Lithuania: Social Democrats leading the polls in legislative elections

VILNIUS – Lithuanians began voting on Sunday in the first round of legislative elections to renew the 141 members of their Parliament, with the opposition Social Democrats emerging as the largest party but well short of a majority.

Polling stations opened at 7 am (0400 GMT) and will close at 8 pm (1700 GMT). Results are expected after midnight local time.

According to opinion polls, the outgoing centre-right coalition of Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte is expected to receive only 9%, behind the Social Democrats on 18% and the anti-establishment Nemunas Dawn on 12%, though the eventual shape of a future coalition will depend on how smaller parties perform.

The first round of voting on Sunday will allocate about half of the 141 parliamentary seats via proportional representation, with the remaining seats to be decided in the second round on October 27.