Open polling stations, win center-left eyes – DW – October 13, 2024

Lithuanians went to polling stations on Sunday to vote in the first round of parliamentary elections in which a change of government is expected.

Opinion polls suggest the ruling center-right Homeland Union could be replaced by a center-left coalition of the opposition Social Democrats and several smaller parties.

Around 2.4 million people are eligible to vote.

In the two voting rounds, 141 members will be elected for a four-year term.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in a district, the two leading candidates will compete in a runoff election on October 27th.

A Vilmorus poll showed that the Social Democrats would receive twice as many votes as the Homeland Union. However, no party was expected to receive more than 20% of the vote, forcing alliances.

A change of government is imminent

Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte’s government has suffered a decline in popularity despite economic growth and low inflation.

“There is great disappointment and dissatisfaction among voters. It is linked to numerous crises and shocks and cannot be offset by economic factors such as a positive change in purchasing power,” Rima Urbonaite, a political analyst at Mykolas Romeris University, told The Associated Press News Agency.

Many citizens criticized Simonyte’s strict COVID-19 pandemic measures, saying the government did not help businesses during the lockdown. Critics also say they do not have adequate access to health services.

The ruling government has also been condemned for its handling of migrants arriving via Russian ally Belarus, with which Lithuania shares a border.

The Social Democrats have promised to combat income inequality by taxing the rich and introducing welfare systems.

President Gitanas Nauseda, who was re-elected for a second term in May, is believed to support a change of government.

Populists are avoided by most parties

A newly registered populist party, Nemunas Dawn, led by former MP Remigijus Zemaitaitis, has caused controversy in recent months.

Last year, the fiery Zemaitaitis resigned from his seat after being criticized for anti-Semitic comments. He is currently on trial for sedition and most parties have said they would not form a coalition with him.

Analysts say a change of government in Lithuania is unlikely to make much difference, as both right- and left-leaning parties agree on several policy areas, such as a pro-Ukraine stance and the need to increase military spending.

The EU and NATO member is concerned about Russia’s expansion policy.

tg/nm (dpa, AP, AFP Reuters)