2016 Lithuanian parliamentary election

none Lithuania 2012 2020 9 October 2016 (first round)23 October 2016 (second round) All 141 seats in the Seimas 71 50.61% ( 2.32pp) Gabrielius Landsbergis Homeland Union 33 31 22.63 Ramūnas Karbauskis Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union 1 54 22.45 Algirdas Butkevičius Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 38 17 15.04 Remigijus Šimašius Liberal Movement (Lithuania) 10 14 9.45 N. Puteikis & Kristupas Krivickas lt K. Krivickas LCP–Lietuvos pensininkų partija lt LPP Lithuanian Centre Party new 1 6.32 Valdemar Tomaševski Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance 8 8 5.72 Rolandas Paksas Order and Justice 11 8 5.55 Valentinas Mazuronis Labour Party (Lithuania) 29 2 4.88 Linas Balsys (politician) lt Linas Balsys (1961) Linas Balsys Lithuanian Green Party new 1 2.03 Darius Kuolys lt Lithuanian List new 1 1.80 – Independents Independent politician 3 4 – Lithuanian Seimas 2016 election first round – SMC results.svg Single-member constituencies – first place after the first round Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius Social Democratic Party of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis Independent(endorsed by LVŽS) Parliamentary elections were held in Lithuania on 9 and 23 October 2016 to elect the 141 members of the Seimas.http://www.vrk.lt/documents/10180/608073/2016_Grafikas_v1.pdf/ce8b162c-59e2-4468-a1c2-e67e9828e668 2016 m. spalio 9 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo rinkimų organizavimo grafikas lt Schedule for the organization of the 9 October 2016 elections to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Central Elections Commission 13 April 2016 12 September 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190912102800/https://www.vrk.lt/home live 71 were elected in single-member constituencies using the two-round system, and the remaining 70 in a single nationwide constituency using proportional representation. The first round was held on 9 October and the second round on 23 October. The Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union emerged as the largest party with 22% of the popular vote and 54 seats, up from just 4% and a single seat in the previous elections in 2012. The success of the party was attributed to voter dissatisfaction with established parties in light of low wages and persistent emigration. Homeland Union, the largest opposition party in the preceding Seimas, finished a distant second with 31 seats, though winning a slightly larger share of the national vote. The parties of the outgoing government suffered major losses, falling from 78 seats to 28. The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, which had been the largest party prior to the elections, lost over half its seats and finished in third place with 17. Their coalition partner the Labour Party fared even worse, falling from 29 seats to just 2. Order and Justice won 8 seats, down from 11. Background The 2012 parliamentary elections were held on 14 October 2012, with the run-off on 28 October. The elections were won by the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, which took 38 seats in the 141-member Eleventh Seimas.Leftward lurch https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21565654-lithuania%E2%80%99s-social-democrats-win-parliamentary-elections-leftward-lurch 13 April 2016 The Economist 3 November 2012 6 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306070039/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21565654-lithuania%E2%80%99s-social-democrats-win-parliamentary-elections-leftward-lurch live Social Democrats were joined in the coalition government by Labour, Order and Justice and the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania. The Polish party withdrew from the government in 2014.http://www.lrytas.lt/lietuvos-diena/aktualijos/vyriausybe-apsivale-v-tomasevskio-partija-uz-borto.htm Vyriausybe apsivalė, V. Tomaševskio partija - už borto lt The government has cleaned up, the party of V. Tomaševski is overboard August 26, 2014 Lietuvos Rytas July 31, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151006034412/http://www.lrytas.lt/lietuvos-diena/aktualijos/vyriausybe-apsivale-v-tomasevskio-partija-uz-borto.htm October 6, 2015 The resulting government was headed by the leader of the Social Democrats, Algirdas Butkevičius, as the Prime Minister. Electoral system Elections in Lithuania The Seimas has 141 members, elected to a four-year term in parallel voting, with 71 members elected in single-member constituencies and 70 members elected by proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency.https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.06267D86738E/lyGURhvddO Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo rinkimų įstatymas lt Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Electoral Law Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania 21 October 2016 14 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234446/https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.06267D86738E/lyGURhvddO live Voting in the elections is open to all citizens of Lithuania who are at least 18-years-old. Members of the Seimas from the 71 single-member constituencies are elected by a majority vote. A candidate is elected in the first round by obtaining an absolute majority of all votes cast (including blank/invalid votes) in given constituency and turnout there is at least 40%. If these criteria are not fulfilled, a run-off between the two highest-placed candidates is held within 15 days. In the second round, the candidate who obtains the most votes is elected (an absolute majority is not required), but if turnout in a given constituency is under 40% again, the whole election process there is repeated. The remaining 70 seats are allocated to the participating political parties using the largest remainder method. In the nationwide constituency, party lists need to receive at least 5% (7% for multi-party electoral lists) of the total votes cast (including blank/invalid votes) to be eligible for a seat (irrespective of the number of seats gained in single-member constituencies). Candidates take the seats allocated to their parties based on the preference lists submitted before the elections and adjusted by preference votes given by the voters. To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 25 years old on the election day, not under allegiance to a foreign state and permanently resident in Lithuania. Persons serving or due to serve a sentence imposed by the court 65 days before the elections are not eligible. Also, judges, citizens performing military service, and servicemen of professional military service and officials of statutory institutions and establishments may not stand for election. In addition, a person who has been removed from office through impeachment may not be elected.http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/konstitucinis-teismas-r-paksui-vilties-nesuteike.d?id=64323400 lt Konstitucinis Teismas R. Paksui vilties nesuteikė The constitutional court did not give R. Paksas hope 20 March 2014 Delfi.lt 31 July 2015 18 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220318023937/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/konstitucinis-teismas-r-paksui-vilties-nesuteike.d?id=64323400 live Changes before the elections The 71 single-seat constituencies in Lithuania were drawn in 1992, based on the principle that the number of voters in each constituency should be between 90 and 110 percent of the average number of voters per constituency. As the demographic situation