Peace through strength, Taiwan president says on China battle anniversary

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By Reuters, Posted by TOE KINMEN, Taiwan — Peace can only be secured through strength and not even an inch of territory can be sacrificed, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on ⁠Sunday, visiting a sensitive frontline island to mark a key battle with Chinese forces almost seven decades ago. Taiwan has controlled the Kinmen and Matsu islands, which lie just off the Chinese coast, since the Republic of China government fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists. No peace ⁠treaty or armistice has ever been signed. In heavy rain, ​Lai ⁠laid a wreath and bowed at a memorial park for the 68th anniversary of the 1958 clash with Chinese forces, known as the start of the second Taiwan ⁠Strait crisis — the last time Taiwanese and Chinese forces battled on a large scale. Addressing veterans later, ​Lai ⁠expressed gratitude to those who “stood united and ‌fought a bloody battle to repel Communist totalitarian aggression”. “Our resolve to unite ...
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Lithuanians elect new parliament amid cost of living, security worries

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By Andrius Sytas Reuters

Lithuanians were electing a new parliament on Sunday in a vote dominated by concerns over the cost of living and potential threats from neighbouring Russia, with the opposition Social Democrats tipped to emerge as the largest party but well short of a majority.

The outgoing centre-right coalition of Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has seen its popularity eroded by inflation that topped 20% two years ago, by deteriorating public services and a widening gap between rich and poor.

“I got bored with the old government. I want something new”, Hendrikas Varkalis, 75, said after casting his vote in Panevezys, about 100 kilometres northwest of the capital Vilnius.

Polling stations opened at 7 am (0400 GMT) and will close at 8 pm (1700 GMT). Results are expected after midnight local time.

Opinion polls suggest Simonyte’s Homeland Union will win just 9%, behind the Social Democrats on 18% and the anti-establishment Nemunas Dawn on 12%, though the eventual shape of a future coalition will depend on how smaller parties perform.

The Baltic state of 2.9 million people has a hybrid voting system in which half of the parliament is elected by popular vote, with a 5% threshold needed to win seats.

The other half is chosen on a district basis, a process which favours the larger parties.

If no candidate gets over 50% of the vote in a district, its top two candidates face each other in a run-off on Oct. 27.

Domestic issues have loomed large in the election campaign, with the Social Democrats vowing to tackle increased inequality by raising taxes on wealthier Lithuanians to help fund more spending on healthcare and social spending..

But national security is also a major concern in Lithuania, which is part of the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union and shares a border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad as well as with Belarus, a close Moscow ally.

Three-quarters of Lithuanians believe that Russia could attack their country in the near future, a Baltijos Tyrimai/ELTA poll found in May.

The main parties strongly support Ukraine in its war with invading Russian forces and back increased defence spending.

Election posters describe Simonyte as “the trustworthy guarantee for troubled times”, holding a large umbrella to protect a young family with a child, with a soldier in the background.

“We need continuity for our country… so we can keep up the work towards protecting ourselves from the enemy”, said Rimantas Latvenas, 70, in Panevezys.



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