The 2020 Seimas elections brought new faces from the coast

Klaipeda’s overall voter turnout again lags behind the national average and other major cities. At least some voters are considered not to go to the polls due to coronavirus-induced factors. And what were the options of the coastal residents who came to vote? In none of the coastal constituencies have representatives been elected in the first round, and the second round of the October 25 elections promises an interesting duel.

The success of the conservatives

Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Political Science, Klaipeda University dr. Saulius Šiliauskas affirmed that the success in the port city can be enjoyed by the Christian Democrats of the Homeland-Lithuanian Union, who have increased the number of fans. In addition, according to the interlocutor, a series of votes previously withdrawn from the Liberal Movement went to the Freedom Party.

“Compared to the results of 2016, the bloc of liberal forces in Klaipeda has even grown. However, I would not say that the Union of Greens and Peasants of Lithuania should be very disappointed by the elections in Klaipeda, which, although it lost close to one thousand votes, its two representatives are in the second round, like four years ago The Liberal Movement, which is traditionally in the second round of elections, can also call for fairly successful elections.

The Labor Party, although not represented in any constituency in the second round, has increased its electorate in four years. The number of Social Democrats is decreasing. The Polish Lithuanian electoral campaign probably expected more votes from the national minorities of Vilnius and Klaipeda to overcome the 5 percent barrier, ”commented the political scientist.

According to him, a significant part of the voters in Klaipeda are the so-called protest votes, which are more left-wing, left-wing supporters.

“They were protected by the coalition of Puteikis and Krivickas 4 years ago. Now their analog was the Center Party nationalists, but we see that they lost about 5,000 votes. It is likely that they went to the Labor Party, a party that has been criticized by Naglis Puteikis. in his speeches recently, perhaps realizing that these are the biggest competitors, ”said S.Šiliauskas.

According to the political scientist, he was surprised by the performance of the Freedom Party: the young party raised 9.02 percent. votes and already has 8 seats in parliament.

Punished the old?

Ligita Girskienė (Union of Peasants and Greens of Lithuania), member of the Klaipėda City Council, entered the second round in the single-member district of Klaipėda Marių, with 24.43%. valid ballot votes, and former Environment Minister Kęstutis Navickas (Lithuanian National Christian Democratic Union), who received 16.90 percent.

The Liberal Movement, which is traditionally in the second round of elections, can also rate the elections quite successfully.

Simonas Gentvilas (Liberal Movement of the Republic of Lithuania), a current member of the Seimas who has already entered the parliament according to the list, will compete for the mandate in the Seaside District. and a member of the Klaipėda City Council, Deputy Mayor Arūnas Barbšys (Union of the Homeland-Lithuanian Christian Democrats), who was allocated 18.72 percent. votes.

Audrius Petrošius (Union of the Lithuanian Christian Homeland-Democrats), member of the Klaipėda City Council, will meet in the Baltic constituency. and Captain Mindaugas Bastakis (Union of Greens and Peasants of Lithuania), who received 13.38 percent. votes.

In the Danish constituency, the former commander of the Armed Forces Arvydas Pocius (Lithuanian Christian National-Democratic Union) will seek a mandate, receiving 27.38 percent. and Saulius Budinas (Liberal Movement of the Republic of Lithuania), member of the Klaipėda City Council, who received 14.90 per cent. votes.

The elders of the Seimas and the politicians who worked in the Seimas during the previous term did not receive the support of Klaipėda residents in single-member districts: Irina Rozova, Algimantas Kirkutis, Dainius Kepenis, Gintaras Vaičekauskas, Irena Šiaulienė, Naglis Puteikis.

In the multi-member constituencies, only three current representatives from Klaipėda were classified and entered the new Seimas: Agnė Bilotaitė, Simonas Gentvilas and Eugenijus Gentvilas.

Perhaps it was a surprise that some members of the Seimas did not make it to the second round for which they were scheduled.

“There are always representatives of the liberal forces in Lithuania, as well as representatives of the dominant political forces in Lithuania. We see that representatives of both the National Union and the Liberal Movement have gone to the next round. Perhaps it was a surprise that some members of the Seimas they will not reach the second round, for which it was planned, ”emphasized S. Šiliauskas.

The intrigue remains

According to the political scientist, the entry of each candidate in the second round may be justified by several factors. This may be due to their accumulated activity and work in local politics, strong support from a political force, or a success factor.

S.Šiliauskas says that so far we are talking more about the coalition axis of the center right, but it is the second round that can determine what type of ruling majority we will have: right, center left or multiplicity of parties and minority government.

“Until now, the National Union has been quite cautious, it has not wanted to dissuade all potential voters, and the peasants and the Social Democrats are talking about a left coalition. Much will depend on the participation of the voters, if the parties will announce official positions, who will support what in the second round. Nothing has been decided yet and the second round elections have a lot of intrigue ”, emphasized S. Šiliauskas.

Results

Lagoon County

Ligita Girskienė (Union of Greens and Peasants of Lithuania), a member of the Klaipėda City Council, entered the second round in Mariai County, raising 24.43 percent. Kęstutis Navickas (Lithuanian Christian National-Democratic Union), which received 16.90 percent of the vote. votes.

Seaside County

Seimas member Simonas Gentvilas (Liberal Movement of the Republic of Lithuania) entered the second round in the Seaside District, raising 20.94 percent. and member of the Klaipėda City Council, Deputy Mayor Arūnas Barbšys (Union of the Homeland-Lithuanian Christian Democrats), who was allocated 18.72 percent. votes.

Baltic district

Audrius Petrošius (Christian Democrat of the Lithuanian National Union), a member of the Klaipėda City Council, entered the second round in the Baltic constituency, receiving 23.29 percent. and Captain Mindaugas Bastakis (Union of Greens and Peasants of Lithuania), who received 13.38 percent. votes.

Dane County

Former Arvydas Pocius (Lithuanian Christian National Democratic Union) commander entered the second round in Dane County, receiving 27.38 percent. and Saulius Budinas (Liberal Movement of the Republic of Lithuania), member of the Klaipėda City Council, who received 14.90 per cent. votes.

Gargždai County

In the Gargždai constituency, longtime Seimas member Petras Gražulis (he stood up himself) entered the second round, receiving 22.43 percent. Member of the Seimas Rasa Petrauskienė (Union of the Lithuanian Christian Homeland-Democrat), which obtained 21.17% of the votes. votes.

Mėguva County

Mindaugas Skritulskas (Union of the Homeland-Christian Democrats of Lithuania), a member of the Municipal Council of the city of Palanga, entered the second round in Mėguva county, receiving 28.49 percent. Romandas Žiubrys (Union of Greens and Peasants of Lithuania): 14.08 percent.

Curonian spit

Political veteran Antanas Vinkus (Union of Peasants and Greens of Lithuania) entered the second round on the Curonian Spit, receiving 29.33 percent. Juozas Mažeika (Union of the Lithuanian Christian Homeland-Democrat), a member of the Kretinga District Municipal Council, received 21.43 percent of the votes. votes.