In the recent Seimas elections, the Liberals’ Movement (Liberalų sąjūdis) garnered 95,524 votes in the multi-member district, demonstrating a growing trust among the Lithuanian people compared to the 2020 elections. We now stand as the sole political entity in parliament championing liberal values, particularly given that the ideologically similar Freedom Party (Laisvės partija) did not exceed the 5% threshold.
As we look ahead, our agenda must encompass critical issues such as human rights, economic growth, respect for entrepreneurs and independent individuals, constructive dialogue with interest groups, resilience against bureaucratic challenges, and the safeguarding of freedoms of action and thought. These priorities are essential, especially considering that liberals will occupy only one-tenth of parliamentary seats.
I believe the Liberals’ Movement has served as a unifying force during this Seimas term, emphasizing the state’s interests over political rivalries. We successfully halted the conservatives' attempt to push for early elections in the summer of 2023, a move that risked plunging Lithuania into uncertainty and would have favored adversaries like Russia. Our steadfast approach prevented potentially damaging missteps, which voters have recognized and appreciated.
The stability of the current Seimas allowed for the passage of the Defense Fund, proposed by liberals for establishment at the beginning of 2024, and facilitated key decisions regarding the arrival of the German brigade. Regular elections ensure continuity in our defense strategies, and we are confident that we have laid the foundation for a self-defensible state during this term. Regardless of coalition dynamics in the new Seimas, our efforts will persist.
Voters also took note of the actions of right-wing parties with whom we formed coalitions. Many constituents observed the failure of politicians to keep their promises. For example, the Freedom Party, which pledged to legalize partnerships for unmarried individuals, did not fulfill this commitment and instead deflected blame elsewhere. While it was within the remit of the Liberals to act, we made every effort to address the issue. In the new Seimas, the responsibility for legalizing partnerships will fall on the shoulders of liberals and a small group of like-minded conservatives.
Moreover, voters expressed surprise at the conservatives' conduct from their position of power. Reaching agreements with them proved challenging, as they often introduced decisions without prior consultation and claimed liberal initiatives—such as reducing VAT burdens on small businesses—as their own. The conservatives assumed they possessed better understanding, dismissing the need for collaboration among the liberal factions. Interest groups raised concerns that their input was overlooked in conservative-led ministries. This approach frustrated many and likely fueled the backlash against the conservatives.
Our most significant opposition arose from the unexpected tax reform proposed by officials from the Ministry of Finance. The liberals were caught off guard, as the coalition agreement did not incorporate the plans put forth by the conservative-led ministry. Politically, the proposal was doomed from the outset.
The finance minister presented the tax reform project to the liberal faction on several occasions, yet we remained uncertain of their true intentions. We soon realized that this reform could dismantle the framework for individual activities, imposing tax obligations for the self-employed similar to those of employees. We could not support measures that undermined private initiatives, thus we defended the self-employed. Voters valued our consistency and our refusal to capitulate to the conservatives' social-democratic policies.
With the slogan "Unite, Act, Don't Hinder" we engaged in the elections, reaffirming our principles for both the past and the future. Our ongoing responsibility is to ensure that the state does not overreach and hinder citizens' actions.
In Lithuania, I am convinced that classical liberal values resonate with significantly more than 100,000 individuals who voted for us. In the new Seimas, we will represent this segment of society—independent, proactive, free-thinking, and Western-minded individuals.
Looking ahead, we need to engage with key issues emphasized by the Freedom Party, such as partnerships and cannabis decriminalization. Navigating these challenges in opposition will not be easy, but we must strengthen liberal views in Lithuania over the next four years. While it is premature to discuss collaboration with the Freedom Party, we remain open to working with anyone who shares our liberal vision.
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