Jankūnas became the chairman of nationalists but will not leave the 'peasant' party that brought him to the Seimas
Raimondas Jankūnas has been elected as the new chairman of the Union of the Nation and Justice but intends to remain within the Peasant and Green Union.
Raimondas Jankūnas was elected as the new chairman of the Union of the Nation and Justice (TTS), a centrist and nationalist political party in Lithuania, replacing Petras Gražulis, a former MEP. Jankūnas announced his election on his Facebook account, stating that he had written about his motivations for joining the party in a previous post. His move to TTS comes amid misunderstandings regarding his previous alignment with the Peasant and Green Union (LVŽS), which was reflected in the recent 2024 parliamentary elections where many were confused about his political motivations.
As a member of the Seimas, Jankūnas joined the LVŽS list, and his election to parliament occurred after Aurelijus Veryga declined the mandate. This left Jankūnas, a controversial figure and the director of the Institute of Health Law, as the first candidate remaining on the list. Now, he aims to maintain his position within the LVŽS-Christian Family Union faction while working towards similar objectives as before, indicating a strategy to remain influential in both parties.
This dual affiliation may resonate with voters seeking consistent representation in Lithuanian politics, especially as party dynamics shift. Jankūnas's leadership in TTS may signify a move to consolidate support from nationalist and centrist voters while navigating the complexities of coalition politics in the Seimas. His commitment to the goals of the LVŽS-KŠS reflects a desire to balance new leadership roles with existing political alliances that have played a significant role in his career thus far.