2024-04-08 17:17:09
Former army commander Arvydas Pocius (66 years old) was proposed by the faction of the Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) faction of the Seimas.
His candidacy was supported by nine members of NSGK, one – peasant Dainius Gaižauskas – abstained from voting. After the committee approves the candidacy of A.Pociaus, it will be further considered by the Seimas.
“Thank you. This is teamwork. My leadership, I think, will be what it should be. I have experience for that. I would think, you saw, you observed, some of you were much younger, when I was serving in the army, being an ambassador for five years. I think we will manage – together, with your help”, thanked A. Pocius.
The meeting started with a misunderstanding
A. Pocius himself took the chair of the extraordinary meeting, as he is the oldest member of the committee in terms of age. True, when it was time to consider the question of a new NSGK chairman, the conservative suggested that former Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas, who is the second-oldest politician in the committee, take over the chairmanship of the meeting.
“Thank you. I am only 60 years old. Maybe there are older ones?” asked A. Anušauskas.
Dainius Gaižauskas, a peasant, intervened in the discussion. He rushed to correct A. Pociu, asserting that the chairmanship according to age is relevant only during the first NSGK meeting, when the head of the NSGK has not yet been elected, and in this case he should preside, as D. Gaižauskas holds the position of deputy chairman of the NSGK.
“Maybe you’ll let me voice the faction’s position anyway. A. Pocius is proposed for the position of chairman. I am simply voicing the faction’s proposal, which you have already received”, – A. Anušauskas submitted the candidacy of the TS-LKD faction.
The democrat Saulius Skvernelis also wanted to “roast” A. Poci, who was proposed for the chairmanship of NSGK, due to a technical error.
“I really just want to support Daini. Only the first meeting is subject to the norm of presiding by age, but that’s enough, we’ll pass it off as inexperience. We hope that the chairman will not make such small mistakes again, like the first attempt to convene a meeting without the opposition and prove himself, I think it was a mistake, now such a technical mistake”, said S. Skvernelis.
Received inquiries regarding possible exchange for appointment
This was already the second attempt to appoint A. Pociu as the chairman of the NSGK committee.
A couple of weeks ago, those in power tried to elect him without the opposition, but when Vytautas Mitalas, elder of the Freedom faction, sided with the opposition and stated that the law enforcement authorities should first be informed about the allegations against A. Anušauskas, a quorum was not formed and the vote failed.
After this unsuccessful meeting, the representatives of the opposition stated that they had heard that the draft law on partnership was “traded” behind closed doors – allegedly A.Pociaus was asked to support this draft law in the Seimas hall in exchange for his appointment as the chairman of the NSGK.
S. Skvernelis had more than one question for A. Poci during the extraordinary meeting of the NSGK. One of them is what the candidate replied to such an exchange.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to comment here. I leave this situation simply as a conversation between V. Mital and me, let it be between us. I think that it should not be escalated and these things should not be brought out,” answered A. Pocius.
When “Darbiečius” Andriis Mazuronis asked whether such a conversation took place, he answered positively: “Well, there was a conversation, but I really don’t want to talk about it.” I don’t want to comment on anything here, men, don’t pressure me in this place. The meeting did not take place and that’s it.”
S. Skvernelis once again asked whether A. Pocius remained firm in his values. The conservative replied that if his values had changed, his colleagues would surely have noticed.
“I think I’ll finish the way I started, with the same attitude and the same values.” And to the state, and to all other matters”, assured A. Pocius.
D. Gaižauskas also criticized A. Pocii for the previous attempt to appoint him without the support of the opposition. He was afraid whether he, as the new head of the committee, would listen to the voice of the opposition.
“It was simply taken into account that after the appointment of V. Mitala to NSGK, it was simply thought that work would not stop, we would not lose time to discuss some issues. It was viewed from that position. I really didn’t want to offend someone or do some demarche. (…)
If you think that it was some kind of improper act on my part, men, I am a person who has experienced both victories and defeats, and I have learned from defeats”, A. Pocius regretted.
He assured that he would offer to work “in the same spirit” as with the former chairman of the committee, Lauryns Kasčiūnas.
“Maybe I wanted to defend Arvydas, that I don’t see anything very bad about that attempt to convene a meeting without the opposition. This is perhaps an attempt by other, more experienced colleagues of the group to manipulate the procedures.
I will definitely support you, Arvyd, and I will vote for you. I think that you are a perfect candidate, I just want to wish that during the few remaining months of work, I will be able to resist the opinions or attempts to sometimes manipulate various things of perhaps more experienced group colleagues working in that field.
Don’t forget, Arvydas, that sometimes it is probably easier to come to an agreement with the opposition than with some friends from the coalition,” A. Mazuronis shared his advice.
L. Kasčiūnas left his position in the committee at the end of March, having officially taken over the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense from the former minister A. Anušauskas.
2024-04-08 17:17:09