Lithuania could be headed toward a change of government, preliminary numbers from the country’s electoral commission indicated on Monday, as voters handed the Social Democrats victory with 19.4 percent of the vote.
The conservative Homeland Union of Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė came in second with 18 percent of the vote, ahead of the populist Nemunas Dawn Party, which was running in the national elections for the first time and received 15 percent.
It remained unclear whether Šimonytė’s three-party coalition would be able to retain power. Of her two liberal coalition partners, only one looked set to surpass the 5 percent hurdle needed for parliamentary representation. Additionally, three other parties could possibly gain entry into the parliament in Vilnius.
Voter turnout was just over 52 percent, higher than in the election four years ago.
Sunday’s vote was the first of two rounds: voters initially decided on 70 seats in the parliament based on proportional representation. (DPA)
