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Lithuania to form new gov't after ruling party remains 3rd in elections

Xinhua, October 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lithuanian parties Peasants and Greens Union (LVZS) and Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) took the lead in the first round of parliamentary elections, while the ruling Social Democratic Party remained third, losing its leading position, data from the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) showed on Monday.

According to preliminary results, after 96 percent of the ballots were counted, the LVZS won the first round of elections with 21.6 percent of votes and secured 20 mandates in the parliament, the Seimas.

TS-LKD came in just behind with 21.61 percent of votes and 19 seats.

The largest ruling Social Democrats were supported by 14.44 percent of voters and secured 13 seats in the Seimas.

The Liberal Movement remained fourth with nine percent of votes and eight seats.

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius and leader of the social democrats said the party needed "to draw conclusions."

"I can't hide it, social democrats expected bigger voter support. However, I can understand those who did not vote for us; people probably expected more rapid positive changes after the crisis," Butkevicius told reporters in a press conference on Monday.

Leaders of the two leading parties declared they were pleased with the results. Nevertheless, they suggested waiting for the second round of elections as regards negotiations on which parties would form the new government.

According to the Lithuanian electoral system, 70 members of 141-seat Seimas were elected on Sunday by proportional representation in a single nationwide multi-seat constituency. Another 71 members of parliament (MPs) are being elected in single-seat constituencies.

After the first round, four MP's were elected in single-mandate constituencies on Sunday. The runoff voting will be held in 67 single-member constituencies on Oct. 23, the CEC announced on Monday.

"We aren't holding any talks (about the ruling coalition); we will wait for the second round, we will win and then we will start the talks," Ramunas Karbauskis, leader of LVZS told a press conference.

He refused to comment on who would become prime minister if the party wins both rounds of elections.

The leader mentioned his party expected to participate while forming "a government of professionals."

Gabrielius Landsbergis, leader of TS-LKD, noted that "Lithuania will have a new government, whatever the outcome of the second round."

"I believe concrete negotiations will start after the second round, however, some consultations might take place before," he added.

Landsbergis suggested he would be ready to become prime minister in the event that his party won the required amount of mandates in the second round.

Landsbergis admitted he'd already met with leaders of the Liberal Movement.

"They were somewhat light consultations, we were speaking about further cooperation, about our intention to keep in touch, to communicate and support each other in the second round," Landsbergis said. Endit