Lithuania: Voters head to polls in first round of parliamentary elections

Lithuanians are voting in the first round of elections for the country’s parliament, the Seimas, LRT reports. Under the electoral system, a second round of voting in single-member constituencies where no candidate gets over 50% of votes will take place on 27 October 2024. Altogether 14 parties and 1 coalition of parties listed candidates for seats in the 141-member parliament, BNS reported. The electoral threshold is 5% for parties and 7% for party coalitions. Opinion polls showed the opposition Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) ahead with 18% support, followed by the far-right Dawn of Nemunas with 12% and the ruling conservative Homeland Union with 9%, bne IntelliNews reported. President Gitanas Nauseda is believed to be sympathetic towards LSDP, according to LRT. Homeland Union’s chairman, Gabrielius Landsbergis, has suggested forming a coalition with LSDP and liberal parties, BNS reports. Both LSDP and Homeland Union have refused to lead a coalition that includes the Dawn of Nemunas, according to Reuters.