With 12 October almost upon us, time is running out for Lithuanians to decide which way to cast their votes in the Seimas (parliamentary) elections. But some are battling with an even more fundamental decision – will they vote at all? AMY JULIA COLGAN reports
Though it is possible for Lithuanians living in Ireland to vote in their native land’s general elections, either by post in the preceding weeks or at the embassy (from 30 September till 12 October for this election), many suspect that the turnout will be low, citing a sense of apathy and disillusionment among the Lithuanian community regarding the political process back home.
In speaking with Lithuanians here it becomes clear that, for some, there is a lack of faith in the political system and a feeling of resentment towards past governments, under whose administration over half a million Lithuanians are thought to have emigrated since 1990.
Many are wary of the political scene in general, and of politicians in particular as simply pursuing their own agendas, or even seeking personal financial gain, as opposed to championing the public interest. The prevailing attitude appears to be one of deep scepticism, a heavy collective sigh that it’s the same old faces, the same old promises, and that nothing will change, so why should we vote?
Voter apathy regarding home country elections is by no means solely a Lithuanian phenomenon. For instance, in the last Latvian general election in 2003, the Latvian embassy reported that a little over 500 of the 30,000 Latvians believed to be resident in Ireland cast their ballot, with only 60 people turning up to the polling station in Cork. Again, the same issue faced the Polish community last year in the run up to their election. What, then, is at the root of such widespread apathy?
Kazik Anhalt, who was involved in a campaign to counteract voter apathy amongst Polish people living in Ireland, believes that this attitude stems from a sort of democratic crisis that has occurred in central and eastern Europe.
“After many years of being essentially politically dead, suddenly we could create the state we lived in,” he says. “There was a great enthusiasm and interest in politics. But over time, reality set in. There were problems, and as a result people began to lose faith, and became disinterested.”
Anhalt, among others in the Polish community who were frustrated by this disinterest, began a campaign to encourage people to become active and informed rather than cynical, and to view voting as not simply a right, but a responsibility to their homeland, promoting the view that “being abroad should not stop us caring”. Eight thousand votes were subsequently sent from Ireland to Warsaw, which Anhalt views as a great victory for participation.
This sort of success is precisely the aim of members of the Lithuanian Association of Ireland who, back in May, saw the need for something to motivate the Lithuanian community to have their say in the upcoming elections. As a result, the ‘I AM’ campaign was born, with two central aims – to make the voting process as easy as possible through enabling people to register and find all the information they need on their website, and to ignite a desire to participate.
Central to the campaign, which has featured images of coffins on posters, is the idea of shaking Lithuanians out of their political apathy, demanding of them ‘Are you alive or dead? If you’re alive, have your say!’
The campaign’s PR representative, RÅ«ta PalšauskaitÄ—, said: “Many means should be employed in order to really make the difference. Irish people are so conscious about politics and their duties as citizens. We ask them to pass this understanding to every Lithuanian they know – encourage and challenge them; sometimes it‘s all they need to be convinced.”
Similar to the Polish campaign, the idea is for people to get thinking and informing themselves, and to see voting as a duty, not just to their family and friends still living in Lithuania, but to themselves – a chance to create the sort of Lithuania that they would want to live in.
It is an issue that is close to the heart of many, particularly given that not all immigrants are able to vote in their native elections – including, interestingly enough, the Irish diaspora around the world.
Eric Yao, director of the Africa Centre, believes that those who have the right to vote should not view it lightly. “I have never spoken to an African who would not love the opportunity to vote in their home country. Unfortunately, for most this is not possible, because there is no framework set up for voting from abroad, and it would be too difficult to monitor.”
Yao himself is unable to vote is his native Ghana, nor can those from Zimbabwe who are resident here, or from the Ivory Coast. Those who have acquired refugee status in Ireland automatically lose the right to vote in the native lands as part of the process.
Yao urges Lithuanians to seize this chance to influence the future of their nation. “Every vote counts. You have the power in your hands to make a change. Use it.”
The non-voter
Sigita GonÄiarova is 38 and has been in Ireland for 4 months.
Are you planning to vote in the Lithuanian elections on 12 October?
No, I will not vote, although I have registered for voting – my friends have insisted.
Why is that?
I don’t see any point anymore, it’s all political games.
What do you believe are the issues that most concern Lithuanians living in Ireland?
I cannot talk for everyone; I haven’t formed an opinion about it yet. For myself, I care mostly about my family and its wealth, my daughter’s future, my parents and friends that have been left in Lithuania.
Do you feel that the candidates have tried to reach out to Lithuanians abroad? Would this have made a difference?
I haven’t seen any candidate trying to reach out for emigrants – why should they? Most of the candidates are experienced in politics; they have been in power for years. What have they done to keep people from leaving their country? It was very convenient before to blame the occupants for all the misfortunes of Lithuania, for the genocide… Is politics nowadays any different? Why do people have to leave their homeland in search of a better life?
Do you think that the outcome of this election will make a difference to the future of Lithuanians living in Ireland?
I don’t think anything will change for Lithuanians in Ireland or in other countries. It would be nice that something would change at least for the ones that are in Lithuania. It is quite scary to read the news about rising prices…
Are you planning to move back to Lithuania in the future? If so, do you not think that you would like to help shape its future?
Unfortunately, at this time I don’t feel patriotic. Maybe because I have to live in Ireland in order to get what I think I deserve. It’s very sad and heartbreaking, believe me. I would love the situation in Lithuania to change, but I am not ready at this very moment to take part in this. I’m too disappointed, but I hope this will pass. Now that I don’t have to count every penny my mood has started changing, but very slowly.
The voter
Eglė Juciūtė is 25 and has been in Ireland for three years
Are you planning to vote in the elections on 12 October?
I have received all the forms a few days ago and already voted.
Do you feel that you have a duty to vote?
I was born Lithuanian and will always remain Lithuanian no matter where I live. It does matter to me to feel part of Lithuania even though living abroad. I have voted because it is important and it is easy. It is important because I care about my homeland and its future. I do not want anybody to make any decision for me. And it is easy to vote, even if I am busy seven days per week. I voted by post at a time that suited me.
What are the main political issues that matter to Lithuanians living in Ireland?
One of the main issues is the double citizenship case. Before, children born in Ireland to Lithuanian families could not get Lithuanian citizenship if they got the Irish citizenship. But the law has been recently changed.
Do you feel represented by the candidates that are running? Have they made an effort to reach out to Lithuanians living abroad?
In today’s technologically minded world, you do not have to physically be here in order to communicate. All information needed is easily accessible via the internet. Different talks, political discussions, reports, etc are published online. Political life in Lithuania means a lot to me, and by listening to various talks and reading articles on the internet, I do not feel left out in any way.
Do you think that the outcome of the elections will affect Lithuanians living in Ireland?
While I’m not sure whether or not people living in Ireland will be directly affected, I certainly think that it will have an impact on anyone who plans to return to Lithuania in the future, or who has family still living there.
It is expected that voter turnout from Lithuanians living in Ireland will be low. Why do you think this is?
Those Lithuanians who were not interested in political life before moving to Ireland are apathetic now as well. Usually pessimism, negativity and low voter turnout are just the easy way out.
What would you say to those who are not planning to vote?
I would like to encourage each and every Lithuanian to vote. If they have not decided which party to support, they should still go and show their interest. It is sad that people do not value their Lithuanian passport; only because of the passport they can now live and work in the EU, and it takes so little to give back to your country – your vote once in four years. Voting is the main rule of democracy. We want to live in a democracy, don‘t we? Even though we are emigrants, we shouldn’t neglect our duties.
