European Union budget commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite was close to scoring an outright victory in Lithuania's presidential election today, Reuters quoted an exit poll and turnout figures as showing. If she wins, the 53-year-old former finance minister would become the first woman president in the Baltic state, at a time of deep economic recession and disenchantment with politicians. Grybauskaite ran as an independent, enhancing her popularity as a tough-talking leader in contrast with the main political parties, whose popularity has been hit by the economic downturn and earlier corruption allegations. "Our local political establishment is so boring for people, and they want to see some new faces... In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country," she told journalists after voting in the capital Vilnius. An exit poll after voting ended at 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) showed her winning 67.8 percent of the vote. Turnout must be at least 50 percent for her to be elected directly in the first round and to win half the votes cast. Any second round would be held on June 7. Including pre-election day voting, the turnout an hour before polls closed at 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) was 49.4 percent. Final turnout figures and early results were due by 11 p.m. (2000 GMT).
