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Polish PM 'is facing poll defeat' Polish PM admits election defeat
(10 minutes later)
Ballots are being counted in Poland after voting in the country's early general election, with exit polls predicting a defeat for the government. Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has admitted defeat in Poland's general election, after exit polls predicted victory for the Civic Platform party.
Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski's conservative Law and Justice Party polled about 31%, while the centre-right Civic Platform, has 44%. Mr Kaczynski said his conservative Law and Justice Party had "failed against a wide front" after it polled about 31%, while its centre-right rival had 44%.
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.
Turnout seemed substantially higher than the 12-year low in the 2005 poll.Turnout seemed substantially higher than the 12-year low in the 2005 poll.
The prime minister's twin brother, Lech Kaczynski, is Poland's president.The prime minister's twin brother, Lech Kaczynski, is Poland's president.
The Law and Justice Party (PiS) has pursued former communists and adopted a sceptical approach to the European Union, while Civic Platform (PO) has promised a more business-friendly administration with closer ties to Europe, correspondents say.The Law and Justice Party (PiS) has pursued former communists and adopted a sceptical approach to the European Union, while Civic Platform (PO) has promised a more business-friendly administration with closer ties to Europe, correspondents say.
Learning lessonLearning lesson
The turnout of 55% was the highest since the fall of communism in 1989.The turnout of 55% was the highest since the fall of communism in 1989.
Most polling stations closed at 2000 (1800 GMT), with a handful delaying closure after opening late for technical reasons, and others running out of ballot papers.Most polling stations closed at 2000 (1800 GMT), with a handful delaying closure after opening late for technical reasons, and others running out of ballot papers.
Mr Kaczynski believes Poland has not dealt with its communist past Many Poles are polarised by the prime minister's policies
Voters were electing members of 460-seat lower house, the Sejm, and the 100-seat Senate.Voters were electing members of 460-seat lower house, the Sejm, and the 100-seat Senate.
Mr Kaczynski voted in the early afternoon in Warsaw, chatting with other voters as he queued.Mr Kaczynski voted in the early afternoon in Warsaw, chatting with other voters as he queued.
"We have to accept the will of the voters, that's obvious," he said after voting, according to Reuters news agency."We have to accept the will of the voters, that's obvious," he said after voting, according to Reuters news agency.
"We won't get angry at the people and lessons from this campaign will be learned.""We won't get angry at the people and lessons from this campaign will be learned."
His rival, Mr Tusk, also cast his vote in the capital city.His rival, Mr Tusk, also cast his vote in the capital city.
"Of course I expect to win, but I also know perfectly well that it will not be easy and the battle goes on until the last minute," he was quoted as saying."Of course I expect to win, but I also know perfectly well that it will not be easy and the battle goes on until the last minute," he was quoted as saying.
Democratic disillusionDemocratic disillusion
Poles have became disillusioned with democracy following a succession of unhappy coalition governments, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw.Poles have became disillusioned with democracy following a succession of unhappy coalition governments, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw.
I didn't like being talked down to for the last two years Jan ZawiszWarsaw voter Purge overshadows vote Voters hear Church's voiceI didn't like being talked down to for the last two years Jan ZawiszWarsaw voter Purge overshadows vote Voters hear Church's voice
The country is polarised over the figure of the 58-year-old prime minister, who commands both strong support and deep opposition, says our correspondent.The country is polarised over the figure of the 58-year-old prime minister, 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.
Donald Tusk wants lower taxesDonald Tusk wants lower taxes
Among his supporters, Andrzej Sulkowski said he voted for Law and Justice "because this party is telling the truth and doing something".Among his supporters, Andrzej Sulkowski said he voted for Law and Justice "because this party is telling the truth and doing something".
"In their two years of government they did what they could," he told the Associated Press news agency."In their two years of government they did what they could," he told the Associated Press news agency.
But one of Mr Tusk's supporters, Jan Zawisz, said he "didn't like being talked down to for the last two years".But one of Mr Tusk's supporters, Jan Zawisz, said he "didn't like being talked down to for the last two years".