changed, the Seimas Elections' Act was amended to allow a deviation in the range from 80 and 120 percent, in order to avoid major changes to constituency boundaries. In October 2015, the Constitutional Court of Lithuania decided that the existing system, which allows the largest constituency to be as much as 50% larger than the smallest one, is unconstitutional, since it does not give sufficiently equal weight to all votes. The court stated that the constituencies should be redrawn in such a way that the number of voters in each constituency is between 90 and 110 percent of the average.http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/rinkeju-paskirstymas-po-apygardas-priestarauja-konstitucijai.d?id=69330522 lt Rinkėjų paskirstymas po apygardas prieštarauja Konstitucijai Distribution of voters across constituencies is unconstitutional 20 October 2015 Delfi.lt 2 December 2015 8 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151208074245/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/rinkeju-paskirstymas-po-apygardas-priestarauja-konstitucijai.d?id=69330522 live The decision of the Constitutional Court was implemented in December 2015, when the new constituencies were announced. Major changes included two additional constituencies in Vilnius.http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/perbraizytos-apygardos-vercia-partijas-keisti-rinkimu-planus.d?id=69888662 lt Perbraižytos apygardos verčia partijas keisti rinkimų planus Changes to constituency borders force parties to change plans 18 December 2015 Delfi.lt 21 December 2015 22 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222090801/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/perbraizytos-apygardos-vercia-partijas-keisti-rinkimu-planus.d?id=69888662 live Two new electoral districts to be created in Vilnius http://media.efhr.eu/2015/11/30/two-new-electoral-districts-to-be-created-in-vilnius/ European Foundation of Human Rights 13 April 2016 30 November 2016 Opinion polls Election outcomeResultPartiesInvalid votes, %Turnout, %Lead, %LSDPTS-KDDPTTLRLSLLRADKLVŽSŽPOtherSeats173128148054164.150.623PR vote, %14.421.74.75.39.05.50.321.61.911.50.1Polls by Vilmorus for Lietuvos RytasFile:Opinion polls for Lithuanian Parliamentary Elections 2016.pngDatePartiesWon't voteDon't knowNo answerLeadLSDPTS-KDDPTTLRLSLLRADKLVŽSŽPOther2–10 September 2016http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/per-kiaurasamti-byra-j-oleko-bet-ne-socialdemokratu-reitingai.htm lt Per kiaurasamtį byra J. Oleko, bet ne socialdemokratų reitingai Ratings for J. Olekas are pouring through a colander, but not for Social Democrats lrytas.lt 21 September 2016 17 September 2016 4 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161204032643/http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/per-kiaurasamti-byra-j-oleko-bet-ne-socialdemokratu-reitingai.htm dead 16.09.25.14.82.72.00.212.61.59.512.920.72.73.41–10 July 2016http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 lt Už kurią partiją Jūs balsuotumėte rinkimuose į Seimą, jeigu rinkimai vyktų kitą sekmadienį?, % Which party would you vote in the elections to the Seimas, if the elections took place next Sunday?, % vilmorus.lt 30 August 2016 18 June 2016 https://archive.today/20160830135132/http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 30 August 2016 dead 14.210.87.05.55.92.6-12.02.51.614.921.62.02.23–10 June 2016http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/reitingu-smugis-liberalams-pilieciai-nuosprendi-jau-surase.htm lt Reitingų smūgis liberalams: piliečiai nuosprendį jau surašė Ratings hit for the liberals: citizens have already written the verdict lrytas.lt 20 June 2016 18 June 2016 20 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160620110244/http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/reitingu-smugis-liberalams-pilieciai-nuosprendi-jau-surase.htm dead 16.210.98.26.33.62.9-13.02.61.411.421.01.83.25–13 May 2016http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 lt Už kurią partiją Jūs balsuotumėte rinkimuose į Seimą, jeigu rinkimai vyktų kitą sekmadienį?, % Which party would you vote in the elections to the Seimas, if the elections took place next Sunday?, % vilmorus.lt 2 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160602113228/http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News%2Ccntnt01%2Cdetail%2C0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 2 June 2016 dead 16.28.98.25.38.92.8-12.52.40.513.818.32.23.76–15 April 2016http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/politikos-padangeje-zali-debesys-virs-socialdemokratu.htm lt Politikos padangėje – žali debesys virš socialdemokratų In the political sky - green clouds over social democrats 23 April 2016 lrtytas.lt 26 April 2016 4 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161204032659/http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/politikos-padangeje-zali-debesys-virs-socialdemokratu.htm dead 15.78.07.78.49.62.50.811.11.80.812.119.52.04.68–13 March 2016http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/skandalai-labiausiai-aptaske-k-trecioka-kliuvo-ir-premjerui.htm lt Skandalai labiausiai aptaškė K. Trečioką, kliuvo ir premjerui Scandals have stained K. Trečiokas, also touched the Prime Minister 19 March 2016 lrtytas.lt 21 March 2016 4 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161204032702/http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/skandalai-labiausiai-aptaske-k-trecioka-kliuvo-ir-premjerui.htm dead 21.210.27.97.710.43.20.37.12.30.511.318.11.810.811–19 February 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/socialdemokratai-nesunaikinami-bet-d-grybauskaites-populiarumas-zemyn.d?id=70536042 lt Socialdemokratai nesunaikinami, bet D. Grybauskaitės populiarumas – žemyn Social democrats are indestructible, but the popularity of D. Grybauskaitė is down 27 February 2016 delfi.lt 1 March 2016 29 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160229210208/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/socialdemokratai-nesunaikinami-bet-d-grybauskaites-populiarumas-zemyn.d?id=70536042 live 23.09.96.87.48.73.60.77.12.50.810.916.52.113.114–20 January 2016http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 lt Už kurią partiją Jūs balsuotumėte rinkimuose į Seimą, jeigu rinkimai vyktų kitą sekmadienį? Which party would you vote for in the elections to Seimas, if they took place next Sunday vilmorus.lt 1 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201131812/http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News%2Ccntnt01%2Cdetail%2C0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 1 February 2016 dead 20.79.17.77.79.63.60.25.91.40.611.818.53.211.14–11 December 2015http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 lt Už kurią partiją Jūs balsuotumėte rinkimuose į Seimą, jeigu rinkimai vyktų kitą sekmadienį? Which party would you vote for in the elections to Seimas, if they took place next Sunday vilmorus.lt 6 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160128151025/http://www.vilmorus.lt/index.php?mact=News%2Ccntnt01%2Cdetail%2C0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=20 28 January 2016 dead 23.58.49.27.09.82.90.36.01.90.610.517.52.413.75–14 November 2015http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/pilieciai-neskuba-kalti-prie-kryziaus-ketvirciuojamu-politiku.htm lt Piliečiai neskuba kalti prie kryžiaus ketvirčiuojamų politikų Citizens are in no hurry to crucify under-fire politicians 22 November 2015 lrytas.lt 2 December 2015 4 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161204032713/http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/pilieciai-neskuba-kalti-prie-kryziaus-ketvirciuojamu-politiku.htm