Poland’s ruling centrists aimed for a landmark second term in elections yesterday, hoping to see off a conservative challenge with a message of prudent stewardship that kept the nation out of recession.

Opinion polls gave europhile Prime Minister Donald Tusk cause for concern; however, as his once-commanding lead melted and it appeared he could be left achingly short of a majority.

Hoping to see off a conservative opposition challenge, Mr Tusk has warned against re-electing the Law and Justice (PiS) party, whose hardball leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski locked horns with EU allies when he was premier.

In 2007, voters fed up with PiS swept Mr Tusk’s Civic Platform (PO) into power, but the conservatives have made headway with a campaign centred on bread and butter issues.

Tusk says the nation of 38 million needs “cooperation, understanding and unity”. In these turbulent times Poland can’t afford any radical moves,” he insisted on the campaign trail ahead of the general election.

That message was loud and clear for some. In Warsaw, Tusk voter and retired accountant Albina Wrobel said: “Enough rows!”

But a policeman who identified himself only as Dariusz, 45, said he had lost faith in PO and voted PiS. “PO hasn’t kept its promises for things to improve,” he said. Casting his ballot yesterday, Mr Kaczynski told reporters it was time for something new.” I hope Monday will be a happy day for Poland, a chance for change,” he said.

If PO keeps the helm, it would be a first for an incumbent since Warsaw’s communist regime crumbled in 1989. Communist-era Solidarity opposition leader Lech Walesa, Poland’s President from 1990-1995, said he voted PO.