Lithuania voting in presidential election and citizenship referendum

World 10:23 12.05.2024

Lithuanians are casting votes in a presidential election on Sunday at a time when Russian gains on the battlefield in Ukraine are fueling greater fears about Moscow’s intentions, particularly in the strategically important Baltic region, Ednews informs via the Associated Press.

The popular incumbent, Gitanas Nausėda, is favored to win another five-year term in office. But there are eight candidates running in all, making it difficult for him or any other candidate to muster the 50% of the votes needed to win outright on Sunday. In that case, a runoff will be held on May 26.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close 8 p.m. (1700 GMT). Results are expected late Sunday night.

The president’s main tasks in Lithuania’s political system are overseeing foreign and security policy, and acting as the supreme commander of the armed forces. That adds importance to the position in the relatively small nation given that it is located strategically on NATO’s eastern flank as tensions rise between Russia and the West over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea is sandwiched between Lithuania to the north and east, and Poland to the south. There is great concern in Lithuania, and in neighboring Latvia and Estonia, about Russian troops’ latest gains in northeastern Ukraine.

All three Baltic states declared independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union and took a determined westward course, joining both the European Union and NATO.

Nausėda is a moderate conservative who turns 60 a week after Sunday’s election. One of his main challengers is Ingrida Šimonytė, 49, the current prime minister and former finance minister, whom he beat in a runoff in 2019 with 66% of the votes.

Another contender is Ignas Vėgėlė, a populist lawyer who gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic opposing restrictions and vaccines.

A referendum is also on the ballot Sunday. It asks whether the constitution should be amended to allow dual citizenship for hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians living abroad.

Lithuanian citizens who adopt another nationality currently must give up their Lithuanian citizenship, which doesn’t bode well for the Baltic nation whose population has fallen from 3.5 million in 1990 to 2.8 million today.

For the first time, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe turned down an invitation by Lithuania to observe the election.

The Lithuanian government wanted to exclude monitors from Russia and Belarus, accusing the two nations — both members of the 57-member organization — of being threats to its political and electoral processes.

The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights said Lithuania was breaking the rules it signed up to when it joined the organization. It said observers don’t represent their countries’ governments, that they must sign a code of conduct pledging political neutrality and if they break the rules they are no longer allowed to continue as observers.

IEPF organized a discussion at COP29 on the role of NGOs in combating the climate crisis

News line

How did Western Europe become a puppet?
12:10 15.02.2025
Why Trump’s assault on USAID could change US foreign policy forever
12:06 08.02.2025
Why Gorbochev’s Nobel Peace Prize should be rescinded -Rachel Avraham
15:26 04.02.2025
Parvana Valiyeva has given an interview to the Nigerian press
08:53 30.01.2025
The First Meeting of the IEPF Board of Trustees in 2025 Was Held
19:47 28.01.2025
The historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan in Armenia: Obligation of Armenia to preserve and restore
19:55 25.01.2025
"Deprive Gorbachev of the Peace Prize" Open Letter to the Chair and Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
16:14 18.01.2025
"Azerbaijan, representing itself in D-9 as a victorious nation, will further solidify its authority."
13:42 16.01.2025
Turning Landmines Into Grapevines In Post-War Azerbaijan -"Forbes" wrote...
16:05 26.12.2024
"Nine countries to become BRICS partners in 2025"
21:09 23.12.2024
"From Zero to Rise" – Umud Mirzayev's Next Meeting with Students Held
17:35 23.12.2024
IEPF Statement on the Resolution of the Lower House of the Swiss Parliament on “Nagorno-Karabakh: Peace Forum”
17:36 19.12.2024
BRI, threats, tariffs and Trump
09:03 04.12.2024
COP29: GLOBAL CALL TO ERADICATE LANDMINES IN AZERBAIJAN AND WORLDWIDE
17:56 18.11.2024
As Trump looms large, can Keir Starmer save the world? Analytics
12:49 17.11.2024
IEPF Holds Side Event at COP29
16:40 15.11.2024
Chief of NGO Branch, Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for SDG, DESA, United Nations visited IEPF
18:08 14.11.2024
Can Trump reconcile Israel and Iran? Analytics
09:11 14.11.2024
IEPF organized a discussion at COP29 on the role of NGOs in combating the climate crisis
18:19 11.11.2024
Why Kamala Harris lost: A flawed candidate or doomed campaign? Analytics
14:32 07.11.2024
What Trump's win means for Ukraine, Middle East and China
09:56 07.11.2024
"Give us back our gods" "Inside Nepal's Museum of Stolen Art"
10:52 06.11.2024
Side Event on Mine Issues Held at UN Geneva Office
17:07 01.11.2024
A lost Maya city has been discovered deep within the jungles of Mexico
13:06 31.10.2024
"How Does Artificial Intelligence Affect Jobs?" Research
12:47 31.10.2024
"Is Europe Ready for Climate Change?"
10:26 31.10.2024
Orban and Tusk: How Did the “Two Brothers” Become Enemies?
15:02 29.10.2024
Why China needs BRICS
13:30 28.10.2024
More than 120 killed and dozens injured after Tropical Storm Trami batters Philippines
10:57 28.10.2024
Lithuania's Parliamentary Elections Conclude - Social Democrats Come to Power
10:27 28.10.2024
Pyrrhic Victory: Japan's ruling party has lost its parliamentary majority
10:03 28.10.2024
Astronauts Have Returned
09:15 28.10.2024
Does Israel Want Ceasfire? Important Messages from the Israeli Defense Minister and President
09:10 28.10.2024
Iran's Leaders Respond to Israel's Attack - "We do not want war, but... "
09:05 28.10.2024
Terrorist attack in Ankara: A message for Erdogan?
09:00 28.10.2024
Entire northern Gaza population at risk of dying – UN
08:45 28.10.2024
The Commonwealth members demand compensation from the United Kingdom
17:31 27.10.2024
Tigers vs tribals: Why are thousands of villagers up in arms against endangered species?
11:00 27.10.2024
Russia wants the world divided and in conflict NATO cannot let this happen
13:11 26.10.2024
Source of "Marburg" Strain Found: Bats Again..
17:35 25.10.2024
Hamısı