IT'S ABOUT TIME

  • 2006-06-07

cartoon by Jevgenij Cheksters

The departure of Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas was long overdue, and should be applauded by all of Lithuania. In recent memory at least, never has a Baltic politician so shamelessly clung to power despite being inundated by endless scandal and controversy. His resignation will go far to clear the air in the rotten miasma of Lithuanian politics; likewise, the arrival of fresh faces in the government will likely energize governmental leadership and give it fresh impetus. At the very least, we have every reason to believe there will be less antagonism.

In all fairness, the first half of Brazauskas' term as prime minister, which stretched from 2001 's 2004, was remarkable, if not outstanding. Other than membership to NATO and the European Union (which would have taken place regardless of who was in power), Lithuania led Europe in terms of economic growth in 2003. Entrepreneurs felt increasingly confident, and Brazauskas' Social Democrats acquired a "pro-business" reputation, the likes of which would make a German SocDem swoon. Most importantly, the Brazauskas government was an anchor of stability during the six-month long turmoil involving former President Rolandas Paksas, and that ultimately resulted in the latter's impeachment. For that alone the dinosaur of Lithuanian politics deserves effusive praise.

But the moment Lithuania's new (13th) government came to power toward the end of 2004, the nation's politics disintegrated into a scandal-churning funhouse. Nor was this a surprise for many. From the get-go, pundits and opposition politicians pointed out the inherent contradictions in the coalition (which consisted of the Social Democrats, the Social Liberals, the Labor Party, and the National Farmers' Union). Some even predicted the "house of cards" would collapse in a matter of months.
Looking back, it almost seems Brazauskas defied the critics in order to spite them. He knew they were right (Brazauskas never did like the Laborites), but in order not to give them the satisfaction, he navigated the Cabinet through every scandal 's regardless of whether his repute melted away with each new allegation or resignation. Quite tellingly, Brazauskas said at the outset that he would not accept responsibility for other ministers' actions or statements, a position that evoked dismay from even President Valdas Adamkus. More than anything else, it was this declaration that indicated the long, bumpy road ahead for Lithuanians: there was an old sheriff in town, and he refused to assume any liability for his deputies' behavior.

In short, the past year-and-a-half has been a migraine for those Lithuanians who bother to watch the nightly news (no doubt thousands have stopped doing it). From one week to the next, they have suffered scandals and intrigue, even a rudimentary summary of which cannot be recounted here. Though the blame for the poisonous atmosphere can surely be spread around, it was Brazauskas' sense of detachment that let the fire run wild. His utter inability to cope with the Labor Party, whose chief, Viktor Uspaskich, was the focal point of much of the scandal, eventually became his Achilles heel.
Will a coalition be able to cope? In all likelihood, the new Cabinet will bring together forces on the left and right; there is no other alternative. If the Social Democrats and Conservatives can set aside their grievances and focus on the future (e.g., finalizing the deal with at Mazeikiu Nafta, reining in inflation) a relative sense of calm could be restored to tumultuous Lithuania. That alone would be welcomed.