President Karol Nawrocki signed a decree of 7 November introducing national mourning across Poland on Sunday, 8 and Monday, 9 November, following the terrorist attack in Kraków. The information was given by the presidential spokesperson, Rafał Leśkiewicz.
The spokesperson’s post appeared on Saturday at around 10:30 p.m. The same statement was published by the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.
Procedure and Legal Basis
Earlier on Saturday evening, Leśkiewicz said the president had started the formal procedure to declare mourning in connection with the tragic events in Kraków, and that the draft decree would be sent for countersignature by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. National mourning may be declared by the president by decree, on the basis of the act on the national emblem, colours and anthem of the Republic of Poland and on state seals. The decree requires the prime minister’s countersignature and is published in the Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw).
Prime Minister’s Announcement from Kraków
The Chancellery of the Prime Minister published a statement by Donald Tusk from Kraków: “Sunday and Monday will be days of national mourning in Poland”.
Mourning in Kraków
Earlier, the Mayor of Kraków, Łukasz Gibała, signed an order declaring mourning in the city, which will last until 11 November.
Background: Attack in the City Centre of Kraków
The decision is linked to Saturday’s attack by a gunman in the area of the Main Market Square. According to information provided during evening briefings, six people were killed and more than a dozen were injured. Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek said seven prosecutors were working at the scene and that, given the amount of weapons and ammunition secured, the number of victims could have been dramatically higher. The prime minister said that the bodies of two women and a man, most likely members of the perpetrator’s immediate family, were found in the perpetrator’s home.
As of publication, it had not been specified what concrete forms the national mourning will take; according to the president’s statement quoted in the media, his chancellery will determine them.
