Artūras Zuokas, the former leader of the Center Right Union (CDS) in Lithuania, announced his resignation from the party during a board meeting. His term as party chairman ended on Monday, and the board appointed his deputy, Petras Čimbiras, as the interim leader. Zuokas had previously led the party since February 2024, having also been in charge when it was named 'Freedom and Justice'. Under his leadership, the party faced challenges, including failing to meet the electoral threshold in the recent parliamentary elections. Despite this setback, Zuokas was elected in the single-member constituency of Naujininkai-Rasai.

In the March 2023 local elections for Vilnius mayor, Zuokas finished second, receiving 46.66% of the votes, while the conservative candidate Valdas Benkunskas won with 52.05%. Looking ahead, Zuokas plans to contest the mayoral election next year as an independent candidate, running with his new committee 'Vilnius Can'. He expressed concerns about the current state of Vilnius, suggesting that the city has lost its ambitious spirit and is bogged down by bureaucracy, emphasizing the need for revitalization and effective decision-making.

The formation of the 'Vilnius Can' committee reflects Zuokas's ambition to reinvigorate local governance and better represent the interests of Vilnius residents. His commentary on the city’s challenges indicates a desire to foster a more proactive and innovative approach to city management, as he aims to differentiate his platform from that of other candidates, particularly the current leadership that has been criticized for its ineffectiveness.