dead 24.39.99.27.811.02.70.16.31.60.910.713.71.813.3Polls by "Spinter tyrimai" for Delfi.ltFile:Opinion polls for Seimas Elections 2016.pngDatePartiesWon't voteDon't knowNo answerLeadLSDPTS-KDDPTTLRLSLLRADKLVŽSŽPOther19–27 September 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/paskutine-apklausa-pries-rinkimus-socialdemokratu-atotrukis-istirpo.d?id=72461432 Paskutinė apklausa prieš rinkimus: socialdemokratų atotrūkis ištirpo 4 October 2016 lt The last poll before the elections: Social Democrats' advantage has melted away delfi.lt 4 October 2016 5 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161005111116/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/paskutine-apklausa-pries-rinkimus-socialdemokratu-atotrukis-istirpo.d?id=72461432 live 15.613.75.24.95.04.2-14.0-9.616.311.51.623–30 August 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/finiso-tiesioji-skelbiami-partiju-reitingai.d?id=72288314 Finišo tiesioji: skelbiami partijų reitingai 14 September 2016 lt Finishing straight: party ratings announced delfi.lt 13 September 2016 15 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160915182304/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/finiso-tiesioji-skelbiami-partiju-reitingai.d?id=72288314 live 17.210.56.65.16.34.7-12.42.07.015.812.44.819–26 July 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/reitingai-skaudziausiai-a-butkeviciui-kirto-ne-darbo-kodeksas.d?id=72063980 Reitingai: skaudžiausiai A. Butkevičiui kirto ne Darbo kodeksas 17 August 2016 lt Ratings: The new labor code was not the most painful hit for A. Butkevičius delfi.lt 1 September 2016 7 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160907110130/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/reitingai-skaudziausiai-a-butkeviciui-kirto-ne-darbo-kodeksas.d?id=72063980 live 15.810.77.36.26.14.8-13.42.35.316.112.02.421–29 June 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/naujausi-reitingai-socialdemokratu-laukia-sunkus-pasirinkimas.d?id=71781106 Naujausi reitingai: socialdemokratų laukia sunkus pasirinkimas 12 July 2016 lt Recent poll: Social democrats facing a difficult choice delfi.lt 18 July 2016 17 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160717215618/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/naujausi-reitingai-socialdemokratu-laukia-sunkus-pasirinkimas.d?id=71781106 live 16.810.57.67.56.34.3-12.22.35.314.312.94.619–26 May 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/pirmieji-reitingai-po-kratu-pas-e-masiuli-pokytis-dramatiskas.d?id=71412828 Pirmieji reitingai po kratų pas E. Masiulį – pokytis dramatiškas 31 May 2016 lt The first ratings after the searches at E. Masiulis - the change is dramatic delfi.lt 7 June 2016 3 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160603154024/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/pirmieji-reitingai-po-kratu-pas-e-masiuli-pokytis-dramatiskas.d?id=71412828 live 15.59.37.57.66.64.3-11.53.03.016.715.04.019–25 April 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/reitingai-naujas-skrydis-ir-netiketas-nuosmukis.d?id=71181786 Reitingai: naujas skrydis ir netikėtas nuosmukis 5 May 2016 lt Ratings: a new flight and an unexpected fall delfi.lt 9 May 2016 8 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160508092905/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/reitingai-naujas-skrydis-ir-netiketas-nuosmukis.d?id=71181786 live 17.27.57.18.015.54.5-11.32.12.014.110.71.715–25 March 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/a-butkevicius-ir-socialdemokratai-issvaiste-brangiausia-turta.d?id=71014046 A. Butkevičius ir socialdemokratai iššvaistė brangiausią turtą 18 April 2016 lt A. Butkevičius and the social democrats squandered the most valuable asset delfi.lt 26 April 2016 22 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160422204403/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/a-butkevicius-ir-socialdemokratai-issvaiste-brangiausia-turta.d?id=71014046 live 18.810.65.99.015.04.5-8.21.72.314.49.63.819–27 February 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/partiju-reitinguose-isnyra-juodasis-arkliukas.d?id=70735366 Partijų reitinguose išnyra juodasis arkliukas 21 March 2016 lt A dark horse emerges in the party ratings delfi.lt 21 March 2016 23 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160323004635/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/partiju-reitinguose-isnyra-juodasis-arkliukas.d?id=70735366 live 19.610.57.07.414.24.8-6.62.01.615.410.95.420–27 January 2016http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/skandalu-sukuryje-skelbiami-naujausi-reitingai.d?id=70385158 Skandalų sūkuryje: skelbiami naujausi reitingai lt In the whirlwind of scandals: the most recent ratings are announced 15 February 2016 delfi.lt 15 February 2016 16 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160216092446/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/skandalu-sukuryje-skelbiami-naujausi-reitingai.d?id=70385158 live 20.99.97.48.613.04.0-6.82.21.825.4-7.912–18 December 2015http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/partiju-reitingai-socialdemokratu-sekme-gali-aptemdyti-nemalonus-seseliai.d?id=70068696 lt Partijų reitingai: socialdemokratų sėkmę gali aptemdyti nemalonūs šešėliai Party ratings: the success of the Social Democrats may be darkened by unpleasant shadows 11 January 2016 delfi.lt 13 January 201623.09.57.08.513.54.0-5.51.83.016.57.7-9.516–23 November 2015http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/naujausi-partiju-reitingai-taip-gali-likti-iki-pat-rinkimu.d?id=69830378 lt Naujausi partijų reitingai: taip gali likti iki pat rinkimų The most recent party ratings: they can stay unchanged until the elections 14 December 2015 delfi.lt 14 December 2015 16 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151216082237/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/naujausi-partiju-reitingai-taip-gali-likti-iki-pat-rinkimu.d?id=69830378 live 22.410.67.09.114.63.5-5.62.02.314.68.3-7.8Preceding electionsResultPartiesInvalid votes, %Turnout, %Lead, %LSDPTS-KDDPTTLRLSLLRADKLVŽSŽPOtherSeats3833291110871-34.252.95PR vote, %18.415.119.97.38.65.88.03.9-8.91.5 Politicians not standing Stasys Brundza (DK) Povilas Gylys (DK) Jonas Kondrotas (DP) Kazimieras Kuzminskas (TS–LKD) Vytautas Matulevičius (DK) Aurelija Stancikienė (DK) Vitalija Vonžutaitė (DP) Pranas Žeimys (TS–LKD)Vyriausioji rinkimų komisija (VRK) vrk.lt Vilnius 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2022. (in Lithuanian) Campaign Announcement On 7 April 2016 the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, officially announced 9 October 2016 as the election date. The announcement, which came into effect on 9 April 2016, launched the election campaign, allowing the potential participants to register for the elections, raise funds and campaign in public.Prezidentė paskelbė rinkimų datą http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/prezidente-paskelbe-rinkimu-data.d?id=70918074 13 April 2016 BNS Delfi.lt 7 April 2016 lt The President announced the election date 10 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160410031435/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/prezidente-paskelbe-rinkimu-data.d?id=70918074 live Campaign financing In January 2016, the Central Electoral Commission announced the spending limits for political campaigns in 2016. A party participating in the elections in the nationwide constituency could spend a total of 770 thousand euros on the campaign. Participants in the election races in single-seat