Kraków recalls mayor in referendum: Miszalski concedes defeat, Tusk appoints commissioner as snap election looms
Aleksander Miszalski has officially ceased to be mayor of Kraków after a decisive referendum vote, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk naming Stanisław Kracik as commissioner to lead the city until a snap election expected by late August.
The referendum result
Aleksander Miszalski's tenure as mayor of Kraków ended on Tuesday after the official publication of the referendum results in the Małopolska provincial journal. Voters overwhelmingly backed his removal, with 171,581 (97.93%) voting in favour and only 3,631 (2.07%) against. Turnout reached 29.99%, clearing the required validity threshold of 26.98%. The referendum was triggered by a citizens' initiative that gathered nearly 134,000 signatures, later backed by opposition parties including Law and Justice (PiS) and Confederation, as well as the local group Kraków for Residents led by Łukasz Gibała.
Why voters turned against Miszalski
Exit polling by Ogólnopolska Grupa Badawcza and Stan360 for Polsat News identified the introduction of the Clean Transport Zone (SCT) as the single biggest factor, cited by 28.3% of those who voted to remove the mayor. The city's debt level was the second most important reason at 22%, followed by concerns over nepotism and the management of municipal companies at 14.3%. The SCT, which came into force on 1 January 2026, proved particularly mobilising among right-leaning voters, with 31.4% of that group naming it as their key motivation.
Miszalski's response
In his first press conference since the vote, the former mayor struck a conciliatory tone.
He acknowledged communication failures, particularly around the Clean Transport Zone, the city's debt origins, and accusations of cronyism. Miszalski insisted that Kraków had been heading in the right direction during his two years in office, pointing to the start of the metro construction process and the allocation of half a billion złoty for a neighbourhood pact as key achievements. He confirmed he would remain head of Civic Coalition's (KO) regional structures in Małopolska and would be involved in the upcoming election campaign.I respect, accept, and with full humility receive the verdict of the residents. I am not happy, I am not rejoicing, but that is democracy.
Commissioner takes charge
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced before a cabinet meeting that Stanisław Kracik, the 75-year-old third deputy mayor responsible for infrastructure and investment, would serve as commissioner.
Kracik, a former mayor of Niepołomice, Małopolska voivode, and MP, will hold all the competencies and duties of the mayor for the next several weeks.In connection with the decision taken by residents in the referendum, Aleksander Miszalski has ceased to be mayor of Kraków. In his place, until a new mayor is elected, the role of commissioner will be filled by Stanisław Kracik.
Political fallout
Opposition figures framed the result as a blow to Tusk's government. PiS candidate for prime minister Przemysław Czarnek called it "the beginning of a great wave that will sweep through Poland and end with Tusk's departure," while former PM Mateusz Morawiecki posted "Today Miszalski – next year Tusk." German journalist Gabriele Lesser, writing in Die Tageszeitung, described the outcome as a "serious blow" for Tusk, noting that Cracovians had grown tired of party arrangements, significant city debt, and rising public transport costs. Within KO, MP Mariusz Witczak criticised Miszalski's tactic of demobilising his own voters as a mistake. Professor Szymon Ossowski of Adam Mickiewicz University assessed the result as a tailwind for PiS and Confederation and a prestige problem for KO, while also highlighting systemic pathologies in the referendum process.
What comes next
Under the electoral code, a snap election must be held within 90 days of the referendum result's publication, setting a deadline of 23 August 2026. The winner will complete Miszalski's original term, serving until the next local elections in 2029. Early speculation about potential KO candidates has focused on Bogdan Klich, a former senator and MEP, among others. The City Council survived the referendum due to insufficient turnout on that ballot question.
- Clean Transport Zone
- 28.3 %
- City debt level
- 22 %
- Nepotism / municipal company management
- 14.3 %
- Aleksander Miszalski takes office as mayor of Kraków
- Clean Transport Zone comes into force in Kraków
- Referendum results published; Miszalski officially removed; Stanisław Kracik appointed commissioner
- Deadline for snap mayoral election (90 days from result publication)
