The ruling conservative party is still in the running, despite the progress made in the first round by the left-wing opposition.
Lithuanians vote on Sunday in the second and final round of the country’s parliamentary elections, with the ruling conservative party still in the running despite gains made in the first round by the left-wing opposition.
Strict COVID-19 measures during the pandemic, political scandals and an influx of migrants from neighboring Belarus have damaged the popularity of the government of Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, who took office in 2020.
The vote in Lithuania, which borders Russia to the west and Belarus to the east, comes at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine is fueling fears about Moscow’s intentions in the Baltic region, which is of strategic importance.
The vote will set the country’s political tone for the next four years, but despite a possible shift to the left, analysts believe there will be no significant change in Lithuania’s foreign policy.
This member of the European Union and NATO is a strong supporter of Ukraine.
On Sunday, voters in dozens of electoral districts will choose between the two main candidates in the first round and complete the new 141-seat parliament.
The opposition Social Democrats, led by Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, emerged from the first round with an advantage two weeks ago, winning 20 of the first 70 seats up for grabs.
They are thus two seats ahead of Šimonytė’s Homeland Union party.
