Conservative challenger Andrzej Duda ousted incumbent President Bronislaw Komorowski in a run-off election in Poland Sunday, according to dpa. Komorowski conceded after Duda of the right-wing Law and Justice Party secured 52 per cent of the vote to Komorowski's 48 per cent, projections showed. The vote is being seen as a crucial indicator for this autumn's parliamentary elections in which Duda's Law and Justice Party hopes to gain control of the government. "Those who voted for me, voted for change," Duda said Sunday evening after declaring victory, however he promised to represent all Poles, vowing "the doors of the presidential palace would remain open." Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz, who like Komorowski is a member of the Civic Platform party, pledged the "best possible cooperation" with the new president. Duda ran on a platform of lowering the retirement age, increasing the personal tax allowance and protecting Polish businesses. Komorowski, a leader in the centre-right Civic Platform party, has ruled the country since 2007. It was a long election night for the candidates after hours at one polling station were extended following the death of a woman at the polling station. The election commission ordered results nationwide to be held until voting closed in the village of 536 voters. Duda was celebrated like a rock star at victory rallies for the Law and Justice Party with hundreds of supporters chanting his name even before results were announced. The lawyer had been little known before his suprise success after he emerged as the leading candidate in the first round two weeks ago but fell short of an overall majority. He has presented himself as a father with a sense for the daily and economic concerns of ordinary Poles. Some 56 per cent of eligible voters had cast ballots, significantly more than in the initial round two weeks ago. The two candidates had been neck and neck in opinion polls heading into the vote.
