Politics Social Democrats ahead in parliamentary elections in Lithuania
The citizens of Germany's Nato partner country Lithuania have elected a new parliament. After the first round of voting, the Social Democrats are ahead after almost 70 percent of the constituencies have been counted, as the election commission in Vilnius announced on Sunday evening.
13.10.2024, 22:56
SDA
The Social Democrats, previously the opposition party, received around 23 percent of the votes in the Baltic EU and NATO country. The conservative Fatherland Union of Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte came in third place with just over 13 percent. In between is Nemunas' populist party Dawn, which was running for the first time in the election, with just under 18 percent.
Of the other twelve political forces that contested the election, three more could make it into parliament according to the figures - including only one of the two coalition partners of the Fatherland Union. The provisional final result is expected on Monday. At 52.1 percent, voter turnout was higher than in the election four years ago.
Will there be a change of government?
As the remaining constituencies are counted, the balance of power could shift somewhat. However, the initial results confirmed the pre-election polls, which pointed to a possible change of government in the Baltic Sea state, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Moscow's wartime ally Belarus.
Sunday's vote was the first of two rounds: Voters first decided on 70 seats in parliament based on proportional representation. In two weeks' time, they will then vote on 71 direct mandates in the Seimas parliament.
Exposed position on NATO's eastern flank
A change of government in Lithuania would primarily lead to domestic and socio-political changes. In terms of foreign and security policy, the Baltic state is likely to remain clearly on the EU and NATO line and maintain its resolute support for Ukraine.
Due to its location on NATO's eastern flank, Lithuania is particularly exposed in the geopolitical confrontation with Russia and views Moscow's war of aggression against Ukraine as a direct threat to its own security. Germany therefore wants to permanently station a combat-ready brigade of up to 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers in Lithuania.
