Balcytis ready for debates - Lithuania’s PM

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, Leader of the social democrats, claims the party's nominee Zigmantas Balcytis is ready for active debates with his competitor President Dalia Grybauskaite.

"As we have seen he beat five competitors and, I believe, this is a sign he is ready for intense debates with our current president in the second round. Let's just wait and see what the results are," Butkevicius told the national radio in an interview.

The national television is going to broadcast two more debate shows between the candidates on 15 and 22 of May, prior to the run-off voting of 25 May, reports LETA.

The leader of the social democrats regards Balcytis "a strong and experienced politician who has shown high political culture, wisdom and abilities during the debates."

"And, what is important to us Lithuanians, we saw that he is a tolerant person. These features are essential to every politician, especially to the one who is running for president. As a president is a personality, people decide individually which candidate to support," Butkevicius said.
According to the prime minister, Balcytis will be supported by the Labour Party, the Order and Justice Party, the social democrats, "while Valdemar Tomasevski expressed his personal support."

Based on preliminary data of the Central Electoral Commission (VRK), in the first presidential election voting round President Dalia Grybauskaite received 45.89 percent of votes, while Zigmantas Balcytis 13.63 percent.