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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Conservatives lead Lithuania poll | Conservatives lead Lithuania poll |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Lithuania's main conservative opposition party has won most votes in the first round of general elections. | |
| But no clear winner has emerged and another coalition is in prospect. | |
| The Homeland Union took about 18% of the vote, while the governing Social Democrats were pushed into fourth by two rival populist parties. | |
| The National Revival Party, led by a former talent show host, and impeached ex-President Rolandas Paksas' Order and Justice won more than 27% between them. | |
| Final results are not due until the second round vote, set for 26 October. | Final results are not due until the second round vote, set for 26 October. |
| Tough coalition talks lie ahead. Correspondents say Order and Justice could form a populist partnership with Russian-born millionaire Viktor Uspaskich's Labour party. | |
| Mr Uspaskich - known as Mr Gherkin because of his pickles business - is battling corruption allegations and is barred from leaving Lithuania. | Mr Uspaskich - known as Mr Gherkin because of his pickles business - is battling corruption allegations and is barred from leaving Lithuania. |
| Lithuanians also voted on closing a Russian nuclear plant | Lithuanians also voted on closing a Russian nuclear plant |
| Ex-stunt pilot Mr Paksas was the first European head of state to be removed by impeachment. He quit four years ago amid corruption allegations, which he has always denied. | Ex-stunt pilot Mr Paksas was the first European head of state to be removed by impeachment. He quit four years ago amid corruption allegations, which he has always denied. |
| Although still banned from holding public office, analysts say he could wield huge influence behind the scenes. | Although still banned from holding public office, analysts say he could wield huge influence behind the scenes. |
| The Social Democrats' four partners in the coalition government failed to break the 5% barrier to remain in parliament, according to the exit poll. | The Social Democrats' four partners in the coalition government failed to break the 5% barrier to remain in parliament, according to the exit poll. |
| In power since 2001, the Social Democrats were in trouble due to the failing economy of the ex-Soviet state, which joined the European Union in 2004. | In power since 2001, the Social Democrats were in trouble due to the failing economy of the ex-Soviet state, which joined the European Union in 2004. |
| Turnout among Lithuania's 2.6 million registered voters was 46%, down one point from four years ago, electoral commission figures showed. | Turnout among Lithuania's 2.6 million registered voters was 46%, down one point from four years ago, electoral commission figures showed. |
| Voters also took part in a non-binding referendum on whether to shut a Chernobyl-style nuclear plant, but figures suggested the plebiscite could be invalid due to the low turnout. | Voters also took part in a non-binding referendum on whether to shut a Chernobyl-style nuclear plant, but figures suggested the plebiscite could be invalid due to the low turnout. |
| The European Union wants Lithuania to shut the plant as planned at the end of 2009. | The European Union wants Lithuania to shut the plant as planned at the end of 2009. |
| However, it provides 70% of Lithuania's electricity, and many voters do not want to increase their country's dependency on Russia. | However, it provides 70% of Lithuania's electricity, and many voters do not want to increase their country's dependency on Russia. |