Poland's opposition leader Donald Tusk said Sunday (Oct 15) that the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party's "reign is over" following the parliamentary election in the country.&nbsp;

The exit poll showed the PiS party had won the most votes, however, a combined opposition coalition led by Tusk claimed to form a government.&nbsp;

As per the exit poll, PiS was at 36.8% and Tusk's Civic Coalition at 31.6%. But, the Tusk-led coalition could form a government with 13% for the centre-right Third Way and 8.6% for the leftwing Lewica.&nbsp;

In terms of seats, Tusk's coalition could win 163 seats in the 460-seat parliament and Third Way and Left were set for 55 and 30 seats, respectively, according to the exit poll. That would give the three a majority of 248.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, PiS is predicted to win 200 seats and the far-right Confederation, its potential coalition partner, was given only 12 seats by the Ipsos exit poll.&nbsp;

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Tusk, the former Polish prime and EU chief told supporters&nbsp;that "this grim period is over, the Law and Justice reign is over". He added that "Poland won, democracy won".&nbsp;

While addressing the assembled supporters, Tusk said, "It's the end of the evil times, it's the end of the PiS rule, we made it. We won democracy, we won freedom, we won our free beloved Poland… this day will be remembered in history as a bright day, the rebirth of Poland."&nbsp;

Sixty-six-year-old Tusk served as Poland's prime minister between 2007 and 2014 and as European Council president between 2014 and 2019.&nbsp;

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During this election, Tusk vowed to restore good relations with the European Union. He also said that if he wins, he will unblock EU funds frozen because of disputes over the past eight years of the PiS government.

Tusk has also vowed to legalise abortion, which emerged as a major point of contention against the government which has emphasised traditional Catholic values.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Poland's opposition leader Donald Tusk said Sunday (Oct 15) that the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party's "reign is over" following the parliamentary election in the country.

Poland's opposition leader Donald Tusk said Sunday (Oct 15) that the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party's "reign is over" following the parliamentary election in the country. The exit poll showed the PiS party had won the most votes, however, a combined opposition coalition led by Tusk claimed to form a government. As per the exit poll, PiS was at 36.8% and Tusk's Civic Coalition at 31.6%. But, the Tusk-led coalition could form a government with 13% for the centre-right Third Way and 8.6% for the leftwing Lewica. In terms of seats, Tusk's coalition could win 163 seats in the 460-seat parliament and Third Way and Left were set for 55 and 30 seats, respectively, according to the exit poll. That would give the three a majority of 248. Meanwhile, PiS is predicted to win 200 seats and the far-right Confederation, its potential coalition partner, was given only 12 seats by the Ipsos exit poll. Also read: Donald Trump-backed Jeff Landry wins governor race in Louisiana I znowu był Was milion (prawie)❤️😉 pic.twitter.com/Zni2VH1SSI — Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) October 15, 2023 × Tusk, the former Polish prime and EU chief told supporters that "this grim period is over, the Law and Justice reign is over". He added that "Poland won, democracy won". While addressing the assembled supporters, Tusk said, "It's the end of the evil times, it's the end of the PiS rule, we made it. We won democracy, we won freedom, we won our free beloved Poland… this day will be remembered in history as a bright day, the rebirth of Poland." Sixty-six-year-old Tusk served as Poland's prime minister between 2007 and 2014 and as European Council president between 2014 and 2019. Also read: Australia fines Musk’s X $385,000 for failure to provide information on child abuse content During this election, Tusk vowed to restore good relations with the European Union. He also said that if he wins, he will unblock EU funds frozen because of disputes over the past eight years of the PiS government. Tusk has also vowed to legalise abortion, which emerged as a major point of contention against the government which has emphasised traditional Catholic values. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Poland election: Opposition parties led by Donald Tusk tipped to win parliamentary majority

Poland's nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) was on course to keep its ruling majority after a general election on Sunday, an exit poll showed, a victory likely to stoke concern about democratic standards in the largest former Soviet European Union state.

