Poles have a chance to form another government after the ruling nationalists failed to secure a parliamentary majority, which could pave the way for opposition parties to power in a huge shake-up for the country.

Poland has repeatedly clashed with Brussels over the rule of law, press freedom, migration and LGBT rights since Law and Justice (PiS) came to power in 2015, but opposition parties have vowed to mend relations with the EU and roll back measures that undermine democratic standards. .

The results of an Ipsos exit poll on Sunday gave PiS 36.8% of the vote, which translates to 200 MPs in the 460-seat parliament.

The opposition parties, led by the liberal-oriented Citizens’ Coalition (CO), will together receive 248 seats, the KO will receive 31.6% of the votes cast.

The Polish currency strengthened on Monday morning following the election results and was about 1.3% stronger against the euro.

“Democracy won. This is the end of the PiS government”

The exit poll was delayed, and some commentators said it was because of the unexpected record turnout. Televisions showed several hundred people, mostly young people, standing in a long line at a polling station in the city of Wrocław.

Locals brought them hot tea and blankets, as well as food. Some of those in line said they had waited six hours to cast their vote. The polls closed shortly before 3 a.m., about six hours after the polls were supposed to officially close.

KO leader Donald Tusk, 66, former president of the European Council, rejoiced after the announcement of the first exit poll results.

“Democracy has won… This is the end of the PiS government,” he told members of his party.

However, PiS will have its first attempt to form a government

However, if exit polls are anything to go by, Tusk and his centre-right allies, the Third Way and the New Left, may have to wait weeks or even months before they have a chance to form a government.

President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, said he would give the winning party the first chance by offering Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki or another party leader to try to form a government first.

But given that the far-right Confederation won 6.2%, below expectations, PiS doesn’t really have allies to turn to, several experts explained.

PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński, 74, told those gathered at the party’s headquarters in central Warsaw that it was not yet clear whether Sunday’s result would lead to a new mandate.

“We must have hope that regardless of whether we are in power or in opposition, our project will continue … We will not allow Poland to lose … the right to decide its own destiny,” Kaczynski said.