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{{Short description|Political party in Lithuania}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2014}}
{{Distinguish|Lithuanian Green Party|Lithuanian Popular Peasants' Union}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Distinguish|Lithuanian Green Party}}
{{Infobox political party
{{Infobox political party
| name = Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union
| name = Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union
| logo = [[File:Lvzs 8 v11.svg|180px|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union logo]]
| logo = Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union logo.svg
| logo_size = 150
| colorcode = #61a347
| colorcode = {{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}
| ideology = [[Idiocracy]]<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite web|last1=Lowe|first1=Josh|title=The Farmers' Party That Stormed the Lithuanian Election: What You Need to Know|url=http://www.newsweek.com/lithuanian-peasants-and-green-union-election-farmers-513428|website=Newsweek|publisher=Newsweek|accessdate=21 February 2017|date=25 October 2016}}</ref><br>[[Agrarianism]]<ref name="Nordsieck">{{cite web|first=Wolfram|last=Nordsieck|title=Lithuania|website=Parties and Elections in Europe|url=http://parties-and-elections.eu/lithuania.html|year=2016|accessdate=30 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Elisabeth|last=Bakke|title=Central and East European party systems since 1989|work=Central and Southeast European Politics since 1989|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2010|page=81}}</ref><br>[[Green politics]]<br>[[Green conservatism]]<ref>https://pollofpolls.eu/LT</ref>
| chairperson = [[Ramūnas Karbauskis]]
| headquarters = Pamėnkalnio g. 26, [[Vilnius]]
| ideology = {{ublist|class = nowrap
| international = ''None''
| [[Green conservatism]]<ref name="Green">{{cite book|first1=Tapio|last1=Raunio|first2=Thomas|last2=Sedelius|title=Semi-Presidential Policy-Making in Europe: Executive Coordination and Political Leadership|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9weZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA63|page=63|publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]]|date=13 July 2019|isbn=978-3-030-16431-7|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-16431-7|series=Palgrave Studies in Presidential Politics|s2cid=198743002}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.lvzs.lt/lt/}}
| [[Left-wing populism]]<ref name="Valentinavičius">{{cite journal |author=Virgis Valentinavicius |author-link=:lt:Virgis Valentinavičius |title=Lithuanian Election 2016: the Mainstream Left and Right Rejected by Voters Angry with the Establishment |journal=Political Preferences |year=2017 |doi=10.6084/m9.figshare.5216161 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=19–34}}</ref>
| country = Lithuania
| [[Christian democracy]]<ref name="Christian">{{cite web | url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1969353/lvzs-steigia-krikscioniskosios-demokratijos-ir-tradiciniu-vertybiu-analitini-centra | title=LVŽS steigia Krikščioniškosios demokratijos ir tradicinių vertybių analitinį centrą| date=24 April 2023 }}</ref>
| native_name = Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga
| [[Social conservatism]]<ref name="Social">{{cite web | url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1452679/karbauskis-reze-uz-partnerystes-istatyma-balsuojantiems-valstieciams-nera-vietos-frakcijoje | title=Karbauskis rėžė – už Partnerystės įstatymą balsuojantiems "valstiečiams" nėra vietos frakcijoje | date=17 July 2021 }}</ref>
| abbreviation = LVŽS
| [[Agrarianism]]<ref name="Bakke"/>
| leader2_title = Chairman
| [[Environmentalism]]<ref>{{cite thesis |title=Conserve and Conservative: The Ideological Divide Between the Green Parties of Lithuania and New Zealand and Its Ramifications for Environmentalism's Future |first=Sam L. |last=Dulys |doi=10.6082/uchicago.3061 |journal=Environmental & Urban Studies |date=8 June 2021 |publisher=University of Chicago |page=11 |quote="While groups like LVŽS advocate for environmentalism, conservation, and other ecological considerations, this is done in the backdrop of anti-Russian sentiment in addition to criticism of Lithuania’s predominant political forces."}}</ref>
| leader2_name = [[Ramūnas Karbauskis]]
}}
| leader3_title = First Vice Chairman
| headquarters = Gedimino pr. 28, [[Vilnius]]
| leader3_name = [[Bronis Ropė]]
| international =
| leader4_title = Vice Chairpeople
| website = {{Official URL}}
| leader4_name = [[Rima Baškienė]]<br>[[Kęstutis Mažeika]]<br>[[Arvydas Nekrošius]]<br>[[Aušrinė Norkienė]]<br>[[Mindaugas Puidokas]]<br>[[Viktoras Rinkevičius]]<br>[[Virginijus Sinkevičius]]<br>[[Andriejus Stančikas]]<br>[[Tomas Tomilinas]]<br>[[Povilas Žagunis]]
| country = Lithuania
| founded = 2001 <small>(Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties)</small>
| native_name = {{lang|lt|Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga}}
| predecessor = [[Lithuanian Peasants Party]]<br>[[New Democracy Party (Lithuania)|New Democracy Party]]
| abbreviation = LVŽS
| membership = 4,312
| leader2_title =
| position = {{nowrap|[[Centrism|Centre]]<ref name="Nordsieck"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Vitureau|first1=Marielle|last2=Sibierski|first2=Mary|title=Lithuanians vote for change handing farmers' party surprise win|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/farmers-party-scores-surprise-win-lithuania-vote-election-195547807.html|website=Yahoo News|publisher=AFP|accessdate=21 February 2017|date=23 October 2016}}</ref> to [[centre-right politics|centre-right]]<ref name="Newsweek"/>}}
| leader2_name =
| europarl = [[The Greens–European Free Alliance]]
| leader3_title = First Vice Chairman
| colours = Green
| seats1_title = [[Seimas]]
| leader3_name = [[Aurelijus Veryga]]
| leader4_title = Vice Chairpeople
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|51|141|hex=#61a347}}
| leader4_name = Ligita Girskienė<br>Kristina Kirslienė<br>[[Arvydas Nekrošius]]<br>[[Aušrinė Norkienė]]<br>[[Bronis Ropė]]<br>[[Giedrius Surplys]]
| seats2_title = [[European Parliament]] ([[Lithuania (European Parliament constituency)|Lithuanian seats]])
| founder = [[Kazimiera Prunskienė]]
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|1|11|hex=#61a347}}
| founded = 2001 (as the Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties)
| seats4_title = Municipal councils
| merger = [[Lithuanian Peasants Party]]<br>[[New Democracy Party (Lithuania)|New Democracy Party]]
| seats4 = {{Composition bar|218|1526|hex=#61a347}}
| membership_year = 2023
| seats3_title = [[Skvernelis Cabinet|Cabinet of Lithuania]]
| membership = {{decrease}} 3,741
| seats3 = {{Composition bar|11|14|hex=#61a347}}
| position = {{nowrap|[[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]{{refn|<ref>{{cite journal |title=Foreign Policy Preferences and Vote Choice Under Semi-Presidentialism |doi=10.1177/1065912922111920 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10659129221119201?icid=int.sj-full-text.similar-articles.3 |first=Mažvydas |last=Jastramskis |journal=Political Research Quarterly |volume=76 |issue=2 |year=2023 |quote="The major governing party, the centre-left Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVZS) endorsed the candidacy of their prime minister Saulius Skvernelis, another non-partisan (officially)." |page=904|doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hagemans |first1=Iris |last2=van Hemert |first2=Patricia |last3=Meerkerk |first3=Joachim |last4=Risselada |first4=Anne |last5=van Winden |first5=Risselada |year=2020 |title=ABCitiEs Policy Evaluation Report |journal=Research Report |publisher=European Union |location=Brussels |url=https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/626601/ |volume=20 |page=14 |quote="However, after the last elections in 2016, a large majority of Parliament seats went to a new centre-left Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union party."}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |quote="<br>LVŽS<br>2012<br>Left-of-center, agrarian, environmentalism" |page=79 |title=Electoral success and ideologies of agrarian parties in Central-Eastern European parliamentary democracies (1990-2015) |year=2019 |first=Irena |last=Gałka |location=Kutno |publisher=Wydawnictwo Wyższej Szkoły Gospodarki Krajowej w Kutnie Wydział Studiów Europejskich |volume=11 |issn=2353-8392 |journal=Studium Europy Środkowej i Wschodniej |url=https://filos.lnu.edu.ua/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/11-nomer.pdf}}</ref>}} to [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]]{{refn|<ref name="freedom_1">{{cite web |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/lithuania/nations-transit/2021 |title=Nations in Transit 2021 - Lithuania |date=2021 |website=freedomhouse.org |quote="As a result, LVŽS appeared to establish itself as the main left-wing actor on the political spectrum, pushing out LSDP."}}</ref><ref name="prog1">{{cite web |url=https://progressivepost.eu/lithuania-turns-right-urban-rural-cleavage-generational-change-and-left-wing-perspectives/ |title=Lithuania turns right: urban-rural cleavage, generational change, and left-wing perspectives |date=30 October 2020 |author=Mindaugas Kluonis |website=progressivepost.eu |quote="This lack of firm position did not work, and in rural areas, the LSDP lost to the more populist and conservative left-wing LVŽS as well as to the Labour Party (DP), while in urban areas progressive voters voted for the liberals, mostly for the Freedom Party, but also for the Liberal Movement."}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://progressivepost.eu/lithuania-turns-right-urban-rural-cleavage-generational-change-and-left-wing-perspectives/ |title=Lithuania turns right: urban-rural cleavage, generational change, and left-wing perspectives |date=30 October 2020 |author=Mindaugas Kluonis |website=progressivepost.eu |quote="Since 2016, the main party that was considered to be “left” was the LVŽS."}}</ref><ref name="toots">{{cite book |chapter=Nation (Re)Building Through Social Investment? The Baltic Reform Trajectories |title=The World Politics of Social Investment: Volume II: The Politics of Varying Social Investment Strategies |location=New York |year=2022 |publisher=Oxford Academic Press |date=19 May 2022 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780197601457.003.0007 |first1=Anu |last1=Toots |first2=Triin |last2=Lauri |first3=Julian L. |last3=Garritzmann |first4=Silja |last4=Häusermann |first5=Bruno |last5=Palier |page=166 |quote="In the second half of the 2010s, agrarian parties moved toward populism, which in Estonia and Latvia has a radical right-wing flavor, whereas the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union is rather leftist."}}</ref>}}}}
| seats5_title = Mayors
| europarl = {{ubl|
| seats5 = {{Composition bar|6|60|hex=#61a347}}
|[[European Conservatives and Reformists Group]] (since 2024)<ref name="ECR">{{cite web |title="Valstiečiai" EP siekia prisijungti prie Europos konservatorių ir reformistų frakcijos (nuotraukos) |url=https://bns.lt/naujiena/valstieciai-ep-siekia-prisijungti-prie-europos-konservatoriu-ir-reformistu-frakcijos-nuotraukos-vyyax |website=BNS |language=lt |date=9 June 2024}}</ref>
|[[Greens–European Free Alliance|Greens/EFA]] (2014–2024)
|[[Union for Europe of the Nations|UEN]] (2004–2009)
}}
| colours = {{colour box|{{party colour|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}|border=darkgray}} Green
| seats1_title = [[Seimas]]
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|8|141|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| seats2_title = [[European Parliament]] ([[Lithuania (European Parliament constituency)|Lithuanian seats]])
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|1|11|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| seats3_title = Municipal councils
| seats3 = {{Composition bar|185|1498|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| seats4_title = Mayors
| seats4 = {{Composition bar|8|60|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
}}
}}
{{Green politics sidebar}}
{{Green politics sidebar}}

