The opposition coalition has secured a victory in Poland’s general elections.Their electoral promise was to overturn contentious policies concerning the rule of law, press freedom, immigration, and the rights of women and the LGBTI+ community.
The opposition coalition has secured a victory in Poland’s general elections.
Despite the Law and Justice Party (PiS), which has been in power for eight years, securing the highest vote share at 36.6%, they were unable to secure a majority in the parliament. The main opposition bloc led by the Civic Coalition (KO), under the leadership of former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is expected to win 248 out of the 460 seats in the parliament, allowing them to form the government.
The voter turnout for the elections reached a record high, with exit polls indicating a participation rate of around 73%.
Former European Union (EU) Council President Tusk, in his remarks on the results, said, “We will form a new democratic government with our partners. You have won. Polish women and men have won! Poland has won, and democracy has won.”
Tusk also mentioned, “I have been a politician for years. I am also an athlete. For the first time in my life, I am very happy not to come in second.”
An eight-year turbulent period
According to analysts, the Law and Justice Party (PiS) took control of the courts in a way that violated the constitution, leading the country down an illiberal path.
Furthermore, PiS used propaganda as a tool to demonize its opposition and politicized state institutions, including public media.
The nationalist-conservative government led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, which governed the country in a turbulent manner for eight years, frequently clashed with Brussels.
Due to practices deemed anti-democratic by Brussels, Poland faced the suspension of some funds it could receive from the EU.
Promises of the new government
Before the elections, Tusk pledged that if they come into power, they would mend Warsaw’s relations with the EU and revoke the controversial practices of PiS concerning the rule of law, press freedom, immigration, and LGBTI+ rights.
Another promise from Tusk was to reinstate unrestricted access to abortion within one year. This might be one of the easier accomplishments for the new government. However, commentators believe that some recent institutional changes, including judicial reforms, implemented by the conservative government in the recent past may not be as easily reversed.
Source: Euronews, BBC Türkçe, France 24