Vilnius - The European Union's Financial Planning and Budgets Commissioner, Dalia Grybauskaite, confirmed Thursday that she will be a candidate in May's presidential election to be held in her homeland, Lithuania.

Speaking at a specially-convened press conference in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Grybauskaite told reporters she felt the time was right to return from her European duties given the number of people urging her to stand and the seriousness of the economic situation facing the Baltic state.

"I can and want to contribute my experience, knowledge and skills to the citizens of Lithuania. Therefore I will be contesting the presidential elections," said 52-year-old Grybauskaite.

Seeing television pictures of riots which erupted in Vilnius on January 16 had played a part in persuading her to put herself forward, she said.

She said she would be standing as an independent candidate rather than a representative of a political party.

"I want to remain an independent candidate in order to make decisions which are only for the good of Lithuania. However, I will be open to assistance from others, without any obligations," Grybauskaite said.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has already expressed his support for Grybauskaite's presidential bid.

"I have no doubts about her qualification. She would make a very good president," Kubilius said.

Other candidates confirming Thursday that they will run include parliamentary speaker and former TV game show host Arunas Valinskas, retired general Ceslovas Jezersko and publisher Algirdas Pivelis, but from the moment of announcing her candidature, Grybauskaite is likely to be the clear front runner.

Some commentators have predicted that she could secure sufficient backing to make a second run-off election, which is usually required, unnecessary.

Grybauskaite has been an EU Commissioner since 2004, and in November 2005 was named "Commissioner of the Year" in a European Voice poll.

Incumbent President Valdas Adamkus is due to step down this year after serving two four-year terms, the maximum permitted under the Lithuanian constitution.

The institution of the Lithuanian presidency made international headlines in 2004 when then-president Rolandas Paksas became the first head of an EU member state to be impeached and removed from office for breach of oath. (dpa)