The '''Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union''' ({{lang-lt|Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga}}, LVŽS; also known as Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union, formerly '''Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union''', {{lang-lt|Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga|links=no}}, LVLS) is a [[Centre-right politics|centre-right]]<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite web|last1=Lowe|first1=Josh|title=The Farmers' Party That Stormed the Lithuanian Election: What You Need to Know|url=http://www.newsweek.com/lithuanian-peasants-and-green-union-election-farmers-513428|website=Newsweek|publisher=Newsweek|accessdate=21 February 2017|date=25 October 2016}}</ref> [[Agrarianism|agrarian]] [[List of political parties in Lithuania|political party]] in [[Lithuania]] led by industrial farmer [[Ramūnas Karbauskis]].
The '''Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union''' ({{langx|lt|Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga}}, LVŽS)<ref group=nb>The party is also known as Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union.</ref> is a [[Green conservatism|green-conservative]]<ref name="Green"/> and [[Agrarianism|agrarian]]<ref name="Bakke">{{cite book|first=Elisabeth|last=Bakke|chapter=Central and East European party systems since 1989|title=Central and Southeast European Politics since 1989|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2010|page=81}}</ref> [[List of political parties in Lithuania|political party in Lithuania]] led by [[Ramūnas Karbauskis]]. The party is considered one of the main representatives of the left wing of Lithuanian politics.<ref name="freedom_1"/> Lithuanian journalist [[:lt:Virgis Valentinavičius|Virgis Valentinavičius]] described the party as "the mixture of the extreme left in economic matters and the extreme right in some social issues, all spiced up with an anti-establishment rhetoric of radical change".<ref name="Valentinavičius">{{cite journal |author=Virgis Valentinavicius |author-link=:lt:Virgis Valentinavičius |title=Lithuanian Election 2016: the Mainstream Left and Right Rejected by Voters Angry with the Establishment |journal=Political Preferences |year=2017 |doi=10.6084/m9.figshare.5216161 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=19–34}}</ref>

Following the [[2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]], the LVŽS has been in opposition to the [[Šimonytė Cabinet]]. The party's two MEPs sit in the [[Greens–European Free Alliance]] group in the European Parliament. Founded in 2001 as the '''Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union''', ({{langx|lt|Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga|links=no}}, LVLS), the party's symbol since 2012 has been the [[white stork]].

Formerly participating in the [[European Parliament]] group of the [[Greens–European Free Alliance]], it announced its intention to join the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]] in 2024.<ref name="ECR" />


==History==
==History==
In February 2006, the Peasants and New Democratic Party Union led by Lithuanian politician [[Kazimiera Prunskienė]] chose to rename itself after the pre-war [[Lithuanian Popular Peasants' Union]]. It had previously been known as "Valstiečių ir Naujosios demokratijos partijų sąjunga", or VNDS, which translates to the "Peasants and New Democratic Party Union" or "Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties". This name stemmed from its origin as an [[electoral alliance]] between the [[Lithuanian Peasants Party]] (Lietuvos valstiečių partija) and the [[New Democratic Party (Lithuania)|New Democratic Party]] (Naujosios demokratijos partija), which merged to form the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union.


===Foundation and participation in the Social Democratic Party-led governments (2001–2008)===
It changed its name to Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union in January 2012.
In December 2001, the [[Lithuanian Peasants Party]] ({{lang|lt|italic=no|Lietuvos valstiečių partija}}) and the [[New Democratic Party (Lithuania)|New Democratic Party]] ({{lang|lt|italic=no|Naujosios demokratijos partija}}) entered into an [[electoral alliance]] known as the "{{lang|lt|italic=no|Valstiečių ir Naujosios demokratijos partijų sąjunga}}" (VNDS), which translates to the '''Peasants and New Democratic Party Union''' or '''Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties''' was formed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/kprunskiene-ruosiasi-jungtuvems-ir-rinkimams.d?id=635820|title=K.Prunskienė ruošiasi jungtuvėms ir rinkimams|website=DELFI}}</ref> In [[2002–03 Lithuanian presidential election]] party's chairman [[Kazimira Prunskienė]] came with 5.04 per cent of the votes in the first round and saved its deposit. In the second round, she endorsed [[Rolandas Paksas]] of the [[Order and Justice|Liberal Democratic Party]], who won the election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/archive/kprunskiene-antrame-ture-parems-rpaksa.d?id=1719771|title=K.Prunskienė antrame ture parems R.Paksą|website=DELFI}}</ref>


In the [[2004 Lithuanian presidential election|2004 presidential election]] (after Rolandas Paksas was impeached), Kazimira Prunskienė narrowly came to the second position (21.25 per cent), but she was defeated in the second round (although, after endorsement of Rolandas Paksas).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/rpaksas-pareiske-remias-kprunskiene.d?id=4501738|title=R.Paksas pareiškė remiąs K.Prunskienę|website=DELFI}}</ref> In [[2004 European Parliament election in Lithuania|2004 European Parliament election]], the party got 7.41 per cent of the votes and won one seat by [[Gintaras Didžiokas]]. He joined the [[Union for Europe of the Nations]]. In [[2004 Lithuanian parliamentary election|Seimas election later tahat same year]], the party got 6.6 per cent of the votes. The [[Labour Party (Lithuania)|Labour Party]] joined forces with Peasants and New Democratic Party Union and invited the [[Social Democratic Party of Lithuania]] to join.<ref>{{cite news|title=V. Uspaskichas kviečia kitas partijas kartu formuoti valdančiąją daugumą|url=http://www.elta.lt/rinkimai2004/index.php/lt/52523/|access-date=27 April 2016|agency=ELTA|date=25 October 2004}}</ref> Brazauskas initially ruled out a coalition with Labour,<ref>{{cite news|title=A. Brazauskas: prognozuoju, kad koalicijos su Darbo partija nebus|url=http://www.elta.lt/rinkimai2004/index.php/lt/51881/|access-date=27 April 2016|agency=ELTA|date=24 October 2004}}</ref> but eventually Social Democrats and [[New Union (Social Liberals)]] joined forces with the Labour Party and the Peasants, with Brazauskas as the Prime Minister.<ref name=VZ>{{cite web|title=Seimas 2004-2008 m.: valdantieji rūbą keitė kelis kartus|language=lt|trans-title=2004-2008 Seimas: the governing coalition changed its clothes several times|date=13 September 2008|url=http://vz.lt/archive/straipsnis/2008/09/13/Seimas_2004-2008_m__valdantieji_ruba_keite_kelis_kartus|publisher=Verslo Žinios|access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref>
After successful performance in the 2016 elections, a clarification about its English name format was issued, changing it to Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.<ref name="Farmers">{{cite news|title=Verčiant į anglų žodžio „valstiečiai“ neliks|url=http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Lietuva/verciant-i-anglu-zodzio-valstieciai-neliks/238916|quote=LVŽS šiandien pranešė, kad nuo šiol partijos pavadinimas angliškai skambės Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.|accessdate=18 February 2017|work=Lietuvos Žinios|date=17 February 2017|language=Lithuanian}}</ref>


In February 2006, the Peasants and New Democratic Party Union led by Lithuanian politician [[Kazimiera Prunskienė]] chose to rename itself the '''Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union''' (after the pre-war [[Lithuanian Popular Peasants' Union]]).
==Electoral results==

In [[2008 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2008 parliamentary election]] the party felt below 5 per cent threshold and was left with three members, who were elected in single-member constituencies.

