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Poland's apparent president-elect sends message of unity, says he will leave right-wing party

Associated Press
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Opposition candidate Andrzej Duda, right, celebrates with supporters his victory, as first exit polls in the presidential runoff voting are announced in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, May 24, 2015. Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski conceded defeat in the presidential election Sunday after an exit poll showed him trailing Duda, a previously little-known right-wing politician. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

Opposition candidate Andrzej Duda celebrates with supporters his victory, as first exit polls in the presidential runoff voting are announced in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, May 24, 2015. Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski conceded defeat in the presidential election Sunday after an exit poll showed him trailing Duda, a previously little-known right-wing politician. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

Opposition candidate Andrzej Duda kisses hand of the girl who gave him flowers during celebrates with supporters his victory, as first exit polls in the presidential runoff voting are announced in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, May 24, 2015. Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski conceded defeat in the presidential election Sunday after an exit poll showed him trailing Duda, a previously little-known right-wing politician. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

Poland's apparent president-elect, Andrzej Duda, began the day after the election meeting with passers-by in front of a subway station in central Warsaw and announcing that he will formally leave his Law and Justice party.

Duda's moves Monday morning comes as the 43-year-old seeks to send a message of national unity after a campaign that revealed deep divisions in the country. It's a tradition for Polish presidents to leave their parties to show that they represent everyone.

According to an exit poll the right-wing member of the European Parliament won 52 percent of the vote, compared with 48 percent for incumbent Bronislaw Komorowski. Official results are expected later in the day.

Duda's apparent victory revealed a deep level of dissatisfaction with the ruling Civic Platform party, which supported Komorowski.