Mayoral election: decision in Krakow - mood test for Poland

Poland is looking to Krakow for the mayoral election. More than 600,000 people cast their votes. It's a snap election, after a spectacular referendum.

Because in Poland it is like this: If enough votes are collected for a referendum, a mayor can be voted out early. This is what happened in Krakow in May. After only two years in office, the liberal mayor Aleksander Miszalski had to leave.

Sociologist Jaroslaw Flis from the University of Krakow says early elections are a one-off event and a rare phenomenon. “Never before have there been early elections in such a large city and under such circumstances.” Right-wing populists in Poland are now using the referendum as an instrument to overthrow liberal mayors. It worked in Krakow. A hasty election campaign followed. Seven candidates, now the runoff election. Monika Piatkowska vs Lukasz Gibala.

No substantive debate, but many accusations

In the last few meters the tone became rough, says Marek Bankowicz, political scientist at the University of Krakow: "The positive program and the positive messages of the candidates were exhausted in the first round of voting. What was left for the runoff election is just a negative election campaign." Instead of positive solutions, it's all about criticizing the competitor, says Bankowicz.

Accusations, dirt, allegations, even court hearings. What there wasn't: a direct, substantive debate. Important questions are at stake in Krakow. About topics that many cities across Europe are familiar with: public transport, tourism, housing. Monika Piatkowska and Lukasz Gibala have completely different visions for the city.

Runoff election: Two different visions for the city

Piatkowska wants to build a subway in Krakow. Making housing affordable for young people. Gibala advocates expanding the tram and higher tourism taxes. And he wants to renovate empty buildings. Gibala promised: "I will do everything to achieve my goal: to make Krakow better. To create a Krakow for the residents - not for political parties, not for tourists, not for real estate developers, not for big business." He wanted “a Krakow simply for the residents,” said Gibala.

The 49-year-old is a native of Kraków. Entrepreneur, wealthy, he sits on the city council. Polish media reported that his association "Krakow for the Residents" largely financed the referendum campaign to overthrow the mayor. Gibala is now trying to become mayor of his hometown for the fourth time. During the election campaign, he emphasized that he was running as an independent candidate and distanced himself from right-wing parties. But unlike Piatkowska, he is likely to count on votes from the right.

Piatkowska insists on good relations with the Prime Minister

Monika Piatkowska is 52. Years ago she worked for the Krakow city administration for a long time and was involved in urban development. During the election campaign, she relied on good contacts with the government: "Our city needs investments and financial support. We know that it has to be obtained from external sources."

And she also knows that the city needs the support of the government and the prime minister, says Piatkowska. "Today we are in a very comfortable position because the Polish Prime Minister belongs to my political camp; we maintain good relations and work together successfully."

All government officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, personally supported Piatkowska in Krakow. However, the tailwind from Warsaw hasn't helped her much so far. She finished behind her challenger in the first round of voting. The runoff election is likely to be quite complicated.

Political observers estimate that because the government has so clearly supported Piatkowska, the Krakow election is also an important litmus test for the governing parties. Parliamentary elections will take place in Poland in a year.