Lithuania votes in the second round of its general election on Sunday, likely to replace the ruling conservatives with a centre-left coalition amid security concerns about neighbouring Russia.
The Social Democratic Party won the most seats in the first round of voting two weeks ago, and were readying to take power in a shift that is expected to leave intact the Nato and EU member’s strong support for Ukraine.
The party already secured 20 seats in the 141-seat parliament, and another 35 of its candidates have advanced to the run-offs in the single-member constituencies.
The Baltic state, home to 2.8 million people, has been warily observing Russia, fearing it could be targeted if Moscow succeeds in Ukraine.
All major parties running in the elections are agreed on maintaining Nato and EU member’s strong support for Ukraine, and on either sustaining or increasing defence spending.
“The disputes in this election are concentrated on domestic policy issues, but on foreign policy we see virtually no difference” between parties, political analyst Rima Urbonaite told journalists.