Lithuania leftist opposition win election, eyes coalition

28/10/2024 11:48

        Vote counting began in Lithuania on Sunday in a parliamentary election dominated by concerns over the cost of living and potential threats from neighbouring Russia, with the opposition Social Democrats ahead after the first round.
        
        The Baltic country of 2.9 million people has a hybrid voting system in which half of parliament was elected by popular vote on Oct. 13. The remainder was being decided on Sunday in district-based run-off votes between the top two candidates, a process that favours the larger parties.
        
        The Social Democrats (SD) won 20% of the popular vote earlier this month, making it the largest party ahead of the ruling Homeland Union with 18% and the anti-establishment Nemunas Dawn on 15%.
        
        If the left-leaning SD party succeeds in forming a government, it is expected to maintain Lithuania's hawkish stance against Russia and hefty defence spending.
        
        Lithuania will spend about 3% of GDP on its armed forces this year, according to NATO estimates, making it the military alliance's sixth-biggest spender.