Less than a week after Lithuanians celebrated one thousand years of their country's history, the Baltic state marks another historic occasion: the inauguration of its first female president. Dalia Grybauskaite has been sworn into office at the Lithuanian parliament or Seimas on Sunday after winning a landslide election victory in May. The 53-year-old, who ran as an independent candidate, won 69 per cent of the vote. The inauguration ceremony is to be followed by a holy mass at Vilnius cathedral, a military parade and a gala concert. The former European Union financial planning and budgets commissioner got her new job because voters decided her EU experience and a reputation for straight talking was vital at a time when Lithuania is facing a sharp economic downturn. Soon after her victory, Grybauskaite said her main diplomatic efforts would be towards the "development of a balanced foreign policy" and "helping to democratise the neighbourhood".
Dalia Grybauskaite has been sworn into office at the Lithuanian parliament or Seimas on Sunday after winning a landslide election victory in May. The 53-year-old, who ran as an independent candidate, won 69 per cent of the vote.
The inauguration ceremony is to be followed by a holy mass at Vilnius cathedral, a military parade and a gala concert.
The former European Union financial planning and budgets commissioner got her new job because voters decided her EU experience and a reputation for straight talking was vital at a time when Lithuania is facing a sharp economic downturn.
Soon after her victory, Grybauskaite said her main diplomatic efforts would be towards the "development of a balanced foreign policy" and "helping to democratise the neighbourhood".
Only a week ago a woman was sworn in in Croatia, now Lithaunia, Iceland and of course Germany with Merkel.
Is there still a female President in Finland?
And are there any others?