===Opposition and leading force in the government (2009–2020)===
In 2009 [[Kazimira Prunskienė]] left the party and founded the party of her own (Lithuanian People's Party).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/kprunskiene-gimdys-liaudies-partija-542524|title=K.Prunskienė gimdys Liaudies partiją|website=Kauno diena|date=29 July 2009 }}</ref> Although the party was minor one, it gained some influence in 2010, when it supported the [[Kubilius Cabinet II|Homeland Union-led government]]. The Lithuanian Peasants Popular Union changed its name to the '''Lithuanian Peasants and Greens Union''' in January 2012.

The party emerged as a dark horse in the electoral race in the spring of 2016. The rise of support was attributed to the popularity of Karbauskis, who had been active in campaigning against alcohol, and their lack of involvement in political scandals.<ref name="delfi.lt">{{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/partiju-reitinguose-isnyra-juodasis-arkliukas.d?id=70735366 |title=Partijų reitinguose išnyra juodasis arkliukas |date=21 March 2016 |language=lt|trans-title=A dark horse emerges in the party ratings |website=delfi.lt |access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref> LVŽS was further boosted by the announcement that [[Saulius Skvernelis]], a Minister of Interior in Butkevičius Cabinet and one of the most popular politicians in Lithuania, would head the party's electoral list in the elections, without joining the party.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Želnienė|first1=Liepa|title=Saulius Skvernelis rinkimuose dalyvaus su žaliaisiais, bet į partiją nestos|language=lt|trans-title=Saulius Skvernelis will participate in the elections with the Greens, but will not join the party|url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/saulius-skvernelis-rinkimuose-dalyvaus-su-zaliaisiais-bet-i-partija-nestos-56-599983|access-date=14 September 2016|publisher=15min.lt|date=23 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjungą į Seimą ves Saulius Skvernelis|language=lt|trans-title=Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union will be led in the elections by Saulius Skvernelis|url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuvos-valstieciu-ir-zaliuju-sajunga-i-seima-ves-saulius-skvernelis-1479181/|access-date=14 September 2016|agency=ELTA|publisher=Vakarų Ekspresas|date=23 July 2016}}</ref>

After successful performance in the [[2016 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2016 parliamentary elections]], a clarification about its English name format was issued, changing it to '''Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union'''.<ref name="Farmers">{{cite news|title=Verčiant į anglų žodžio "valstiečiai" neliks|url=http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Lietuva/verciant-i-anglu-zodzio-valstieciai-neliks/238916|quote=LVŽS šiandien pranešė, kad nuo šiol partijos pavadinimas angliškai skambės Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.|access-date=18 February 2017|work=Lietuvos Žinios|date=17 February 2017|language=lt}}</ref> Also, after these election the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union became one of the main three political parties in Lithuania (along with the [[Homeland Union]] and the Social Democratic Party) at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Lithuanian election brings major shake-up {{!}} DW {{!}} 24.10.2016|url=https://www.dw.com/en/lithuanian-election-brings-major-shake-up/a-36131042|access-date=2021-06-02|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}</ref>

After these elections, various pundits claimed that the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union could form a coalition with the Homeland Union,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bernardinai.lt/2016-10-27-seimo-rinkimu-apzvalga-sokiruojanti-bet-desninga-lvzs-pergale/|title = Seimo rinkimų apžvalga: Šokiruojanti, bet dėsninga LVŽS pergalė|date = 26 October 2016}}</ref> but Ramūnas Karbauskis proposed wide coalition between the aforementioned parties and the Social Democratic Party. The Homeland Union's leader [[Gabrielius Landsbergis]] himself proposed a coalition between the Homeland Union, the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the [[Liberal Movement (Lithuania)|Liberal Movement]], although both Ramūnas Karbauskis and the Liberal Movement's leader [[Eugenijus Gentvilas]] turned down this offer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.delfi.lt/delfi/article.php%3fid=72669570&amp=1 |title = R. Karbauskis: koaliciją galime suformuoti ir be konservatorių ar socialdemokratų}}</ref> Eventually, a coalition was formed between the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, which lasted until the autumn of 2017.

The party's support gradually declined by 2018 (e. g. in [[2019 European Parliament election in Lithuania|2019 European Parliament election]] the party got 11.92 per cent of the votes), although due to the [[rally 'round the flag effect]] (caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania|COVID-19 pandemic]]), its support rebounded. In the [[2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]] the party won 18.07 per cent of the vote and 32 parliamentary seats.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Centre-right opposition wins Lithuania's parliamentary election|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/26/centre-right-opposition-wins-lithuanias-parliamentary-election|access-date=2021-06-02|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> The party has been in opposition since 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=ERR|first=ERR News {{!}}|date=2020-10-26|title=Lithuania to get new conservative-liberal coalition prime minister|url=https://news.err.ee/1151388/lithuania-to-get-new-conservative-liberal-coalition-prime-minister|access-date=2021-06-02|website=ERR|language=en}}</ref>

===Again in opposition (from 2020)===

After the elections, Ramūnas Karbauskis resigned from his parliamentary seat. After the electoral loss the party (along with the Labour Party) began to support various radical movements on the political fringes (e. g. Families' Defense March and the [[Lithuanian Family Movement]]). This position caused disagreements within party and its parliamentary group.

Disagreements had forced a split in the parliamentary group in late summer and early autumn of 2021, and former Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis formed the newly established [[Union of Democrats "For Lithuania"]] (although this split was speculated by the pundits as early as March 2021).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.15min.lt/m/id/aktualu/komentarai/matas-baltrukevicius-kodel-skvernelio-ir-karbauskio-sajunga-gali-zlugti-500-1465416?copied=|title = Matas Baltrukevičius: Kodėl Skvernelio ir Karbauskio sąjunga gali žlugti?}}</ref> Due to this and the Social Democratic Party's position not to support the opposition coalition, the party lost the position of opposition leader. By the end of 2021, the party started losing members in municipalities' districts (e. g. [[Lazdijai district municipality]] mayor Ausma Miškinienė left it along with the almost all LVŽS members in the area).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1555800/prie-skvernelio-politines-jegos-nusprende-jungtis-ir-lazdiju-rajono-valstieciai-kartu-su-mere-miskiniene|title=Prie Skvernelio politinės jėgos nusprendė jungtis ir Lazdijų rajono "valstiečiai" kartu su mere Miškiniene|date=2 December 2021}}</ref>

[[Aurelijus Veryga]], Minister of Health in Skvernelis' cabinet, was put forward as the party's candidate in the [[2024 Lithuanian presidential election|2024 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |title="Valstiečiai" į prezidentus kelia Aurelijų Verygą: nebijo būti pirmuoju partiniu kandidatu |url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/valstieciai-i-prezidentus-kelia-a-veryga-56-2090536 |work=15min |language=lt |date=2023-08-01}}</ref> In his electoral program, Veryga emphasized his support for traditional values and opposition to [[same-sex partnerships]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pikelytė |first1=Martyna |title=Veryga pristatė prezidento rinkimų programą: ginsiu tradicines vertybes |url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/veryga-pristate-prezidento-rinkimu-programa-ginsiu-tradicines-vertybes.d?id=95339217 |website=Delfi |language=Lithuanian |date=2023-12-11}}</ref>

The party participated in the [[2024 European Parliament election in Lithuania]] and aimed to win 3 seats in the [[European Parliament]], up from 2 that it won in the [[2019 European Parliament election in Lithuania]]. It toned down its populist and socially conservative stances and reoriented itself closer to environmentalism and green politics.<ref name="greblikas"/> However, the party won 9.13% of the popular vote (down from 12.56% in 2019) and only won a single seat.<ref name="lrt1">{{cite web |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2294500/three-takeaways-from-lithuania-s-ep-election |title=Three takeaways from Lithuania's EP election |date=11 June 2024 |first=Laurita Emilija-Jekaterina |last=Vabuolaitė |website=LRT.lt}}</ref>

In [[2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election]] the party ran as a joint list with several politicians from the parties [[Young Lithuania]] and [[Lithuania – For Everyone]]. It caused the Central Election Commission to designate 7 per cent threshold for this party to obtain seats in multi-member constituency. LVŽS passed electoral threshold with just more than 250 votes. After the election joined the agreement with LSDP to form a governmenton 15 October.<ref>{{cite news |last=Platūkytė |first=Domantė |title=Karbauskis Blinkevičiūtę jau vadina būsima premjere, abu sako – sukirsta rankomis |work=LRT |date=15 October 2024 |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2386958/karbauskis-blinkeviciute-jau-vadina-busima-premjere-abu-sako-sukirsta-rankomis |language=lt |access-date=19 October 2024}}</ref> In the end, [[Dawn of Nemunas]] was chosen a third party of coalition, thus leaving LVŽS in opposition.

