Lithuania holds parliamentary elections

Lithuanians are heading to the polls today to elect the next four-year parliament, the Seimas. A total of 2,375,800 citizens are eligible to vote in the parliamentary elections.

Voters will choose 141 MPs, with 71 elected from single-member constituencies and 70 through a nationwide vote based on open list proportional representation. Each voter casts two ballots, one for a constituency candidate and one for a party list.

Despite the importance of the election, Lithuania traditionally experiences low voter turnout. In the previous parliamentary elections, only 48 percent of eligible voters participated. This year, 1,740 candidates are standing for seats, with 15 party lists competing. To qualify for proportional representation seats, parties must secure at least 5 percent of the national vote, while coalitions need 7 percent.
The results of the election will shape Lithuania’s political landscape for the next four years.