Łukasz Gibała wins Kraków mayoral election

Łukasz Gibała has won the extraordinary mayoral election in Kraków, securing 62.12% of the vote in the second round. His opponent, Monika Piątkowska, supported by Koalicja Obywatelska (KO) and PSL, received 37.88%. Gibała is scheduled to be sworn in on October 20, 2026, during a session of the Kraków City Council.

As president, Gibała intends to implement several key changes, including the introduction of a tourist fee to fund city maintenance and cleanliness. He also plans to address urban development issues, such as housing density and infrastructure, aiming for a “garden city” model. Additionally, he seeks to support local high-tech sectors like AI and robotics by reducing administrative hurdles.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the results, stating that while he had hoped for a Piątkowska victory, he respects the voters' decision. Tusk also used the occasion to criticize right-wing parties, noting their poor performance in the city. Meanwhile, KO politicians expressed that the loss was not unexpected, noting Gibała’s broad appeal across different voter demographics, including younger citizens.