EU commissioner to stand for president in Lithuania

EU financial programming and budget commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite has announced her candidacy for the upcoming Lithuanian presidential elections.

Grybauskaite is expected to stand down from her current post in the middle of April.

Her spokeswoman confirmed to this website on Thursday that she intends standing in the elections, the first round of which will be held on 17 May.

If a second round is required, this will take place on 7 June.

A former finance minister in Lithuania, Grybauskaite has been a commissioner in José Manuel Barroso's executive since 2004.

It is believed that responsibility for her portfolio will be given to another commissioner, at least on a temporary basis.

The commissioner told reporters in Vilnius that she made up her mind after a mid-January protest against economic reforms in the capital Vilnius turned violent.

She said she would be standing as an independent candidate rather than a representative of a political party.

"I want to remain an independent candidate in order to make decisions which are only for the good of Lithuania. However, I will be open to assistance from others, without any obligations," Grybauskaite said.

Grybauskaite stands a strong chance of winning the race since, according to recent opinion polls, she is the Baltic state's most trusted politician.

President Valdas Adamkus will step down in May.

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