I lacked time to boost my reputation, Ušackas says

“I think I lacked time over those years I’ve been around to boost my reputation among party members. We’ve had clichés, certain labels attached, and also disrespectful and humiliating information spread. Perhaps I needed more time as people were misled and it was really hard to restore that,” Ušackas told journalists on Sunday night after the election results came in.

He says he will stay in the party.

“I am leaving for London tomorrow to meet with the British foreign minister, and then I have projects with the Americans and in Qatar. I have work until the New Year and I don’t think about anything else, except for how to mark this celebration of democracy,” Ušackas said on Sunday.

He refused, however, to comment on the vote’s transparency.

“We did everything for this celebration of democracy to be real, and it remains for you, journalists and observers, to judge on how honorable and fair it was and whether competition was fair. I wouldn’t want to speak about it on this election night, I leave it to you,” the diplomat said.

On Sunday, Ušackas thanked his supporters and said he sees no chances to compete in the upcoming presidential election.

TS-LKD picked MP and former Finance Minister Ingrida Šimonytė as the party’s presidential candidate in a primary election held over the weekend.

According to the party’s secretariat, Šimonytė received 79 percent of votes (16,418) from TS-LKD members and non-members who pre-registered to vote. And her rival – former diplomat Vygaudas Ušackas – got 21 percent of votes (4,441).

The election results are due to be confirmed by the party’s council.