Janson on the new Minister of National Defense: we shouldn’t expect big miracles

“That there will be some miracles like earthquakes – definitely not. Can something change in parts – communication style, attitude, something else – maybe. But I don’t think it’s worth hoping for really big miracles,” said F. Janson to “Jinių radio”.

However, the advisor of the country’s leader points out that the disagreements between Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and the former Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas were obvious. Therefore, according to him, the former minister could no longer continue his work.

“Why was the minister changed, because the disagreements with the prime minister during that weekend were obvious. The statement was already on the table. It was obvious from the way it was spoken in public that people would probably no longer work together,” said F. Janson.

“And the state of Lithuania cannot currently have a minister of national defense and a prime minister who do not agree at all, because both of them are members of the State Defense Council and decisions must be made. The dismissal of the minister was a force majeure that cannot be fought,” he added.

ELTA reminds that the new Minister of National Defense L. Kasčiūnas was sworn in last week in the Seimas.

L. Kasčiūnas replaced his party colleague A. Anušauskas in his position.

A. Anušauskas admitted that he had received an unexpected offer from the Head of the Government to leave the position of the Minister of National Defense to another politician, and to take his position as the chairman of the committee in the Seimas. However, A. Anušauskas refused such a casting.

In her turn, the Prime Minister said that A. Anušauskas’ resignation is related to the expectation to do “even more and faster” during the remaining term of the Government.

The Presidency is skeptical about the consideration of changing the procedure for appointing the heads of the State Security Department (VSD) and the Special Investigation Service (STT). According to Gitanas Nausėda’s chief advisor, the appointed state officials must be independent, and the current procedure is democratic.

“The President proposes (candidacy – ELTA) to the Seimas, the Seimas – confirms. There is probably nowhere more democratic,” F. Janson told “Žiniai Radio” on Tuesday, reminding that the heads of the VSD and STT are appointed by the president with the approval of the Seimas.

“I understand that a public official who does not match your aspirations or your political game line may look bad to you. In the president’s opinion, state officials must be maximally independent – neither from the president, nor from the Seimas, nor from any ruling party,” said the president’s adviser.

F. Janson has reservations about other proposals of the parliamentary investigation commission that examined the history of VSD reporter Tomas Gailius, related to the control of criminal intelligence.

“Some of the changes that are being proposed (…) are very dangerous, because politicians can try to restructure the law enforcement system so that it is open and everything. But then again, open to whom? If politicians will know when some surveillance action or something is being carried out against them, we all understand very well that it will only complicate the fight against corruption or the fight against abuse”, reasoned F. Janson.

“We will see what those proposals will be in the Seimas and what will be discussed,” he added.

ELTA reminds that last week the temporary commission of the Seimas, which investigated the history of speaker Tomas Gailius, presented its conclusions. They include, among other things, suggestions related to the parliamentary inquiry conducted. The Seimas is urged to consider amendments to the Law on Intelligence Controllers, giving the ombudsman the rights and duty to supervise the legality of the activities of institutions performing criminal intelligence. It is also proposed to strengthen the parliamentary control of VSD and STT, to review the legal regulation of parliamentary control, so that the institutions are obliged to provide all necessary information to the Seimas. Among the recommendations are calls to ensure the role of the Seimas in appointing and dismissing VSD and STT heads and their deputies.