Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas to seek second term

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas announced Thursday that he will seek a second term in next spring’s municipal elections, highlighting his administration’s achievements and outlining priorities for the next four years.

“The results speak for themselves today. [...] I invite you to measure my term by my deeds. [...] Today I can say, yes, I am running for mayor of Vilnius,” Benkunskas said at an event at the Energy and Technology Museum.

Benkunskas, a member of the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, has led the Lithuanian capital since 2023. He expressed confidence in his chances of winning another term but said the decision ultimately rests with voters, who will judge his performance in office.

He declined to identify his main potential rivals, saying he preferred to focus on his own campaign. He also said it was too early to discuss the team he would assemble if re-elected, although forming one would be easier than during his first term.

In announcing his candidacy, Benkunskas cited his administration’s achievements, including resurfacing 340 kilometres of streets, opening new educational institutions, renovating 45 public spaces and adding 333 vehicles to the city’s public transport fleet.

If re-elected, he said, his priorities would include renovating residential apartment building courtyards, expanding transport infrastructure and transforming the Vilnius bus station and its surrounding district.

Several other politicians have already announced plans to run for mayor.

They include lawmaker and former mayor Arturas Zuokas; Vytautas Sinica, a lawmaker and leader of the far-right National Alliance; and Aleksandras Nemunaitis, a Vilnius City Council member and chairman of the Lithuania for Everyone party.

Former television host Kristupas Krivickas is also entering the race, while the Liberal Movement has nominated lawmaker Simonas Gentvilas.

The Freedom Party has nominated Vilnius Deputy Mayor and party leader Vytautas Mitalas, while the Union of Democrats “For Lithuania” has put forward Jekaterina Rojaka. The Lithuanian Regions Party has selected Violeta Fominienė-Salemonė, a community leader from the Salininkai neighbourhood of Vilnius.

Direct elections for mayors and municipal councils are scheduled for March 7, 2027.