Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Coalition won the European elections in Poland, according to official figures published by the country’s electoral commission on Monday morning.
Tusk’s party obtained 37.1% of the vote, translating into 21 members of the European Parliament.
“We waited exactly 10 years for the first place on the podium. I’m very happy,” said a visibly emotional Tusk on Sunday night after initial forecasts projected the result.
The largest opposition party, the conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, came second with 36.2% of the vote, meaning it will send 20 lawmakers to parliament.
The third strongest party was the radical right-wing Confederation, with 12.1%, or six MEPs.
The last two places were occupied by the two smaller coalition partners, who internally form the center-left government with Tusk’s party. The Christian Democrat Third Way received 6.9%, or three MEPs, and the Left Alliance received 6.3% of the votes and will also have three MEPs.
The Polish electoral commission said voter turnout was 40.65%.
