signatures have been successfully collected for a motion to recall the mayor and the city council, indicating growing activity by local protest committees across Poland.The institution of a recall referendum in Poland requires collecting signatures from at least 10 percent of eligible residents, and its validity depends on a turnout exceeding three-fifths of the number of people who participated in the original election.