Simasius shocks after announcing he will run for leadership of Lithuanian Liberal party

The leaders of the Lithuanian Liberal Movement agreed on May 17, 2016, that Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Simasius will run for leadership in the party’s internal election, which is scheduled for June 11. 

The extraordinary announcement comes after Liberal MEP Antanas Guoga resigned just days after taking leadership of the party. 

He was appointed party head on May 13, 2016, after previous leader, Eligijus Masiulis, resigned the same day after allegedly taking a bribe of six-figure bribe. 

Following the Simasius announcement, Liberal vice-chairman Eugentijus Gentvilas announced that he would seek to lead the candidate list for Lithuania’s general election, which will take place in October 2016. 

The Liberals are determined to work and win back the confidence of the people of Lithuania,” Simasius said in a press release circulated by the party. “I have made a very important decision – I will run for leadership of the Liberal Movement because I feel responsible before my party fellows and all of our supporters.”

On behalf of the Liberals, Simasius apologised to those who believed in the party’s policies of transparency for “disappointing” them after the events of the last week.