VILNIUS, Lithuania (Reuters) — The European Union budget commissioner, Dalia Grybauskaite, was elected Sunday as the first female president of Lithuania, the Baltic nation battling a particularly deep recession.

Ms. Grybauskaite, 53, a tough-talking former finance minister with a black belt in karate, ran as an independent candidate, enhancing her popularity in contrast to the main political parties, whose standings were undermined by the economic downturn and allegations of corruption.

With 96 percent of votes counted, she secured a little more than 68 percent support. Turnout was 51 percent, just above the 50 percent needed to give her a first-round victory and avoid a runoff.

In Lithuania, the president is the head of state and formally appoints the prime minister and the cabinet.