Tusk-led opposition wins Polish elections, ending Law and Justice reign
Exit polls show that Poland's centrist opposition has won a majority in the country's parliament, ending the eight-year rule of the right-wing Law and Justice party.
The polls, conducted by Ipsos and other pollsters, showed that the opposition coalition, led by former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, won 248 seats in the 460-seat Sejm, the lower house of parliament. Law and Justice, led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, won 212 seats.
Tusk said in a statement that the results were a "victory for democracy" and a "defeat for populism."
"Poland has won," Tusk said. "Democracy has won. We have taken them out of power."
The results are a major setback for Law and Justice, which had been expected to win a third term in office. The party has been criticised for its authoritarian policies, including its efforts to control the judiciary and media.
The opposition coalition has promised to restore the rule of law and to improve Poland's relations with the European Union.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
