„I wouldn't say it's a surprise – it was felt during the last days of the elections (...) that Žemaitaitis has to be somewhere at the top,“ former President Valdas Adamkus told Žinių Radijas on Tuesday.
„I have consistently followed the outcome of the race between the Conservatives and Nemuno Aušra (The Dawn of Nemunas). And, of course, the initial result itself was probably representative – the Conservatives stood up to it this time, although I had personally written the Conservatives off,“ he admitted.
Overall, Mr Adamkus noted that the election results show that the public clearly believes change is needed.
„It showed that the Lithuanian society is still ready for some changes,“ he said, admitting that condemning the current ruling majority and their performance during the last term was inappropriate.
„On foreign policy, in my estimation, I have no complaints against the Government. (...) When we look at domestic policy, the picture changes,“ said Adamkus.
The appearance and sudden rise of Nemuno Aušra is the result of the public's dissatisfaction with the fact that there are severe problems in the management of Lithuania's domestic policy and that the current majority led by the Conservatives has not solved these problems,“ the former Head of State summarised.
Adamkus on the President's role in the formation of the coalition: He must not interfere in domestic affairs
Valdas Adamkus, the outgoing Head of State, believes the President should refrain from interfering in forming the future governing majority. He says specific preferences or attitudes are inappropriate for a presidential position. However, Mr Adamkus notes that he does not criticise the current President in this respect.
„The President absolutely must not interfere in domestic political affairs. That is what he is the President for. He must represent the people, and he must represent all parts of society. Any disputes or dissatisfaction, showing one's disposition towards one or another political party – this is not the President's position, not the presidential position (ELTA),“ Adamkus told Žinių Radijas on Tuesday.
„I have no complaints against the current President. I think he maintains (the position – ELTA)“, he added.
However, Adamkus hinted that, according to him, there have been cases when Nausėda has not maintained such a presidential stance.
„There have been moments where I don't know who to blame, that the President got involved in such a political dispute within the party, but this is in no way the President's position or duties. The President is the people's representative; he has to respect the sentiments of the whole nation,“ Adamkus said without naming specific cases.
