Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas: ‘The level of political ambition must unwaveringly remain substantial and serve the state’

12 July 2024 

Speech by Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, at the Seimas sitting dedicated to the oath-taking by President-elect Gitanas Nausėda

Your Excellency President of the Republic Gitanas Nausėda, Madam First Lady, President Valdas Adamkus, President Dalia Grybauskaitė,

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, President of the Constitutional Court, Your Eminence Archbishop,

Excellences Ambassadors,

Distinguished guests, fellow Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The state does not emerge at a blink of an eye. The ideas on statehood are developed by people during specific periods in history. In turn, the formation of a state is the result of a lengthy and often anonymous, yet consistent and targeted action by a large number of political actors and people in general.

The idea of the Lithuanian statehood was declared in the early 20th century, on 16 February 1918, and then again at the end of the century, on 11 March 1990. However, the declaration itself, as an important impetus for building the state, did not automatically result in the creation of the public authorities, which provide the operating field for the political community.

The proclamation of Independence in 1990 and the adoption of the Provisional Basic Law marked the beginning of the constitutional development of the restored Lithuanian State.

On 25 October 1992, together with the first round of parliamentary elections, a constitutional referendum was held. The adoption of the Constitution laid the regulatory foundation for the political community and defined the state as a common good. Moreover, the Constitution established the office of the President, or Head of State.

In early 1993, the first presidential elections took place in Lithuania. The Constitutional Court became operational on 15 September 1993, completing the process of three and a half years of establishing the national system of governmental institutions. Finally, last year, we celebrated thirty years of full institutional functioning of the state.

Throughout these years, the institution of the President also developed and evolved in terms of its role, operation, and responses to various challenges. We had a range of Presidents, each with distinct approaches and impacts on the development of the Lithuanian statehood.

It was not an easy process. This was partly due to the debate on the Constitution, which sought a compromise between the presidential and the parliamentary forms of government, leading to the introduction of a parliamentary system with elements of a semi-presidential model.

Unlike in the neighbouring Latvia and Estonia, where Presidents are elected by Parliaments and have a more symbolic, representative power, the Lithuanian President is elected by universal suffrage, which usually ensures the highest level of voter attention and turnout. 

This strengthens the status of the President significantly, but also creates certain risks. On the one hand, the office of the President is associated with high expectations, which, unfortunately, are sometimes exaggerated regardless of the actual powers of the presidential institution. 

On the other hand, there is a temptation not only to make promises, but also to engage in institutional competition in order to demonstrate merit, thus boosting individual importance and value. 

All of these challenges can be overcome by recognising that we, including the President, are members of a national team, whose concerted action is key to the success and prosperity of the whole country. 

I am convinced that we need to think more often in the categories of mutual assistance, cooperation and teamwork, especially in the light of the international context.

This is where the significance of political culture, tactfulness, and a political personality in general, comes to the fore. Government is not there to solve all our problems; this expectation cannot and should not be met or cultivated.

Government is there to unite the country and ensure the general welfare of society.

Sometimes we hear that setting our political ambitions aside could help us reach consensus. I think that this kind of rhetoric is both unrealistic and even damaging. Politics is about acting on ambition. 

What is more is that in politics, the level of political ambition must unwaveringly remain substantial and serve the state. This way we will definitely achieve our national goals.

On 26 February 1998, when addressing the people of Lithuania from this very rostrum of the Seimas, the newly elected and sworn-in President Valdas Adamkus said the following: ‘Today, having taking an oath to serve the Nation and the Homeland, first of all I recall all the feelings that I experienced during our many meetings with you. I realised back then that the power of one person, even the President, would never be sufficient to perform a miracle based solely on faith in a better and fairer future, which we all so sincerely desire. Lithuania has undergone a massive change in a particularly short period of time, flouncing from one often conflicting extreme to another and trying to make a guess which option is the correct one. This should not be the case anymore. Lithuania must step into the 21st century by embracing fulfilling life. There is only one way to achieve this: unity and a concerted effort towards a common goal. This unity rests on political and human agreements based and focused on democracy, enhancing prosperity for people, and ensuring of national security.’

Lithuania has long entered the 21st century, but the words by President Adamkus have remained meaningful ever since. I believe they will continue be so. After all, the state does not emerge at a blink of an eye. It is a long and at times very strenuous endeavour, which we will continue to pursue together.

My congratulations to you, Your Excellency President. I wish you perseverance and wise decisions.

Thank you for your attention.