==Ideology==
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union is placed on the left of Lithuanian political spectrum, although with strong left-wing populist and left-conservative tendencies.<ref name="freedom_1"/><ref name="prog1"/> The party is described as [[green conservatism|green conservative]], [[agrarianism|agrarian]] and [[social conservatism|social conservative]] and is considered to be a blend of staunchly left-wing economic policy, environmentalism, and a conservative outlook on some sociocultural issues.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kwiatkowska |first=Agnieszka |title=Institutionalisation without voters: the Green Party in Poland in comparative perspective |journal=Zeitschrift für Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=273–294 |year=2019 |doi=10.1007/s12286-019-00424-6|doi-access=free }}</ref> Economically, the party focuses on the importance of expanded healthcare and social welfare, whereas socially the party campaigns on traditional and Christian values and the need to stop the moral decay of contemporary society.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Mapping European Populism – Panel 7: Populist parties/actors and far-right movements in the Baltic countries and Belarus |year=2023 |first1=Anita |last1=Tusor |first2=Iván |last2=Escobar Fernández |doi=10.55271/rp0009 |journal=European Center for Populism Studies }}</ref> Its economic ideology has been described as social-democratic,<ref name="juska">{{cite journal |title=Resurgence of post-crisis neoliberalism: labor law reform and the return to "business as usual" in Lithuania |first1=Arunas |last1=Juska |first2=Romas |last2=Lazutka |journal=Journal of Baltic Studies |issn=1751-7877 |year=2019 |doi=10.1080/01629778.2019.1634116 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |volume=50 |issue=4 |url=https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/rbalxx/v50y2019i4p533-552.html |page=547}}</ref> or akin to social democracy.<ref name="nakrosis">{{cite journal |title=The Agendas of Public Administration Reforms in Lithuania: Windows of Opportunity in the Period 2004 – 2017 |doi=10.2478/nispa-2018-0004 |first=Vitalis |last=Nakrošis |date=17 July 2018 |journal=NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=111 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The party is also described as technocratic and agrarian populist.<ref>{{cite book |title=Post-democracy and Populist Discourses in Lithuania (2004-2016) |author=Karolis Jonutis |location=Lithunia |year=2019 |publisher=Vilnius University |page=21}}</ref>

The rhetoric of the party is based on left-wing populism, prioritizing socioeconomic issues and establishing itself as the representative of the disadvantaged groups of Lithuanian society. Its voter base is composed of rural areas and small towns, and its supporters are mainly the poor, disadvantaged and anti-establishment voters.<ref name="polskiprzeglad">{{cite journal |title=Populist Parties in Lithuania: Curious Case of Party Order and Justice and its Leadership |doi=10.2478/ppsr-2019-0008 |first=Mindaugas |last=Jurkynas |journal=Polish Political Science Review. Polski Przegląd Politologiczny |volume=7 |issue=1 |year=2019 |publisher=Vytautas Magnus University |pages=122–127|doi-access=free }}</ref> It criticizes other partes for neglecting the needs of the poor.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Negative Political Communication in Online Video Advertisements: Case Study of 2016 Lithuanian Parliamentary Election |first1=Andrius |last1=Šuminas |first2=Arnas |last2=Aleksandravičius |first3=Arūnas |last3=Gudinavičius |year=2017 |journal=Political Preferences |volume=14 |pages=47–62 |doi=10.6084/m9.figshare.5216167 |publisher=Vilnius University}}</ref> The LVŽS is not a protest party however - it actively works with other parties and form cabinets.<ref name="polskiprzeglad"/> The party appeals to traditional left-wing electorate by stressing the need to reduce social inequality, invest in impoverished areas, and increase minimum wage.<ref name="navickas"/> It strongly supports trade unions and promotes a union-favourable labor law,<ref name="trade">{{cite book |title=Trade unions in the European Union: Picking up the pieces of the neoliberal challenge |author1=Jeremy Waddington |author2=Torsten Müller |author3=Kurt Vandaele |series=Work & Society |volume=86 |publisher=Peter Lang Group AG |location=Bern |year=2023 |isbn=978-2-87574-634-4 |doi=10.3726/b20254 |pages=720–722}}</ref> demands progressive taxation, and redistribution of wealth from "business interests" to "the people".<ref name="juska"/> The party campaigns on opposition to neoliberal policies, accusing other parties of "out-liberalizing" each other in pursuit of "avant-garde neoliberal policy ideas" at the expense of vulnerable socioeconomic groups.<ref name="second_pillar">{{cite journal |title=A shift to libertarian paternalism in old-age income security: Discourses on pension privatization reforms in Lithuania 2016–2018 |first=Arunas |last=Juska |journal=International Social Security Review |volume=74 |issue=2 |year=2021 |doi=10.1111/issr.12263 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/issr.12263 |pages=7–8 |location=Greenville, United State |publisher=Wiley Online Library}}</ref>

The main focus of the party is "social solidarity and left-wing ideas".<ref>{{cite journal |title=Social policy in the face of a global pandemic: Policy responses to the COVID-19 crisis in Central and Eastern Europe |first1=Jolanta |last1=Aidukaite |first2=Steven |last2=Saxonberg |first3=Dorota |last3=Szelewa |first4=Dorottya |last4=Szikra |doi=10.1111/spol.12704 |volume=55 |issue=22 |journal=Social Policy Administration |date=2021 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons Ltd |page=369}}</ref> It criticizes right-leaning parties for anti-Russian sentiment as well as following the traditional division into "ex-communists and anti-communists".<ref name="navickas">{{cite journal |title=Lithuania after Politics? |first=Andrius |last=Navickas |publisher=Vilnius University |journal=Political Preferences |year=2017 |doi=10.6084/m9.figshare.5216197 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=99–114}}</ref> The LVŽS to be neither post-communist nor anti-communist.<ref name="dulys1">{{cite thesis |title=Conserve and Conservative: The Ideological Divide Between the Green Parties of Lithuania and New Zealand and Its Ramifications for Environmentalism's Future |first=Sam L. |last=Dulys |doi=10.6082/uchicago.3061 |journal=Environmental & Urban Studies |date=8 June 2021 |publisher=University of Chicago |pages=1–23}}</ref> Socially, the party makes somewhat conservative appeals, pledging to uphold 'traditional' values, fight against alcohol and for "sober way of living", and protecting Lithuanian language.<ref name="navickas"/> It is less conservative on some other social matters - it postulates increased psychological services availability, old-age pensions rise, significant climate action via preservation, agricultural reform against large landowners, and environmental education.<ref name="dulys1"/> The party is regarded as moderate in its social conservatism.<ref name="khoma"/>
===Origins===
Throughout its existence, the party has evolved from a purely agrarian party to a left-wing populist one, full of eclectic tendencies. Starting out as the farmer-focused ''Lithuanian Peasant Union'' ({{langx|lt|Lietuvos Valstiečių Sąjunga}}) in the early 1990s, LVŽS was later renamed the ''Lithuanian Peasant Party'' ({{langx|lt|Lietuvos valstiečių partija}}) and started broadening its program beyond agricultural issues, joining forces with the ''Lithuanian Women Party'' ({{langx|lt|Lietuvos moterų partija}}) in 1995. In the early 2000s, the Lithuanian Peasant Party was becoming increasingly left-wing, leading to the change of its name to the ''Lithuanian Peasant People’s Party'' ({{langx|lt|Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų partija}}) in 2005, which was to highlight both the leftwards turn of the party and to connect itself to the interwar peasant movements in Lithuania.<ref name="Valentinavičius"/>

In 2012, the party was renamed again to the Lithuanian Union of Peasants and Greens, after its leader Ramūnas Karbauskis steered the party towards [[green politics]], strongly promoting renewable energy and campaigning against nuclear power plants. This led the party to combine both agricultural interests and elements of green politics, which at the time was condemned as a 'somewhat schizophrenic' political mix. At the same time, led by Karbauskis, it initiated the [[2014 Lithuanian constitutional referendum]], which sought to prohibit the ownership of land in Lithuania to foreign citizens, in violation of Lithuania's terms of membership in the [[European Union]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Samoškaitė |first1=Eglė |title=Referendumo dėl žemės siurprizas: R. Karbauskio įmonės nebegalėtų pirkti žemės |url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/referendumo-del-zemes-siurprizas-r-karbauskio-imones-nebegaletu-pirkti-zemes.d?id=64361028 |website=Delfi |language=Lithuanian |date=25 March 2014}}</ref> Karbauskis opposed Lithuania's accession to the European Union before 2004, although the party emphasized its [[pro-Europeanism]] during the 2016 campaign.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Želnienė |first1=Liepa |title=Ramūnas Karbauskis, kurį jau pamiršote: Europos Sąjungos priešininkas, ūkininkų advokatas ir legalaus samagono užtarėjas |url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/ramunas-karbauskis-kuri-jau-pamirsote-europos-sajungos-priesininkas-ukininku-advokatas-ir-legalaus-samagono-propaguotojas-56-896876 |website=15min.lt |language=Lithuanian |date=18 December 2017}}</ref> Between 2012 and 2016, the party also adopted right-wing views on social issues. In the [[2016 Lithuanian parliamentary election]], the main message of LVŽS was the need to fight poverty and social exclusion, for which the party blamed economic liberalism and pro-business policies by previous Lithuanian governments.<ref name="Valentinavičius"/>

