Rolandas Paksas registers as presidential candidate for June 13 elections

The Lithuanian Central Election Commission has registered former president Rolandas Paksas as a presidential candidate in the country's upcoming elections. Rosbalt reports that the commission made their decision in spite of a recommendation from an ethics commission to refuse to register Paksas.

The former Lithuanian president was not present at the election commission's session. CEC Chairman Zenonas Vaygauskas, after announcing the commission's decision, distributed signature forms to candidates. Presidential candidates must collect 20 thousand signatures or pay EUR 10 thousand by May 8 to be eligible for the elections which are scheduled for June 13.

The Lithuanian Liberal Democratic Party nominated Paksas. The former Lithuanian president was impeached by the country's parliament on April 6 for gross violations of his oath of office and the country's constitution.