Skvernel: if everything goes the way it is now, TS-LKD and the Liberals will have more than one term

<…> It is interesting that not even them, but the center left is doing everything possible to make it so, “said former Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis in an interview with Delfi.

– Why aren’t you a green peasant in the shadow government?

– There was a difference of opinion when the party formed a shadow government. In my opinion, to work effectively in the opposition, we must unite the center-left forces. In fact, there are big differences between us, the socialists, the workers, the mixed group of members of the Seimas, but there are more things that unite us. This is a left-wing social policy, as well as the possibility of agreeing on social and economic issues, but also on security or even nationality.

Those lines of joint action could have been built through a coalition government. Then it would have been really real, made up of only the members of the Seimas, who are in the vortex of events and, as members of the Seimas, have certain powers. Not only that, I think, by joining forces, we could have passed the laws that people need.

– Votes are likely to be lacking to pass laws.

– The votes in the Seimas have shown that some leaders also support us on certain issues. And the ruling majority is made up of 73 members of the Seimas. The limit is very slippery.

Either way, it was decided to take a different position. There was a different view of work. Therefore, I think they really understood me when I politely resigned during the group meeting, even though I had already been confirmed as a shadow prime minister on the party council. Later, during the discussion, it was decided that Ramūnas would become him.

– Did this party initially decide in the same way, and then change its mind?

– There were different solutions.

– The second decision was made, how did you say you did not want to be a shadow prime minister?

– When I politely refused after making arguments.

– What led to your refusal?

– I have already mentioned one reason: the joint work of the opposition. It is also very important – the staff in terms of the shadow cabinet. And I adhered to the principle that either only the members of the Seimas should be there, or it was necessary to offer it to other, much stronger people, too. He had nominated more than one candidate for ministerial positions …

– And the people you proposed did not become shadow ministers?

– Some have converted, some have not. Naturally, the shadow prime minister’s decisions on staffing are very important.

– Before the Seimas elections, he said that he agreed with Ramūnas Karbauskis. Was there really such a consensus, or did you just not want to talk about the real situation?

– The deal really was. And now I’m not saying that anything essential has happened. It is my decision not to participate in this stage precisely in this format. And it seems really logical to me that if I refuse to be the shadow prime minister, he has to become party chairman.

– And did you not agree before the Seimas elections that this post should go to you if a shadow government is formed?

– We really talked. But tactical things are emerging and it is not yet clear who will fall here and who will not. History will show it.

So it was talked about, but before the elections, we thought it was possible to form a left-wing ruling coalition, not a shadow. And after the elections there was already talk [apie šešėlinę vyriausybę]. But, as I said, in my opinion, we should be talking about the activities of a united opposition if we want to be participants in real politics.

– And what were Karbauskis’ counterarguments?

– He was skeptical about the possibility of an agreement. And let’s not forget another essential thing: the interests of the parties. After all, smaller fractions may feel threatened by being less visible. But it was possible to try to speak, to match proportions. And with a united opposition front, real decisions could have been made. Now it will be more difficult to do.

– When Karbauskis left the Seimas, many people thought that he would hand over command to you.

– There was not even talk of a party and a faction. In general, it is almost impossible for the party to change anything in the near future, in terms of its leadership. And to qualify for something, you must at least be a member of the group.

And decisions about the group were also made together. After four years of work, which was very hard for me personally, I wanted a slightly different activity. Working now [Nacionalinio saugumo ir gynybos] committee, and I like that job. I think the potential of that commission is very good. It has smart and experienced people.

– The best – Laurynas Kasčiūnas?

– Well, yes, because he is the president (laughs). It must be the best.

– What are your political plans?

– March 10 – Seimas Session. Invoices must be submitted. In addition, there will be 100 days of government activity, it will be possible to talk about what has happened and what has failed. My political ambitions are to be a member of the Seimas.

– Is there any idea about a new political force?

– No, perhaps we should not talk about new political forces at the moment. In general, the left-wing political center is in crisis. And if things continue as they are now, then the right – the National Union and the Liberals – will have more than one [valdžios] End of office.

– As Elvyra Kunevičienė once said – Did he come to power for centuries?

– Apparently some of those people think similarly. Interestingly, not even they, but the center left, are now doing their best to be like this.

– There are rumors that he may start representing the Greens party, not the peasants, in the Seimas. Can that happen?

– Certainly not. I think Algirdas Butkevičius could represent the Green Party in the Seimas at best. Because he participated in the elections with that political party, and now they have a member of their Seimas. I think thats enough.

– And the cooperation with some Social Democrats? Did you talk to them?

– No, there is no such language. And, in general, I am still a member of the peasant faction of the Seimas. As for the Socdems, I find very strange the statements of some of their politicians that their biggest mistake was a coalition with the peasants, instead of withdrawing from that coalition and collaborating with the conservatives.

– How do you think the current government is doing in the fight against the coronavirus?

– Many illogical decisions have been made, especially regarding the genocide of small and medium-sized enterprises. Some services [teikėjų] it didn’t need to be closed. Yes, we close in March. But then we take liberties by looking at those sectors that do not pose the greatest risk.

Restricting movement between municipalities is not logical. It is possible to restrict certain activities so that it no longer makes sense to go to another municipality to have fun. But now, when people are left without minimal services, and separated from each other and circular municipalities …

I find it hard to speak [atviriau], because not a hundred days have passed. But after the pandemic, there is another life that has not stopped. The average number of topics discussed in nine government meetings is nine. Of these, probably around two-thirds are related to personnel changes. I have little idea what will happen in March, when the Seimas is up and running again. Where are the invoices? Where are the reforms planned?

There is a certain chaos, a distraction, that generates expectations, which we can evaluate even if we remember September and October. statements made. How did you say that small businesses are bad quarantine measures and unnecessary bans? After all, as many prohibitions as there are now, there were no peasants.

– People are interested and ask: where is Skvernelis? Why not listen to the main voice of the opposition?

– I am not and cannot be the main voice of the opposition because I am an ordinary member of the group. And the opposition does not have a common leader. March 10 The Seimas sessions will begin, and if my opinion is interesting to someone, it will be expressed on various topics.

– It does not seem that he promises to withdraw from the peasant group of the Seimas. What if you leave anyway? Will you admit that you told the lie?

– You cannot speak firmly about what will happen in the future. Circumstances and conditions may change. Anything can be. You can be eliminated from a faction; you can leave it or not.

– And how would you predict? Can those circumstances change soon, in March or later?

– There is nothing to predict. Weather forecasts may now be more important.

– Deividas Labanavičius became Minister of Economy and Innovation in the Karbauskis shadow government. Did you anticipate it too?

– No. Lukas Savickas was scheduled.