VILNIUS - The one-time alliance of President Valdas Adamkus and Vilnius Mayor Arturas Zuokas eroded even further last week as the former once again suggested that the latter resign but with the young mayor refusing to budge.
"It is clear as rain. I have voiced my own principles. In my opinion, the best way out for him, considering his own political future, would be to step down from his current position," said Adamkus.
Previously the president had called on both Zuokas and former Economy Ministry Viktor Uspaskich to resign. The latter also refused, though he eventually stepped down once a parliamentary ethics commission found him guilty of a conflict of interest accusation.
Zuokas, a member of the Liberal Centrist party, which is currently in the opposition in Parliament, said he didn't intend to fulfill the president's wish. He said the president, like any other citizen, must respect the rights and privileges of self-governance.
"It's silly perhaps, but my self-respect doesn't allow me to speak about personal matters with the president. I also don't need anyone's support 's I've been establishing my life alone until the present, and I will continue doing this in the future," Zuokas was quoted as saying.
"I have also helped to establish the future of other people. Therefore, I regard the president's statement as a personal concern about me - as a friend and supporter," he said.
In response to Adamkus' May 30 call for both Uspaskich and Zuokas to resign all their public offices (Uspaskich was MP as well), Zuokas suspended his duties as chairman of the Liberal Centrist Union.
Adamkus and Zuokas are known to have fond relations. Not only is Adamkus godfather to Zuokas' son, but the latter actively supported the president during his election campaign.
"It's important that the president is an active player in the country's internal affairs, but every politician has to respect the rights and freedoms of the municipality," Zuokas said.
While the mayor seems to be losing close bonds with Adamkus, he has picked up a new alliance with Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas. The Cabinet chief has more than once defended Zuokas.
"What is the man accused of and who holds the proof of his deeds? None can answer this question," Brazauskas said. "Criminal offense has been mentioned 's therefore, this has to be supported with evidence. What democratic country condemns a person just like that in the street, in the paper or television?" he said, in reference to Adamkus' televised address during which he called on the two men to resign.
But Brazauskas' fellow party members impugned these statements. Borrowing a phrase from the president of France, Social Democratic MEP Aloyzas Sakalas said in a televised interview, "The prime minister has missed the opportunity to keep his mouth shut."
At the same time, Brazauskas' political opponents suspect that the mayor and the prime minister could have made a business deal. Two days after Brazauskas stated that Zuokas did not need to resign, the Vilnius municipality hurriedly approved a construction project for a company belonging to Kristina Brazauskiene, the prime minister's wife.
Parliamentary opposition have asked for the matter to be investigated, as the construction plan was earlier regarded as unsatisfactory.
Brazauskas denied that the two events had anything in common. "I'm not a political beginner and I know what such involvement could smell like," the prime minister said at a press conference.
Political analyst Lauras Bielinis said that although it may seem a paradox, both leaders, Adamkus and Brazauskas, were right.
"Adamkus represents society and prioritizes morality over anything else. Brazauskas represents the country's administration, where the letter of law is the most important thing. As prime minister, his duty is to insist on procedures in accordance to law," Bielinis told The Baltic Times. "However, I don't think Brazauskas takes the notions of clear conscience and morality for granted."
The political scientist also said that Zuokas should find balance between his legal rights and self-respect.
"All in all, I believe personal principles should come above everything else 's perhaps Zuokas should follow the example of former finance minister Algirdas Butkevicius, who decided to retreat when his personal beliefs did not allow him to run certain policy pushed by the [ruling coalition's] political council," Bielienis said.
