Vilnius mayor voted out, replacement chosen

Feb 12, 2009
TBT Staff in cooperation with BNS

VILNIUS – Vilnius City Mayor Juozas Imbrasas has lost a vote of no-confidence and will likely be forced out of office in the near future. The Vilnius City Council has nominated Vilius Navickas to take up the post.

Imbrasas has said that he will contest the move in court on Thursday, saying that he does not recognize the legality of the vote. He said will continue work until the court offers its verdict. 

"I'm working in the office. When the court reaches its verdict, we'll give over the office and wish them luck", Imbrasas said.

A total of 29 members of the Vilnius Municipality Council Board voted in favor of his removal, while none voted against and two ballots were considered invalid. The mayor himself does not partake in the council board's session.

Imbrasas was reproached for failing to warrant effective and transparent operation of the VilniusMunicipality, using his authority and financial as well as administrative resources solely for the benefit of the party he represents and failing to deal with key issues of concern to Vilnius locals, etc.

Navickas was nominated by the members of the Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrat political group, of which he is a member, along with those of the Liberal and Center Union, the Liberal Movement, the Independent group and Social Democrats.

Some 27 members of the Vilnius City Council Board last week signed a motion of non-confidence against Mayor Juozas Imbrasas, with 10 members of the Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrat Party, 10 from the Liberal and Center Union, four from the Liberal Movement and three from the Independent political group.

Members of the Social Democrat political group on Wednesday in the secret ballot also voted in favor of the mayor's removal, although none of them had signed the aforementioned motion.

A member of the Order and Justice Party, Juozas Imbrasas was elected Mayor of Vilnius in April of 2007.

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