A second term for PiS will also bolster anti-immigration populists in the European Union are who keen to scale back the bloc's liberal agenda and who cheer Poland's chafing against Brussels over the rule of law.

The poll by Ipsos gave PiS 43.6% of the vote, with 27.4% of the ballots going to the centrist Civic Coalition, an umbrella group that includes the Civic Platform formerly led by European Union Council President Donald Tusk. A leftist bloc garnered 11.9% of votes in the poll.

"We have victory," PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, 70, told party members at the party's headquarters in central Warsaw, but he added the party had "deserved to win more".

Election officials are expected to start announcing partial results on Monday.

Opposition groups and Poland's EU partners have said that during its four years in power PiS has undermined the independence of the judiciary, forced public media to promote its agenda and taken other steps to quell dissent.

It has shifted Poland's foreign policy away from the European mainstream, becoming a leading proponent of calls to take some powers away from Brussels.

Throughout the campaign, PiS told voters that business and cultural elites in Poland should be replaced with people who espouse patriotic values, to ensure fair market competition and access to state institutions such as courts.

It has given few details about future policy plans, but Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro told reporters after voting ended on Sunday that PiS "had a real plan ... for courts to stop being the ball and chain of the Polish economy."

The party has cast the election as a choice between a society rooted in traditional Catholic values and a liberal order that promotes a chosen few and undermines family life.

Critics accused it of fomenting homophobia during the election campaign, with PiS officials calling lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights an invasive foreign influence that threatens Poland's national identity.

Under Poland's complex election rules, the PiS result from Sunday's exit poll would translate into 239 seats in the 460-member lower house of parliament, calculations by private broadcaster TVN showed. PiS has 240 seats in the outgoing legislature.

Divided society

PiS has drawn support from poorer Poles who feel they have missed out on prosperity since the collapse of communism in 1989. The party has mixed nationalist rhetoric with a vast welfare programme financed by an economic boom.

To build up support, it has depended on close links with Poland's dominant Catholic Church, with senior officials frequently attending religious ceremonies and events, and the party has espoused stronger religious values in public life.

"I see that they are building something, that they are doing something, that they have bought something back, it was all devastated, everything was sold, Poland had nothing, and I support PiS for that," said Teresa Sass, an 85-year-old pensioner in the northern city of Gdansk.

According to Ipsos, voter turnout surged to 61.1%, which, if confirmed, would be the highest in a parliamentary vote since a 1989 partially free election that ushered in the end of communist rule in Poland.

The rise follows mounting political polarisation in Poland, with many PiS opponents anxious about the future of democracy in the country once seen as an exemplar of democratic transition.

"When I talk with my mother, I practice the art of avoidance, I don't get into any ideological discussions with her," said Krzysztof Michalec, 56, as he waited in the sunshine to see Kaczynski cast his vote in Warsaw.

A former opposition activist during communism, Michalec voted for the Civic Platform.

The election will see the return of left-wing parties into parliament after they lost their seats four years ago because of fragmentation.

The Spring party of Robert Biedron, 43, Poland's first openly gay lawmaker, and Together of Adrian Zandberg campaigned as part of a bloc on a promise to end coal mining and sever the links between church and state.

"We did it, we enter parliament as a third-largest political force," Zandberg, 39, was quoted as saying by the state PAP news agency.

Poland's nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) was on course to keep its ruling majority after a general election on Sunday, an exit poll showed, a victory likely to stoke concern about democratic standards in the largest former Soviet European Union state.

