Poland's presidential election is still in full swing, but the first round on Sunday was a success for right-wing and far-right candidates, sending a message to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's moderate government.
Tusk's candidate, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who represents liberal views, and his conservative rival Karol Nawrocki, backed by the national-conservative Law and Justice party, showed the best results among 13 contenders.
The results were extremely close: Mr Trzaskowski received 31.36% of the vote, while Mr Nawrocki received 29.54%, according to final results released on Monday morning.
Poles now face a tough fight in the second round of elections on June 1, and the results of the last round will be decisive.
The competition is not just about the presidency, which offers the power to influence foreign policy and veto laws.
It will also determine the future of Mr Tusk's efforts to improve relations with European allies after years of Law and Justice rule that often ran counter to Brussels' principles.
Mr Tusk has tried to reverse changes to the judiciary that the EU deemed undemocratic, but his efforts have been largely blocked by outgoing conservative President Andrzej Duda.
Many centrist and progressive voters are angry that Mr Tusk has failed to deliver on promises such as relaxing strict abortion laws.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
