Zeitgeist: "Lithuanians vote out austerity government"

Back to the blondes!*
From Al Jazeera:

Government's efficient action of tackling financial crisis fails to win over voters weighed down by austerity measures.

Opposition populists and leftists in crisis-worn Lithuania have hinted they are prepared to form a government coalition after an exit poll late on Sunday indicated their parties would take first and second place in the country's parliamentary elections.

The exit poll conducted by RAIT/BNS gave the biggest share of the vote, 19.8 per cent, to the Labour Party.

And Labour’s most likely coalition partner, the centre-left Social Democrats, were second with 17.8 per cent with the prime minister's Homeland Union in third place on 16.7 per cent.
The ex-Soviet state, with a population of nealy three million, drastically suffered when the crisis hit four years ago. It was swift to slash spending in response and is now on course to return to economic health - but the belt-tightening failed to win over dispirited voters.

Lithuanian voters threw out centre-right Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, in favour of a coalition of left-leaning opposition parties who promise to alleviate austerity measures, according to the exit poll following Sunday’s parliamentary election....MORE

*Oh wait, that was Latvia:

The Swedes have a $75 Billion exposure to the Baltic economies that could make Iceland look like a warm-up act, especially if the contagion heads south and the eastern Europe exposure of Austria starts getting spanked. I keep an eye on things (so you don't have to).
Being the professional that I am, I researched this Sunday Telegraph story in depth:

Blondes march in Latvia 'to cheer-up nation'

The first-ever blonde parade featured women dressed in pink and white

Led by an orchestra, the first-ever blonde parade featured women dressed in

pink and white, some accompanied by lapdogs, in a charity fund-raising event that organisers hope will become an annual event....

...The parade was part of a "Blonde Weekend" which also featured a blonde golf tournament, a little lady fashion show, an evening ball, and a children's drawing competition.

"It's a great time to spend in the parade and contribute to a charity," said Ieva,

one blonde spectator.

"Finally something different, something positive because I'm tired of hearing...MORE