The Lithuanian president is responsible for foreign policy and defense policy, essential tasks given the country’s position on NATO’s eastern flank.
The Lithuanian Gitanas Nausėda announced his re-election in a presidential vote on Sunday, following a campaign dominated by security issues in this member country of the European Union and NATO, neighboring Russia.
Nauseda60, a moderate conservative and strong supporter of Ukraine, has been in office since 2019.
This Baltic country of 2.8 million inhabitants is a staunch ally of Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion. Like other countries in the region, he fears being Moscow’s next target.
According to the results of almost 90% of polling stations, Mr. Nausėda would have won about three quarters of the votessurpassing his prime minister Ingrida Simonytė49, from the ruling center-right Homeland Union party.
If the final results confirm it, the support brought to Mr. Nausėda in his attempt to obtain a second mandate will be the highest in the country since its separation from the Soviet Union in 1991.
A former senior economist at the Swedish banking group SEB, Mr. Nausėda is not affiliated with any party. He won the first round of the May 12 election with 44% of the vote.slightly below the 50% necessary for a clear victory.
According to an ELTA/Baltijos Tyrimai poll conducted between February and March, just over half of Lithuanians believe a Russian attack is possible or even very likely. Russia has regularly dismissed fears that it can attack a NATO member.
Possible Russian sabotage
The election takes place in a context of increased tensions in the Baltic region.
This week, reports suggested that Russia could revise the boundaries of its territorial waters in the Baltic Seaprompting the Lithuanian Foreign Minister to call for a “firm response” to what he described as“obvious escalation”.
Fears of Russian sabotage are growing as details emerge of mysterious attacks on Lithuanian and Polish facilities.
Lithuanian law enforcement remains tight-lipped, but former officials warn that such incidents could increase as part of Russia’s broader strategy in its war against Ukraine.
Earlier this month, a fire at an IKEA store in Vilnius, initially suspected to be criminal, was later confirmed to be an act of sabotage.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has claimed that a series of arsons in Poland and Lithuania were orchestrated by Russia.
Lithuania, a member of NATO, plays a strategic role on the alliance’s eastern flank, making the presidential role particularly important given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both candidates maintained firm positions against Moscow’s aggression, thus aligning with the country’s foreign policy priorities.
As Lithuanians await the results, the outcome of the election will be closely monitored, given the broader geopolitical implications for the region.