Lithuania Elects Grybauskaite as First Woman President

Dalia Grybauskaite has been elected Lithuania's first female president, according to official results.

"I am grateful for the responsibility invested in me," said Grybauskaite, the European Union budget commissioner, cited by the BBC.

With 96% of votes counted, she won 68% of the votes. Turnout at 51% was just above the threshold needed to give her an outright first round win.

Her nearest challenger, Social Democrat lawmaker Algirdas Butkevicius came a distant second with 12% of the vote.

Seven candidates contested the poll which was held amid widespread concern about the economic downturn in the Baltic state.

Under the Lithuanian constitution presidents have limited influence over economic policies.

Though as president Grybauskaite, whose inauguration is set for 12 July, she will have the right to veto the budget.

The president's main power lies in foreign policy and here she has promised to be less confrontational, especially towards Russia.

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