Opposition-backed Fijolek wins in Poland election

Polish opposition backed candidate Konrad Fijolek was projected to win the Rzeszow Mayoral Election on Sunday, according to exit polls.

Fijolek won 55.8% of the vote, according to an exit poll published by Polish broadcaster TVN.

Speaking to reporters at his headquarters after the exit polls were revealed, Fijolek said Rzeszow's "unity" won the election.

Fijolek said he hoped his victory would lead to "the return of self-governance, freedom and democracy" in Rzeszow.

Opposition parties have suffered a series of defeats against the Law and Justice (PiS) party since the right-wing party won the parliamentary election in 2015.

Rzeszow's mayoral election is seen as a turning point for the Polish opposition and a sign of tensions between PiS and its two smaller coalition allies.