Lithuania EU vote

Lithuanian leaders expected solid backing to join the European Union as turnout in a two-day referendum yesterday crept above the 50 per cent requirement, removing fears that apathy would kill the vote.

The small Baltic country is one of 10 mostly ex-communist states hoping to join the 15-nation EU in May next year. The referendum needs half the electorate to cast their ballots to be valid, and the former Soviet republic has seen a frantic campaign in the past week urging people to vote.

"The latest figures show that we already have 50 per cent turnout, and we will win," Vytenis Andriuskaitis, head of parliament's Europe committee, told Reuters.

The election commission said participation had reached about 59 per cent by 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) after lacklustre activity in the first day of voting alarmed the country's leadership.

"I am certain now that the referendum has been declared valid, it will also be successful," said former President Valdas Adamkus, hailed for securing invitations to Nato and the EU.

Polls show about two-thirds of Lithuanians favour joining the EU, with naysayers trailing at just 13 per cent.

Activity suddenly jumped around midday yesterday, with analysts saying the low turnout had given the electorate a sense of urgency previously lacking in a one-sided campaign.

"We were out of town yesterday, but saw the low turnout on TV and knew we had to come back and vote," said Elena, a doctor, after voting with her family in Vilnius.

"Expectations are that over 70 per cent of those who cast a vote will have voted in favour, as most euro-sceptics protested precisely by not voting," said Lauras Bielinis, a political science professor.

Michael Graham, head of the European Commission's delegation to Lithuania, said he expected Lithuanians to support EU entry.

Many Lithuanians suffer 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, and massive campaigning for EU membership failed to create much enthusiasm.

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 referendums in Slovakia next week and Poland in June, which have similar turnout requirements and struggle with voter apathy.

A thumbs-up in Lithuania would be seen as a positive signal before Polish and Slovakian polls, and would give a boost to pro-EU camps in its more euro-sceptic Baltic neighbours Latvia and Estonia ahead of referendums in September.