Signatures for recall referendum in Warsaw start July 30

29 July 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Volunteers start collecting signatures for a recall referendum in Warsaw on July 30; about 132,000 signatures and high turnout are required for it.

Volunteers in orange vests will start collecting signatures on July 30 for a recall referendum in Warsaw. Moreover, the initiative seeks to remove Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski and the City Council, and the recall referendum in Warsaw will test civic mobilisation.

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How many signatures and the legal threshold for the recall referendum in Warsaw

Polish law gives organisers 60 days to collect signatures. Consequently, they must gather signatures from at least 10 percent of eligible voters. In Warsaw that equals roughly 132,000 names. However, collecting this number only opens the path to a vote. The real hurdle lies in turnout.

Therefore, the referendum counts only if at least three fifths of those who voted in the last election for that body turn up. In practice, that means around 450,000 voters in the capital. Moreover, organisers know that some signatures fail verification. Consequently, campaigners expect they need far more than the legal minimum to ensure a valid petition.

Who is organising the drive and their claims

Stołeczna Operacja Referendalna leads the action. Its head, Maciej Wilk, announced documents ready and volunteers deployed across districts. In addition, organisers describe the drive as civic and non-partisan. However, media reports show political groups often join such efforts in other cities.

Organisers accuse the city of mismanagement. They cite a rise in administration jobs to about 9,000 positions. Moreover, they claim city payroll costs reach 2 billion złoty a year. However, the city disputes those figures. In addition, campaigners point to the Czajka sewage crisis and delays at the Służewiec concert hall. They also criticise traffic decisions like street narrowing and parking cuts. Furthermore, they say the mayor treats the office as a national career stepping stone.

Why turnout matters more than signatures

Warsaw has past precedent. In 2013 residents held a similar recall vote. Nevertheless, low turnout invalidated that referendum. Therefore, this campaign faces the same challenge. Moreover, city authorities recently gave the mayor a vote of confidence and budget approval for 2025. Consequently, the initiative starts amid political friction.

Organisers now must convert signatures into ballots. However, opponents will run a counter-campaign. In addition, the verification process may take about 30 days after signatures close. Therefore, any vote would arrive weeks after collection ends.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Only people eligible to vote in Warsaw municipal matters can sign. EU citizens resident in Poland can often register to vote in local elections, but non-EU residents usually cannot. In many signature drives volunteers ask for an ID and a PESEL (national ID number). PESEL stands for Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludności, and ZUS means social security (ZUS), NFZ is the public health fund (NFZ), and a “mandat” is a fine. Therefore, ask volunteers which ID they need before you sign.

For residents and expats the practical takeaway is simple. Expect intense public campaigning in the coming weeks. Moreover, signing a petition supports holding a vote, not an automatic dismissal. Therefore, assess claims with local data, not only leaflets or social posts. In addition, if you plan to sign, check your voting eligibility and carry appropriate ID.

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