„As a friend of Lithuania, I cannot explain to Poles, to Europeans, how it is possible that at the beginning of the 21st century, in such a great country, which is a symbol of the struggle for freedom and tolerance, which symbolises love and not hatred between people, there is a political force that uses anti-Semitism and ideology as a weapon, and that becomes a part of the Government in the European Union,“ the Polish politician told LRT radio.
He stresses that Russia will undoubtedly seek to take advantage of the controversial party and its leading role in the ruling majority at this challenging geopolitical moment.
„Today we have the pogroms in Amsterdam, today Israel is fighting a difficult war against terrorism, today we face so many dangers from Russia, which supports Israel's enemies. (...) I am very worried indeed because the image of Lithuania is that it was one of the first to recognise the danger of Russia and is a country that has always bravely opposed Russian imperialism. And now Russian propaganda against Lithuania itself will use the fact that there is an anti-Semite in Vilnius everywhere,“ Kaminski stressed.
For his part, Benjamin Talis, a PhD in International Relations and a researcher at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, said that the move by the Social Democrats, who won the elections, to form a coalition with the Nemuno Aušra could raise questions in Berlin about the deployment of the brigade in Lithuania. He says that most German politicians condemn the participation of Žemaitaitis in the ruling majority.
„It is a terrible idea to involve this party with this leader, who the Lithuanian Constitutional Court has convicted. They have consistently behaved in an anti-Semitic manner and have broken the Constitution, whereas in Germany, there is only one opinion on this issue, and it is awful“, Mr Talis stressed.
And although many politicians support the deployment of the German Brigade in Lithuania, Žemaitaitis' role in the Government will be questioned both at the level of the political elite and in society in general, the political analyst said.
„It simply raises too many shadows from the past; it will raise uncomfortable questions about anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia in Central and Eastern Europe, but also in Germany itself.
It has become a pattern of state thinking that Israel and its existence must be defended. Germans are strongly pro-Israel and anti-Semitic, and this will raise significant questions, especially at a time when the German army is depleted and has limited military capabilities – many will ask why we are sending our troops to help a Government that does not share our values,“ added Mr Talis.
ELTA recalls that the participation in the coalition of the party led by Žemaitaitis, who broke his oath of office by making anti-Semitic statements as a member of the Seimas, has attracted international criticism. Ben Cardin, Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, argued that forming a coalition with the party of a politician accused of anti-Semitism undermines the fundamental democratic values of Lithuania. For his part, Michał Kaminski, Vice-Chairman of the Polish Senate, also indicated that he was looking forward to the future Lithuanian Government with concern.
The LSDP's plans to enter into a coalition with Nemuno Aušra have also been criticised by the Social Democrat Michael Roth, Chairman of the German Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee. The politician argued that if the LSDP wants to remain in the European Social Democratic Party family, it must reconsider its plans to join forces with this, in his view, anti-Semitic party.
For his part, Polish Deputy Member of the Senate Michal Tomasz Kaminski said he was worried about what he called „openly chauvinist and anti-Semitic forces“ joining the Lithuanian ruling majority. He said the presence of Nemuno Aušra in the ruling coalition is inexplicable.
