“The presidential elections will become a three-horse race. The nearest question mark is how much the third will catch up to the favourites. Skvernelis is a problem for Nausėda because the latter is not a left-wing candidate, but instead a classical catch-all candidate seeking to appeal to everyone,” the political scientist stated.
According to the political scientist, the prime minister’s decision is good news for TS-LKD candidate Ingrida Šimonytė.
“Ideologically, there is no left or right in Lithuania at all. There are Conservative voters, who view themselves as right wing because the party’s leaders say so, three and a half of a liberal and then everyone else. Skvernelis is good news for Šimonytė. This is because he can take from Nausėda, whose decline would even out positions (or perhaps would even push into Šimonytė’s advantage). [Skvernelis] Won’t take from the Conservatives.”
Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis announced in a meeting with Rusnė residents on Thursday that he will participate in the May presidential elections.
The prime minister stated that he wants “harmony between branches of government in the country,” because this would help smoothly implement the government’s programme.