A court has finally dismissed Edward Nowak’s protest against the referendum in which Krakow residents recalled President Aleksander Miszalski. Councillor Łukasz Gibała announced this.
In a Facebook post, Gibała wrote:
„The referendum is valid. The court has finally dismissed Edward Nowak’s protest. We are waiting for Donald Tusk to announce the election date. Enough already with the games, excuses and stalling – Krakow residents have the right to elect the president of their city.”
Context
The referendum on recalling the mayor of Krakow was held on May 24, 2026. Residents voted to dismiss Aleksander Miszalski (KO). Since then, the city has been run by a commissioner appointed by the prime minister.
Edward Nowak challenged the validity of the referendum, pointing to violations of the referendum silence period. The Regional Court in Krakow dismissed his protest in June, ruling that it had not been proven that the violations significantly affected the outcome of the vote. After a complaint was filed, the case went to the second instance. Now, according to Gibała, the decision has become final.
What next?
The referendum result becoming final opens the way for early elections for the mayor of Krakow to be called. The date should be set by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Łukasz Gibała, who won 49% of the vote in the second round of the 2024 presidential election, has for weeks criticized the delays and demanded that elections be held quickly. Gibała has not yet announced his decision on whether he will run for the office of Mayor of Krakow.
