parties. New Union rejoined the coalition in January 2008. At the end of the term, Social Democrats were the largest parliamentary group with 38 members. In 2007 Lithuanian municipal election Homeland Union won 17.1 per cent of the vote and thus it became the most supported party in Lithuania since 1997 Lithuanian municipal election. Homeland Union and the Order and Justice were seen as frontrunners for future parliamentary election. Electoral system All seats in the 141-member Seimas were up for election in parallel voting, with 71 members elected in single-seat constituencies and 70 members elected by proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency. Voting in the elections was open to all citizens of Lithuania who are at least 18-years-old. The first round took place on 12 October 2008. Members of the Seimas in the 71 single-seat constituencies were elected by a majority vote, with a run-off held on 26 October. The remaining 70 seats were allocated to the participating political parties using the largest remainder method, with a 5% threshold (7% for multi-party lists) to enter the parliament. Candidates took the seats allocated to their parties based on the preference lists submitted before the elections and adjusted by preference votes given by the voters. To be eligible for election, candidates had to be at least 25-years-old on the election day, not under allegiance to a foreign state and permanently resident in Lithuania. Persons serving or due to serve a sentence imposed by the court 65 days before the elections were not eligible. Also, judges, citizens performing military service, and servicemen of professional military service and officials of statutory institutions and establishments could not stand for election. Politicians not standing Gintautas Mikolaitis (LSDP) Campaign The election campaign in 2008 took place in the context of overheating economy and high inflation. Following years of breakneck economic growth, the GDP was expected to shrink the following year. Inflation in 2006 exceeded the benchmark levels that would have allowed the country to adopt euro as a currency and continued rising, exceeding 12% in 2008. Economy, inflation and the adoption of the euro were high on the campaign agenda. In addition, energy security featured prominently, with the referendum on continued operation of Ignalina nuclear power plant was to take place with the elections. Pre-election polls suggested that five parties would reach the 5% vote threshold to win proportionally-allocated seats in the Seimas: Homeland Union, Order