President-elect Gitanas Nausėda took the presidential oath at the Seimas

Press release, 12 July 2024 (News ● Photos ● Broadcasts and videos)

Photo by Viktoriia Chorna, Office of the Seimas

On 12 July 2024, the Hall of the Act of 11 March of the Seimas hosted a solemn sitting dedicated to the oath-taking by President-elect Gitanas Nausėda.

The oath of the President of the Republic of Lithuania was administered by Gintaras Goda, President of the Constitutional Court. Having sworn the oath to the nation, Mr Nausėda gained all the powers of the President of the Republic of Lithuania elected for a five-year term in office.

In his speech inaugurating his second term of office, Mr Nausėda emphasised that over the last five years the world had moved closer to the abyss. ‘By developing technologies such as artificial intelligence, humanity today stands on the verge of a major technological turning point. At the same time, humanity stands on the brink of self-destruction. Therefore, at this moment of existential danger to Lithuania, national security will be one of my most important tasks as President. Because if there is no state, there is nothing,’ said Mr Nausėda.

He noted the importance of a persistent, consistent and sustained foreign policy and distinguished Lithuania’s relations with the United States.

‘Without the United States’ involvement, Europe cannot remain united or secure. Lithuania has been and will continue to be a staunch supporter of strong transatlantic ties and their indispensability. I will do everything I can to ensure that the United States’ focus on Lithuania and our region does not waver,’ said the President of the Republic.

The President of the Republic is convinced that Lithuania will only be as strong as its people are united. Therefore, Mr Nausėda called building a welfare state and reducing all forms of exclusion as not only a matter of justice but also of national security.

The President of the Republic invited to continue to actively participate in the fight against climate change and to set an example for other states. He urged Lithuania to create a success story in the age of artificial intelligence by increasing investment in cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs and upskilling of workforce, as well as speeding up digitisation of industry. 

In his speech, Mr Nausėda also pointed out the need to address regional transport problems and the need to complete integration into the European rail network. 

When congratulating Mr Nausėda, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, drew attention to the fact that the President is associated with high expectations, which unfortunately are sometimes exaggerated regardless of the actual powers of the institution. She stressed the importance of joint work. ‘We all, including the President, are members of a national team, whose concerted action is the 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 bearing in mind the international context,’ said the Speaker of the Seimas.

The solemn sitting also featured an invocation by Gintaras Grušas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Vilnius.

Saulė Eglė Trembo, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 209 6203, e-mail: [email protected]