Prime minister says Social Democrats see Budris as presidential rival

Lithuania’s former prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė has said Social Democrats are irritated by Gitanas Budris because they view him as a potential rival in the presidential election, politika.lt reports.

Šimonytė, a conservative, also reflected on her political future, saying she feels less motivated by the work that once drew her to politics. If that motivation fades entirely, she may seek a new career, possibly returning to teaching.

“As long as I feel the music in what I do, I stay in politics. But if at some point that music stops and I feel I can no longer do what I want, I’ll have to look for something else,” she said.

She criticised the growing emphasis on appearance over substance in politics, calling it a waste of time and energy that could be spent solving real problems.