Poland's presidential hopefuls face run-off

POLAND: Poland's presidential election is to enter a second-round run-off after exit polls following yesterday's vote showed liberal candidate Donald Tusk five points ahead of conservative hopeful Lech Kaczynski.

As expected, neither achieved an absolute majority, meaning Poles will vote again in two weeks' time. That may be a much tighter race, as many voters from candidates eliminated last night are expected to transfer their support to Mr Kaczynski, the mayor of Warsaw.

The extended presidential election campaign between the two men will overshadow ongoing coalition talks between their parties, two weeks after the general election.

The Law and Justice Party (PiS), headed by Mr Jaroslaw Kaczynski - twin brother of presidential hopeful Lech - topped the poll but needs the parliamentary support of Mr Tusk's Civic Platform (PO). Turnout for yesterday's first round was 50 per cent, 10 points higher than the general election.

Educated, urban-dwelling voters cast their votes for Mr Tusk, a 48-year-old historian from the northern port city of Gdansk, while Mr Kaczynski (56), performed well in rural areas and among highly conservative, religious voters. Neither lead candidate was surprised by yesterday's result - both talked openly of a second round as they voted yesterday.

"I don't think I can win in the first round," said Mr Kaczynski. Later after initial results were revealed, both candidates were sounding hopeful for the next round of voting.

"This victory gave hope to milions of Poles before the second round," Mr Tusk told a cheering crowd at his campaign headquarters.

Mr Kaczynski showed a fighting spirit. "I am convinced that in this long race we will win," he said.

Yesterday's result, though inconclusive, completes Poland's swing to the right, with the departure after two five-year terms of President Aleksander Kwasniewski. He had close ties to the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), swept from office two weeks ago on a tide of sleaze and corruption.

Both lead candidates have pledged continuity with Mr Kwasniewski's foreign policy, though Mr Tusk is expected to be closer to Brussels, while Mr Kaczynski would continue to prioritise Warsaw's close relations with Washington.

Far-left populist Andrzej Lepper, feared by the financial markets, came third with around 13 per cent of the vote.