LITHUANIA: A conservative candidate, Mr Rolandas Paksas, won a surprise victory in Lithuania's presidential election, securing power with a populist message that will shake up local politics but is unlikely to knock European Union entry off course.
Mr Paksas, a 46-year-old former prime minister and stunt pilot, defeated President Valdas Adamkus by a 10-point margin by appealing to those who have lost out in the small Baltic state's transition from communism to democracy since 1991.
His disagreements with the leftist coalition of the Prime Minister, Mr Algirdas Brazauskas, on economic policy may overshadow a May referendum on EU entry but are unlikely to affect its outcome, analysts say.
"I hope that the bitter pre-election period has ended today and that we can work together for the common good," a conciliatory Mr Paksas told reporters after an aggressive campaign which left him with few friends among political parties.
EU membership is popular among Lithuania's 3.5 million people, and opinion polls show 64 per cent support for joining the bloc in May 2004 and just 17 per cent against.
"Foreign policy goals will not change," Mr Paksas said. "They are to join the EU and NATO and keep good ties with our neighbours."
Mr Adamkus easily won last month's first-round vote, and Mr Paksas was given little chance in the run-off against the President, 30 years his senior and hailed for guiding Lithuania towards NATO and EU entry while rebuilding relations with Moscow.
But Mr Paksas pulled ahead in the low poll with vague promises to improve the living conditions of the many Lithuanians suffering hardship.
Lithuanian voters have a tradition of surprising pundits in what analysts say is a reflection of the youth of its democracy.
Mr Adamkus, who spent much of his life in the US, himself had a surprise victory in the poll for the presidency five years ago.