Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda is advancing to a runoff in his bid for a second term, after receiving 44% of the votes in the initial round.
He holds a significant lead over his main opponent, Ingrida Simonyte, outpacing her by over 20% in the voting that took place on Sunday.
His focus on security issues amid Russia's actions in Ukraine has resonated with voters, who are increasingly worried about potential aggression from Moscow.
According to a poll by ELTA/Baltijos Tyrimai, just over half of Lithuanians perceive a Russian attack as possible or even highly probable.
Candidates for reelection
In the upcoming May 26 runoff, Nausėda will face Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, who secured 20% of the ballots.
Both candidates emphasize the need for increased military support for Ukraine, reflecting concerns across the Baltics about Russian aggression.
While tensions simmer, Nausėda and Simonyte are aligned on boosting defense spending and strengthening ties with NATO. However, they differ on social issues like same-sex civil partnerships.
His focus on security issues amid Russia's actions in Ukraine has resonated with voters, who are increasingly worried about potential aggression from Moscow.
According to a poll by ELTA/Baltijos Tyrimai, just over half of Lithuanians perceive a Russian attack as possible or even highly probable.
Candidates for reelection
In the upcoming May 26 runoff, Nausėda will face Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, who secured 20% of the ballots.
Both candidates emphasize the need for increased military support for Ukraine, reflecting concerns across the Baltics about Russian aggression.
While tensions simmer, Nausėda and Simonyte are aligned on boosting defense spending and strengthening ties with NATO. However, they differ on social issues like same-sex civil partnerships.
The presidency in Lithuania holds significant power in foreign and security policy, with the president chairing key defense and national security bodies and representing the country in international forums.
Nausėda, who narrowly won against Simonyte in the previous election, appears confident about his chances, aligning with potential allies from the Social Democrats for future governance.
The second round of the nation’s presidential elections is scheduled for May 26. Minorities vote pro-Russian
In the first round of Sunday’s presidential elections in Lithuania, pro-Russian candidate Eduardas Vaitkus won the vote in the mostly Polish-populated Šalčininkai region, garnering 40%.
Vaitkus also won in Visaginas, a town near the Latvian border with a predominantly Russian minority. Here, according to the Commission’s data, he received about 38% of the vote.
“We see that in the case of national minorities, we again have a big problem – a part of the population does not trust the Lithuanian state,” Lithuanian columnist Alexander Radchenko told the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Poles and Russians are the largest national minorities in Lithuania, accounting for 6.6% and 5.8% of the population, respectively.
Nausėda, who narrowly won against Simonyte in the previous election, appears confident about his chances, aligning with potential allies from the Social Democrats for future governance.
The second round of the nation’s presidential elections is scheduled for May 26. Minorities vote pro-Russian
In the first round of Sunday’s presidential elections in Lithuania, pro-Russian candidate Eduardas Vaitkus won the vote in the mostly Polish-populated Šalčininkai region, garnering 40%.
Vaitkus also won in Visaginas, a town near the Latvian border with a predominantly Russian minority. Here, according to the Commission’s data, he received about 38% of the vote.
“We see that in the case of national minorities, we again have a big problem – a part of the population does not trust the Lithuanian state,” Lithuanian columnist Alexander Radchenko told the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Poles and Russians are the largest national minorities in Lithuania, accounting for 6.6% and 5.8% of the population, respectively.
Source: Reuters, PAP
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