Poland’s Ruling Nationalists Poised to Lose Parliamentary Majority
Poland’s ruling nationalist party, Law and Justice (PiS), is projected to lose its parliamentary majority, according to an Ipsos exit poll. While PiS emerged as the leading party in Sunday’s election with 36.8% of the vote, this would translate to only 200 legislators in the 460-seat parliament. The outcome raises the possibility of liberal opposition parties joining forces to form a governing coalition.
The liberal Civic Alliance (KO), the largest opposition party, is expected to secure 31.6% of the vote, which would give them 163 seats in parliament. Additionally, two other factions, a center-right third-way coalition and a New Left, could potentially form a coalition with KO, as they garnered 13% and 8.6% of the vote, respectively.
These results suggest a shift in Poland’s political landscape, with the opposition poised to make significant gains. KO President Donald Tusk, a former European Council president, has pledged to repair Warsaw’s strained relations with Brussels. Tensions have arisen over issues concerning judicial independence, LGBT rights, and migration.
Critics of PiS argue that since assuming power in 2015, the party has expanded its political influence over the judiciary and transformed state media into platforms for propaganda. As a consequence of these actions, the European Union has frozen approximately 110 billion euros of allocated funds for Poland due to concerns over legal provisions.
The official election results are expected to be announced later today, shedding more light on the composition of the next Polish parliament. The potential formation of a coalition government, led by liberal opposition parties, could redefine Poland’s political direction and its relationship with the European Union.
As the country awaits the final tally, market analysts and international observers are closely monitoring the situation in Poland, highlighting the potential impact on the nation’s domestic policies and its standing within the European bloc.
It remains to be seen how the new political landscape will influence Poland’s future relationship with the EU, as well as its stance on various social and legal matters. With the ruling nationalists facing the prospect of losing their parliamentary majority, Poland is embarking on a potentially transformative political journey that could reshape the nation’s trajectory.