constituencies could spend between 18 and 22 thousand euros, depending on the size of the constituency. As a result, a political party with candidates in every single-seat constituency could spend just over 2.2 million euros on its election campaign.Nustatyti politinės kampanijos išlaidų limitai 2016 metams http://www.vrk.lt/naujienos/-/content/10180/2/nustatyti-politines-kampanijos-islaidu-limitai-2016-metams vrk.lt Central Electoral Commission 13 April 2016 lt The political campaign spending limits for 2016 have been set 3 January 2016 1 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160601020700/http://www.vrk.lt/naujienos/-/content/10180/2/nustatyti-politines-kampanijos-islaidu-limitai-2016-metams live Only citizens of Lithuania could contribute financially to the election campaigns. Each citizen could contribute up to 7,570 euros to a candidate, as long as their total contributions during the year did not exceed 10% of their stated annual income. A candidate could contribute up to 15,140 euros to their own election campaign.Aukos http://www.vrk.lt/aukos-2016 vrk.lt Central Electoral Commission 13 April 2016 lt Contributions 28 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160428090236/http://www.vrk.lt/aukos-2016 live Participating parties 23 political parties were eligible to participate in the elections, having submitted their membership rolls before 1 March 2016, in compliance with legal requirements.23 politinės partijos galės dalyvauti Seimo rinkimuose http://www.tm.lt/naujienos/pranesimasspaudai/2363 Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania 23 political parties will be able to participate in the elections to the Seimas 2 June 2016 lt 2 March 2016 8 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161008115809/http://www.tm.lt/naujienos/pranesimasspaudai/2363 dead 16 political parties registered for the elections before the deadline on 5 August 2016. 12 of them participated in the elections independently, while the remaining 4 formed two separate electoral coalitions, bringing the total number of electoral lists to 14, down from 18 in 2012.Seimo rinkimuose ketina dalyvauti 16 partijų, trys partijos nepateikė dokumentų http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/seimo-rinkimuose-ketina-dalyvauti-16-partiju-trys-partijos-nepateike-dokumentu-56-665451 lt 16 parties intend to participate in the elections to the Seimas, 3 parties failed to submit documents 15min.lt 1 September 2016 5 August 2016 24 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161024133905/http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/seimo-rinkimuose-ketina-dalyvauti-16-partiju-trys-partijos-nepateike-dokumentu-56-665451 livePetrulienė Monika Artėjantys Seimo rinkimai: mažiau pasirinkimo http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/artejantys-seimo-rinkimai-maziau-pasirinkimo.d?id=72045428 1 September 2016 Delfi.lt Elections to the Seimas: less choice 12 August 2016 lt 6 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161006181754/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/artejantys-seimo-rinkimai-maziau-pasirinkimo.d?id=72045428 live The electoral lists were assigned numbers in a random draw on 25 August.Kieno ranka buvo laiminga: partijos išsitraukė rinkiminius numerius http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/kieno-ranka-buvo-laiminga-partijos-issitrauke-rinkiminius-numerius.d?id=72131972 1 September 2016 Who had a lucky hand: the parties drew electoral numbers BNS Delfi.lt 25 August 2016 lt 30 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160930163214/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/kieno-ranka-buvo-laiminga-partijos-issitrauke-rinkiminius-numerius.d?id=72131972 live NumberParty / Electoral listLeaderIdeologyEuropean affiliationCurrent seatsPartyElectoral list 1 Social Democratic Party of LithuaniaAlgirdas ButkevičiusSocial democracyParty of European Socialists 40 2 Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian DemocratsGabrielius LandsbergisChristian democracy, conservative liberalismEuropean People's Party 30 3 Lithuanian Freedom Union (Liberals)Artūras ZuokasConservative liberalismAlliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe - 4 Coalition of S. Buškevičius and the Nationalists "Against corruption and poverty"Young LithuaniaStanislovas BuškevičiusStanislovas BuškevičiusNationalism, right-wing populismnone -Lithuanian Nationalist UnionAudrius RudysNationalism, national conservatism, right-wing populismnone - 5 Order and JusticeRolandas PaksasRemigijus ŽemaitaitisNationalism, national conservatism, soft euroscepticismAlliance for Direct Democracy in Europe 9 6 Lithuanian Farmers and Greens UnionRamūnas KarbauskisSaulius SkvernelisGreen politics, agrarianism, Christian democracy, national conservatismnone 1 7 Liberal MovementRemigijus ŠimašiusEugenijus GentvilasLiberalism, classical liberalismAlliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe 12 8 Labour PartyValentinas MazuronisKęstutis DaukšysSocial liberalism, populism, centrismAlliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe 27 9 The Way of CourageJonas VarkalaAnti-corruption, populismnone 7 10 Lithuanian People's PartyRolandas PaulauskasRussophilia, Right-wing populism, nationalismnone - 11 Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania - Christian Families AllianceValdemar TomaševskiRita Tamašunienė Polish minority interests, Christian democracy, euroscepticismAlliance of European Conservatives and Reformists 8 12 Lithuanian Green PartyLinas BalsysGreen politics, left liberalismnone 1 13 Political Party "Lithuanian List"Darius KuolysCentrism, anti-austerity politicsnone - 14 Anti-corruption coalition of Kristupas Krivickas and Naglis PuteikisLithuanian Centre PartyNaglis PuteikisNaglis PuteikisNationalism, euroscepticismnone -Lithuanian Pensioners' PartyVytautas Jurgis KadžysSocial justice, elders' interestnone - Over the year preceding the elections, six political parties consistently polled above the 5 percent threshold for seats in the nationwide constituency: Social Democrats, Homeland Union, Liberal Movement, Farmers and Greens Union, Labour, and Order and Justice. After their election victory in 2012, the Social Democrats led the governing coalition, with Algirdas Butkevičius as Prime Minister. Butkevičius, his government and the Social Democrats maintained very high approval ratings among the public and performed well in the elections to the European parliament in 2014 (where they finished a close second) and the municipal elections in 2015 (where they won the most mandates and mayoral posts).BTI 2016. Lithuania Country Report https://www.bti-project.org/fileadmin/files/BTI/Downloads/Reports/2016/pdf/BTI_2016_Lithuania.pdf 14 September 2016 19 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160919045036/https://www.bti-project.org/fileadmin/files/BTI/Downloads/Reports/2016/pdf/BTI_2016_Lithuania.pdf dead Their ratings suffered in 2016, damaged by a corruption scandal related to construction in protected areas near Druskininkai, but the Social Democrats remained the most popular party according to opinion polls.Prieš ministrų skandalus Vyriausybės reitingai šoktelėjo iki aukščiausių istorijoje http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/49977412/pries-ministru-skandalus-vyriausybes-reitingai-soktelejo-iki-auksciausiu-istorijoje 13 April 2016 ELTA Alfa.lt lt Before the ministerial scandals, the Government rating shot up to the highest in history 5 February 2016 6 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160206082550/http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/49977412/pries-ministru-skandalus-vyriausybes-reitingai-soktelejo-iki-auksciausiu-istorijoje