“Of course, I supported the candidate from the neighboring municipality. This is regional support. I know A. Raslan’s work experience - he is a professor who headed the sports department, and it is also known that Algirdas himself lives more in Vilnius and commutes to Kupiškis. This is very important, because the activities of the president of the Association of Municipalities must take place in Vilnius, in the institutions, to coordinate various matters. Considering that circumstance, I think Algirdas would have been a more suitable candidate,” said the mayor.
R. Godeliauskas said that he is convinced that there were procedural violations in the election of the president of the association. “A certain game was played behind the scenes, someone agreed, an agreement was made. The regulations of the Association of Municipalities state that the president is elected by open vote. However, a secret ballot was already prepared. It’s not pretty… I think it didn’t add to the association’s smooth future work and trust in each other. A. Raslan got the position of vice president, well, but this is a “gesture of politeness”, said the mayor.
Mantas Varaška, the mayor of Kazlų Rūda, was also a candidate in the elections, but he withdrew his candidacy and expressed his support to A. Raslan.
A. Klišonis told the country’s media that he came to this position when “the situation of the municipalities was the most difficult”, and “the association must constantly fight for the power it has”.
“I haven’t had any dealings with A. Klišonis, so I don’t know how to judge it. We will work, then we will see,” said Mayor R. Godeliauskas.
A. Klišonis was born in 1964. May 15 in Rokiški. 1971-1982 studied at Rokiškis E. Tičkaus secondary school. 1982-1987 studied at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Kaunas Medical Institute, obtained a provisional specialty. In 1987, he moved to Plunge. He is a former member of the Plungė Municipal Council, Member of the Seimas, President of the Lithuanian Judo Federation.
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Interview with R. Godeliauskas: Unpacking the Recent Election of the Association of Municipalities’ President
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, R. Godeliauskas. There’s been quite a bit of discussion surrounding the recent election for the president of the Association of Municipalities. You had some strong reactions about the process used in this election. Can you explain what prompted your concerns?
R. Godeliauskas: Thank you for having me. My concerns stem from what I believe are clear procedural violations during the election process. The regulations of the Association state that the president is to be elected by an open vote, yet a secret ballot was reportedly prepared behind the scenes. This raises serious questions about transparency and the integrity of the electoral process.
Time.news Editor: That’s significant. Can you elaborate on why the election process matters so much in this context?
R. Godeliauskas: Absolutely. The president of the Association of Municipalities plays a crucial role in coordinating matters with various institutions in Vilnius. Transparency in the election process is vital for ensuring that the new leadership has the support and trust of its members. If there’s suspicion or doubt about how a leader was chosen, it can undermine the relationship between the president and the municipalities, ultimately hindering effective governance.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned some “game playing” behind the scenes. Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?
R. Godeliauskas: When I refer to a “game being played,” I mean that decisions appear to have been made without broad consensus or input from all parties involved. It seemed like there were agreements reached in the background rather than through open discussions. This kind of maneuvering can create a toxic environment and diminish trust within the association.
Time.news Editor: You voiced your support for Algirdas, citing his experience and visibility in Vilnius. How do you believe his candidacy would have benefited the Association?
R. Godeliauskas: Algirdas has a solid track record; he led the sports department and has experience dealing with municipal affairs. His regular presence in Vilnius would allow for better coordination with key institutions, which is critical for effective advocacy and representation of our municipalities’ interests. His candidacy would have signaled a commitment to transparency and collaboration.
Time.news Editor: Interestingly, Mantas Varaška withdrew his candidacy and endorsed A. Raslan. What does this suggest about the dynamics among the candidates?
R. Godeliauskas: Mantas’s decision to support A. Raslan suggests a level of strategic alignment among certain candidates. This could indicate that there were expectations for collaboration or problem-solving that would benefit the association. However, it also highlights the intricacies and perhaps a disconnect within the election process as a whole.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned A. Raslan’s appointment as vice president was a “gesture of politeness.” Could you explain what you mean by that?
R. Godeliauskas: It implies that while appointing A. Raslan to the vice presidency may have allowed the association to acknowledge his candidacy, it lacked the substantive backing that would typically be expected in a competitive election. This can create an impression that his position is more about maintaining internal harmony rather than a true reflection of his peers’ choice for leadership.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you believe there are larger implications for the Association of Municipalities stemming from these election proceedings. What are your thoughts on how they might move forward?
R. Godeliauskas: Moving forward, I believe it is crucial for the Association to recommit to its principles of transparency and inclusive decision-making. Establishing a more rigorous framework for future elections can help restore trust and ensure that all voices are heard. We need to focus on collaboration to achieve our goals and effectively serve the needs of our communities.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, R. Godeliauskas, for shedding light on these important issues. Your insights will undoubtedly resonate with many readers concerned about the integrity of our municipal governance.
R. Godeliauskas: Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we continue to discuss these topics openly for the betterment of our municipalities.
