Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) lecturer, political scientist Rima Urbonaitė tells LNK news that there is a feeling of public disappointment regarding the candidates participating in the elections. However, the voters themselves were not inclined to raise bigger tasks for the candidates.
“I certainly wouldn’t say that the parties super bothered to provide information, or very seriously prepare for it. Despite this, apparently, they do not feel the need from the voters themselves. It means that the voters themselves are not setting that bar very high – that we need to not just say what you will do – but how you will do it. And it’s even better – that you tell us where you will get the money for those promises,” said the political scientist.
The MRU lecturer told LNK news that the whole of Lithuania is “wallpapered” only with the photos of the candidates themselves.
According to her, the “landing” of Seimas members participating in the elections of municipal councils and mayors is a record.
“Naturally, we have quite a few single-mandate candidates who are aiming for the mayor’s chair. And if they win it, we would have a number of single-mandate constituencies in which Seimas elections would have to be organized, which is already a very inexpensive pleasure.
By the way, I never heard from those candidates why they want to quit their job in the Seimas in the middle of the term, even though they promised the voters to serve these four years, working in this institution. And they received such a mandate from the voters. But for some reason they think that it is no longer important and they can try Pameruti“, political scientist R. Urbonaitė told LNK.
Rima Urbonaitė
© DELFI / Audrius Gavėnas
The political scientist also drew attention to some members of the Seimas who submit party lists to municipal councils. And this, according to R. Urbonaitė, is disrespect to the voter.
“And what does that mean?” They assume that they, if they fail with the mayoral elections, will be members of the councils. But I have no idea what has to happen for a member of the Seimas to exchange his rather warm chair for a much less warm chair of a council member. Because the functions of a council member are completely different,” the LNK interlocutor emphasized.
R. Urbonaitė said that she would very much like there to be no such speculations. But they could not be avoided.
“Therefore, voters must be very alert if they see a member of the Seimas who is not only a candidate for mayor, but is also number one on the list for the council. Therefore, there is a question whether his surname is simply not being manipulated in order to attract voters and even mislead voters,” R. Urbonaitė explained her position.
However, political scientist R. Urbonaitė said that the members of the Seimas, who feel that they have no chance for another term in the parliament, will be assured of their jobs for a longer time after the politicians become mayors.
Watch the full LNK interview with political scientist R. Urbonaite here:
