VILNIUS, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanians started voting early Sunday in the country's presidential election, pinning hope on the new president to lead the Baltic country out of a deepening economic crisis.

    Polling stations across Lithuania opened at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) and will close at 20:00 p.m. (1800 GMT). Some 2.6 million of 3.34 million Lithuanians are eligible to vote.

    The election was held at a time when the Baltic country plunged into a deep recession due to the global financial crisis.

    Hard hit by the crisis, the once vibrant economy of Lithuania was forecast to shrink 15.6 percent this year, one of the worst among 27 European Union (EU) member states, according to the country's central bank.

    Rising unemployment and reduced income amid the economic downturn have become the major concern for the voters, making the economy a top issue in the presidential campaign.

    According to the Central Electoral Commission of Lithuania, there are seven candidates qualified to compete for the presidential post, with EU budget chief Dalia Grybauskaite favored to win.

    Grybauskaite, who had been Lithuania's finance minister before taking her job in Brussels, said she wanted to use her experience to help the country recover.

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

    If the 53-year-old EU commissioner wins, she will become the first female president in Lithuania's history.