Litouwse verkiezingen onverwacht positief voor premier Brazauskas (en)

A coalition of the traditional parties might form the new Lithuanian government and keep Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas in office after Sunday's elections in the small Baltic state.

The newly founded Lithuanian Labour Party, led by Russian-born businessman Viktor Uspaskich, lost the second round of elections held yesterday (24 October).

Securing 39 seats of the 141 seats of the Seima, Mr Uspaskich's party is the largest but not secured of leading the next government of the country.

A coalition of the traditional parties could instead form the new government and keep Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas in office. Mr Brazauskas's current government has been in office since July 2001.

The Social Democrats and New Union won 31 seats, while the Conservative Homeland Union took 25 and the Liberal Centre Union got 18, according the first estimates from the Election Commission in Vilnius.

Among other parties winning seats were the coalition formed by impeached former President Rolandas Paksas, which took 11 seats, and the Peasants and New Democracy Party of former Prime Minister Kazimiera Prunskiene, with 10 mandates.

Just 40 percent of Lithuania's 2.4 million eligible voters turned out to Sunday's elections. The final results will be announced on 31 October for the new parliament, the Seima, to convene 15 November.