Lithuania Vote: Political Deadlock Likely
- October 30th, 2012
- Posted by EUEditor
In a bad season for incumbent parties, the Christian Democrats have been beaten into second place at elections in Lithuania, after four years in office.
The opposition Social Democrats emerged from the voting with 38 seats, against the conservative party’s 30.
It does not mean a change of government as yet.
A second left-of-centre party, the Labour Party, has 29 seats, but is in trouble over on-going charges of fraud, and also vote-rigging practices, against members of its leadership.
The national President, Dalia GrybauskaitÄ— (picture), has indicated she is against that party getting into government; the opposition would also need to get support from at least one of the minor parties, to make up enough numbers to form a governing coalition.
The outgoing government broke precedent by lasting a full parliamentary term.
It was recognised for providing effective economic management, working toward joining the Euro currency, but it had an economic head wind, running into the impacts of the global financial crisis.
Reference
The Economist, London, “Lithuania’s election (round two)â€, 29.10.12. http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/10/lithuanias-election-round-two, (30.10.12).
Bryan Bradley, “Lithuanian President Blocks Opposition Coalition Planâ€, Bloomberg News,NY, 29.10.12. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-28/lithuania-opposition-parties-extend-lead-over-kubilius-coalition.html, (30.10.12).
Pictures
Vilnius – wikipedia