Gitanas Nauseda Leads in Lithuania's Presidential Race: Election Insights
Lithuania is currently conducting presidential elections scheduled for Sunday, May 12th. Approximately 2.5 million eligible voters will determine the occupant of the highest state office for the next five years.
Polls indicate that the incumbent president, professional economist Gitanas Nauseda, aged 59, who has led Lithuania since 2019, is the clear favourite. Seven other candidates are vying for the position, according to DW.
The polling stations will close at 8:00 p.m., with initial results expected on the night of May 13th. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, Lithuania will proceed with a second round of voting on May 26th, where the two candidates with the most votes will compete. Concurrently, the country is conducting a referendum on the introduction of dual citizenship.
The electoral campaign has prominently featured discussions on the conflict in Ukraine and its implications for Lithuania's national security, alongside socio-political issues. While the president's ceremonial powers are significant, they extend to foreign and defence policies as well.
As a member of the European Union and NATO, Lithuania shares borders with the Russian exclave Kaliningrad and Belarus. It is poised to become a crucial base for potential NATO military operations in the foreseeable future. Amidst changes in Europe's security landscape and Russia's assertive actions, Germany has pledged to deploy a Bundeswehr brigade comprising up to five thousand soldiers in Lithuania.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
