Šiauliai conservatives nominate Martynas Šiurkus for mayor

The opposition Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) branch in Šiauliai has nominated city council member and branch chairman Martynas Šiurkus as its candidate for mayor, the party announced Thursday evening.

Šiurkus will also lead the party’s candidate list in next year’s municipal elections, according to a decision made at the branch’s general meeting. In a statement on social media, the party framed the move as the official start of its campaign to “restore Šiauliai’s strategic direction, genuine transparency, and respect for residents.”

The announcement criticised the current administration for “short-term, image-driven governance” and pledged to shift focus toward systemic solutions, real investment, and open dialogue with communities. “It is time to move from façade projects to creating real value, from ignoring residents’ opinions to listening and engaging in honest conversation,” the statement read.

Šiurkus holds a degree in management and business administration from Šiauliai University. He previously served as deputy minister of social security and labour from 2021 to 2024. The conservatives currently hold four seats on the 31-member Šiauliai City Council. Municipal elections for mayors and councils are scheduled for January–February 2027.