Gitanas Nauseda Wins Second Term
Gitanas Nauseda has secured a second term as Lithuania’s President by defeating Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte in the presidential elections.
Election Results
- Nauseda led the race with around three-quarters of the vote, according to nearly 90 per cent of polling stations.
- Earlier results showed Nauseda capturing 78 per cent of the votes with 62 per cent of the ballots counted.
Security Concerns
The election was marked by heightened security concerns due to Lithuania’s proximity to Russia.
Nauseda’s Presidency
Nauseda’s presidency involves a semi-executive role, which includes commanding the armed forces, chairing the defence and national security policy body, and representing Lithuania at NATO and EU summits.
Nauseda’s Vision
Addressing supporters in Vilnius, Nauseda emphasized the importance of cherishing Lithuanian independence and freedom to prevent any cracks.
Defence Spending Increase
Both candidates, Nauseda and Simonyte, advocated for increasing defence spending to at least 3 percent of Lithuania’s GDP in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Lithuania’s Foreign Policy
The relationship between Nauseda and Simonyte has influenced Lithuania’s foreign policy, particularly regarding China.
Simonyte’s Vision
Simonyte expressed her vision for Lithuania’s future, emphasizing a pro-European and pro-Western direction with a call for quicker progress and more openness.
