Pro-EU opposition party defeats ruling conservatives in local elections in Warsaw

Poland’s State Electoral Commission has said a pro-European Union opposition party has defeated the ruling conservatives in local elections in Warsaw. Sunday’s nationwide elections were a popularity test for the conservatives, whose policies have drawn street protests and prompted clashes with EU leaders, AP reported. The electoral officials said Wednesday that in Warsaw, the opposition Civic Platform’s Rafal Trzaskowski obtained almost 57 percent of votes, defeating the ruling party’s candidate and winning the capital city’s presidency in the first round. November 4 runoffs are expected in other big cities such as Krakow and Gdansk. The Civic Platform also maintained control in the Warsaw province assembly.