Poland's nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) was on course to keep its ruling majority after a general election on Sunday, an exit poll showed, a victory likely to stoke concern about democratic standards in the largest former Soviet European Union state. A second term for PiS will also bolster anti-immigration populists in the European Union are who keen to scale back the bloc's liberal agenda and who cheer Poland's chafing against Brussels over the rule of law. The poll by Ipsos gave PiS 43.6% of the vote, with 27.4% of the ballots going to the centrist Civic Coalition, an umbrella group that includes the Civic Platform formerly led by European Union Council President Donald Tusk. A leftist bloc garnered 11.9% of votes in the poll. "We have victory," PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, 70, told party members at the party's headquarters in central Warsaw, but he added the party had "deserved to win more". Election officials are expected to start announcing partial results on Monday. Opposition groups and Poland's EU partners have said that during its four years in power PiS has undermined the independence of the judiciary, forced public media to promote its agenda and taken other steps to quell dissent. It has shifted Poland's foreign policy away from the European mainstream, becoming a leading proponent of calls to take some powers away from Brussels. Throughout the campaign, PiS told voters that business and cultural elites in Poland should be replaced with people who espouse patriotic values, to ensure fair market competition and access to state institutions such as courts. It has given few details about future policy plans, but Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro told reporters after voting ended on Sunday that PiS "had a real plan ... for courts to stop being the ball and chain of the Polish economy." The party has cast the election as a choice between a society rooted in traditional Catholic values and a liberal order that promotes a chosen few and undermines family life. Critics accused it of fomenting homophobia during the election campaign, with PiS officials calling lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights an invasive foreign influence that threatens Poland's national identity. Under Poland's complex election rules, the PiS result from Sunday's exit poll would translate into 239 seats in the 460-member lower house of parliament, calculations by private broadcaster TVN showed. PiS has 240 seats in the outgoing legislature. Divided society PiS has drawn support from poorer Poles who feel they have missed out on prosperity since the collapse of communism in 1989. The party has mixed nationalist rhetoric with a vast welfare programme financed by an economic boom. To build up support, it has depended on close links with Poland's dominant Catholic Church, with senior officials frequently attending religious ceremonies and events, and the party has espoused stronger religious values in public life. "I see that they are building something, that they are doing something, that they have bought something back, it was all devastated, everything was sold, Poland had nothing, and I support PiS for that," said Teresa Sass, an 85-year-old pensioner in the northern city of Gdansk. According to Ipsos, voter turnout surged to 61.1%, which, if confirmed, would be the highest in a parliamentary vote since a 1989 partially free election that ushered in the end of communist rule in Poland. The rise follows mounting political polarisation in Poland, with many PiS opponents anxious about the future of democracy in the country once seen as an exemplar of democratic transition. "When I talk with my mother, I practice the art of avoidance, I don't get into any ideological discussions with her," said Krzysztof Michalec, 56, as he waited in the sunshine to see Kaczynski cast his vote in Warsaw. A former opposition activist during communism, Michalec voted for the Civic Platform. The election will see the return of left-wing parties into parliament after they lost their seats four years ago because of fragmentation. The Spring party of Robert Biedron, 43, Poland's first openly gay lawmaker, and Together of Adrian Zandberg campaigned as part of a bloc on a promise to end coal mining and sever the links between church and state. "We did it, we enter parliament as a third-largest political force," Zandberg, 39, was quoted as saying by the state PAP news agency.

Poland's nationalists on course to stay in power for second term

The World Jewish Congress on Monday condemned the Polish prime minister for saying that holding Poland liable for the restitution of Jewish property seized by the Nazis during WWII would hand a "posthumous victory" to Hitler.

Poland, a victim of the Nazis, would be turned into a perpetrator, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, becoming the latest ruling party member to comment on a US law on the restitution of Jewish properties seized during the Holocaust.&nbsp;

Poland, which was invaded by Nazi Germany and lost six million citizens during World War II, insists the matter is closed and says the legislation will have no impact at home.

