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EU official 'tops Lithuania poll' EU official claims Lithuania win
(about 1 hour later)
European Union budget commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite has won the first round of Lithuania's presidential poll, according to preliminary results. European Union budget commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite has claimed victory in Lithuania's presidential election.
With nearly 24% of the vote counted, she won 68%, but it was not immediately clear if she would avoid a run-off. "I am grateful for the responsibility invested in me," she said, after Sunday's first round of the vote.
With some 36% of the vote counted, she had 68% backing, according to preliminary results. Turnout was just more than 50%.
To avoid a run-off a candidate needs 50% of the vote with at least 50% of the eligible voters taking part.
If turnout is below 50%, a candidate needs backing from a third of all eligible voters.
The second round - if required - would be held on 7 June.
If confirmed, Ms Grybauskaite, aged 53, would become Lithuania's first ever female president.If confirmed, Ms Grybauskaite, aged 53, would become Lithuania's first ever female president.
Sunday's election was held amid widespread concern about the economic downturn in the Baltic state. The first round of the polls was held amid widespread concern about the economic downturn in the Baltic state.
Seven candidates contested the elections.Seven candidates contested the elections.
Social Democrat lawmaker Algirdas Butkevicius, Ms Grybauskaite's nearest challenger, was running a distant second with 12% of the vote.Social Democrat lawmaker Algirdas Butkevicius, Ms Grybauskaite's nearest challenger, was running a distant second with 12% of the vote.
Preliminary results also showed that turnout was 50,42%, but final figures are expected later on Sunday. Final figures are expected later on Sunday.
To win in the first round, a contender must secure 50% of the vote with at least 50% of some 2.6m eligible voters taking part.
If turnout is below 50%, a candidate needs backing from a third of all eligible voters.
The second round - if required - would be held on 7 June.
'Level-headed''Level-headed'
Ms Grybauskaite, the EU's tough-talking budget commissioner who has a black belt in karate, was running as an independent.Ms Grybauskaite, the EU's tough-talking budget commissioner who has a black belt in karate, was running as an independent.
In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country Dalia GrybauskaiteIn the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country Dalia Grybauskaite
Lithuania's crashing economy has dominated what little policy debate this presidential election has generated, the BBC's Adam Easton says.Lithuania's crashing economy has dominated what little policy debate this presidential election has generated, the BBC's Adam Easton says.
Ms Grybauskaite has been critical of the way the economy has been handled by governments in the past.Ms Grybauskaite has been critical of the way the economy has been handled by governments in the past.
"Our local political establishment is so boring for people, and they want to see some new faces," she told reporters after voting in the capital Vilnius."Our local political establishment is so boring for people, and they want to see some new faces," she told reporters after voting in the capital Vilnius.
"In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country," Ms Grybauskaite added."In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country," Ms Grybauskaite added.
She is widely seen as being a level-headed caretaker and has also avoided being tainted by domestic scandals, our correspondent says.She is widely seen as being a level-headed caretaker and has also avoided being tainted by domestic scandals, our correspondent says.
After enjoying years of impressive growth since it joined the European Union in 2004, Lithuania is experiencing double digit economic contraction and rising unemployment.After enjoying years of impressive growth since it joined the European Union in 2004, Lithuania is experiencing double digit economic contraction and rising unemployment.
Frustration turned into violence in January when demonstrators smashed windows in the parliament building in Vilnius.Frustration turned into violence in January when demonstrators smashed windows in the parliament building in Vilnius.