(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, FEB 18 - EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis, responsible for the vaccine dossiers and Xylella, has decided to run for the presidential elections in Lithuania. He will, therefore, take an unpaid leave from April 1 to May 13, which can be extended until May 27 in the event of a run-off. During his absence, he will be replaced ad interim by the European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment, and Competitiveness, Jyrki Katainen, the Chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas announced. ''I made my decision: I accepted to be the official candidate of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party for the presidency of Lithuania'', Andriukaitis tweeted, saying ''I am aware that this will require balance and sacrifice''. In the meantime, however, he made it clear that he will work ''100% on issues that are included in my health and food safety portfolio until the end of March''. The first round of the presidential elections in Lithuania will be held on May 12. Outgoing President Dalia Grybauskaite is completing her second term (that began in 2014). Before being elected president in 2009, she was the first EU commissioner for Lithuania between 2004 and 2009, under the Barroso-led Commission. (ANSA). .