Nationalist wins first round in Poland's Elections

(Vatican Radio)-- Exit polls show that a conservative nationalist opposition candidate Andrzej Duda, known for his anti-European Union views,has won the first round of Poland's presidential elections, defeating the incumbent  Bronislaw Komorowski. Duda made a surprisingly strong showing Sunday apparently taking roughly 34.5 percent of the vote. Polls suggest that he will face a runoff against current President Komorowski who reportedly came in second with 33.1 percent.

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:

As his supporters celebrated, Duda said he wanted to "assure Mr. president about my will to participate in the next debate." He added: "I want to stress very much that Poland needs to make reforms in many areas. I have based my campaign on the message that the name of the future is Poland.”

They will face a run-off on May 24.

Duda's Law and Justice party backs a mix of national pride, Catholic values and social welfare programs in this heavily

Catholic nation. He is seen as more conservative and nationalistic than the current government.

MAJOR SETBACK

Duda's victory came as a major setback for the ruling pro-European Union establishment led by the center-right and pro-business Civic Platform which has been in power since 2007. 

President Komorowski was a member but left to be a non-aligned president.

Komorowski's defeat in the first round has been linked to disappointment that EU membership has not brought the promised economic prosperity. Thousands of young people emigrate and seek jobs abroad as Poland's jobless rate remains well above 10 percent and earnings are much below the EU average.

Speaking to supporters who had gathered in Warsaw’s national stadium who expected him to win, Komorowski said he would try to re-connect with voters disappointed with their politicians.

VOTERS CRUCIAL

"I think the results of the first round are serious warning for the current ruling camp. We have to draw conclusions from these results. We must listen to the voice of voters.”

Komorowski had presented himself as strong on national security at a time when voters worry after Russia’s intervention in nearby Ukraine.

However Duda also advocates a strong stance toward Russia and support neighboring Ukraine in its conflict with Russian-backed separatists that has killed thousands.