Kaczynski Wins Polish Run-Off

Tough-talking Warsaw Mayor Lech Kaczynski of the nationalist Law and Justice Party won Poland's presidential runoff Sunday, coming from behind after convincing older and poorer voters with his calls to preserve the social safety net in a conservative government.

With 91 percent of the votes counted, Kaczynski led rival Donald Tusk from the pro-market Civic Platform party, 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent, according to the State Election Commission.

During the campaign, Kaczynski vowed to root out former communists and fight political corruption, but sounded a conciliatory note as he claimed victory late Sunday.

He urged Tusk's Civic Platform to finish work on a coalition government with his Law and Justice Party, headed by his twin brother, Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

"Poland needs wrongs to be accounted for, but even more Poland needs accord. I want to reinstate that accord," Kaczynski said. "I want to now address my friends in Platform to ask them to quickly complete work on a new government."

Tusk conceded defeat. "Today I must tell myself I did not make it," he told glum supporters at his election headquarters.

Tusk led the first round of presidential voting two weeks ago with 36 percent of the vote, with Kaczynski placing second with 33 percent. The runoff between the top two candidates was held because none of the 12 candidates received more than 50 percent of the vote.