Opposition party ousts Polish premier in parliamentary vote

A pro-business opposition party that wants Poland’s troops out of Iraq appeared to have ousted Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s government in parliamentary elections Sunday, as Poles opted for leadership offering a more cooperative approach to the European Union.

Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform party led with 40% of the vote after about a third of the ballots were counted early today, which would give the party a strong showing in the 460-seat lower house.

The outcome, however, was short of the 231 needed for a majority -- but close enough for it to join with a smaller party to form a government.

“People in Poland voted today to choose their own fate and have put a great responsibility, a great task on our shoulders,” Tusk told supporters. “We undertake this great responsibility.”

Kaczynski conceded defeat late Sunday, saying, “We didn’t manage in the face of this unprecedented broad front of attacks,” referring to the opposition’s campaign.

Complete results are expected either later today or Tuesday.

The election result means Poland will no longer have twin brothers holding the two highest offices; Kaczynski’s brother, Lech, will remain the country’s president with a term lasting until 2010.

The 58-year-olds are former child actors who as adults became activists with the Solidarity trade union movement that helped topple communism in 1989.

Both Tusk and Jaroslaw Kaczynski favor good relations with the United States, but Tusk argues that Poland has not gotten enough from its close ties with Washington, and wants the country’s 900-strong detachment in Iraq to come home.

He also says Poland should drive a tough bargain in return for playing host to a missile defense base.

It is a stinging defeat for Kaczynski, whose socially conservative party was elected two years ago and has since been criticized for its assertive approach to the EU and efforts to purge former communists from positions of influence.

The 50-year-old Tusk, the favorite to become the next prime minister, said the election showed that Poles want to focus on the economic opportunities presented by the country’s membership in the EU, which Poland joined in 2004.

The troop deployment to Iraq has been extended through the end of the year by the government, and Kaczynski has suggested it could be extended again. Tusk’s party, however, wants the troops to come home, although some party officials have said that may not take place until the end of 2008.