Incumbent Duda extends lead in Polish election cliffhanger

WARSAW, (Reuters) - Incumbent Andrzej Duda’s lead in Poland’s presidential election widened further, an updated late poll showed yesterday, a result, which while still uncertain, could have profound implications for Warsaw’s relations with the European Union.

The updated late poll combines exit poll data with official results for 90% of the polling stations that took part in the exit poll.

The re-election of Duda, an ally of the ruling nationalists Law and Justice (PiS), is crucial if the government is to implement in full its conservative agenda, including judicial reforms that the European Union says are undemocratic.

Duda’s challenger, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, has pledged to repair Poland’s relations with Europe and use the presidential veto power to hold back any legislation that would subvert the rule of law.

The updated late poll by Ipsos showed Duda winning 51.0% of the vote. It has a margin of error of one percentage point.

Duda had 50.4% in an exit poll. “All we need is to count the votes. The night will be tense but I am certain that when the votes are counted, we will win,” Trzaskowski told supporters in a park just outside Warsaw’s historic Old Town after the exit poll.

Opinion polls before the election had shown the candidates, both 48, neck and neck, with Trzaskowski having closed the gap on Duda, who initially looked like a clear favourite.

Backed by the government, Duda ran an acrimonious campaign, laced with homophobic language, attacks on independent media and accusations levied against Trzaskowski that he would serve foreign interests instead of Poland’s.