liveAlgirdo Butkevičiaus reitingai smigo žemyn http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/algirdo-butkeviciaus-reitingai-smigo-zemyn-1446335/ 13 April 2016 BNS Vakarų Ekspresas lt Ratings of Algirdas Butkevičius went down 19 March 2016Grybauskaite takes over Butkevicius in popularity polls http://www.baltictimes.com/grybauskaite_takes_over_butkevicius_in_popularity_polls/ 13 April 2016 BNS The Baltic Times 21 March 2016 3 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160403140215/http://www.baltictimes.com/grybauskaite_takes_over_butkevicius_in_popularity_polls/ liveRelease of Tapped Calls Embroils Lithuania's Government in Controversy https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/4995-release-of-tapped-calls-embroils-lithuania-s-government-in-controversy Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project 13 April 2016 2 March 2016 23 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160423115106/https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/4995-release-of-tapped-calls-embroils-lithuania-s-government-in-controversy live The electoral program of the party was focused on spreading the benefits of the growing economy by increasing salaries and retirement benefits.Socialdemokratai tvirtins partijos rinkimų programą http://www.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/socialdemokratai-tvirtins-partijos-rinkimu-programa-768594 14 September 2016 BNS 2 September 2016 19 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160919225440/http://www.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/socialdemokratai-tvirtins-partijos-rinkimu-programa-768594 live Homeland Union was the largest opposition party in the Eleventh Seimas. Andrius Kubilius, who had led the first government in modern Lithuanian history to survive a full term in office, did not seek another term as leader of the party. In 2015 he was replaced by Gabrielius Landsbergis, the grandson of the patriarch of the party, Vytautas Landsbergis.Samoškaitė Eglė Konservatoriai išrinko pirmininką: balsai suskaičiuoti Conservatives elected a chairman: votes have been counted lt http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/konservatoriai-isrinko-pirmininka-balsai-suskaiciuoti.d?id=67808838 14 September 2016 Delfi.lt 25 April 2015 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305212027/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/konservatoriai-isrinko-pirmininka-balsai-suskaiciuoti.d?id=67808838 live The party surprised political observers by winning the largest share of the vote in the European Parliament elections in 2014 and tended to outperform the opinion polls due to the higher participation rate among their supporters.Kojala Linas Bauer Elisabeth Lithuania in Focus: History, Cor-ruption and Coming Elections http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_44500-1522-2-30.pdf?160311114930 Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. 14 September 2016 March 2016 2016-09-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20160916040758/http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_44500-1522-2-30.pdf?160311114930 live The program of the party promised higher quality public services and reduced bureaucratic waste, new well-paid employment opportunities and improved public education.Svarbi ir aktuali informacija kiekvienam rinkėjui http://www.vrk.lt/documents/608170/626099/easy_to_read_20160928_pliusvirselis.pdf/aca0fa25-7dc4-4972-9df1-2e51fbedd968 Central Election Commission 3 October 2016 lt 2 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161002180720/http://www.vrk.lt/documents/608170/626099/easy_to_read_20160928_pliusvirselis.pdf/aca0fa25-7dc4-4972-9df1-2e51fbedd968 live The Liberal Movement had emerged as one of the main political forces in Lithuania, finishing a close third in the European Parliament elections in 2014 and the municipal elections in 2015. Until May 2016, the party was consistently the second most popular party in opinion polls (behind only the Social Democrats) and was seen as the most likely coalition partner for both the Social Democrats and Homeland Union.Lėka Aušra Politinė olimpiada: kas laimės – aišku, o kas valdys – ne lt Political Olympics: winners are clear, rulers are not http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/politine-olimpiada-kas-laimes-aisku-o-kas-valdys-ne.d?id=70064546 14 September 2016 Veidas 16 January 2016 15 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160815210407/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/politine-olimpiada-kas-laimes-aisku-o-kas-valdys-ne.d?id=70064546 live The party lost most of its support after its leader, Eligijus Masiulis, was accused of taking a substantial bribe from one of the leading business groups in the country.Liberalų sąjūdį palaikytų tik trečdalis buvusių rinkėjų lt Only a third of former supporters would vote for the Liberal Movement http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/liberalu-sajudi-palaikytu-tik-trecdalis-buvusiu-rinkeju.d?id=71633720 14 September 2016 ELTA Delfi.lt 22 June 2016 29 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160829130644/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/liberalu-sajudi-palaikytu-tik-trecdalis-buvusiu-rinkeju.d?id=71633720 liveLiberal Movement leader Masiulis steps down after €100k bribe allegations http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/politics/liberal-movement-leader-masiulis-steps-down-after-100k-bribe-allegations.d?id=71260188 14 September 2016 The Lithuania Tribune 13 May 2016 11 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160611184538/http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/politics/liberal-movement-leader-masiulis-steps-down-after-100k-bribe-allegations.d?id=71260188 live Masiulis promptly resigned and was eventually replaced by the mayor of Vilnius, Remigijus Šimašius.Samoškaitė Eglė Liberalų sąjūdžio pirmininku tapo R. Šimašius lt R. Šimašius became the Chairman of the Liberal Movement http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/liberalu-sajudzio-pirmininku-tapo-r-simasius.d?id=71527654 14 September 2016 Delfi.lt 11 June 2016 9 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160909055621/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/liberalu-sajudzio-pirmininku-tapo-r-simasius.d?id=71527654 live As part of its platform, the party proposed a smaller government, lower taxes (especially VAT) and more flexible labor relationships. The party also expressed support for same-sex unions in Lithuania.Samoškaitė Eglė Du akademikai nepasigailėjo Liberalų sąjūdžio lt Two academics did not go easy on the Liberal Movement http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/du-akademikai-nepasigailejo-liberalu-sajudzio.d?id=72278546 14 September 2016 Delfi.lt 12 September 2016 13 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160913162955/http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/du-akademikai-nepasigailejo-liberalu-sajudzio.d?id=72278546 live Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union rebranded itself as the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) in 2012. Led by businessman Ramūnas Karbauskis, the party received 6.6% of the vote in the European Parliament elections in 2014, earning a single mandate, and emerged as a dark horse in the electoral race in the spring of 2016. The rise of LVŽS was attributed to the popularity of Karbauskis, who had been active in campaigning against alcohol, and their lack of involvement in political scandals. LVŽS was further boosted by the announcement that Saulius Skvernelis, a Minister of Interior in Butkevičius Cabinet and one of the most popular politicians in Lithuania, would head the party's electoral list in the elections, without joining the party.