Lithuanian voters decide between left and right as crucial election runoff begins
Lithuaniaʼs Social Democrats lead the race in parliamentary elections with focus on economic gaps and defense spending. Second-round voting puts ruling coalitionʼs future at stake as cost-of-living issues take center stage
Lithuanian citizens are heading to voting-stations today for a run-off that might re-shape the countrys political landscape. The first-round results from oct 14th showed Vilija Blinkeviciuteʼs Social Democrats taking the lead with one-fifth of total votes
The baltic nations hybrid-election system splits parliament seats between popular vote and district run-offs (which gives bigger parties an advantage). Ingrida Simonyteʼs ruling group has lost ground due to economic problems: inflation went up to 20% about 2 years ago and public-services got worse
Social Democrats are talking with other left-leaning groups to form a new power-sharing deal; they want to change tax rules so rich people pay more. The party promises to keep strong defense policies - Lithuania spends 3% of its money on military needs which makes it a top-6 NATO supporter
The national-security topic stays important because of the countrys location: its next to both russian kaliningrad area and belarus. A poll from spring showed that 3 in 4 lithuanians think russia might attack them; this worry shapes many political choices
The voting places opened at 7am local time and will work till 8pm; counting should be done by midnight. Three main groups are competing for power:
* Social Democrats with their 20% support
* Homeland Union getting 18% backing
* Nemunas Dawn group reaching 15% votes
The opposition made a deal to support each others candidates when they run against Simonyteʼs team members. Social Democrats leader Blinkeviciute already started talks with For Lithuania and Farmers groups about working together
