4. The Role of Party Members in Lithuania

This chapter examines the role of party members in Lithuania. Surveys and interviews were used to gather information about the roles of party members in the Homeland Union—Lithuanian Christian Democrats and the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party. Using this data, the sub-hypotheses developed in Chap. 2 are tested. It is found that Lithuania’s single member districts encourage candidate-centred campaigning, with parties’ efforts ‘targeted’ towards the specific districts where parties have the greatest chances of success. Grassroots campaigning strategies were adopted at the district level during parliamentary campaigns, and also during municipal campaigns. Lithuania’s 72-hour ‘silence period’ also increased the value of members as ‘ambassadors in the community’ and ‘loyal and reliable voters’.