Adamkus, Valdas (1926– )

Lithuanian-US politician and administrator, president of Lithuania from 1998. He emigrated to the USA in 1944, after fighting the Nazi German and Soviet occupations of his homeland. On his retirement as head of the Scientific Research Center of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), he returned to Lithuania and was narrowly elected president in a run-off contest in January 1998.

In the second round of the presidential election in January 1998, he unexpectedly defeated Arturas Palauskas, by 49.9% to 49.3%, having trailed well behind in the first round. As president, he pledged continuing rapprochement with Russia, whilst seeking to deepen Lithuania's links with Western Europe and the USA.