The government yesterday congratulated Lithuania for completing its most recent election, in which the opposition Social Democratic Party on Sunday won the most seats of any party in its parliament.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement extended its sincere congratulations to Lithuania “on the successful completion of the election.”
“Taiwan looks forward to working with Lithuania’s new government and political parties ... to continue to enhance bilateral relations, uphold the rules-based international order, and promote peace, stability and prosperity in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region,” it said.
Photo: Reuters
The Social Democrats won 52 seats in the 141-member assembly, a gain of 39 seats from the previous parliament, Lithuanian election data showed.
The ruling Homeland Union party was second with 28 seats.
The leader of the Social Democrats, Vilija Blinkeviciute, told reporters that she believed her party would be able to form a majority in parliament along with its likely coalition partners, the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Union of Democrats “For Lithuania.”
Homeland Union leader Gabrielius Landsbergis conceded defeat and congratulated the Social Democrats.
Despite the change of administration, Lithuania would continue its hardline approach toward Russia and keep its pro-Western foreign policy, Politico Europe reported, citing Mazvydas Jastramskis, an associate professor at the Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science.
Relations between Taiwan and Lithuania have blossomed in the past few years, with the two sides in July 2021 signing an agreement to open reciprocal representative offices.
Taiwan opened its office in Vilnius on Nov. 18, 2021, while the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office officially opened in Taipei on Nov. 7, 2022.
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