Želnienė Liepa Saulius Skvernelis rinkimuose dalyvaus su žaliaisiais, bet į partiją nestos lt Saulius Skvernelis will participate in the elections with the Greens, but will not join the party http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/saulius-skvernelis-rinkimuose-dalyvaus-su-zaliaisiais-bet-i-partija-nestos-56-599983 14 September 2016 15min.lt 23 March 2016Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjungą į Seimą ves Saulius Skvernelis lt Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union will be led in the elections by Saulius Skvernelis http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuvos-valstieciu-ir-zaliuju-sajunga-i-seima-ves-saulius-skvernelis-1479181/ 14 September 2016 ELTA Vakarų Ekspresas 23 July 2016 18 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160918235503/http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuvos-valstieciu-ir-zaliuju-sajunga-i-seima-ves-saulius-skvernelis-1479181/ live Before the elections, the party ruled out the possibility of participating in a ruling coalition which involved Labour or Order and Justice. The Labour Party was led in the elections by Valentinas Mazuronis, an MEP who had originally been elected to the European Parliament on the electoral list of Order and Justice. Labour was the second-largest party in Lithuania in terms of members, but had been plagued by accusations of fraudulent bookkeeping, and by the departure of its founder Viktor Uspaskich. Before the elections, the party promised to fight the influx of refugees into the country, despite the number of refugees actually settled in Lithuania being in single digits.Bakutis Romualdas Kieno rinkiminės pozicijos geriausios? lt Who has the best electoral position http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/50077263/kieno-rinkimines-pozicijos-geriausios 14 September 2016 13 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160913172016/http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/50077263/kieno-rinkimines-pozicijos-geriausios live The party also proposed higher pensions and minimum wage, a higher non-taxable allowance, reduced VAT rates on food and medicine and one-off payouts to those reaching the age of maturity. Order and Justice, led by the former President of Lithuania Rolandas Paksas, was also involved in a corruption scandal before the elections. Paksas, who is barred from being elected to the Seimas, was suspected of accepting a bribe from Gedvydas Vainauskas, a media magnate, in exchange for favors related to construction permits. The party proposed to link salaries and pensions to an inflation index, to exempt reinvested profits from corporate income taxes and to create new employment opportunities. Generous payments on childbirth were proposed to address demographic issues. In total, 1416 candidates competed for Seimas seats in the elections, with 673 participating in the electoral races in single-seat constituencies.Oficialiai skelbiami kandidatai į Seimą http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Lietuva/oficialiai-skelbiami-kandidatai-i-seima/229093 16 September 2016 BNS Lietuvos Zinios 9 September 2016 10 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160910122701/http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Lietuva/oficialiai-skelbiami-kandidatai-i-seima/229093 dead Debates As before every elections, televised debates took place on the national television channel. The debates took place over 4 weeks from 13 September to 6 October. Representatives from the 14 electoral lists were split into three groups for each week of debates, debating on different days of the week on the same topic. The topics for the four weeks of debates were: economy, demographics, justice and social policy.Politikai jau žino diskusijų laiką ir vietą per Lietuvos radiją ir televiziją http://www.vrk.lt/naujienos/-/content/10180/1/lrt-burtai Politicians already know the time and place for discussions on Lithuanian Radio and Television Central Electoral Commission 1 September 2016 lt 25 August 2016 The parties were mostly represented by the leaders of their electoral lists, with support from other members. In May 2016, five political parties (the Social Democrats, the Liberal Movement, the Homeland Union, Labour and the Farmers and Greens Union) agreed to participate in the debates together, leaving out Order and Justice.Didžiosios partijos parodė nugarą "tvarkiečiams" http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/didziosios-partijos-parode-nugara-tvarkieciams.d?id=71160560 lt The main parties turned their back on Order and Justice 9 May 2016 BNS delfi.lt 3 May 2016 8 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160508063514/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/didziosios-partijos-parode-nugara-tvarkieciams.d?id=71160560 live The agreement remained in place even after the corruption scandal involving the leader of the Liberal Movement, Eligijus Masiulis, and the subsequent slide in the party's ratings.Vyšniauskaitė Birutė Rinkimų debatai: liberalus norėta pašalinti iš jų pačių inicijuotos grupės lt Electoral debates: liberals were almost eliminated from the group they had initiated http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/rinkimu-debatai-liberalus-noreta-pasalinti-is-ju-paciu-inicijuotos-grupes-56-675689 1 September 2016 15min.lt 30 August 2016 31 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160831163959/http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/rinkimu-debatai-liberalus-noreta-pasalinti-is-ju-paciu-inicijuotos-grupes-56-675689 live Topic: Economy 13 September 14 September 15 September Order and Justice Green Party Electoral action of Poles Lithuanian Liberty Union Coalition of S. Buškevičius and the NationalistsLiberal Movement Social Democrats Homeland Union Farmers and Greens Union Labour PartyThe Way of Courage Lithuanian List People's Party Coalition of N. Puteikis and K. Krivickas The main party debate on economy took place on 14 September 2016. Prime Minister Butkevičius and Gabrielius Landsbergis of the Homeland Union clashed over the responsibility for the high poverty rate, while all parties identified what they saw as the main issues facing the economy. Kęstutis Daukšys of the Labour Party reiterated the promise from the party's electoral program to increase the salaries and pensions while Saulius Skvernelis, representing the Farmers and Greens Union, labeled such promises as populism and proposed to remove it from political decision making by indexing the minimum wage and pensions to economic indicators. At the same time Skvernelis proposed and Landsbergis supported reforms to the system of personal taxation, while Eugenijus Gentvilas of the Liberal Movement proposed wide-ranging tax cuts, having asserted that high taxes are one of the main stumbling blocks for economic progress in the country.Konservatoriai ir socialdemokratai susikirto, kas atsakingas už skurdą Lietuvoje http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/konservatoriai-ir-socialdemokratai-susikirto-kas-atsakingas-uz-skurda-lietuvoje.d?id=72301318 lt Conservatives and Social Democrats clashed over who is to blame for poverty in Lithuania 15 September 2016 ELTA Delfi.lt 14 September 2016 16 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160916190552/http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/konservatoriai-ir-socialdemokratai-susikirto-kas-atsakingas-uz-skurda-lietuvoje.d?id=72301318 