PM expects 'prosperous Lithuania' from new president, mum on his plans

VILNIUS - Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis says he expects the new president to lead Lithuania to a prosperous future, but refuses to comment on his own political plans. 

"It was hard, but I made my choice. Just like most of Lithuanian people who expressed their trust in choosing candidates for the second round, I simply expect a prosperous Lithuania," he told reporters after casting his vote in the presidential runoff and European Parliament elections on Sunday. 

Skvernelis said on Sunday he would comment on his plans later. The prime minister had said earlier he would resign if he did not make it to the runoff. 

"I have my plans. When the right moment comes, I'll comment on them," he told reporters. 

Ingrida Simonyte, a former finance minister and now a MP supported by the conservative Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats, is facing Gitanas Nauseda, an economist standing as an independent, in the runoff.

Skvernelis dropped from the presidential race after finishing third in the first round two weeks ago. 

The runoff coincides with European Parliament elections in Lithuania, where 16 party and party and public electoral committee lists are vying for the country's 11 seats in the EU legislature.