Ligitai Girskiene pokes fun at Eugenijus Gentvilas, Juozas Olekas urges parliamentarians to behave more decently
In a recent incident, Lithuanian parliament member Ligitai Girskiene posted a photo suggesting another member, Eugenijus Gentvilas, appeared to be intoxicated, prompting condemnation from Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas who called for more sober behavior among lawmakers.
The Lithuanian political landscape has recently been rocked by a controversial social media post from parliament member Ligitai Girskiene, who shared a photo of a man appearing to be intoxicated alongside images of fellow parliamentarian Eugenijus Gentvilas. Girskiene questioned whether the man in the photograph was, in fact, Gentvilas, leading to a backlash among lawmakers and prompting a commentary from Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas. Olekas criticized the act of mocking fellow politicians in public forums, emphasizing the necessity for parliament members to act with dignity and responsibility, especially on social media platforms.
Olekas stated that while he had not seen the controversial post, such mockery is unacceptable, particularly from elected officials who should maintain a standard of professionalism. He suggested that the inappropriate joking and ridiculing behavior should not be a part of the public image of parliament members. The incident brings to light ongoing concerns about the conduct of politicians in Lithuania, particularly in contexts where they represent the public and governmental institutions.
Emphasizing the importance of proper behavior, Olekas also hinted at serious measures, advocating for the installation of breathalyzers at the entrance of parliament proceedings. This statement reveals an underlying concern regarding the conduct of politicians, suggesting that public scrutiny and accountability measures should be reinforced to uphold the integrity of the parliamentary system. The reaction to Girskiene's post indicates a growing demand for a higher standard of behavior from elected officials in Lithuania, reflecting broader societal expectations for political accountability and decorum.