Lithuanians vote Sunday in elections likely to deliver a change of government but keep much else the same, including the Nato and EU member’s strong support for Ukraine and moves to bolster defence policy.
The vote is likely to see the centre-left replace the ruling conservatives, and could also see a new populist party whose leader is on trial for alleged anti-Semitic comments enter parliament for the first time.
The Baltic state of 2.8 million people has been warily eyeing perceived threats from neighbouring Russia, fearing it could be the next target if Moscow were to succeed in its ongoing war against Ukraine, which began in 2022.
Lithuania’s main parties agree on the need for strong support for Ukraine and to maintain or increase defence spending, currently around 3 per cent of GDP.
Opinion polls show the Social Democratic Party, which last led the government from 2012 to 2016, ahead of 14 other parties and coalitions, with the latest survey predicting they will secure around 20 per cent of the vote.
The ruling centre-right Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats are expected to receive around 15 per cent, with 6 or 7 parties likely to cross the electoral threshold in total.
Source link : https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3282152/centre-left-set-win-lithuania-votes-general-election
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Publish date : 2024-10-13 02:11:00
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