Lithuania to choose between two "worthy candidates" in presidential race

Vilinius: Lithuanians are "lucky" as the two candidates competing in the country's presidential runoff are "worthy of being there," outgoing President Dalia Grybauskaite has said.

The first round of the presidential election took place on 12 May pitting economist Gitanas Nauseda against former Finance Minister Ingrida Simonyte. Since none of them secured more than 50 percent of the votes, a runoff is scheduled for 26 May, coinciding with the European Parliament elections.

"People will be able to choose the candidate they like," Grybauskaite said after casting her ballot in early voting here.

According to Grybauskaite, the Lithuanian people expect stability, peace and welfare from the new leader.

"The new president will have to take over a big responsibility," she said.

The highly popular Grybauskaite, also known as the 'Iron Lady', did not reveal which candidate she supported.

She noted that serving as president had been a "huge challenge."

"I had to learn every day as the situation was always changing," Grybauskaite was quoted as saying by local media.

Ingrida Simonyte received 31.31 percent of the votes in the first round. Nauseda was second with 30.94 percent.

Advance voting in the Lithuanian presidential runoff and the European Parliament election began on Monday and will run through Friday.