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Incumbent Nauseda clearly wins the presidential election in Lithuania

The presidential election in Lithuania brings the anticipated victory of Gitanas Nauseda. The incumbent secures a second time period in workplace in NATO companion Germany – and it is determined by continuity.

Within the face of Russia’s aggressive warfare in Ukraine, the folks of Lithuania rely upon political continuity on the prime of the state: within the presidential election, Gitanas Nauseda was confirmed in his place in a direct election and elected head of state. Baltic EU and NATO nation for one more 5 years.

The incumbent was clearly up in opposition to Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte within the decisive spherical on Sunday. The 60-year-old is more likely to proceed his laborious line in opposition to Moscow and his fierce help for Kiev. Nauseda has headed the Baltic state, which borders the Russian Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad and shut Russian ally Belarus, since 2019.

After Russia’s warfare of aggression in opposition to Ukraine, Nauseda campaigned decisively for humanitarian help and the supply of weapons to Kiev. He additionally made a reputation for himself internationally as a dedicated consultant of the pursuits of his homeland, which is especially uncovered within the geopolitical battle with Russia because of its location on the japanese aspect of NATO. Germany due to this fact needs to determine a brigade that is able to combat completely with as much as 5,000 German troopers in Lithuania.

“fragile ship”

“The independence and freedom of Lithuania is sort of a fragile vessel that we should cherish, shield and hold from breaking,” the unbiased politician mentioned on election evening saying that he would proceed to give attention to international coverage and protection in his second time period in workplace. In line with him, this additionally consists of the addition of a Bundeswehr brigade. Nauseda named the USA, Germany, Poland and the opposite Baltic states as Lithuania’s most vital companions.

In line with preliminary outcomes, Nauseda was forward in all electoral areas and gained with 74.4 p.c of the vote. The economist had already clearly gained the primary spherical of elections on Might twelfth, however with out attaining the required absolute majority. His opponent Simonyte acquired 24.1 per cent of the votes within the voting contest – and admitted defeat early on. The present head of presidency was already defeated by Nauseda within the earlier presidential election 5 years in the past. The proportion who voted was 49.2 per cent.

In Lithuania, the pinnacle of state has primarily consultant duties. In comparison with the Federal President of Germany, the President has extra intensive powers in international coverage and defence. Nauseda commonly represented his nation at EU summits. The president can be the pinnacle of the armed forces.

Commentators and political scientists assumed that Nauseda would behave extra courageously in home coverage in his second time period in workplace, however he would hardly deviate from his earlier course in international coverage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who, together with the heads of neighboring states of Latvia, Estonia and Poland, have been among the many first international supporters, can be relying on this.