Urbšys leaves LVŽS Seimas group

“I was sure (LVŽS leader – BNS) Ramūnas Karbauskis, after declaring his business’ transparency, will not be afraid to dispel doubts after they arose. Therefore, I was surprised that when public doubts on Ramūnas Karbauskis’ business arouse, he started acting similar to those who use political influence for the benefit of their business, making politics part of their business, and also enabling the opposition to state that the political group is depended on Agrokoncernas‘ interests. Being in principle against it, I am submitting my letter on leaving the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union’s group,” Urbšys said after the parliament’s vote.

Following Urbšys’ departure, the group has 55 members.

As reported, The Seimas of Lithuania will not investigate the situation in the agriculture sector. The parliament made the decision after considering the opposition’s proposal to launch a parliamentary probe for a third time.

The Seimas backed the Committee on Economic Affairs‘ conclusion not to launch a probe, with 53 votes in favor, 41 against and six abstentions.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, leader of the opposition conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), called the parliament’s decision historic and consolidating interests of Agrokoncernas.

“The fear to carry out a probe shows that you are dependent. I really hope we won’t have to wait for ten years for the State Security Department to write the names of all of you in a report, as we will be able to learn them sooner,” the lawmaker said.

The TS-LKD sought a probe following reports that Agrokoncernas uses land owned by his sons, sister, brother and father, thus possibly circumventing the 500-hectare limit on farmland ownership per natural or legal person.

It was proposed that the probe should give answers to 30 questions regarding agricultural land purchases, fertilizer imports from third countries, plant protection products, agricultural machinery sales, and others.