Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda will remain in office for another five years. The non-partisan economist won the runoff election for the presidency in Lithuania with a clear lead over his challenger, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.
After more than 90 percent of the electoral districts had been counted, Nauseda received just over 75 percent of the votes. Simonyte admitted defeat and congratulated Nauseda on his victory.
"I would like to thank the Lithuanian people for their support," Nauseda declared at his election celebration, describing his victory as a "great mandate of trust," according to n-tv.
Nauseda had previously led the first round of voting on May 12 but did not secure the absolute majority required for an outright win.
The 60-year-old economist has been at the helm of the Baltic state, which borders the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, since 2019.
After Russia's attack on Ukraine, Nauseda campaigned resolutely for humanitarian aid and arms deliveries to Kyiv, gaining international recognition as a committed representative of his country's interests.
Voter turnout was just under 50 percent, lower than in the previous election in 2019.
In Lithuania, the President primarily has representative duties but holds extensive powers in foreign and defense policy.
Nauseda regularly represents his country at EU summits and is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Security and defense issues were at the forefront of the election campaign, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions with Russia.
