Taminskas says Vilnius infrastructure has declined over 12 years

Transport Minister Juras Taminskas, the Social Democrats’ candidate for Vilnius mayor, says he decided to run because he believes the capital’s infrastructure has deteriorated over the past 12 years, LRT reported.

“I thought about it intensively and discussed it with my family,” Taminskas told reporters on Saturday. “I finally agreed to run because I am from Vilnius. My whole family lives here and, frankly, it hurts to see how the city’s infrastructure has been run down over 12 years.”

He said building new apartment blocks, narrowing streets and laying pavements would not solve the capital’s infrastructure problems. Taminskas added that, as a Vilnius resident, he imagined the city looking very different.

He also said he believes the capital should be led by someone from Vilnius rather than a politician who moved there from a smaller city. Asked about his chances of winning, given the Social Democrats’ previous unsuccessful performances in the capital, he put them at 50 percent, saying that was his professional perspective as a lawyer.

Taminskas criticised current Mayor Valdas Benkunskas, saying his views were not prompted only by the election campaign. “I never liked Benkunskis, and I still don’t,” he said, adding that he had criticised the mayor before but had been unable to do so publicly. He said he would now voice his criticism as a candidate.

Taminskas said his ministerial duties and mayoral campaign were separate and would not interfere with each other. “As a minister, I care about all of Lithuania and the infrastructure across the country,” he said.

Vilnius Social Democrats confirmed Taminskas as their candidate on Friday. The municipal elections are scheduled for March 7, 2027.