Kraków mayor Łukasz Gibała abolishes all six city hall departments set up by predecessor

Six departments removed

Lukasz Gibała, sworn in as Kraków's mayor on 20 October, has abolished all six departments that his predecessor Aleksander Miszalski (KO) had created at the city hall (UMK). The liquidated units covered education, municipal services, the Kraków brand, social policy, citizens' affairs and sustainable development. The ordinance on the new structure was published in the city's Public Information Bulletin on Monday, 26 October. It took effect on the day it was signed, 23 October, so the departments had already stopped operating by the time it was published. Their tasks pass to existing units, including the education and educational projects unit, the municipal economy and infrastructure unit, and the social policy, equality and health unit.

In Gibała's view, the structure Miszalski introduced was superfluous and generated unnecessary costs. Liquidating the departments was one of his election promises.

A new anti-corruption post

Gibała said that the same ordinance created one new position: a plenipotentiary of the mayor for violations of law. The post is meant to prevent corruption, mismanagement and breaches of the law. Announcing the changes on the social network X, he tied them to a promise he had made before taking office.

“As I promised, all the cupboards must be opened. I am betting on honesty.”

Directors and savings

From Monday, the directors of the liquidated departments no longer carry out their duties, and each has a one-month notice period. City hall told PAP that abolishing these posts would save the city about 2.3 million zł a year. Staff in other posts that no longer fit the new structure will also face personnel decisions after their tasks are reviewed.

“Following the ordinance signed by the President, personnel actions will be launched aimed at terminating employment or otherwise reassigning the people holding director posts, in line with labour law.”

Budget gap

Kraków carries debt of about 9 billion zł. According to preliminary estimates from city officials, almost 400 million zł is missing to cover current spending until the end of the year. Shortfalls affect education, transport and social assistance, among other areas. The new authorities have ordered a detailed budget analysis and a plan to close the gap without loans, credits or bonds. Gibała argues that the savings from the liquidation will help the city's finances.

Background to the mandate

Gibała took office on 20 October for a term of about two and a half years. He won an early election that followed a May referendum in which Kraków residents recalled Miszalski as mayor.