VILNIUS: Lithuania’s opposition looked set to beat the ruling Social Democrats in round one of a general election, results showed Monday, suggesting a possible change in government for the Baltic eurozone state. With results in from 90 percent of polling stations, Social Democrats finished third with 14.7 percent, in a huge blow for Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius ahead of the decisive October 23 run-off vote. The centrist Lithuanian Peasants and Green Union party (LPGU) garnered 22.3 percent of the vote, while the Homeland Union conservatives took 20.6 percent. Three other parties are expected to enter parliament, signalling complicated coalition talks. Analysts have tipped the farmer-backed LPGU — currently outside parliament and led by popular former national police chief Saulius Skvernelis — as potential kingmaker in coalition talks.

Source: Manila Times October 10, 2016 13:52 UTC