Area: 65,301 sq km (25,213 sq mi)
Population (1998 est.): 3,704,000
Chief of state: President Valdas Adamkus
Head of government: Prime Minister Gediminas Vagnorius
On Jan. 4, 1998, runoff elections for president were held. The émigré environmentalist Valdas Adamkus (see BIOGRAPHIES) won by a narrow margin over his postcommunist opponent, Arturas Paulauskas.
Adapting his administrative experience in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Adamkus quickly became the country’s most popular figure, increasing both the power and the prestige of the presidency as an institution. The ruling coalition of the Homeland Union (Conservatives of Lithuania) and the Christian Democrats continued structural and legislative reforms aimed at deepening economic transformation and preparing the way for eventual European Union (EU) membership.
Foreign direct investment increased substantially (the annual rate of inflation was less than 5%), but trade and current account deficits increased. The economic crisis in Russia had only a limited effect on Lithuania because of Lithuania’s success in disengaging from the economy of the former U.S.S.R.
The decision by the EU not to commence formal negotiations with Lithuania for EU membership in 1999 was a major disappointment because the government had made accession talks its primary goal. Lithuania continued to improve its ties with its neighbours, placing particular emphasis on fostering good relations with Poland.