===Economic issues===
Economically, the party is described as 'extreme-left' and strongly populist, presenting itself as a party of ordinary people. It is described as social democratic economically.<ref name="juska"/><ref name="nakrosis"/> LVŽS argues that wealth inequality is one of Lithuania's key problems, contrasting the prosperity of [[Vilnius]] and the urban middle class with the impoverished Lithuanian countryside, struggling with high unemployment and lack of prospects. In its ideological manifesto "The Government Program for Sustainable Lithuania" ({{langx|lt|Darnios Lietuvos Vyriausybės programa}}), LVŽS declared: "Addressing regional poverty and exclusion must become a priority task for the new government. Recognising that the economic cause of high unemployment and emigration is relatively low wages, we will take swift and effective measures to increase the income of the population, while at the same time striving to ensure an adequate social safety net." Accentuating the agrarianism of the party, the program also put heavy importance on "preserving the vitality of the Lithuanian countryside".<ref name="Valentinavičius"/>

LVŽS defines an economy that would prioritize the 'common man' as its goal, emphasizing the need to implement worker-friendly reforms in healthcare and education, a significant increase in wages and pensions, and the drastic revision of Lithuania's labour code, which the party has denounced as pro-business. The party has pledged to create a state-owned pharmacy network and sharply reduce drug prices, and initiated an anti-alcohol campaign, which it implemented by increasing excise duty on alcohol, raising [[minimum drinking age]] to 20, introducing a total ban on alcohol advertising and establishing a state monopoly on alcohol trade.<ref name="Valentinavičius"/> The party is also strongly pro-union, and was praised for improving social dialogue between the state and the unions, and implementing a number of union-favourable collective agreements in the public sector. It also promotes public awareness and the visibility of trade unions, and encourages workers to join them.<ref name="trade"/> The party also postulated a ban on land sales to foreigners.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Hate Speech and Euroscepticism in Lithuania |journal=National Report |publisher=Human Rights Monitoring Institute |location=Vilnius |date=31 August 2022 |first1=Meta |last1=Adutaviciute |first2=Goda |last2=Jureviciute |editor1=Anna Krasteva |editor2=Nicholas Paddiso |url=https://cilvektiesibas.org.lv/media/attachments/31/08/2022/Hate_speech_and_EuroscepticismLT.pdf |page=38}}</ref>

One of the party's main economic goals is to replace the privatization of retirement saving accounts and other welfare programs. After 1991, Lithuania "zealously embraced neoliberal doctrines" and became characterized by one of the lowest levels of social expenditure and the highest levels of poverty and inequality among EU Member States; the pensioners were amongst the poorest voting constituencies of Lithuania. LVŽS appealed to the impoverished pensioners for political support and pledged to restructure and nationalize the "second pillar" pension program. The party's plan "mobilized a number of powerful and vocal constituencies such as the banking, life insurance, private pension fund industries, as well as business lobbying groups that had high stakes in pension reform."<ref name="second_pillar"/>
===Social issues===
The party's program emphasises a commitment to establishing a "strong family" as the core of Lithuanian society. It also strongly praises the [[Catholic Church in Lithuania|Catholic Church]] and its teachings, and opposes [[abortion]], same-sex partnerships and assisted reproductive technologies on the basis of the Catholic faith. Despite this, in the [[Twelfth Seimas of Lithuania|twelfth Seimas]], the LVŽS was a big tent in regards to social issues, and some of its members such as [[Dovilė Šakalienė]] and [[Tomas Tomilinas]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gaučaitė-Znutienė |first1=Modesta |title=Balsavimas už partnerystę Tomilinui gali atsirūgti – partija ketina svarstyti jo elgesį |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1417236/balsavimas-uz-partneryste-tomilinui-gali-atsirugti-partija-ketina-svarstyti-jo-elgesi |website=LRT |language=Lithuanian |date=25 May 2021}}</ref> were strong supporters of feminism, minority rights and civil partnerships for same-sex couples.<ref name="Valentinavičius"/> Since the 2020 election, the party has increasingly turned [[social conservatism|socially conservative]], especially after its more liberal members of the Seimas joined the [[Union of Democrats "For Lithuania"]]. The party's vice-chairman Tomas Tomilinas was expelled from the party in 2021 for voting in favor of same-sex partnerships.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jakučionis |first1=Saulius |title=Partnerystės įstatymą parėmęs "valstietis" Tomilinas šalinamas iš partinių postų |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1433577/partnerystes-istatyma-paremes-valstietis-tomilinas-salinamas-is-partiniu-postu |website=LRT |language=Lithuanian |date=16 June 2021}}</ref>

Given the social conservatism of the LVŽS and its emphasis on Christian values, traditional family and preservation of national identity, its rule was compared to that of Polish [[Law and Justice]] or Hungarian [[Fidesz]]. However, unlike these parties, LVŽS did not mark a break with the liberal course of the European Union. Ukrainian political scientist Nataliya Khoma argues that the social conservatism of the party is moderate, stating that LVŽS "bypassed the issue of sexual minority rights" and despite promoting conservative values, the party did not adopt "a radical platform that exacerbates this issue".<ref name="khoma">{{cite journal |title=Deconsolidation of Liberal Democracy in the Baltic States. The Issue of Compliance with the EU Standards at Institutional and Value Levels |first1=Nataliia |last1=Khoma |first2=Oleksii |last2=Kokoriev |date=June 2021 |journal=Romanian Journal of European Affairs |volume=21 |issue=1 |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3991711 |location=Bucuresti |page=51|ssrn=3991711 }}</ref>

===Electoral campaigns===
LVŽS's success in the 2016 parliamentary election has been compared to the victory of [[Donald Trump]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election]]. According to [[Virgis Valentinavičius]], both Trump and Karbauskis constructed a narrative of 'us against them', opposing themselves against the elite, in spite of both being among the wealthiest people in their respective countries, and both also shifted the blame for their early scandals to the media and the conspiracy of the establishment.<ref name="Valentinavičius"/>

In December 2023, the party took part in a meeting called "The family of European Conservatives is expanding" organized by the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Russo |first=Agnese |date=16 December 2023 |title=Atreju, la speranza e l'orgoglio di dare un nuovo futuro all'Ue: "La famiglia dei Conservatori si allarga" |url=https://www.secoloditalia.it/2023/12/ad-atreju-la-speranza-e-lorgoglio-di-dare-un-nuovo-futuro-alleuropa-la-famiglia-dei-conservatori-si-allarga/ |access-date=18 January 2024 |work=[[Secolo d'Italia]] |language=it}}</ref>

In the [[2024 European Parliament election in Lithuania]], the party focused on the environmental issues and promoted green politics, and toned down its socially conservative policies.<ref name="greblikas">{{cite web |url=https://transform-network.net/blog/_ep-2024-elections-the-left-wing-observatory_/european-elections-in-lithuania-post-election-analysis/ |title=European Elections in Lithuania: Post-election Analysis |date=14 June 2024 |first=Laurynas |last=Greblikas}}</ref> After the election, however, it joined the right-wing and Eurosceptic ECR Party.
==Election results==


=== Seimas ===
=== Seimas ===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: right;"
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|-
|-
! Election
! Election
! Votes
! Leader
! Votes{{efn|Proportional representation votes.}}
! %
! %
! Seats
! Seats
! +/–
! +/–
! Position
! Government
! Government
|-
|-
! [[Lithuanian parliamentary election, 2004|2004]]
! [[2004 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2004]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Kazimira Prunskienė]]
| Participated coalition along with [[New Democracy Party (Lithuania)|New Democracy Party]]
| 6.6
| 78,902
| 6.60 (#6)
| {{Composition bar|10|141|hex=#61a347}}
| {{Composition bar|10|141|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union}}}}
| {{increase}} 4
| New
| {{increase}} 7th
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
|-
! [[Lithuanian parliamentary election, 2008|2008]]
! [[2008 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2008]]
| 46,162 (PR)
| 46,162
| 3.73
| 3.73 (#9)
| {{Composition bar|3|141|hex=#61a347}}
| {{Composition bar|3|141|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union}}}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{decrease}} 7
| {{decrease}} 9th
| {{no2|Opposition}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|-
! [[Lithuanian parliamentary election, 2012|2012]]
! [[2012 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2012]]
| rowspan="4"| [[Ramūnas Karbauskis]]
| 53,141 (PR)
| 3.88
| 53,141
| 4.05 (#8)
| {{Composition bar|1|141|hex=#61a347}}
| {{Composition bar|1|141|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{increase}} 8th
| {{no2|Opposition}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|-
! [[Lithuanian parliamentary election, 2016|2016]]
! [[2016 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2016]]
| 274,108 (PR)
| 274,108
| 22.45
| 22.45 (#1)
| {{Composition bar|54|141|hex=#61a347}}
| {{Composition bar|54|141|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{increase}} 53
| {{increase}} 53
| {{increase}} 1st
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
! [[2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2020]]
| 204,780
| 18.07 (#2)
| {{Composition bar|32|141|{{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{decrease}} 22
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election|2024]]
| 87,374
| 7.16 (#6)
| {{Composition bar|8|141|{{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{decrease}} 24
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|}
|}
{{notelist}}


