Political scientist on Karbauskis’ withdrawal: years in the desert for the “Farmers”

“In protest of the liberal ruling block’s efforts to restrict the capacities of our group members to work in Seimas and understanding my responsibility in forming a shadow cabinet, strengthening the LVŽS’ structures and in preparation for the nearing municipal elections, I have decided to withdraw from Seimas,” thus Ramūnas Karbauskis, the leader of the Lithuanian Farmer and Greens Union, explained his reasoning for leaving Seimas, Indrė Vainalavičiutė writes in lrytas.lt

Mykolas Romeris University political scientist Virgis Valentinavičius observed that this step wasn’t unexpected: “Truth be told, this sort of spitting fire, which we have observed over the past few days, had a very artificial look to it.

You could view it as a “Trumpian” unwillingness to come to terms with the election results. This step portrays that this was the creation of a reason to withdraw from Seimas. I do not think that R. Karbauskis is stepping down because he is supposedly oppressed by the majority.”

According to the political scientist, the “Farmer” leader made this decision because he actually wants to withdraw and sees little reason to remain in parliament: “He himself doesn’t want to be there and the supposed slights are just a cover,” the political scientist said and reminded how after the 2016 elections, R. Karbauskis was very active in lecturing Gabrielius Landsbergis of the Conservatives on how to lose, so now it is the perfect time to remember that advice.

“It is clear he is unable to do it and his withdrawal from Seimas is a final confirmation of it,” V. Valentinavičius spoke.

When asked what awaits the “Farmer” Seimas group after the party leader relinquishes his mandate, the expert offered gloomy prospects for the party: “The “Farmer” party is going to be faced with, in Biblical terms, years in the desert.

It’s clear that this party is R. Karbauskis’ personal party. He built it up, he financed it, he managed it as an instrument to benefit his own interests and now this instrument has lost value due to falling out of government. R. Karbauskis is casting it aside and the tool itself is left sad and miserable,” V. Valentinavičius said.

According to him, it is currently uncertain how seriously the “Farmer” leader will take preparations for the next elections and how much attention he will focus on the party: “Saulius Skvernelis has a chance to take over leadership of the party, but he might also think twice about why bother.

The “Farmer” Seimas group is in disarray, its composition is very colourful. It contains Petras Gražulis and Dainius Kepenis, both of whom we‘ve heard much about and so, it’s a big question as to what S. Skvernelis could do with it.”