Parliamentary election in Lithuania could bring a change of power

As of: October 13, 2024 7:10 a.m

Overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, citizens in Germany’s NATO partner country Lithuania are voting on the political balance of power. Before the first round of elections, there are signs of a change in power.

Parliamentary elections have begun in the German NATO partner country Lithuania. Surveys recently indicated a change of government in the Baltic EU state. However, many of the approximately 2.4 million eligible voters were still undecided. Today, in the first of two rounds of voting, the distribution of 70 parliamentary seats will be decided using proportional representation. In two weeks the decision will be made on the 71 direct mandates in the people’s representation in Vilnius, known as Seimas.

Oppositionists Social Democrats hope for election victory

According to the surveys, the strongest force could be the opposition Social Democrats, while Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte’s conservative Fatherland Union, which governs with two liberal parties, recently only came in third place. Both major parties have largely similar views on foreign and defense policy, for example advocating a clearly Western orientation towards the EU and NATO as well as resolute support for Ukraine in its defensive battle against Russia. The focus of the election campaign was therefore primarily on domestic and social policy issues.

A total of six political forces are likely to succeed in entering parliament; a sole majority does not seem realistic for any party. Polling stations close at 8 p.m. local time. Significant results are expected next night.

Exposed location on NATO’s eastern flank

Lithuania borders the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad and Moscow’s war ally Belarus. Therefore, due to its location on NATO’s eastern flank, it is particularly exposed in the geopolitical confrontation with Russia and also sees 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 with up to 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers in Lithuania.

source site

Related Articles