Independent candidates Banasi and Pietrzyk contest Krakow mayoral race

Marian Banasi, a former head of Poland’s National Tax Administration, announced his candidacy for the presidency of Krakow. He emphasizes his non‑partisan stance and promises to use his budget‑management experience to address the city’s mounting debt, which he says has already passed 8 billion zlotys and will soon reach 9 billion. Banasi criticises the current administration’s handling of finances and vows to depoliticise local government.

Sławomir Pietrzyk, a veteran city councillor backed by the Social Democratic Party of Poland, also runs as an independent. He focuses on improving transport infrastructure, supporting the Clean Transport Zone while suggesting gradual reforms, and accelerating the metro project. Pietrzyk proposes new revenue sources such as a tourist tax and increased state funding for education to reduce Krakow’s debt burden. Both candidates argue that the city needs stable, long‑term solutions to its financial and environmental challenges.