Despite winning the parliamentary elections, Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is at risk of losing power as pro-European opposition parties claim a majority, as indicated

by exit polls.

Exit polls reveal that the centrist opposition parties, including the liberal-conservative Civic Coalition (KO) led by former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the left-wing alliance Lewica, and the Christian-conservative Third Way, have won 248 seats out of 460 in the parliament. In contrast, Law and Justice (PiS) secured 200 seats. Even with the support of the far-right Confederation for an Independent Poland (KPN) and its 12 seats, PiS falls short of the majority needed.

Donald Tusk, reacting to the election results, declared, "This is the end of the PiS government. Poland has won, democracy has won, we have driven them from power. It is the end of this bad period, it is the end of the PiS government."

While Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki still claimed PiS as the largest party with 36.8% of the vote, PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski admitted uncertainty about his party's return to government.

With over 29 million Poles participating in the general election, a turnout of 72.9%, it marks the highest since the fall of communism.

In addition to the parliamentary elections, Poles voted on the EU's pact on asylum and migration in a referendum. However, only 40% of eligible voters took part, rendering the result invalid due to insufficient votes.

Official results are expected to be announced on Tuesday. A return to power for Donald Tusk could signify improved relations with the EU and a strengthened European unity, in contrast to PiS's stance on EU integration, judicial independence, and press freedom. Photo by The Chancellery of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Wikimedia commons.