Vilnius - Dalia Grybauskaite's landslide victory in Sunday's Lithuanian presidential election was putting a spring in the step of many women in a sunny Lithuanain capital, Vilnius, Monday.

In the streets of the city's historic Old Town, it was difficult to find any women who had not voted for the 53-year-old former EU Financial Planning and Budgets Commissioner, who attracted 69 per cent of the vote.

However, no one to whom the German Press Agency dpa spoke said they had voted for Grybauskaite simply because of her sex.

Shop owner Odeta Morkuniene told dpa that both she and her husband had backed Grybauskaite's bid for the presidency.

"We would have voted for her before if she had stood before. She has the experience and strength to be a good president," she said.

Outside the nearby university, art student Violeta said she had taken the opportunity of her first ever vote in a national poll to support Grybauskaite.

"We will have to see how good she is, but one thing is clear - she is much smarter than the other candidates," she said.

A businesswoman named Ona said Grybauskaite's sex had counted in her favour but was not the only reason the politician had received her support.

"She has a feminine brain," Ona said. "I hope this will make her more thoughtful and less macho than some politicians. I also think (outgoing President) Adamkus is a good man, but some of the other politicians are a disgrace."

"Yes, this gives a good message to women in Lithuania," she added. (dpa)