After Lithuanian NGOs publicly criticised Laurynas Kasčiūnas’ candidacy for the defence minister post, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė called his past behaviour “foolish” mistakes. Meanwhile, President Gitanas Nausėda said Kasčiūnas’ past has not been an issue so far.
On Wednesday evening, more than 20 non-governmental organisations and associations working in the field of human rights appealed to President Gitanas Nausėda asking him not to appoint Kasčiūnas, the chair of the Seimas Committee on National Security and Defence (NSGK), as the defence minister. They quoted his far-right views and opposition to human rights.
“I would like to reiterate that there is no single opinion on human rights issues in Lithuania,” Šimonytė said on Thursday.
“But, as far as I am concerned, this is not new. Kasčiūnas has been working as the chair of the NSGK for almost three and a half years with these views, and despite the difference of opinion between us, I have submitted his candidacy for the post of defence minister,” she added.
The NGOs also reminded Kasčiūnas’ membership of the National Democratic Party of Lithuania, which espoused extreme nationalist and anti-Semitic views, 20 years ago.
“With all the regret that I cannot persuade him to change his mind, I respect him as an expert in the field and think he will do the job properly,” Šimonytė said.
“Especially since he has explained some of the things he is being accused of. If we go back to people’s youth and the foolish things that were sometimes done in their youth, there will probably be very few people left in Lithuania able to take up any position,” she continued.
Meanwhile, President Nausėda said that “we live in a democratic society” where NGOs can express their opinions. However, he questioned why Kasčiūnas’ biography was not an issue when he was appointed the NSGK chair.
“He was also an influential figure in the committee, but I did not hear any such doubts at the time of his appointment,” the president said in Brussels on Thursday when asked about Kasčiūnas’ candidacy.
“We’ll assess all aspects. I’m now waiting for information that will allow me to better understand the context of the appointment, and then I’ll make a decision,” he added.
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