Presidential elections – Delphi

“If the state provides a residence for the acting president, as well as for the prime minister, it is not because the state wants to share some privileges or similar things, but for reasons related to security and other things,” emphasized I. Šimonytė.

“I want to live in my house, but I still live in Turniškės, because the second thing, which I understand is no less important, is that it is a matter of respect for the people who protect you. Because it is much more convenient for the people who protect you and work 24/7 to protect you when you lived in a residence than when you live anywhere,” said the Prime Minister.

Therefore, the prime minister says that she sees the ironic statements of the head of the country that maybe it is necessary to establish a territory from which the presidents cannot leave, as bad humor.

“I see it as bad humor, because anyway the Government cannot oblige the president to do anything, according to the Constitution. This was the Government’s conclusion regarding the law being considered in the Seimas”, I. Šimonytė told reporters on Thursday in Lukiškiau Square.

The Prime Minister emphasized that she believed that by her decision not to move to Turniškes, G. Nausėda showed disrespect for the rules and the officers protecting him.

I. Šimonytė emphasized that the president’s decision not to move to the residence planned for him in Turniškės also costs financial resources.

“Because it is related to the additional costs of installing various security measures, and also to the physical work of people, which is completely different when living in a booth in someone’s yard and when the protected person lives in Turniškės. I can only regret that, because it seems to me that it is no longer funny here,” she said.

After the government on Wednesday approved the proposal that would oblige the head of the country to move to Turniške, President Gitanas Nausėda, who is seeking re-election, says that it is easy for the Cabinet of Ministers to make decisions when they themselves are not threatened with such an obligation.

Reacting to the Government’s decisions, G. Nausėda ironically also proposed to determine the territory from which the presidents could not leave.

“By the way, I would say that maybe it is necessary to establish an enclosure for the president, for example, from which he cannot leave. About Turniškes, for example, 2 kilometers in one direction or the other. He could mushroom, but he couldn’t leave. That’s how I appreciate it,” said the leader of the Daukanta Square Chamber.

The entry into force of the draft law is scheduled for when the new head of state and prime minister are appointed after the 2024 presidential and Seimas elections.

At the beginning of 2021, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė moved to the residence designated for the Prime Minister in Turiniškės, but the current President G. Nausėda refused to do so. According to the presidency, such a decision was made taking into account the conclusions of the experts who analyzed the condition of the Turniškii residence and prepared possible scenarios for its renovation.

Currently, the Chancellery of the Presidency manages 3 buildings in Turniškės by right of trust and land plots on the basis of use. The main building of the presidential residence was built in 1940. After the restoration of Lithuania’s independence and the reconstruction of the building, presidents Valdas Adamkus and Rolandas Paksas lived in the residence, later – president Dalia Grybauskaitė.

On Thursday, I. Šimonytė participated in the preliminary voting for the election of the head of the country. According to the politician currently holding the position of Prime Minister, she had no doubts about what to mark on the ballot.

“(I hope – ELTA) for a good result. (…) I voted for the candidate I know best”, I. Šimonytė told journalists after voting.

The politician did not hide that she expects a favorable outcome of the elections. However, she added, she does not take the ratings that have risen recently.

“I never comment on poll results. (…) I am of the opinion that the real poll of politicians is the election, and after the election it will be possible to comment on something more concrete”, said the Head of the Government.

The candidate in the presidential election also rejected criticism of the wording of the referendum question. I. Šimonytė noted that the wording was chosen taking into account the recommendations of lawyers submitted to the Seimas, and the criticism that falls on it, according to I. Šimonytė, is inevitable.

“There are always criticisms of the wording. Remember also the 2019 referendum, when the wording was spelled out in great detail. People also said that we don’t really understand what we are voting for. (…) It seems to me that it is necessary to rely on the recommendation of the lawyers given to the Seimas”, said I. Šimonytė.

“I would encourage all people who support the preservation of citizenship to come and actively participate in the referendum and advocate for the amendment of the Constitution,” she added.