Lithuania's center-left opposition parties emerged victorious in the final round of national elections, marking the end of the four-year rule of the center-right ruling coalition. The Social Democrats secured 52 seats in the 141-seat parliament, known as the Seimas, paving the way for talks on forming a majority cabinet with two smaller center-left parties, the Democratic Union and the Union of Peasants and Greens, which won 14 and 8 seats respectively. This coalition is expected to control at least 74 seats, signaling a significant shift in government leadership.
The outcome came as a surprise to the ruling conservatives, with the Homeland Union led by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonyte winning only 28 seats in the two-round election. The Social Democrats' victory was met with celebration in downtown Vilnius, where party leader Vilija Blinkeviciute expressed gratitude to the voters for their support and emphasized the desire for change in government.
Despite concerns over Russia's actions in neighboring Ukraine, analysts predict no significant changes in Lithuania's foreign policy, as the country remains a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a member of the European Union and NATO. The outgoing government faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic, particularly regarding economic support for businesses during lockdowns and access to healthcare for citizens.
The election results also saw the populist Nemuno Aušra party, which came in third with 20 seats, being left out of the new cabinet formation. Following the outcome, Lithuania's foreign minister announced his resignation from the leadership of the Homeland Union and departure from politics.
With a turnout of 41.31 percent, one of the highest for a runoff election, the shift in government reflects the Lithuanian voters' desire for change and a new direction in governance.
