VILNIUS, Lithuania — A political spat erupted Tuesday evening after an advisor to the president referred to a lawmaker as “old political garbage.” The comment, made by Frederick Janson, Chief Advisor to President Gitanas Nauseda, targeted Eugene Gentvilas.
Landsbergis Defends Lawmaker, Cites Action Over Words
In response, Landsbergis took to Facebook, asserting, “People who care about their state are not garbage.” He urged repeated emphasis on this sentiment, declaring, “At the resistance.” Landsbergis also expressed a desire to understand what Janson had “actually said.” He called for politicians to be judged by their deeds, not their speech.
“And as often as possible, the principle said: because it’s nothing. It matters what he did. Or not,” Landsbergis wrote.
Context of the Remark
The exchange stemmed from comments made during a news broadcast. Janson described Gentvilas while discussing various politicians and publicists in relation to Prime Minister Gintautas Paluck. Janson claimed he was quoting President Nauseda’s words.
Gentvilas, a member of the Seimas, responded to the news outlet, expressing hope that the president had indeed made such a statement. He also labeled the president a “coward” for valuing his advisor’s opinion over direct communication.
Focus Shifts to Prime Minister’s Future
Gentvilas emphasized that pressing state issues require immediate attention. He criticized President Nauseda for allegedly collaborating with Paluck on a “script of the cover.”
Paluck began a two-week vacation on Monday. During this period, he is expected to decide on his political future.
Last week, President Nauseda gave Paluck two weeks to address public questions about his business dealings and past. The president also suggested Paluck consider resigning or undergo a confidence vote in parliament.
Meanwhile, the opposition is demanding Paluck’s resignation. They are planning an extraordinary session of the Seimas in August to initiate impeachment proceedings.
- An advisor to the Lithuanian president called a lawmaker “old political garbage.”
- Landsbergis defended the lawmaker, stating that those who care for their state are not garbage.
- The incident occurred amid scrutiny of Prime Minister Paluck’s past and business dealings.
- The opposition plans impeachment proceedings against the prime minister.
The controversy began when President Nauseda’s Chief Advisor, Frederick Janson, called Eugene Gentvilas “old political garbage” during a news broadcast, sparking a strong reaction from Landsbergis.
