Three opposition centrist and progressive forces appeared capable of forming a new government in Poland after securing more seats in a critical general election on Sunday.
The governing nationalist party, Law and Justice, won the most votes for a single party but short of a majority.
The election, seen as one of the most significant in decades, was cast as a choice between the defense of Polish sovereignty and liberal values.
Exit polls showing a strong second place finish by the main opposition group, Civic Coalition, and better than expected results for two smaller centrist and progressive parties.
If confirmed by final results, it would be an upset that would derail the governing party’s hope of a consecutive term.
Donald Tusk, Civic Coalition’s leader, declared the projected results a “win for democracy” that would end the rule by the Law and Justice that has been in power since 2015.
“We did it! We really did!” Mr. Tusk, a former prime minister told supporters Sunday night. “This is the end of this bad time! This is the end of PiS rule!”
The election for a new Parliament, held after a bitter campaign, was closely watched abroad, and viewed by many Poles as the most important vote since they rejected communism in partly free elections in 1989. Reflecting the high stakes, nearly 73 percent of the electorate voted, the highest turnout in decades.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the governing party’s chairman, also claimed victory, declaring the vote “a great success for our formation, our project for Poland.” But he acknowledged that his party would have trouble forming a government if the exit polls are correct.