=== European Parliament ===
=== European Parliament ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Election year
! Election
! # of total votes
! List leader
! % of overall vote
! Votes
! # of seats
! %
! Seats
! +/–
! EP Group
|-
|-
! [[European Parliament election, 2004 (Lithuania)|2004]]
! [[2004 European Parliament election in Lithuania|2004]]
| [[Kazimira Prunskienė]]
| 89,338
| 89,338
| 7.4%
| 7.41 (#5)
| {{Composition bar|1|13|hex=#61a347}}
| {{Composition bar|1|13|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union}}}}
| New
| [[Union for Europe of the Nations|UEN]]
|-
|-
! [[European Parliament election, 2009 (Lithuania)|2009]]
! [[2009 European Parliament election in Lithuania|2009]]
| [[Gintaras Didžiokas]]
| 10,285
| 10,285
| 1.82%
| 1.87 (#11)
| {{Composition bar|0|12|hex=#61a347}}
| {{Composition bar|0|12|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| –
|-
|-
! [[European Parliament election, 2014 (Lithuania)|2014]]
! [[2014 European Parliament election in Lithuania|2014]]
| [[Ramūnas Karbauskis]]
| 75,643
| 75,643
| 6.25%
| 6.61 (#7)
| {{Composition bar|1|11|hex=#61a347}}
| {{Composition bar|1|11|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
| rowspan=2 | [[The Greens - European Free Alliance|Greens/EFA]]
|-
! [[2019 European Parliament election in Lithuania|2019]]
| [[Bronis Ropė]]
| 157,604
| 12.56 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|2|11|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
|-
! [[2024 European Parliament election in Lithuania|2024]]
| [[Aurelijus Veryga]]
| 61,880
| 9.13 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|1|11|hex={{party color|Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|ECR]]
|}
|}


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|2016
|2016
|Multi-member Constituency
|Multi-member Constituency
|-
|-
|[[Valius Ąžuolas]]
|[[Valius Ąžuolas]]
|2016
|2016
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|-
|-
|[[Stasys Jakeliūnas]]
|[[Stasys Jakeliūnas]]
|2016
|2016
|Multi-member Constituency
|Multi-member Constituency
|-
|-
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|[[Ramūnas Karbauskis]]
|[[Ramūnas Karbauskis]]
|2016
|2016
(1996–2004)
(1996-2004)
|[[Šilainiai]]
|[[Šilainiai]]
|-
|-
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|[[Bronius Markauskas]]
|[[Bronius Markauskas]]
|2016
|2016
(2004–2008)
(2004-2008)
|[[Gargždai]]
|[[Gargždai]]
|-
|-
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|[[Viktoras Rinkevičius]]
|[[Viktoras Rinkevičius]]
|2016
|2016
(2000–2008)
(2000-2008)
|Multi-member Constituency
|Multi-member Constituency
|-
|-
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==Name==
==Name==
*2001 – Dec 2005: Peasants and New Democratic Party Union ''or'' Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties (Valstiečių ir Naujosios demokratijos partijų sąjunga / VNDS)
*2001 – Dec 2005: Peasants and New Democratic Party Union ''or'' Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties ({{lang|lt|italic=no|Valstiečių ir Naujosios demokratijos partijų sąjunga/VNDS}})
*Dec 2005 – Jan 2012: Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union (Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga / LVLS)
*Dec 2005 – Jan 2012: Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union (Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga/LVLS)
*Jan 2012 – Feb 2017: Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union (Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga / LVŽS)
*Jan 2012 – Feb 2017: Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union (Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga/LVŽS)
*Feb 2017 – present: Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga / LVŽS)
*Feb 2017 – present: Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga/LVŽS)


==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Union of Greens and Farmers]] (Latvia)
*[[Union of Greens and Farmers]] (Latvia)

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|group=nb}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.lvzs.lt/lt/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=48&Itemid=89 Official English web page]
* [https://www.lvzs.lt/lt/ Official web page]


{{Lithuanian political parties}}
{{Lithuanian political parties}}
{{Green parties}}
{{Green parties}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Agrarian parties]]
[[Category:Agrarian parties in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Centrist parties in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Centrist parties in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Conservative parties in Lithuania]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Lithuania]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Lithuania]]
[[Category:European Conservatives and Reformists Group member parties]]
[[Category:Green parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Green parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Green conservative parties]]
[[Category:Green conservative parties]]
[[Category:Political parties in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Populism in Lithuania]]

Latest revision as of 08:40, 21 December 2024

Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union
Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga
AbbreviationLVŽS
ChairpersonRamūnas Karbauskis
First Vice ChairmanAurelijus Veryga
Vice ChairpeopleLigita Girskienė
Kristina Kirslienė
Arvydas Nekrošius
Aušrinė Norkienė
Bronis Ropė
Giedrius Surplys
FounderKazimiera Prunskienė
Founded2001 (as the Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties)
Merger ofLithuanian Peasants Party
New Democracy Party
HeadquartersGedimino pr. 28, Vilnius
Membership (2023)Decrease 3,741
Ideology
Political positionCentre-left[10] to left-wing[15]
European Parliament group
Colours  Green
Seimas
8 / 141
European Parliament (Lithuanian seats)
1 / 11
Municipal councils
185 / 1,498
Mayors
8 / 60
Website
www.lvzs.lt Edit this at Wikidata

The Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (Lithuanian: Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga, LVŽS)[nb 1] is a green-conservative[1] and agrarian[5] political party in Lithuania led by Ramūnas Karbauskis. The party is considered one of the main representatives of the left wing of Lithuanian politics.[11] Lithuanian journalist Virgis Valentinavičius described the party as "the mixture of the extreme left in economic matters and the extreme right in some social issues, all spiced up with an anti-establishment rhetoric of radical change".[2]

Following the 2020 parliamentary election, the LVŽS has been in opposition to the Šimonytė Cabinet. The party's two MEPs sit in the Greens–European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament. Founded in 2001 as the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union, (Lithuanian: Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga, LVLS), the party's symbol since 2012 has been the white stork.

Formerly participating in the European Parliament group of the Greens–European Free Alliance, it announced its intention to join the European Conservatives and Reformists in 2024.[16]

History

[edit]

Foundation and participation in the Social Democratic Party-led governments (2001–2008)

[edit]

In December 2001, the Lithuanian Peasants Party (Lietuvos valstiečių partija) and the New Democratic Party (Naujosios demokratijos partija) entered into an electoral alliance known as the "Valstiečių ir Naujosios demokratijos partijų sąjunga" (VNDS), which translates to the Peasants and New Democratic Party Union or Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties was formed.[17] In 2002–03 Lithuanian presidential election party's chairman Kazimira Prunskienė came with 5.04 per cent of the votes in the first round and saved its deposit. In the second round, she endorsed Rolandas Paksas of the Liberal Democratic Party, who won the election.[18]

In the 2004 presidential election (after Rolandas Paksas was impeached), Kazimira Prunskienė narrowly came to the second position (21.25 per cent), but she was defeated in the second round (although, after endorsement of Rolandas Paksas).[19] In 2004 European Parliament election, the party got 7.41 per cent of the votes and won one seat by Gintaras Didžiokas. He joined the Union for Europe of the Nations. In Seimas election later tahat same year, the party got 6.6 per cent of the votes. The Labour Party joined forces with Peasants and New Democratic Party Union and invited the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania to join.[20] Brazauskas initially ruled out a coalition with Labour,[21] but eventually Social Democrats and New Union (Social Liberals) joined forces with the Labour Party and the Peasants, with Brazauskas as the Prime Minister.[22]

In February 2006, the Peasants and New Democratic Party Union led by Lithuanian politician Kazimiera Prunskienė chose to rename itself the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union (after the pre-war Lithuanian Popular Peasants' Union).

In 2008 parliamentary election the party felt below 5 per cent threshold and was left with three members, who were elected in single-member constituencies.

Opposition and leading force in the government (2009–2020)

[edit]

In 2009 Kazimira Prunskienė left the party and founded the party of her own (Lithuanian People's Party).[23] Although the party was minor one, it gained some influence in 2010, when it supported the Homeland Union-led government. The Lithuanian Peasants Popular Union changed its name to the Lithuanian Peasants and Greens Union in January 2012.

