VILNIUS, Lithuania, Oct 10, (AP): Despite economic successes, Lithuania’s center-right coalition could be replaced by the opposition Social Democrats and smaller center-left parties when voters in the Baltic country go to the polls on Sunday. Strict COVID-19 measures and a migration influx from neighboring Belarus have cast shadows over conservative Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė's government, which took office in 2020.

Although European Union member Lithuania has seen annual double-digit personal income growth and has one of the lowest inflation rates in the 27'nation bloc, most voters don't seem to be impressed by these factors. "The situation in the economy is far better than for example during the hardships of 2008-2010, but people rarely attribute the gain in personal wealth to the political leadership” said Nerijus Mačiulis, an economist at Swedbank.

He referred to the global financial crisis, which hit the Baltic states hard and led to austerity measures. Rima Urbonaitė, a political analyst at Vilnius’ Mykolas Romeris University, agreed. "There’s a lot of disappointment and discontent among voters," she said. "It is related to numerous crises and shocks and cannot be compensated by economic factors like positive change in purchasing power.”

Šimonytė has faced criticism for strict measures during the pandemic, with many complaining that her government didn’t do enough to help companies during lockdown. And others say thousands didn't have proper access to health care services. Šimonytė also has been lambasted for her handling of migrants arriving from Belarus.

Lithuania has accused Belarus, its eastern neighbor, and Russia of orchestrating the influx. A recent survey by pollster Vilmorus says that the Social Democratic Party, led by Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, would get 18% of the votes, while Šimonytė’s Homeland Union would get 9%. Nemuno Aušra, a newly registered party of right-wing politician Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who was impeached earlier this year for making antisemitic statements, would come in at 12%.