Media release of 19
January 2009
Speaker of the Seimas
Arûnas Valinskas addressed society and expressed a hope that all disagreements
could be solved peacefully through a dialogue.
“I understand that the
situation is not easy in Lithuania – our economy and citizens are facing hard
times. I understand that people are not content with the present situation. I
understand that people have the right to express their opinion and even discontent
in a peaceful manner, but not in a manner related to destruction, tension and
violence. The riot* cannot contribute to a civilised dialogue between
authorities and society,” the Speaker of the Seimas states.
The Head of the
Parliament assumes all moral responsibility for the events at the Seimas
building; however, he does not justify the unrest, broken windows, explosives,
or even the use of weapons n the crowd.
Mr. Valinskas wants to
draw a clear distinction between those who have come to express their position
on certain political decisions and those who have come to incite and later take
part in the riot.
“I would like to state
that everybody who committed all these acts must be punished,” says the Seimas
Speaker.
The Head of the
Parliament admits that the governing coalition provided too little explanations
to society concerning its decisions.
“I understand that the
decisions are unpopular; however, they had to be adopted in order to pay
pensions to pensioners and remuneration to workers, and all other necessary
social benefits. I’m ready to talk to everybody who so wishes, yet there will
be no dialogue and agreement with rioters whose aim is but one – to cause
turmoil and do harm to the state,” Mr. Valinskas claims.
The Seimas Speaker
invites political parties to solve the existing social-economic problems
despite their ideological differences.
“Let’s consider
everything very well before proposing or adopting the amendments to laws, which
may have very negative consequences to people’s lives. Let’s not pass the
decisions without careful consideration and finding the best solution. Now is
not the time to do it. It’s time to come to an agreement,” the Head of the
Parliament assures.
Indrë Virþintë,
Spokesperson of the Seimas Speaker
*The Speaker of the
Seimas refers to the protest meeting organised by trade unions at the
parliament on 16 January, which resulted in the riot.
