Photo: Collected
Lithuania's heads of state and government face off on Sunda (25 May)y in round two of the presidential election, as the Baltic nation prioritises defence and security amid fears over neighbouring Russia.
Both candidates agree that the NATO and EU member of 2.8 million should boost defence spending to counter the perceived threat, and to that end the government recently proposed a tax increase.
Former banker and incumbent Gitanas Nauseda, 60, is the heavy favourite to win another five-year term, saying he expects to receive 75 percent of votes.
There have been no opinion surveys since the first round, when Nauseda received 44 percent of the ballot while Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte got 20 percent.
Simonyte, the 49-year-old candidate of the ruling conservatives, is running for president again after losing to Nauseda in the last presidential runoff.
The Lithuanian president steers defence and foreign policy, attending EU and NATO summits, but must consult with the government and parliament on appointing the most senior officials.
While the candidates agree on defence, they share diverging views on Lithuania's relations with China, which have been strained for years over Taiwan.
Messenger/Disha