live Experts polled by the National Television judged the debates as a marginal victory for Butkevičius and Social Democrats.Kuzmickaitė Jurgita Raibytė Goda Debatų apie ekonomiką laimėtojais skelbiami socialdemokratai http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/debatu-apie-ekonomika-laimetojais-skelbiami-socialdemokratai.d?id=72302264 lt Social Democrats are announced as the winners of the debates on economy 15 September 2016 Delfi.lt 15 September 2016 16 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160916190801/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/debatu-apie-ekonomika-laimetojais-skelbiami-socialdemokratai.d?id=72302264 live Topic: Demographics 20 September 21 September 22 September Coalition of S. Buškevičius and the Nationalists Lithuanian List People's Party Coalition of N. Puteikis and K. KrivickasOrder and Justice Green Party Electoral action of Poles Lithuanian Liberty Union The Way of CourageLiberal Movement Social Democrats Homeland Union Farmers and Greens Union Labour Party The main party debate on demographics took place on 22 September 2016. Butkevičius defended the Social Democrats' record in government, which was attacked by the Homeland Union. All parties proposed reforms to the education sector and other measures they see as necessary to reverse the emigration trends. Experts polled by the National Television judged the debates as a marginal victory for Homeland Union, represented by Landsbergis, with Farmers and Greens, represented by Skvernelis, in a close second place. An improved performance from Skvernelis, compared to the first debate, was noted.Kuzmickaitė Jurgita Raibytė Goda Ekspertai: debatus apie demografiją laimėjo konservatoriai http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/ekspertai-debatus-apie-demografija-laimejo-konservatoriai.d?id=72374564 lt Experts: debates on demographics were won by the Conservatives 23 September 2016 Delfi.lt 23 September 2016 Topic: Justice 27 September 28 September 29 SeptemberOrder and Justice Green Party Electoral action of Poles Lithuanian Liberty Union The Way of Courage Coalition of S. Buškevičius and the Nationalists Lithuanian List People's Party Coalition of N. Puteikis and K. KrivickasLiberal Movement Social Democrats Homeland Union Farmers and Greens Union Labour Party The main party debate on justice took place on 29 September 2016. Experts polled by the National Television judged the debates as a marginal victory for Farmers and Greens, represented by Skvernelis, closely followed by the Homeland Union. Social Democrats, on the other hand, were criticized for failing to propose new ideas, instead of pointing out how situation was already improving.Kuzmickaitė Jurgita Raibytė Goda Ekspertai: debatuose apie teisingumą sužibėjo S. Skvernelis http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/ekspertai-debatuose-apie-teisinguma-suzibejo-s-skvernelis.d?id=72439112 lt Experts: S. Skvernelis shone in the debates on justice 3 October 2016 Delfi.lt 30 September 2016 3 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161003130158/http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/ekspertai-debatuose-apie-teisinguma-suzibejo-s-skvernelis.d?id=72439112 live Topic: Social policy 4 October 5 October 6 October Coalition of S. Buškevičius and the Nationalists Lithuanian List People's Party Coalition of N. Puteikis and K. KrivickasOrder and Justice Green Party Electoral action of Poles Lithuanian Liberty Union The Way of CourageLiberal Movement Social Democrats Homeland Union Farmers and Greens Union Labour Party The main party debate on social policy took place on 6 October 2016. Candidates presented their positions on social issues and health. At the end of the debate the representatives gave their final statements to voters. Experts polled by the National Television criticized the lack of substantial proposals for reforms in the debate, but judged Farmers and Greens to have performed most convincingly. Homeland Union again finished close second, with Landsbergis' final speech considered as the most successful.Kuzmickaitė Jurgita Raibytė Goda Ekspertai: debatus apie socialinę politiką laimėjo "valstiečiai" http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/ekspertai-debatus-apie-socialine-politika-laimejo-valstieciai.d?id=72493800 lt Experts: debates on social policy were won by "Peasants" 11 October 2016 Delfi.lt 7 October 2016 10 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161010042537/http://www.delfi.lt/projektai/balsuok2016/naujienos/ekspertai-debatus-apie-socialine-politika-laimejo-valstieciai.d?id=72493800 live Results The election was a surprise victory for Farmers and Greens Union, which won 54 seats in the parliament, after failing to clear the electoral threshold of 5% and winning just one seat in the preceding elections. Including the two candidates that won their single-member constituencies as independents but ran on the party's electoral list in the nationwide constituency, this represented the largest tally by any party in Lithuania in 20 years.Agrarian Newcomers Claim Victory in Lithuanian Election https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/10/23/world/europe/ap-eu-lithuania-election.html 25 October 2016 The Associated Press The New York Times 23 October 2016 27 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161027012209/http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/10/23/world/europe/ap-eu-lithuania-election.html? live Analysts attributed the victory to the desire by the electorate to see new faces in the parliament, in light of low wages and rampant emigration.Lithuania election: Farmers' party in shock triumph https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37745455 25 October 2016 BBC 24 October 2016Day Matthew Anti-emigration party storms to victory in Lithuania https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/24/anti-emigration-party-storms-to-victory-in-lithuania 25 October 2016 The Telegraph 24 October 2016 26 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161026000227/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/24/anti-emigration-party-storms-to-victory-in-lithuania/ live Homeland Union won the largest share of the vote (22.63%) and 20 mandates in the nationwide constituency, improving on their result from 2012. However, a disappointing performance in single-member constituencies, where they picked up only 11 seats, left the party a distant second with 31 seats, two fewer than in the previous elections. Government parties suffered a major setback in the elections. Social Democrats, who had been leading the polls consistently since the previous elections, finished third with 15.04% of the vote and 17 seats. Order and Justice finished with 5.72% and 8 seats (down from 7.63% and 11 seats), while Labour Party, which had led the popular vote in the elections of 2012, failed to clear the electoral threshold for proportionally allocated seats and picked up only two seats in single-member constituencies. The failure of government parties has been attributed to sluggish economic growth, scandals that had surfaced over the months preceding the elections and the adoption of a new labour code that was deeply unpopular with voters.Samoškaitė Eglė Rinkėjai nušlavė valdančiuosius http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/rinkejai-nuslave-valdanciuosius.d?id=72511608 lt Voters wipe out the government 12 October 2016 Delfi.lt 10 October 2016 11 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161011164931/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/rinkejai-nuslave-valdanciuosius.d?id=72511608 