Ramonaitė: since other channels do not work, protest is still the only alternative

According to critic Paulius Gritėnas, dialogue is an important and effective means of finding compromises, but only when both parties can clearly express their demands. According to him, it is the lack of clarity of the Lithuanian Family Movement that makes it difficult to establish a successful conversation with the Government.

“Dialogue is quite important and it can really be effective in politics: it is necessary for both parties to agree on at least certain minimum positions, that is, what they want. However, if the rulers say: “We will listen to you”, and the other side shouts: “Wait for the Seimas!”, There is no place for dialogue here. (…) I do not think that a meeting with the president of Seimas is enough to start some kind of dialogue, a constructive speech from both parties. On the other hand, does that other party want to speak constructively? – considers P. Gritėnas.

“If we talk about the demands of the Family Movement to Parliament, to the Government in general, then those demands are constantly changing, abstract and drastic. For example, the withdrawal of the government or individual ministers, or demands such as the defense of the concept of family and the prohibition of defining same-sex couples. These demands are so great and so many that, in my opinion, not even 100 protests could be implemented, ”says P. Gritėnas.

Another obstacle that prevents the Family Movement from developing the conversation fluently, according to the expert, is the aggressive way of expressing demands.

“The way they now make demands, the rhetoric they speak, their expression is very militant and, in my opinion, the Government, which is democratically elected by a large majority of the citizens who went to the polls, must maintain its position and certain convictions, “he said. reviewer.

According to the political scientist Ainė Ramonaitė, dialogue between the government and the Protestant part of society is necessary and it is the government that should initiate it. According to her, the current government does not create a space for the public in which it can be heard, which not only increases the discontent of citizens, but also encourages them to protest.

“The lack of dialogue increases tensions and prohibited protests further complicate the situation (…) In my opinion, the authorities should not only initiate dialogue but also other means to find compromises, since people protest because they feel ignored and is not respected. Invite, speak, listen: this could be a good way to do it without the need for such protests. As other channels do not work, protest remains the only alternative. Although it should not be in a democratic state ” , A. Ramonaitė shares his ideas.

“I have heard that previous governments have devoted more time and attention to listening to certain groups. Even if sometimes those demands seem unacceptable or similar, but simply listening and accepting those people improves the situation. Then there is no such anger and dissatisfaction.” says the political scientist.

According to publicist Rimvydas Valatka, citizens have the right to rallies and demonstrations, but the government should not allow dialogue, because the objective of the protesters is not at all.

“These protesters, who we saw in Vingis Park on May 15, and those who were there on August 10. reunited before the Seimas, the objective is not to achieve anything. Their goal, or more precisely, the purpose of actual riots and such power hoaxes in disgusting words, is to breed the “shark” in Lithuania and try to cloud the water. They would be calm in only one case: if those who threw stones at the officials opened all the “palaces” of power and were given power. (…) If the government began to govern the state according to the “rumors of demonstrations”, the state would go bankrupt quickly, “says R. Valatka.

The political scientist Kęstutis Girnius also shares his opinion. According to the expert, dialogue is an important means of finding a compromise, otherwise tensions and dissatisfaction will only increase.

“Really serious political differences on certain issues are not easily resolved. However, I believe that if the neglect continues, compromises will not be sought or demands will be met, tensions and discontent will increase. I fear that if these issues are not resolved and the Vilnius municipality and the court do not make a clear decision on the planned rally, there is a possibility that a fairly strong radical right-wing party will emerge in the form of the Family Movement. And the unreasonable actions of the Vilnius municipality and the court rulings would have contributed to this emergence ”, says K. Girnius.