POLES went to the polls today in a high stakes election, with the ruling conservative nationalist party pitted against opposition groups that accuse it of eroding the foundations of the democratic system.

Support for the ruling Law & Justice Party has shrunk since the last election in 2019 — when it won nearly 44 per cent of the vote — amid high inflation, allegations of cronyism and bickering with European allies.

The party has been polling in recent weeks at over 30 per cent, making it the single most popular party but still at risk of losing its majority in parliament.

In that case, some speculate that Law & Justice could need the support of the far-right Confederation party to govern, though both parties campaigned saying that was not an option.

At stake is the nation’s constitutional order, LGBTQ+ rights and abortion, as well as its foreign alliances.