Exit polls in the second round of Poland's presidential election show the two candidates statistically tied, but the race is still too tight to draw conclusions from a deeply divided country.
The results could determine the course of the country's political future and its relations with the European Union.
The first exit poll showed Warsaw's liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski with a slight lead over conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, but two hours later an updated “late poll” showed Mr Nawrocki winning with 50.7 per cent to Mr Trzaskowski's 49.3 per cent.
Polls are subject to error, and it is still not clear who won.
Although the final result was still unclear, with both contenders virtually tied, both men claimed victory in meetings with their supporters in Warsaw.
“We won,” Mr Trzaskowski told supporters at an event on election night.
“This is a truly special moment in Poland's history. I am convinced that it will allow us to move forward and focus on the future. I will be your president.”
Mr Nawrocki, speaking to supporters at a separate event in Warsaw, said he believed he was on track to win.
“We will win and save Poland,” he said. “We must win tonight.”
Final results are expected on Monday.
The decisive second round of the presidential election pitted Mr Trzaskowski, a pro-EU liberal, against Mr Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party and linked to US conservatives including President Donald Trump.
The fact that it happened so close underlines how deep social divisions have become in Poland.
The outcome will determine whether Poland will take a more nationalistic path or turn more decisively toward liberal democratic norms.
As conservative President Andrzej Duda completes his second and final term, the new president will have significant influence on whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government can implement its agenda, given the president's power to veto laws.
“We will not allow Donald Tusk to finally consolidate his hold on power,” Mr. Nawrocki said.
The second round followed a tense first round of voting on May 18, in which Mr. Trzaskowski won just over 31% and Mr. Nawrocki nearly 30%, beating out 11 other candidates.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie