Social Democrats win Lithuania's election, ends center-right rule
VILNIUS, Lithuania: Lithuania’s center-left Social Democrats won a decisive victory in the national election on October 27, ending the four-year rule of the center-right Homeland Union led by Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.
With all votes counted, the Social Democrats secured 52 seats in the 141-member Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament.
The Social Democrats are expected to form a coalition government with two other center-left groups, the Democratic Union and the Union of Peasants and Greens, who won 14 and 8 seats, respectively. Together, the coalition is anticipated to control 74 seats, establishing a clear majority.
Social Democratic leader Vilija Blinkeviciute celebrated the win, expressing gratitude to supporters and saying the results reflect a public desire for change. “The results have shown that the people want a completely different government,” she said.
Simonyte’s Homeland Union took only 28 seats in the final tally. Acknowledging her party’s loss, she noted Lithuania’s historical pattern of shifting political power every four years. “That’s the way it is in Lithuania,” she said. “We respect the will of the voters.”
The election took place amid heightened security concerns as Lithuania shares borders with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, fueling anxieties over Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. Despite the shift in power, analysts expect Lithuania’s strong support for Ukraine and its alignment with NATO and the EU to remain consistent.
The Homeland Union faced criticism over pandemic-era restrictions, with citizens arguing the government had not provided adequate economic support during lockdowns. The government was also faulted for its handling of migrants arriving from Belarus, a situation Lithuania claims that Belarus and Russia orchestrated.
While the nation has seen steady income growth and maintains one of the lowest inflation rates in the EU, voters appeared to prioritize issues of governance and social support over economic indicators.
The new coalition government will form without the populist Nemuno Ausra party, which came in third with 20 seats. Its leader, Remigijus Zemaitaitis, was forced to resign from parliament earlier this year following antisemitic remarks.
In the wake of the election, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced his resignation from the Homeland Union’s leadership and his decision to step back from politics.
With a turnout of 41.31 percent in the runoff, one of the highest in recent years, the election underscores Lithuania’s enduring commitment to democratic processes.