The elections in Poland last month were described as a “miracle” by urban, educated Poles who value democracy, tolerance, and pluralism. They feel a sense of deliverance after defeating a populist government that subverted the rule of law and perpetuated aggrieved nationalism and antisemitism.

The ruling right-wing Law and Justice party was able to capture state-owned companies, state-controlled media, courts, prosecutors, security services, and the central bank. However, against the odds, three-quarters of Poles turned up at the polls and a convincing majority tore down the party’s seemingly indestructible monolith.

Now, Poland is at a crucial juncture as the new government, set to take over next month, will need to resurrect the rule of law without seeking retribution. The task of seeking justice for Law and Justice’s abuses and reforming corrupted institutions without mirroring the authoritarian power grabs of the previous regime will fall to Donald Tusk, the former prime minister.

The job of reforming the judiciary, media, and state-owned companies which were manipulated by the Law and Justice party will not be easy. There will be challenges in finding a way to ensure state entities are not used as repressive tools again while not deepening the existing divisions in the country.

If Tusk can successfully navigate these challenges, it would be a real miracle for Poland.