As Lithuania prepares for its presidential election on Sunday, heightened fears over Russia’s advancements in Ukraine loom large, amplifying concerns across Europe, particularly in the strategically vital Baltic region.
Incumbent President Gitanas Nausėda enjoys widespread popularity and is poised for re-election to another five-year term. However, with eight candidates in the running, the likelihood of any single contender securing the required 50% of votes for an outright victory is slim. In the event of a deadlock, a runoff election is scheduled for May 26.
The president’s pivotal responsibilities in Lithuania’s political landscape encompass overseeing foreign and security policy, as well as serving as the supreme commander of the armed forces. Given Lithuania’s strategic positioning along NATO’s eastern flank and the broader geopolitical standoff between Russia and the West, the presidency carries significant weight despite the country’s relatively modest size.
There is palpable apprehension in Lithuania, as well as neighboring Latvia and Estonia, regarding Russia’s escalating momentum in Ukraine. All three Baltic states, having declared independence post-Soviet Union collapse, have pursued a steadfast westward trajectory by aligning with both the European Union and NATO.
President Nausėda, a moderate conservative and staunch advocate for Ukraine, has garnered bipartisan support for his robust stance on international affairs. Throughout his tenure, Lithuania has provided sanctuary to numerous individuals fleeing authoritarian regimes in neighboring Belarus and escalating repression in Russia.
Nausėda’s main rivals in the presidential race include Ignas Vėgėlė, a populist lawyer, who is in second place according to polls and Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė. While Nausėda maintains a strong lead in opinion polls, some voters, like teacher Asta Valanciene, express preference for Šimonytė due to her seasoned political experience. Nausėda on the other hand, is a former banker who entered politics with his successful presidential run in 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic has propelled Vėgėlė into the limelight with his vocal criticism of government lockdown and vaccination policies. A second-place finish for Vėgėlė could significantly impact Lithuania’s political landscape ahead of parliamentary elections later this year.
Sunday’s ballot also includes a referendum on amending the constitution to permit dual citizenship for Lithuanians residing abroad. The proposed amendment aims to address demographic challenges faced by Lithuania, with a significant portion of its population migrating overseas.
Currently, Lithuanians who adopt another nationality must give up their Lithuanian citizenship. However, if the 1992 Constitution is amended, people who have acquired Lithuanian citizenship by birth will no longer have to forfeit it if they acquire citizenship of another country friendly to Lithuania.
Melissa Enoch
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