Conservatives and celebrities to rule Lithuania

The Homeland Union/Christian Democrats have emerged victorious from the first round of Lithuanian parliamentary elections. The elections, which took place in early October, saw the conservative party take control with nearly 20 percent of the multi-mandate vote. The Homeland Union/ Christian Democrats were closely followed by the National Resurrection Party in second and the Order and Justice Party in third. Many of the country's new parliamentarians are high-profile celebrities.

The National Resurrection Party – founded only a few months before the elections took place – is jam packed with a number of local celebrities and led by former talent show presenter Arunas Valinskas. The Order and Justice Party, meanwhile, is headed by Rolandas Paksas – who, in addition to being the only European leader to be removed from office by impeachment, is a former stunt pilot known for high-flying acrobatics at campaign rallies.