A. Anušauskas wrote his resignation on Friday followingnoon following a meeting with Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonyte. Journalist Edmundas Jakilaitis was the first to announce it. On Saturday, the minister met with President Gitan Nausėda. The president and the prime minister will discuss the replacement of the minister on Monday.
15min presents the five most important questions and answers.
1. What are the reasons for the minister’s dismissal?
A. Anušauskas’ relations with other influential conservatives have been strained for several months. His activities were critically assessed by party chairman Gabrielius Landsbergis and chairman of the Seimas National Security and Defense Committee Laurynas Kasčiūnas.
Critics of A. Anušauskas said that he was too passive, too much surrendered to the influence of the military, irresponsibly commented on security issues in public, did not properly represent Lithuania in the international arena due to his poor knowledge of the English language.
Supporters of A. Anušauskas claim that he became a victim of conservatives’ internal political intrigues, that the minister’s critics lack military knowledge and that they sought the minister’s post in order to pursue a personal political career or to be influenced by lobbyists interested in defense orders. According to the intercessors of the minister, political decisions in the field of defense are delayed not in the Ministry of National Defense, but in other institutions.
In the public sphere, accents differed when talking regarding the Russian threat: G. Landsbergis more often emphasized the growing dangers, and A. Anušauskas – the readiness to counter them.
Conservatives also sparked within the party during the preparation of the so-called defense strengthening plan –
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2024-04-09 21:15:52
