Laisvės and Žaliųjų parties to jointly nominate Ieva Budraitė for Kaunas mayor

The opposition Laisvės partija (Freedom Party) and Lietuvos žaliųjų partija (Lithuanian Green Party) will field a joint candidate for Kaunas mayor in next year’s municipal elections, backing Green Party leader Ieva Budraitė, the parties announced Friday in a joint press conference.

Vytautas Mitalas, chairman of the Freedom Party, framed the alliance as a chance to “end years of unchecked one-party rule” and return the city to its residents. “Democracy in Kaunas is as scarce as air,” he stated, accusing the current administration of entrenching power through “schemes” and favouritism, including the alleged misuse of municipal companies and a high-profile bribery case involving a former city official.

Budraitė called on Kaunas residents to “reclaim their city’s DNA—its spirit of independence, courage, and freedom”—and reject what she described as a monopoly by “a single family” over municipal governance. “Kaunas belongs to every citizen, not to one mayor or one dynasty,” she said, criticising the concentration of power and a political culture where “might makes right.”

The two non-parliamentary parties outlined shared priorities for their campaign: transparent local government, a liveable and environmentally sustainable city, and economic opportunities for residents. The Freedom Party also confirmed plans to run a unified slate for Kaunas City Council and revealed that Mitalas himself intends to challenge for Vilnius mayor in 2027.

Direct elections for mayors and municipal councils are scheduled for January–February 2027.