Donald Tusk: Poland and democracy have won, we removed PiS from power

Donald Tusk gave a speech during Civic Coalition's election night on Sunday, after Ipsos published the first exit poll. According to preliminary results, Polish democratic opposition groupings stand a chance to win a combined 248 seats in the parliament.

"We've really made it. I know that our dreams were even more ambitious, but let me tell you: I have never been so happy in my life with this second place," he said.

"Poland has won. Democracy has won. We removed them (PiS) from power."

Tusk added that 12 months ago no one had believed it was possible. "Just three months ago, we were not certain. Even yesterday, people came to me and asked asking 'can you really do it?' Because we haven't been able to do it for many years," he stressed.

"Listen, everything points to this - and I greet all those thousands of people who are still standing in line at polling stations - this result can still be better," Tusk added.

"But today we can already say that this is the end of this bad time. This is the end of the PiS government. We have won democracy, we have won freedom, we have won our beloved Poland back," Civic Coalition leader said.

"Today, I'm the happiest man on Earth."

"We will be watching this election all night. No one can steal this election from us now," Tusk said.

"I'd like to thank all those who were with us. At first there were hundreds of people, later thousands. And in the finale of this truly wonderful campaign for Poland, there were millions of us, in the streets, at rallies, and at ballot boxes today," the former prime minister added.

The Civic Platform leader said Sunday was "one of the best days of Polish democracy". "I have absolutely no doubt that this day will go down in history as a bright day, a day which opened a new era - the renascence of our Republic of Poland."