Łukasz Gibała and Monika Piątkowska lead polls ahead of Krakow mayoral election

Pre-election polling and the contest for city hall

Campaigning for Krakow's mayoral office concluded on Friday ahead of the first round scheduled for 27 September 2026. A survey by IBRiS for Polsat News conducted on 23–24 September placed independent candidate Łukasz Gibała in first place with 27.2% of voter support. Senator Monika Piątkowska, running for the electoral committee KWW Moniki Piątkowskiej Ponad Podziałami with the backing of Civic Coalition (KO) and the Polish People's Party (PSL), followed with 23.5%. Michał Drewnicki of Law and Justice (PiS) polled third with 15.4%. Candidates on the left divided their support, with Daria Gosek-Popiołek of The Left securing 9.6% and Aleksandra Owca of Razem taking 9.0%. Michał Klimek of the Confederation of the Polish Crown recorded 4.6%, while Sławomir Pietrzyk registered 0.2%. An earlier poll by Ogólnopolska Grupa Badawcza for LoveKrakow.pl showed Gibała at 32.88%, Piątkowska at 27.78%, and Drewnicki at 16.11%.

Łukasz Gibała27.2%

Monika Piątkowska23.5%

Michał Drewnicki15.4%

Daria Gosek-Popiołek9.6%

Aleksandra Owca9%

Michał Klimek4.6%

Sławomir Pietrzyk0.2%

Łukasz Gibała

27.2 %

Monika Piątkowska

23.5 %

Michał Drewnicki

15.4 %

Daria Gosek-Popiołek

9.6 %

Aleksandra Owca

9 %

Michał Klimek

4.6 %

Sławomir Pietrzyk

0.2 %

Data from the article text

Origins of the snap vote and national involvement

The snap vote follows a local referendum that recalled former mayor Aleksander Miszalski earlier in 2026. Legal challenges against the validity of the referendum ended on 28 July 2026 when the Court of Appeal dismissed final protests. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the 27 September election date on 31 July 2026. Political scientist Łukasz Danel noted that the city has experienced over four months of campaigning since the referendum concluded.

“Because we in Krakow are already tired of this campaign.”

National party leadership entered the local contest during its closing days. Donald Tusk attended an open campaign rally in Krakow alongside Piątkowska to criticize Gibała, who previously saw his campaign bolstered when referendum initiator Jan Hoffman withdrew on 23 September and endorsed him. If no candidate secures an outright majority in the first round, a second round runoff will take place on 11 October 2026.

Financial and asset disclosures

Official declarations revealed the personal assets of the three leading candidates. Gibała reported approximately 150,000 PLN in savings, 4,000 euros, 4,000 dollars, and 900 shares in the American firm Upstart, alongside over 1.4 million PLN in securities. His real estate includes a 225-square-metre apartment formed by combining three units, valued at roughly 3.8 million PLN and encumbered by an outstanding 1.6 million PLN mortgage. His association previously contributed nearly 2 million PLN to the recall referendum campaign. Piątkowska declared 290,000 PLN in savings, 2,500 euros, 2,000 dollars, 26,000 PLN in Warsaw Stock Exchange shares, and 22,000 PLN in an investment fund. Her assets also feature a 149-square-metre house valued at 1.6 million PLN, building land worth 600,000 PLN, arable land worth 150,000 PLN, a property share worth 615,000 PLN, 28 one-ounce gold bullion coins, and three cars. Drewnicki listed a 97-square-metre apartment valued at 1.22 million PLN, 675.09 dollars in US shares, and 500 PLN in cryptocurrency, while listing zero cash savings.

Key campaign debates and city issues

Debates throughout the campaign centred on local municipal policy rather than purely national political divisions. Candidates focused their platforms on managing the city's debt, plans for constructing a metro network, and regulating mass tourism along with short-term apartment rentals. Voter turnout and party mobilization remain decisive variables for Sunday's vote. Polish television networks have already scheduled election coverage for the expected runoff on the evening of 11 October 2026.