The party emerged as a dark horse in the electoral race in the spring of 2016. The rise of support was attributed to the popularity of Karbauskis, who had been active in campaigning against alcohol, and their lack of involvement in political scandals.[24] LVŽS was further boosted by the announcement that Saulius Skvernelis, a Minister of Interior in Butkevičius Cabinet and one of the most popular politicians in Lithuania, would head the party's electoral list in the elections, without joining the party.[25][26]

After successful performance in the 2016 parliamentary elections, a clarification about its English name format was issued, changing it to Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.[27] Also, after these election the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union became one of the main three political parties in Lithuania (along with the Homeland Union and the Social Democratic Party) at the time.[28]

After these elections, various pundits claimed that the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union could form a coalition with the Homeland Union,[29] but Ramūnas Karbauskis proposed wide coalition between the aforementioned parties and the Social Democratic Party. The Homeland Union's leader Gabrielius Landsbergis himself proposed a coalition between the Homeland Union, the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Liberal Movement, although both Ramūnas Karbauskis and the Liberal Movement's leader Eugenijus Gentvilas turned down this offer.[30] Eventually, a coalition was formed between the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, which lasted until the autumn of 2017.

The party's support gradually declined by 2018 (e. g. in 2019 European Parliament election the party got 11.92 per cent of the votes), although due to the rally 'round the flag effect (caused by the COVID-19 pandemic), its support rebounded. In the 2020 parliamentary election the party won 18.07 per cent of the vote and 32 parliamentary seats.[31] The party has been in opposition since 2020.[32]

Again in opposition (from 2020)

[edit]

After the elections, Ramūnas Karbauskis resigned from his parliamentary seat. After the electoral loss the party (along with the Labour Party) began to support various radical movements on the political fringes (e. g. Families' Defense March and the Lithuanian Family Movement). This position caused disagreements within party and its parliamentary group.

Disagreements had forced a split in the parliamentary group in late summer and early autumn of 2021, and former Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis formed the newly established Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (although this split was speculated by the pundits as early as March 2021).[33] Due to this and the Social Democratic Party's position not to support the opposition coalition, the party lost the position of opposition leader. By the end of 2021, the party started losing members in municipalities' districts (e. g. Lazdijai district municipality mayor Ausma Miškinienė left it along with the almost all LVŽS members in the area).[34]

Aurelijus Veryga, Minister of Health in Skvernelis' cabinet, was put forward as the party's candidate in the 2024 presidential election.[35] In his electoral program, Veryga emphasized his support for traditional values and opposition to same-sex partnerships.[36]

The party participated in the 2024 European Parliament election in Lithuania and aimed to win 3 seats in the European Parliament, up from 2 that it won in the 2019 European Parliament election in Lithuania. It toned down its populist and socially conservative stances and reoriented itself closer to environmentalism and green politics.[37] However, the party won 9.13% of the popular vote (down from 12.56% in 2019) and only won a single seat.[38]

In 2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election the party ran as a joint list with several politicians from the parties Young Lithuania and Lithuania – For Everyone. It caused the Central Election Commission to designate 7 per cent threshold for this party to obtain seats in multi-member constituency. LVŽS passed electoral threshold with just more than 250 votes. After the election joined the agreement with LSDP to form a governmenton 15 October.[39] In the end, Dawn of Nemunas was chosen a third party of coalition, thus leaving LVŽS in opposition.

Ideology

[edit]

Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union is placed on the left of Lithuanian political spectrum, although with strong left-wing populist and left-conservative tendencies.[11][12] The party is described as green conservative, agrarian and social conservative and is considered to be a blend of staunchly left-wing economic policy, environmentalism, and a conservative outlook on some sociocultural issues.[40] Economically, the party focuses on the importance of expanded healthcare and social welfare, whereas socially the party campaigns on traditional and Christian values and the need to stop the moral decay of contemporary society.[41] Its economic ideology has been described as social-democratic,[42] or akin to social democracy.[43] The party is also described as technocratic and agrarian populist.[44]

The rhetoric of the party is based on left-wing populism, prioritizing socioeconomic issues and establishing itself as the representative of the disadvantaged groups of Lithuanian society. Its voter base is composed of rural areas and small towns, and its supporters are mainly the poor, disadvantaged and anti-establishment voters.[45] It criticizes other partes for neglecting the needs of the poor.[46] The LVŽS is not a protest party however - it actively works with other parties and form cabinets.[45] The party appeals to traditional left-wing electorate by stressing the need to reduce social inequality, invest in impoverished areas, and increase minimum wage.[47] It strongly supports trade unions and promotes a union-favourable labor law,[48] demands progressive taxation, and redistribution of wealth from "business interests" to "the people".[42] The party campaigns on opposition to neoliberal policies, accusing other parties of "out-liberalizing" each other in pursuit of "avant-garde neoliberal policy ideas" at the expense of vulnerable socioeconomic groups.[49]

The main focus of the party is "social solidarity and left-wing ideas".[50] It criticizes right-leaning parties for anti-Russian sentiment as well as following the traditional division into "ex-communists and anti-communists".[47] The LVŽS to be neither post-communist nor anti-communist.[51] Socially, the party makes somewhat conservative appeals, pledging to uphold 'traditional' values, fight against alcohol and for "sober way of living", and protecting Lithuanian language.[47] It is less conservative on some other social matters - it postulates increased psychological services availability, old-age pensions rise, significant climate action via preservation, agricultural reform against large landowners, and environmental education.[51] The party is regarded as moderate in its social conservatism.[52]

Origins

[edit]

Throughout its existence, the party has evolved from a purely agrarian party to a left-wing populist one, full of eclectic tendencies. Starting out as the farmer-focused Lithuanian Peasant Union (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Valstiečių Sąjunga) in the early 1990s, LVŽS was later renamed the Lithuanian Peasant Party (Lithuanian: Lietuvos valstiečių partija) and started broadening its program beyond agricultural issues, joining forces with the Lithuanian Women Party (Lithuanian: Lietuvos moterų partija) in 1995. In the early 2000s, the Lithuanian Peasant Party was becoming increasingly left-wing, leading to the change of its name to the Lithuanian Peasant People’s Party (Lithuanian: Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų partija) in 2005, which was to highlight both the leftwards turn of the party and to connect itself to the interwar peasant movements in Lithuania.[2]

In 2012, the party was renamed again to the Lithuanian Union of Peasants and Greens, after its leader Ramūnas Karbauskis steered the party towards green politics, strongly promoting renewable energy and campaigning against nuclear power plants. This led the party to combine both agricultural interests and elements of green politics, which at the time was condemned as a 'somewhat schizophrenic' political mix. At the same time, led by Karbauskis, it initiated the 2014 Lithuanian constitutional referendum, which sought to prohibit the ownership of land in Lithuania to foreign citizens, in violation of Lithuania's terms of membership in the European Union.[53] Karbauskis opposed Lithuania's accession to the European Union before 2004, although the party emphasized its pro-Europeanism during the 2016 campaign.[54] Between 2012 and 2016, the party also adopted right-wing views on social issues. In the 2016 Lithuanian parliamentary election, the main message of LVŽS was the need to fight poverty and social exclusion, for which the party blamed economic liberalism and pro-business policies by previous Lithuanian governments.[2]

Economic issues

[edit]

Economically, the party is described as 'extreme-left' and strongly populist, presenting itself as a party of ordinary people. It is described as social democratic economically.[42][43] LVŽS argues that wealth inequality is one of Lithuania's key problems, contrasting the prosperity of Vilnius and the urban middle class with the impoverished Lithuanian countryside, struggling with high unemployment and lack of prospects. In its ideological manifesto "The Government Program for Sustainable Lithuania" (Lithuanian: Darnios Lietuvos Vyriausybės programa), LVŽS declared: "Addressing regional poverty and exclusion must become a priority task for the new government. Recognising that the economic cause of high unemployment and emigration is relatively low wages, we will take swift and effective measures to increase the income of the population, while at the same time striving to ensure an adequate social safety net." Accentuating the agrarianism of the party, the program also put heavy importance on "preserving the vitality of the Lithuanian countryside".[2]

LVŽS defines an economy that would prioritize the 'common man' as its goal, emphasizing the need to implement worker-friendly reforms in healthcare and education, a significant increase in wages and pensions, and the drastic revision of Lithuania's labour code, which the party has denounced as pro-business. The party has pledged to create a state-owned pharmacy network and sharply reduce drug prices, and initiated an anti-alcohol campaign, which it implemented by increasing excise duty on alcohol, raising minimum drinking age to 20, introducing a total ban on alcohol advertising and establishing a state monopoly on alcohol trade.[2] The party is also strongly pro-union, and was praised for improving social dialogue between the state and the unions, and implementing a number of union-favourable collective agreements in the public sector. It also promotes public awareness and the visibility of trade unions, and encourages workers to join them.[48] The party also postulated a ban on land sales to foreigners.[55]

One of the party's main economic goals is to replace the privatization of retirement saving accounts and other welfare programs. After 1991, Lithuania "zealously embraced neoliberal doctrines" and became characterized by one of the lowest levels of social expenditure and the highest levels of poverty and inequality among EU Member States; the pensioners were amongst the poorest voting constituencies of Lithuania. LVŽS appealed to the impoverished pensioners for political support and pledged to restructure and nationalize the "second pillar" pension program. The party's plan "mobilized a number of powerful and vocal constituencies such as the banking, life insurance, private pension fund industries, as well as business lobbying groups that had high stakes in pension reform."[49]

Social issues

[edit]

