Social Democrats on their way back into power

Municipal elections in Lithuania

The Social Democrats are the biggest winner of Lithuania’s municipal elections. Preliminary results show that the country's ruling parties are facing significant losses.

It is likely that former Vilnius City Mayor Arturas Zuokas (2000 – 2007) reclaims his position from incumbent Raimundas Alekna. Although Zuokas, who was convicted of corruption during his first term, he holds a current lead of two percent over his closest rival, a party dedicated to Polish and Russian minorities.

Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city is the only district in which Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius' party succeeded comfortably. In this district more than 20 percent voted for the ruling conservative party.

This year's historic municipal election boasts the largest number of candidates in Lithuanian history, with more than 1,500 people on the ballots nation-wide. It is also the first election in which non-partisan candidates were able to nominate themselves.

Updated: 01. March 2011