The recall of Kraków Mayor Aleksander Miszalski in a referendum may be a sign of a broader phenomenon. According to an IBRiS poll commissioned by Rzeczpospolita, as many as 49.1 percent of Poles are dissatisfied with the authorities governing their local communities. The most critical opinions come from opposition voters and residents of the smallest municipalities.
The survey was conducted after the referendum in Kraków concerning the removal of the city’s mayor. The initiative received support from as many as 97.8 percent of voters, prompting an examination of public sentiment nationwide. In response to these events, IBRiS, on behalf of Rzeczpospolita, asked Poles whether they were satisfied with the officials governing their towns and cities. As the newspaper reported in Monday’s edition, nearly half of respondents—49.1 percent—answered negatively.
Meanwhile, 37.9 percent of respondents said that their mayor, city president, or commune head was performing their duties well.
Who Is the Most Dissatisfied?
As Rzeczpospolita notes, the survey clearly shows which groups are most critical of their local authorities. Opposition voters are the most dissatisfied, with as many as 65 percent expressing negative views of those in power.
Critical attitudes are also prevalent among residents of the smallest municipalities, with populations of up to 50,000, as well as among residents of large cities with more than 250,000 inhabitants. The poll further indicates that men are more likely to be dissatisfied than women.
Importantly, dissatisfaction does not always translate into a desire for change. According to the survey, 25.4 percent of critics do not see any viable alternative to their current mayors or city presidents. Another 13.1 percent of respondents had no opinion about the authorities governing their locality.
A Warning Signal for Local Governments
The survey results may serve as an important warning for local leaders across Poland. The successful referendum in Kraków demonstrated that residents are willing to use instruments of direct democracy when they are dissatisfied with the performance of their local authorities.
Whether the recall of Kraków’s mayor is an isolated case or the beginning of a broader trend remains to be seen in the coming months. One thing is certain: nearly half of Poles view their local authorities critically, sending a clear signal that residents’ expectations of local government officials remain high.
The CATI survey was conducted on June 12–13, 2026, among a sample of 1,068 respondents.