Paksas was impeached for allegedly leaking classified material, and granting citizenship to Russian businessman Jurij Borisov in exchange for financial support. The Constitutional Court of Lithuania ruled that Paksas could not seek re-election as president. In accordance with the constitution, the speaker of parliament, Artūras Paulauskas, became acting president pending new elections.
In the first round on 13 June, former President, Valdas Adamkus, led the vote tally over the former Prime MinisterKazimira Prunskienė. Adamkus defeated Prunskienė in the second round on 27 June.