Lithuanians will vote on October 9 to elect a new parliament, the president announced on April 7. As polls stand now, the coalition leading Social Democrat Party (LSDP) looks likely to take the most seats amongst a fragmented field.
The decree signed by President Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite will take effect on April 9, marking the official start of campaigning. The LSDP, currently in coalition with the Labour Party, is likely to perform better than it did in the previous vote in 2012, and could well retain power, polls suggest.
The left-leaning LSDP ousted Homeland Union as leader of the government at the last election. Voters punished the centre-right former coalition leader over its tough austerity measures which led to a deterioration of living conditions.
The LSDP now enjoys support of 21% of voters, according to a recent poll by Vilmorus. The party won just over 18% in the 2012 vote. The conservative Liberal Movement and Homeland Union polled at 10% each. The Labour Party comes third with nearly 8%.
Nationalist-leaning Order and Justice took 7.7% in the poll, while the Lithuanian Peasants and Green Union took 7.1%. The Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Poles enjoy 7% support.
Parties in Lithuania needs to win at least 5% of the vote to get seats in the parliament. The threshold is higher, at 8%, for coalitions.
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