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Polish opposition set for big win Massive win for Polish opposition
(about 4 hours later)
The liberal opposition Civic Platform party is heading for a landslide victory in the Polish general election, with most votes counted. Poland's liberal opposition Civic Platform party has won a massive poll victory, ousting Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski's conservatives.
Donald Tusk's pro-EU party has ousted the conservative government of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski that has ruled Poland for two turbulent years. With 99% of votes counted, Donald Tusk's pro-EU party received more than 41% of the votes, while Mr Kaczynski's Law and Justice (PiS) got 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.
I wish Donald Tusk every success and I congratulate him Polish PM Jaroslaw Kaczynski 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.
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. Mr Tusk is expected to hold talks with likely coalition partners this week.
We went into this election in order to make everyone, without exception, feel good in their country, in their home Donald TuskCivic Platform leader Profile: Donald Tusk Send us your reaction
An alliance with the centrist Polish Peasants' Party would give the Civic Platform a clear majority.
Civic Platform's total translates to 209 seats in the 460-seat lower house of parliament, the Sejm, with the Peasants Party on course to get 31 seats.
Mr Kaczynski has admitted defeat and congratulated his rival
Turnout was the highest recorded in Poland since communism fell in 1989.
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Mr Kaczynski said his party would be a "decisive, tough opposition"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.
EU leaders hailed the result. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he expected "fruitful co-operation" with the new government.
'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%. Mr Tusk was showered with confetti as he appeared in front of cheering supporters at its campaign headquarters on Sunday evening.
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.
"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.
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.