Ruling party PiS is leading in the first exit polls of the Polish parliamentary elections, but is unlikely to form a majority in parliament. Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s party is ahead, according to an exit poll by polling agency Ipsos TVN24 36.8 percent of the votes. Donald Tusk’s opposition party KO receives 31.6 percent of the votes according to the poll and appears to be able to reach a majority with opposition parties.
Donald Tusk claimed victory immediately after the exit poll: “This is the end of bad times, we have put an end to PiS rule.” He called himself “the happiest man on earth” and she “never been so happy [te zijn] finished second.” Jaroslaw Kaczynski, in turn, said he “doesn’t know” whether his party can form a majority in parliament and thus a government. He foresaw “days of fighting and tension” and stressed that the largest party – his PiS according to the poll – has the first right to try to form a government.
Key for smaller parties
The fate of Poland remains unclear: because none of the parties appears to have achieved an absolute majority, the key lies with a number of smaller parties. According to the exit poll, this seems possible for opposition leader Tusk. TD, a party with Christian and pro-European roots, and a coalition of left-wing parties (Lewica) poll at 13 and 8.6 percent respectively, which, together with the votes for Tusk’s party KO, seems possible for a parliamentary majority. The far-right Confederation party reached 6.2 percent in the first poll.
Also read this profile: Archrivals Kaczynski and Tusk battle over Poland’s place in Europe
The 30 million eligible Poles were faced with a choice on Sunday between two extremes: a vote for the ruling party PiS (Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc, Law and Justice) meant choosing to continue the conservative and Eurosceptic course that the country has taken over the past eight years. A vote for the opposition party KO (Koalicja Obywatelska, Citizens’ Coalition) represents support for a liberal and international course for the country, and for strengthening ties with Brussels.
Strict abortion and anti-migration policies
PiS has been in charge in Poland for the past two terms. Since the party came to power in 2015, the country has taken a conservative course. The party was strongly focused on family politics – the retirement age dropped and child benefits were introduced – and increasingly turned away from the European Union. The right to abortion was also further restricted and the party pursued a strong anti-migration policy.
But the years in which the party enjoyed an absolute majority are over. That makes the eighth free elections in the country, which has been democratic since 1989, so exciting. Many Poles are concerned about the crumbling democracy. The independence of the judiciary would not be guaranteed – reason for the EU to previously block an economic package worth 35 billion euros. Press freedom and minority rights have also come under increasing pressure during the PiS government.
Opposition party PO (Citizen Platform) of Tusk, former Prime Minister and former President of the European Council, has continued as KO with several other parties since these elections and thus represents a serious challenger. In early October, more than a million people took part in a protest march in Warsaw against PiS, initiated by Tusk.
The struggle between the two parties was clearly visible in the election campaign, which was characterized by its aggressiveness. For example, PiS leader Kaczynski called Tusk “pure evil.” Conversely, Tusk repeatedly called PiS politicians “corrupt” and said that they would “sell their mother.” Several parliamentary candidates were also attacked on the street during the campaign.
Also read this report: Is Poland turning further away from the EU? That is decided by the voter, but they are anything but unanimous