European Parliament elections in Lithuania : populist competition in the shadow of the presidential vote

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Europoes parlametas; Europos parlamentas; Kampanija; Populizmas; Rinkimai; Rinkiminis šūkis; Campaign; Elections; Electoral slogan; European Parliament; Lithuania; Populism.

ENThe 2014 European Parliament elections in Lithuania were successful for mainstream political parties: no new-born political movement came up in the political scene; no open Euro-sceptic party was able to gain any seats. But such a victory came at a price: the major European topics (joining the euro- zone, land-ownership by the foreigners) were left aside; the EP electoral campaign was overshadowed by Presidential elections with populist discussions about Russian threats and national security. The coincidence of two political campaigns boosted the voter turnout and made a significant impact on the distribution of MEP seats; because of the higher turnout, smaller parties were able to enter the EP, while two established parties with devoted core voters suffered some losses compared to the 2009 EP elections. [From the publication]

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