[5] Vytautas Landsbergis, leader of the pro-independence Sąjūdis movement, withdrew his candidacy in support of Stasys Lozoraitis Jr.,[2] a Lithuanian diplomat, who had spent almost all of his life in Italy and the United States representing the interwar independent Lithuania.

No other candidates came forward as other parties with the exception of the Polish minority declared their support for Lozoraitis as they had become alarmed by the dominance of Brazauskas and the LDDP.

[2] Brazauskas, operating in a familiar environment, was better prepared to address domestic affairs and promised to focus on a smooth transition from planned economy to free market.

[7] During the campaign, opponents depicted Lozoraitis as a foreigner who did not understand the current situation of Lithuania and was largely dependent on the unpopular Sąjūdis.

[8] Brazauskas received a majority of the vote everywhere except Kaunas, and did particularly well in areas inhabited by the Russian and Polish minorities.