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| Polish opposition set for big win | Polish opposition set for big win |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The liberal opposition Civic Platform party is heading for a landslide victory in the Polish general election, with most votes counted. | The liberal opposition Civic Platform party is heading for a landslide victory in the Polish general election, with most votes counted. |
| Donald Tusk's pro-EU party has ousted the conservative government of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski that has ruled Poland for two turbulent years. | Donald Tusk's pro-EU party has ousted the conservative government of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski that has ruled Poland for two turbulent years. |
| Civic Platform is ahead with more than 41% of the votes, while Mr Kaczynski's Law and Justice (PiS) is on about 32%. | Civic Platform is ahead with more than 41% of the votes, while Mr Kaczynski's Law and Justice (PiS) is on about 32%. |
| Turnout was the highest recorded in Poland since communism fell in 1989. | Turnout was the highest recorded in Poland since communism fell in 1989. |
| I wish Donald Tusk every success and I congratulate him Polish PM Jaroslaw Kaczynski href="/1/hi/world/europe/7056054.stm">Profile: Donald Tusk Send us your reaction Civic Platform's total translates to 205 seats in the 460-seat lower house of parliament, the Sejm. Its likely coalition partner, the Polish Peasants Party, is on course to get 36 seats. | |
| PiS has already admitted defeat. | PiS has already admitted defeat. |
| The election was called two years early after Mr Kaczynski's coalition collapsed over a corruption probe. | The election was called two years early after Mr Kaczynski's coalition collapsed over a corruption probe. |
| The prime minister's twin brother, Lech Kaczynski, is Poland's president and does not face an election until 2010. But the opposition's win looks big enough for it to be able to override his veto power. | The prime minister's twin brother, Lech Kaczynski, is Poland's president and does not face an election until 2010. But the opposition's win looks big enough for it to be able to override his veto power. |
| PiS has pursued former communists and adopted a sceptical approach to the European Union, while Civic Platform has promised lower taxes and a more business-friendly administration with closer ties to Europe. | PiS has pursued former communists and adopted a sceptical approach to the European Union, while Civic Platform has promised lower taxes and a more business-friendly administration with closer ties to Europe. |
| Civic Platform says it will repair Poland's strained ties with Germany and other EU neighbours. It also wants strong ties with the US but Mr Tusk has vowed to withdraw 900 Polish troops from the US-led coalition force in Iraq. | Civic Platform says it will repair Poland's strained ties with Germany and other EU neighbours. It also wants strong ties with the US but Mr Tusk has vowed to withdraw 900 Polish troops from the US-led coalition force in Iraq. |
| 'Restoring hope' | 'Restoring hope' |
| Voting in Sunday's election was extended by three hours in some parts of the country as officials struggled to cope with the sharply increased turnout of 55%. | Voting in Sunday's election was extended by three hours in some parts of the country as officials struggled to cope with the sharply increased turnout of 55%. |
| Mr Kaczynski said his party would be a "decisive, tough opposition"Mr Tusk was showered with confetti as he appeared in front of cheering supporters at its campaign headquarters after the exit polls were announced. | Mr Kaczynski said his party would be a "decisive, tough opposition"Mr Tusk was showered with confetti as he appeared in front of cheering supporters at its campaign headquarters after the exit polls were announced. |
| "We went into this election in order to make everyone, without exception, feel good in their country, in their home," he said. | "We went into this election in order to make everyone, without exception, feel good in their country, in their home," he said. |
| "I thank everyone who, in an impartial way, has helped restore hope among Poles." | "I thank everyone who, in an impartial way, has helped restore hope among Poles." |
| Later, Mr Kaczynski admitted defeat and congratulated his rival in a speech at his campaign headquarters. | Later, Mr Kaczynski admitted defeat and congratulated his rival in a speech at his campaign headquarters. |
| "We have failed against a wide front," he said. "I wish Donald Tusk every success and I congratulate him." | "We have failed against a wide front," he said. "I wish Donald Tusk every success and I congratulate him." |
| Mr Kaczynski blamed the result on a coalition of newspapers and political parties, who he said had stopped at nothing in their campaign to oust him. | Mr Kaczynski blamed the result on a coalition of newspapers and political parties, who he said had stopped at nothing in their campaign to oust him. |
| He said the high turnout was a sign of the strength of Polish democracy. He also promised that PiS would be a "decisive, tough opposition" in parliament. | He said the high turnout was a sign of the strength of Polish democracy. He also promised that PiS would be a "decisive, tough opposition" in parliament. |
| Poles have become disillusioned with democracy following a succession of unhappy coalition governments, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw. | Poles have become disillusioned with democracy following a succession of unhappy coalition governments, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw. |
| The country is polarised over the figure of Prime Minister Kaczynski, 58, who commands both strong support and deep opposition, says our correspondent. | The country is polarised over the figure of Prime Minister Kaczynski, 58, who commands both strong support and deep opposition, says our correspondent. |
| He has given extra power to anti-corruption agencies and purged former communists, while promoting an assertive foreign policy and traditional Catholic values. | He has given extra power to anti-corruption agencies and purged former communists, while promoting an assertive foreign policy and traditional Catholic values. |