"This unwillingness to acknowledge that the victims of the Holocaust and their heirs are entitled to a modicum of material justice is unfortunate enough," said World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder.&nbsp;

"But Prime Minister Morawiecki's contention -- assuming that it was uttered as reported -- that providing restitution to Jews for their stolen property would be 'Hitler's posthumous victory' is alarming in the extreme," he added in a statement.&nbsp;

According to Polish state television, Morawiecki made the remarks at a convention of the ruling governing Law and Justice (PiS) party in the central city of Lodz last week.&nbsp;

"Whenever anyone says today that Poland must offer someone restitution, we say: we don't consent, and we won't," Morawiecki said, quoted by the television station.

"If it were ever to get to that point, where the executioner and the victim are swapped, then it would go against all principles of international law," he added.

"It would also be Hitler's posthumous victory."&nbsp;

The US Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act -- known as the 447 law -- requires the State Department to report to Congress on the progress of countries including Poland on the restitution of Jewish assets seized during World War II and its aftermath.

Pre-war Poland was a Jewish heartland, with a centuries-old community numbering some 3.2 million, around 10 per cent of the population.

Anti-Semitic concerns regarding Poland have recently resurfaced.&nbsp;

Last year, Warsaw passed a law that made it illegal to accuse the Polish nation or state of complicity in Nazi German war crimes.

The move sparked an outcry from Israel, which saw it as an attempt to ban testimonials on Polish crimes against Jews.

In response, Warsaw amended the law to remove the possibility of fines or a prison sentence.

In February, Israel's foreign minister drew Poland's ire by saying "Poles suckle anti-Semitism with their mothers' milk."

Earlier this month Poland scrapped a visit by Israeli officials over their intention to raise the restitution issue.&nbsp;

The World Jewish Congress on Monday condemned the Polish prime minister for saying that holding Poland liable for the restitution of Jewish property seized by the Nazis during WWII would hand a "posthumous victory" to Hitler.

The World Jewish Congress on Monday condemned the Polish prime minister for saying that holding Poland liable for the restitution of Jewish property seized by the Nazis during WWII would hand a "posthumous victory" to Hitler. Poland, a victim of the Nazis, would be turned into a perpetrator, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, becoming the latest ruling party member to comment on a US law on the restitution of Jewish properties seized during the Holocaust. Poland, which was invaded by Nazi Germany and lost six million citizens during World War II, insists the matter is closed and says the legislation will have no impact at home. "This unwillingness to acknowledge that the victims of the Holocaust and their heirs are entitled to a modicum of material justice is unfortunate enough," said World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder. "But Prime Minister Morawiecki's contention -- assuming that it was uttered as reported -- that providing restitution to Jews for their stolen property would be 'Hitler's posthumous victory' is alarming in the extreme," he added in a statement. According to Polish state television, Morawiecki made the remarks at a convention of the ruling governing Law and Justice (PiS) party in the central city of Lodz last week. "Whenever anyone says today that Poland must offer someone restitution, we say: we don't consent, and we won't," Morawiecki said, quoted by the television station. "If it were ever to get to that point, where the executioner and the victim are swapped, then it would go against all principles of international law," he added. "It would also be Hitler's posthumous victory." The US Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act -- known as the 447 law -- requires the State Department to report to Congress on the progress of countries including Poland on the restitution of Jewish assets seized during World War II and its aftermath. Pre-war Poland was a Jewish heartland, with a centuries-old community numbering some 3.2 million, around 10 per cent of the population. Anti-Semitic concerns regarding Poland have recently resurfaced. Last year, Warsaw passed a law that made it illegal to accuse the Polish nation or state of complicity in Nazi German war crimes. The move sparked an outcry from Israel, which saw it as an attempt to ban testimonials on Polish crimes against Jews. In response, Warsaw amended the law to remove the possibility of fines or a prison sentence. In February, Israel's foreign minister drew Poland's ire by saying "Poles suckle anti-Semitism with their mothers' milk." Earlier this month Poland scrapped a visit by Israeli officials over their intention to raise the restitution issue.

Jews slam Polish PM for calling WWII restitution a win for Hitler