On 25 March, ALDE Party member Liberalų sąjūdis (Liberal Movement) in Lithuania presented its manifesto and full list of candidates ahead of the European elections in June. 

Led by Eugenijus Gentvilas, current Member of the Lithuanian Parliament and deputy party chair, the Liberal Movement will focus its campaign on the slogan “We trust in experience”. 

Party leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament, said that the changed geopolitical situation dictates the need for experienced politicians who can be trusted. 

"It is clear that the next term of the European Parliament will be even more important than the current one. We are already seeing decisions being taken that a peaceful Europe has not seen in decades,” she said.  

“In addition to its usual functions, the European Parliament is becoming an institution through which Europe perceives itself as a stronghold of the Western political tradition, of liberal democracy. The future of Europe depends on it.” 

The party’s manifesto for the European elections consists of four parts, focusing on security and defence, economic prosperity, EU reforms and the focus on European citizens. 

The document stresses the need to create sustainable defence funding, strengthen military independence, protect political freedoms and human rights, and respect international agreements. 

"The European Union must fight to protect the freedom of all of us. Supporting Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor is our war for freedom and values. A strong, efficient, principled, secure and united EU is Lithuania's fundamental aspiration and interest," the party states as its ambition. 

"A Union that facilitates development cooperation, combats political and religious radicalism, homophobia, racism and anti-Semitism, and ensures a stable life for Europeans.” 

Lead candidate Gentvilas will be followed on the list by the party’s current representative in Brussels Petras Auštrevičius MEP, current MPs Edita Rudelienė, Virgilijus Alekna and Andrius Bagdonas, and Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys. 

The European elections in Lithuania are scheduled to take place on 9 June, as citizens will head to the polls to elect 11 MEPs.

Photo: Liberalų sąjūdis