The party's program emphasises a commitment to establishing a "strong family" as the core of Lithuanian society. It also strongly praises the Catholic Church and its teachings, and opposes abortion, same-sex partnerships and assisted reproductive technologies on the basis of the Catholic faith. Despite this, in the twelfth Seimas, the LVŽS was a big tent in regards to social issues, and some of its members such as Dovilė Šakalienė and Tomas Tomilinas[56] were strong supporters of feminism, minority rights and civil partnerships for same-sex couples.[2] Since the 2020 election, the party has increasingly turned socially conservative, especially after its more liberal members of the Seimas joined the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania". The party's vice-chairman Tomas Tomilinas was expelled from the party in 2021 for voting in favor of same-sex partnerships.[57]

Given the social conservatism of the LVŽS and its emphasis on Christian values, traditional family and preservation of national identity, its rule was compared to that of Polish Law and Justice or Hungarian Fidesz. However, unlike these parties, LVŽS did not mark a break with the liberal course of the European Union. Ukrainian political scientist Nataliya Khoma argues that the social conservatism of the party is moderate, stating that LVŽS "bypassed the issue of sexual minority rights" and despite promoting conservative values, the party did not adopt "a radical platform that exacerbates this issue".[52]

Electoral campaigns

[edit]

LVŽS's success in the 2016 parliamentary election has been compared to the victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 United States presidential election. According to Virgis Valentinavičius, both Trump and Karbauskis constructed a narrative of 'us against them', opposing themselves against the elite, in spite of both being among the wealthiest people in their respective countries, and both also shifted the blame for their early scandals to the media and the conspiracy of the establishment.[2]

In December 2023, the party took part in a meeting called "The family of European Conservatives is expanding" organized by the European Conservatives and Reformists.[58]

In the 2024 European Parliament election in Lithuania, the party focused on the environmental issues and promoted green politics, and toned down its socially conservative policies.[37] After the election, however, it joined the right-wing and Eurosceptic ECR Party.

Election results

[edit]

Seimas

[edit]
Election Leader Votes[a] % Seats +/– Government
2004 Kazimira Prunskienė 78,902 6.60 (#6)
10 / 141
New Coalition
2008 46,162 3.73 (#9)
3 / 141
Decrease 7 Opposition
2012 Ramūnas Karbauskis 53,141 4.05 (#8)
1 / 141
Decrease 2 Opposition
2016 274,108 22.45 (#1)
54 / 141
Increase 53 Coalition
2020 204,780 18.07 (#2)
32 / 141
Decrease 22 Opposition
2024 87,374 7.16 (#6)
8 / 141
Decrease 24 Opposition
  1. ^ Proportional representation votes.

European Parliament

[edit]
Election List leader Votes % Seats +/– EP Group
2004 Kazimira Prunskienė 89,338 7.41 (#5)
1 / 13
New UEN
2009 Gintaras Didžiokas 10,285 1.87 (#11)
0 / 12
Decrease 1
2014 Ramūnas Karbauskis 75,643 6.61 (#7)
1 / 11
Increase 1 Greens/EFA
2019 Bronis Ropė 157,604 12.56 (#3)
2 / 11
Increase 1
2024 Aurelijus Veryga 61,880 9.13 (#3)
1 / 11
Decrease 1 ECR

Current Members of the Seimas

[edit]
Parliamentarian From Constituency
Vida Ačienė 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Valius Ąžuolas 2016 Akmenė-Mažeikiai
Kęstutis Bacvinka 2016 Garliava
Vytautas Bakas 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Rima Baškienė 2004 Kuršėnai-Dainai
Guoda Burokienė 2016 Aukštaitija
Justas Džiugelis 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Aurimas Gaidžiūnas 2016 Radviliškis
Dainius Gaižauskas 2016 Marijampolė
Arūnas Gumuliauskas 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Stasys Jakeliūnas 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Jonas Jarutis 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Eugenijus Jovaiša 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Dalius Kaminskas 2016 Kėdainiai
Ramūnas Karbauskis 2016

(1996–2004)

Šilainiai
Dainius Kepenis 2016 Marių
Gintautas Kindurys 2016 Nalšia
Algimantas Kirkutis 2016 Baltijos
Asta Kubilienė 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Bronius Markauskas 2016

(2004–2008)

Gargždai
Raimundas Martinėlis 2016 Sėla
Laimutė Matkevičienė 2016 Kaišiadorys-Elektrėnai
Kęstutis Mažeika 2016 Sūduva
Rūta Miliūtė 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Alfredas Stasys Nausėda 2016 Šilutė
Arvydas Nekrošius 2016 Raseiniai-Kėdainiai
Petras Nevulis 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Aušrinė Norkienė 2016 Tauragė
Aušra Papirtienė 2016 Kalniečiai
Virgilijus Poderys 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Viktoras Pranckietis 2016 Raudondvaris
Mindaugas Puidokas 2016 Aleksotas-Vilijampolė
Vytautas Rastenis 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Juozas Rimkus 2016 Kelmė-Šiauliai
Viktoras Rinkevičius 2016

(2000–2008)

Multi-member Constituency
Valerijus Simulik 2000 Saulės
Virginijus Sinkevičius 2016 Šeškinė
Saulius Skvernelis 2016 Karoliniškės
Kęstutis Smirnovas 2016 Vilkaviškis
Lauras Stacevičius 2016 Dainava
Andriejus Stančikas 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Levutė Staniuvienė 2016 Kuršas
Zenonas Streikus 2016 Lazdijai-Druskininkai
Dovilė Šakalienė 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Robertas Šarknickas 2016 Alytus
Audrys Šimas 2016 Biržai-Kupiškis
Agnė Širinskienė 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Tomas Tomilinas 2016 Multi-member Constituency
Stasys Tumėnas 2016 Aušros
Povilas Urbšys 2012 Vakarinė
Petras Valiūnas 2016 Dzūkija
Egidijus Vareikis 2000 Multi-member Constituency
Juozas Varžgalys 2016 Ukmergė
Gediminas Vasiliauskas 2016 Petrašiūnai
Aurelijus Veryga 2016 Panemunė
Virginija Vingrienė 2016 Multi-member Constituency

Name

[edit]
  • 2001 – Dec 2005: Peasants and New Democratic Party Union or Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties (Valstiečių ir Naujosios demokratijos partijų sąjunga/VNDS)
  • Dec 2005 – Jan 2012: Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union (Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga/LVLS)
  • Jan 2012 – Feb 2017: Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union (Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga/LVŽS)
  • Feb 2017 – present: Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga/LVŽS)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Raunio, Tapio; Sedelius, Thomas (13 July 2019). Semi-Presidential Policy-Making in Europe: Executive Coordination and Political Leadership. Palgrave Studies in Presidential Politics. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 63. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-16431-7. ISBN 978-3-030-16431-7. S2CID 198743002.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Virgis Valentinavicius [in Lithuanian] (2017). "Lithuanian Election 2016: the Mainstream Left and Right Rejected by Voters Angry with the Establishment". Political Preferences. 14 (1): 19–34. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.5216161.
  3. ^ "LVŽS steigia Krikščioniškosios demokratijos ir tradicinių vertybių analitinį centrą". 24 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Karbauskis rėžė – už Partnerystės įstatymą balsuojantiems "valstiečiams" nėra vietos frakcijoje". 17 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b Bakke, Elisabeth (2010). "Central and East European party systems since 1989". Central and Southeast European Politics since 1989. Cambridge University Press. p. 81.
  6. ^ Dulys, Sam L. (8 June 2021). Conserve and Conservative: The Ideological Divide Between the Green Parties of Lithuania and New Zealand and Its Ramifications for Environmentalism's Future. Environmental & Urban Studies (Thesis). University of Chicago. p. 11. doi:10.6082/uchicago.3061. While groups like LVŽS advocate for environmentalism, conservation, and other ecological considerations, this is done in the backdrop of anti-Russian sentiment in addition to criticism of Lithuania's predominant political forces.
  7. ^ Jastramskis, Mažvydas (2023). "Foreign Policy Preferences and Vote Choice Under Semi-Presidentialism". Political Research Quarterly. 76 (2): 904. doi:10.1177/1065912922111920 (inactive 1 November 2024). The major governing party, the centre-left Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVZS) endorsed the candidacy of their prime minister Saulius Skvernelis, another non-partisan (officially).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
  8. ^ Hagemans, Iris; van Hemert, Patricia; Meerkerk, Joachim; Risselada, Anne; van Winden, Risselada (2020). "ABCitiEs Policy Evaluation Report". Research Report. 20. Brussels: European Union: 14. However, after the last elections in 2016, a large majority of Parliament seats went to a new centre-left Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union party.
  9. ^ Gałka, Irena (2019). "Electoral success and ideologies of agrarian parties in Central-Eastern European parliamentary democracies (1990-2015)" (PDF). Studium Europy Środkowej i Wschodniej. 11. Kutno: Wydawnictwo Wyższej Szkoły Gospodarki Krajowej w Kutnie Wydział Studiów Europejskich: 79. ISSN 2353-8392.
    LVŽS
    2012
    Left-of-center, agrarian, environmentalism
  10. ^ [7][8][9]
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  1. ^ The party is also known as Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union.
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