liveRadžiūnas Vytenis Rinkėjų antausis socialdemokratams: už ką? http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/rinkeju-antausis-socialdemokratams-uz-ka.d?id=72518696 lt Voters slap the social democrats: what for? Delfi.lt 12 October 2016 11 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161011163501/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/rinkeju-antausis-socialdemokratams-uz-ka.d?id=72518696 liveSimenas Dalius Lithuanian Premier's Party Set to Lose Power After Election https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-09/lithuanians-vote-as-economic-disquiet-steers-close-election 12 October 2016 Bloomberg 9 October 2016 11 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161011160249/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-09/lithuanians-vote-as-economic-disquiet-steers-close-election live Algirdas Butkevičius, who was serving as the Prime Minister, lost his single-member constituency that he had held since 1996. File:Lithuania Seimas 2016.svg Proportional Constituency (first round) Constituency (second round) Homeland Union 276275 20 258835 1 247920 10 31 –2 Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union 274108 19 229769 0 311611 35 54 +53 Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 183597 13 183267 0 115576 4 17 –21 Liberal Movement 115361 8 139522 0 70891 6 14 +4 Anti-CorruptionCoalition 2 #008000 Lithuanian Centre Party 77114 2 0 36621 0 6876 1 1 New Lithuanian Pensioners' Party 0 0 New Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania 69810 5 63291 2 13526 1 8 0 Order and Justice 67817 5 70958 0 28894 3 8 –3 Labour Party 59620 0 79824 0 25803 2 2 –27 Lithuanian Freedom Union (Liberals) 27274 0 39987 0 10130 0 0 New Lithuanian Green Party 24727 0 11047 0 5627 1 1 New Lithuanian List 21966 0 17519 0 8709 1 1 New Lithuanian People's Party 12851 0 9767 0 0 0 Against Corruptionand Poverty 2 Young Lithuania 6867 2 0 2628 0 0 0 Lithuanian Nationalist and Republican Union 0 1522 0 0 New The Way of Courage 3498 0 4619 0 0 –7 Independents 3 50738 0 37919 4 4 +1 52469 72788 32937 0 2514657 2514657 2405143 VRK, CLEA 300px|thumb|left|Single-member constituencies – seats won in the first round300px|thumb|left|Single-member constituencies – first place after the first round300px|thumb|left|Single-member constituencies – seats won after the second round Preference votes Alongside votes for a party, voters were able to cast a preferential votes for a candidate on the party list. Party Pos. Position on party list Candidate Votes Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 1 Gabrielius Landsbergis 132,227 Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 4 Ingrida Šimonytė 118,263 Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union 1 Saulius Skvernelis 116,550 Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union 2 Ramūnas Karbauskis 111,525 Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 3 Andrius Kubilius 72,731 Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 2 Irena Degutienė 66,723 Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 1 Algirdas Butkevičius 63,558 Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 5 Agnė Bilotaitė 50,983 Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union 3 Rima Baškienė 41,819 Liberal Movement 1 Eugenijus Gentvilas 41,408 Aftermath Soon after the results of the first round of voting were clear, Mazuronis resigned as the leader of the Labour Party, while Paksas resigned as the leader of Order and Justice.Atsistatydina Darbo partijos pirmininkas V. Mazuronis http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/atsistatydina-darbo-partijos-pirmininkas-v-mazuronis.d?id=72515598 11 October 2016 BNS Delfi.lt lt Chairman of the Labour Party V. Mazuronis resigns 10 October 2016Iš "Tvarkos ir teisingumo" pirmininko pareigų traukiasi R. Paksas http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/is-tvarkos-ir-teisingumo-pirmininko-pareigu-traukiasi-r-paksas.d?id=72516004 11 October 2016 lt R. Paksas resigns as the chairman of Order and Justice ELTA, BNS Delfi.lt 10 October 2016 11 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161011162000/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/is-tvarkos-ir-teisingumo-pirmininko-pareigu-traukiasi-r-paksas.d?id=72516004 live After the second round of voting, Butkevičius also offered his resignation as the chairman of the Social Democrats, but his resignation was rejected. However, Butkevičius ruled out standing for reelection as the chairman in 2017.Samoškaitė Eglė A. Butkevičius norėjo trauktis iš pirmininkų, partija tam nepritarė http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/a-butkevicius-norejo-trauktis-is-pirmininku-partija-tam-nepritare.d?id=72772796 7 November 2016 lt A. Butkevičius wanted to step down as the chairmen, the party declined Delfi.lt 4 November 2016 Landsbergis announced new leadership election in the Homeland Union in early 2017. Soon after the election results became clear, the victorious Farmers and Greens started coalition consultations with Homeland Union and the Social Democrats."Valstiečiai" pradeda konsultacijas su konservatoriais ir socialdemokratais http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/valstieciai-pradeda-konsultacijas-su-konservatoriais-ir-socialdemokratais.d?id=72662846 7 November 2016 lt Peasants start consultations with the Conservatives and the Social Democrats BNS Delfi.lt 25 October 2016 Farmers and Greens expressed their desire for a broad coalition involving both parties, a concept that Homeland Union ruled out. On 9 November, Farmers and Greens signed a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats, under which the Social Democrats would be allocated 3 of the 14 seats in the cabinet, while Farmers and Greens got the right to nominate the prime minister and the speaker of the Seimas.Samoškaitė Eglė Daliai socialdemokratų piktinantis R. Karbauskis ir A. Butkevičius pasirašė koalicijos susitarimą http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/daliai-socialdemokratu-piktinantis-r-karbauskis-ir-a-butkevicius-pasirase-koalicijos-susitarima.d?id=72807848 9 November 2016 With some Social Democrats protesting, R. Karbauskis and A. Butkevičius have signed the coalition agreement Delfi.lt 9 November 2016 9 November 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161109221621/http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/daliai-socialdemokratu-piktinantis-r-karbauskis-ir-a-butkevicius-pasirase-koalicijos-susitarima.d?id=72807848 live The newly elected Twelfth Seimas convened for its first session on 14 November 2016 and elected Viktoras Pranckietis as the Speaker of the Seimas.Gudavičius Stasys Seimo pirmininku išrinktas Viktoras Pranckietis lt Viktoras Pranckietis elected as the Speaker of the Seimas http://vz.lt/verslo-aplinka/politika/2016/11/14/seimo-pirmininku-isrinktas-viktoras-pranckietis 15 November 2016 Verslo Žinios 14 November 2016 On 22 November, President Dalia Grybauskaitė appointed Saulius Skvernelis as the prime minister.Sytas Andrius Defense hawk Skvernelis to be new Lithuanian prime minister https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lithuania-pm-idUSKBN13H133?il=0 24 November 2016 Reuters 22 November 2016 18 October 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221018081257/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lithuania-pm-idUSKBN13H133?il=0 live References 33em Lithuanian parliamentary election Parliamentary election Lithuanian parliamentary election Category:Parliamentary elections in Lithuania