Why was Dalia Grybauskaité successful in the presidential election?

Questions:

1. What are main reasons in your opinion for her victory in the election?

2. If we look at her work as the member of European Commission, do you think she was successful?

3. What can Lithuania expect from her?

Answers:

Tomas Janeliūnas, Associate Professor at Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University

1. First of all, Dalia Grybauskaité was identified as non-partisan politician, non responsible for current problems in Lithuanian political and economical sphere. She was consistent in her critics to former government; she didn't try to be suitable for main political parties or officials. Secondly, Grybauskaité was firm at providing a very clear idea about her "targets" as a potential president - to fight monopolies and nontransparent, relations among business and politics. She succeeded to create and maintain an image of a firm, goal-oriented politician. The society was hungry for changes in inert political life and Mrs. Grybauskaité successfully employed these needs in her election campaign.

2. A lot of people in Lithuania doesn't know much about the work of European Commission or particular commissioners. However Mrs. Dalia Grybauskaité had a positive assessment in Lithuanian and EU media as a hard working and strenuous professional. Many of Lithuanians were proud of her.


3. I think that voters are expecting changes in Lithuanian political decision making and more accountability of politicians and civil servants to society. Mrs. Grybauskaité proclaimed that she will request more responsibility from all of the members of government and other officials. This could be one of the main expectations for the new president.

Vitalis Nakrošis, Associate Professor at Institute of International Relations and Political
Science, Vilnius University

1. Tough leader, economic background relevant in the environment of economic crisis, experience in Brussels.

2. Yes, successful at the EU level with important role in domestic policy issues

3. Strategic leadership, support for the implementation of some government policy, better articulation of societal expectations in decision-making.

Mindaugas Jurkynas, Associate Professor at Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University

1. She was a new face in politics, promised decisive solutions against monopolies and oligarchy and was not tainted by political controversies of the past.

2. She was responsible for the EU budget and was known as a strict commissioner.

3. Reshuffling of a part of the cabinet and active involvement in domestic policies.

Vytautas Dumbliauskas, Associate Professor at Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University

1. People's hopes for changes.

2. Yes, she was.

3. Society hopes that she will be fighter against present political system.