In the 1697 Polish election, the Russian and Austrian backed candidate, Augustus the Strong of Saxony, defeated Prince Conti, the French backed candidate. What if Conti had won? My thoughts are twofold. First, Poland may have taken part in the Great Northern War on the side of the Swedes. Second, I could see them opening an eastern front against the Habsburgs in the War of the Spanish Succession. In the long term, Prince Conti and his successors, with French help, may have been able to resist the partitions.