Gabrielius Landsbergis says he has no ambition to return to active politics

Former Lithuanian foreign minister and leader of the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) Gabrielius Landsbergis has stated that he has no ambition to return to active politics.

“Politics is first and foremost about ambition, so I can say calmly and responsibly that I have no such ambition,” Landsbergis said during a Sunday broadcast of LRT’s programme “Savaitė” (The Week).

As reported by BNS, last September he had said he was not closing the door on politics but had no concrete plans. Asked whether frequent changes in the ruling coalition could create opportunities for conservatives to perform well in future elections, he expressed concern that the party should not miss its chance.

“We see preparations for the Vilnius municipal elections, that is clear. We can assess the results, whether successful or not, as voters will decide, but it is clear that the party is preparing,” Landsbergis said.

“For national elections, there may still be more time, but my concern—not criticism—is simply that we do not miss the opportunity. Undoubtedly, the bankruptcy of those in power is happening. A slow, gradual collision with the wall before the elections,” the former politician said.

He doubted whether the Social Democrats could significantly improve their position, while also urging not to lose sight of the “rearview mirror” due to potential new political competitors.

“Sometimes miracles happen, but I find it hard to believe. They have made almost every possible mistake, and the question is whether the new prime minister, Mindaugas Sinkevičius, can pull them out,” Landsbergis said.

He recalled 2016, when, in his words, the Social Democrats’ prime minister Algirdas Butkevičius was slowly heading towards a wall, while the conservatives seemed to have good opportunities, but both were defeated in the Seimas elections by the “peasants” led by Ramūnas Karbauskis.

Landsbergis is currently a visiting scholar at Stanford University, co-chair of the Future of European Defence group at the Atlantic Council, and a member of the advisory board of the Munich Security Conference. He served as Lithuania’s foreign minister from 2020 to December 2024.

The politician led the conservative party for nearly a decade, from spring 2015, and stepped down as TS-LKD chairman in October 2024 after the party’s poor performance in the Seimas elections.

BNS reported that the ruling Social Democrats have formed a new coalition, “Nemuno aušra” (Dawn of Nemunas), replacing the Democratic Union “For Lithuania”. This week, the majority in parliament will have 75 votes. Responsibility for leading the government will be taken by Lithuanian Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius. The current cabinet is expected to resign next Tuesday.