Lithuanians are called to the polls today for the second round of presidential elections, in a climate of concern over the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The 60-year-old outgoing president, Gitanas Nausenda, is the big favorite in the election contest and is expected to secure a second five-year term. He estimated that he would receive 75% of the vote, after securing around 44% in the first round.

His opponent is 49-year-old Prime Minister Ingrid Simonite, who secured just 20% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election two weeks ago. She is running for the presidency for the second time, after losing to Nausenda in the second round of the 2019 elections.

The president of Lithuania determines the country’s foreign policy in cooperation with the government and participates in EU and NATO summits. He must consult the government and obtain the approval of the parliament for the appointment of the most senior officials.

Both Nauceda and Simonite consider it imperative to increase defense spending to counter the threat from Russia. The Baltic country fears it could be Moscow’s next target if Russia wins the war in Ukraine.

Ausra Visniauskiene, a 67-year-old pensioner, supports Nausenda. “I want men to be in charge, especially when the threat of war is so great,” she says.

Lithuania, a member of the EU and NATO, is one of Ukraine’s major donors, spending a large part of its budget on defense, 2.75% of its GDP. The Simonite government wants to increase this rate to 3%.

Vilnius intends to use these funds to purchase tanks, additional anti-aircraft defense systems and to host German troops on its soil. Berlin plans to station around 5,000 troops in Lithuania by 2027.