Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the Nemunas Dawn party within Lithuania’s ruling coalition, has intensified his criticism of Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, accusing him of driving decisions that, he argues, have harmed the country’s interests.
Žemaitaitis insists Budrys bears responsibility for the government’s decision to close Lithuania’s two remaining border crossings with Belarus, even though the move was formally endorsed by the Cabinet.
“It was closed on his proposal,” he told Žinių Radijas. “How can someone remain a minister if he harms the state?”
He argued that Budrys, who is not an elected politician, must respect the will of the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas).
“Buddy, stop it. Watch what you’re saying, because you’re not a politician – the parliament is made up of elected people,” he said, adding that in any Cabinet led by him, a foreign minister behaving in such a way “wouldn’t even have time to grab his bag”.
Žemaitaitis also criticised the way the border closure was handled, saying that had he been prime minister, he would have consulted hauliers before any decision.
“If I were prime minister, I would not do such things. I would first invite the hauliers and tell them that we have this problem and may be planning to close the border,” he said.
He added that discussions should have taken place with Belarusian officials through the remaining channels of communication, and that law enforcement needed to step up its work targeting smuggling networks.
“These are the three components the government should consider,” he said. “But because there are no specialists, there are not enough people in this government who could advise the prime minister on such matters, we have this chaos.”
Hauliers have been stranded in Belarus for more than two weeks after Minsk barred Lithuanian lorries from returning home until the border reopens. Many have been moved to special holding lots, where drivers face daily charges of €120 per vehicle and threats of confiscation if the fees are not paid.
Žemaitaitis said that if hauliers seek compensation, the money should come from the budgets of the Foreign and Interior Ministries.
The crossings at Medininkai and Šalčininkai were shut on October 30 in response to the threat posed to civil aviation by smugglers’ balloons.
Later on Wednesday, the government is expected to decide whether to reopen them, following a recommendation from the National Security Commission after a drop in balloon incidents and improved conditions at Vilnius Airport.
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