Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.
After eight years of nationalist rule and routine attacks on the EU, Poland’s Law & Justice party looked to be heading for defeat in Sunday’s election, an outcome that would bring to an end a long chapter of populism and strife. According to an exit poll, the opposition is on track for a majority, with the Civic Platform, under former European Council President Donald Tusk, winning 32% of the vote amid record turnout. The Third Way alliance had 13%, and the Left party 8.6%, giving the three groups 248 seats in the 460-strong lower house of parliament. If confirmed, the result will create opportunities for the EU. Most immediately, Poland will be aiming to release more than €35 billion of EU funds to deliver a jolt to eastern Europe’s biggest economy. Beyond that, there’s the prospect of isolating Hungary’s Viktor Orban, another populist who until now has been shielded by his alliance with Law & Justice.