Social Democrats narrowly lead Lithuania’s first round of parliamentary elections

The conservatives, in the Government, are in second place by one seat difference

Oct. 14 () –

The opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) is ahead of the ruling and conservative Union of the Fatherland by a narrow margin according to preliminary data from the parliamentary elections held this Sunday in a context of social unrest.

The Central Election Commission has reported that the Social Democrats have obtained 19.36 percent of the votes (18 seats) compared to 17.96 percent (17 seats) for the conservatives, according to the Lithuanian news agency BNS.

In third place is the recently founded Nemuno Ausra (New Dawn) party with 15 percent of the votes and 14 seats, a formation that defines itself as center-left but considered by others as populist and even right-wing.

For its part, the Freedom Party, which is currently in the government coalition, has barely managed to exceed five percent of the votes.

Other formations that will manage to enter the Lithuanian Parliament are the Democratic Union, with 9.24 percent of the votes and eight seats; the Liberal Movement, with 7.7 percent support and seven seats; and the Union of Peasants and Greens of Lithuania, with six seats and 7.02 percent of votes.

The final results of this first round, which had just over 52 percent participation, will be announced throughout the day on Monday. This October 13 is the first round of a double-round system, with October 27 as the date on which the 141 deputies of the chamber will be known. In these elections, 71 seats are voted in single-member constituencies, while the remaining 70 are elected in a single national constituency, with a minimum threshold of five percent, in a list system.

In total, 15 candidate lists — 14 political parties and one coalition list — are competing for seats in the Lithuanian Parliament. 1,740 politicians are taking part in these elections, while 700 are fighting for a seat in the single-member constituencies.