Lithuania votes on EU entry

Lithuanians began voting yesterday in a referendum on EU entry expected to give huge support for membership, but low turnout could spoil the party.

The small Baltic country is one of 10 mostly ex-communist states hoping to join the 15-nation European Union next year. The two-day referendum needs a 50 per cent turnout to be valid and the former Soviet republic has seen a frantic campaign over the past week urging people to vote.

"I think we will cross this barrier that separates us from security, democracy and hopes of a better life," President Rolandas Paksas said after voting in the capital, Vilnius. "And my forecast is a turnout of 64 per cent," a confident Paksas said.

Many Lithuanians are suffering from political fatigue after more than a decade of post-Soviet reforms that have propelled the country of 3.5 million to the doorstep of NATO and the EU. Polls suggest turnout will be just above 50 per cent.

Most see EU membership as a done deal with all major political parties in favour of joining and no organised opposition. About two-thirds of Lithuanians favour joining, with the naysayers trailing at just 13 per cent, polls show. Lithuania is the fourth EU candidate to hold a referendum after 10 states were invited last year to join the bloc in 2004. Malta, Slovenia and Hungary all voted 'Yes' earlier this year.

Many see the Lithuania vote as a critical test ahead of referenda in Slovakia next week and Poland in June, which have similar turnout requirements and struggle with voter apathy. The ruling leftist coalition says there is no 'Plan B' if the vote fails on low turnout, meaning Lithuania would need to wait until 2007 for a second chance to join, along with Romania and Bulgaria, but many suspect a new vote would be held in the autumn if a low turnout causes a flop.

Special bus services were set up in the suburbs of Vilnius to shuttle voters to polling stations, and mayors across the country had been told to help voters get to a ballot box. Analysts say Lithuania's economy is among the best suited for EU entry after shedding its image as a Baltic laggard to post Europe's highest growth last year at 6.7 per cent.

"For Lithuania, this is clearly an economic question, as EU entry will increase foreign direct investment, help further administrative reforms and so on," said Michael Johansson, an East Europe analyst at Swedish bank SEB. He said a 'No' vote could pull the carpet from under the fast-growing economy.

"I think life in the Union will be better, easier and more fun," said Vanda, a middle-aged teacher, after casting her ballot. "It will be like living in a big family with lots of brothers and sisters all helping each other out."

Polls closed yesterday at 9 p.m. and reopened today at 8 a.m. Preliminary results are expected two to three hours after polls close at midnight today.