Poland's PiS stay ahead in EU election race with 42.4% votes

Poland's ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party came ahead in Sunday's European Parliament election, with 42.4% of the vote, an exit poll showed.

The opposition European Coalition - comprising the Civic Platform formerly led by European Council President Donald Tusk and a motley of leftist and rural politicians - scored second with 39.1%, the poll by Ipsos pollster showed.

Sunday's ballot is seen as a popularity test for PiS ahead of a national vote due in October or November that will decide whether central Europe's largest economy can overcome its growing isolation within the EU.