Lithuanian parliamentary election, 2008
Encyclopedia
A parliamentary election was held in Lithuania
in two stages on 12 and 26 October 2008. A failed referendum
on extending the operation of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
was held at the same time, despite the fact that Lithuania is obliged to close down Ignalina per its treaty of accession to the European Union
.
70 MPs were elected on proportional party lists and 71 MPs in single member constituencies; in those constituencies where no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote on 12 October, a run-off
was held on 26 October 2008.
The election was won by a centre-right
coalition, led by Andrius Kubilius
, who becomes prime minister
for a second time, of Homeland Union, National Resurrection Party
, and Liberal Movement which gained a combined majority of 72 out of 141 seats thereby unseating the previous governing coalition of Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
, Labour Party
, and New Union (Social Liberals), led by Gediminas Kirkilas
, which all lost seats apart from the social democratic party.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
in two stages on 12 and 26 October 2008. A failed referendum
Lithuanian nuclear power referendum, 2008
A referendum on extending the operation of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant was held in Lithuania on 12 October 2008, despite the fact that Lithuania is obliged to close down Ignalina per its treaty of accession to the European Union...
on extending the operation of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is a closed two-unit RBMK-1500 nuclear power station in Visaginas, Lithuania. It was named after the nearby city of Ignalina...
was held at the same time, despite the fact that Lithuania is obliged to close down Ignalina per its treaty of accession to the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
70 MPs were elected on proportional party lists and 71 MPs in single member constituencies; in those constituencies where no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote on 12 October, a run-off
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
was held on 26 October 2008.
The election was won by a centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
coalition, led by Andrius Kubilius
Andrius Kubilius
Andrius Kubilius is a Lithuanian politician who has been Prime Minister of Lithuania since 2008. He previously served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000. He is the leader of the conservative political party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.- Biography :Kubilius was born at Vilnius...
, who becomes prime minister
Prime Minister of Lithuania
The Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of the executive arm of Lithuania's government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas. The modern office of Prime Minister was established in 1990, although the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers" until 25...
for a second time, of Homeland Union, National Resurrection Party
National Resurrection Party
National Resurrection Party was a centre-right political party in Lithuania. Founded in 2008, the party merged into the Liberal and Centre Union in 2011...
, and Liberal Movement which gained a combined majority of 72 out of 141 seats thereby unseating the previous governing coalition of Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania is a centre-left and social democratic political party in Lithuania. It is the oldest party in Lithuania, founded in 1896. The party's president since 2009 is Algirdas Butkevičius. The party led a minority government in the unicameral Seimas, Lithuania's...
, Labour Party
Labour Party (Lithuania)
The Labour Party , or DP, is a centrist political party in Lithuania. It was founded in 2003 by the Russian-born millionaire Viktor Uspaskich....
, and New Union (Social Liberals), led by Gediminas Kirkilas
Gediminas Kirkilas
Gediminas Kirkilas is a former Prime Minister of Lithuania . He was appointed on 4 July 2006 after Zigmantas Balčytis, the provisional Prime Minister, failed to gather the required support from the Seimas. Kirkilas managed to get the necessary support from the Seimas on 4 July 2006...
, which all lost seats apart from the social democratic party.