Olekas urges Lithuania to honour Prunskienė as a model leader

Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas has called for respect for former Prime Minister Kazimira Danutė Prunskienė, saying Lithuania has few leaders who set such an example, LRT reported.

Speaking on LRT television’s programme Dienos tema, Olekas also said that Lithuania’s increased defence spending, coordination with allies and other political decisions were making the country safer than ever. He added that trust in Lithuania’s armed forces and allies was equally important.

Olekas, who served as health minister in Prunskienė’s first government, said she had been an inspiring leader who brought people together and encouraged initiative.

“She urged us to act, not to be afraid and to move forward,” Olekas said, adding that Prunskienė demonstrated this approach both in Lithuania and during visits abroad, where she presented the idea of a free Lithuania to the international community.

He said many people had still been uncertain about Lithuania’s independence at the time, while international discussions focused on security and support for Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms. Lithuania’s recognition as an independent state was being approached cautiously, Olekas said.

“Her leadership, example and convincing arguments gave a significant impetus to free Lithuania being recognised around the world,” he said.

Olekas said Prunskienė’s government had also faced urgent domestic problems during the blockade, including shortages of fuel, energy resources and medical supplies. Although solutions had to be found for those issues, he said international recognition was particularly important.

According to Olekas, Prunskienė’s contacts, visibility and energy helped break through diplomatic barriers, and major foreign leaders agreed to meet Lithuania’s prime minister.

Asked about criticism that Prunskienė later looked towards Moscow, Olekas said her actions had to be assessed in the context of the time. Lithuania had needed economic links to secure essential goods and services for its people, he said, which required wisdom rather than simply cutting all contact.

“Today we would say that diplomacy was needed, an attempt to establish contact while maintaining a firm position,” Olekas said.

He urged people to remember Prunskienė as a brave, driven, principled and unifying person.