The End Of The Left-Right Discourse In Lithuania?
The End Of The Left-Right Discourse In Lithuania?

Summary/Abstract: The presidential elections of 2002/2003 brought some fundamental changes to Lithuanian political life. It was the first time during the short period of democratic rule in Lithuania that decisive battle for votes did not fit into the left-right dimension. Instead, the distinction between “normal” and “abnormal” politics was introduced into Lithuanian political discourse. Neither of the two candidates of the second round of the presidential elections had explicit positions on the left-right axis. Rolandas Paksas and Valdas Adamkus were both considered to be more or less of centrist orientation.v1 Paksas began his political carrier in the rightist Conservatives party and later became the leader of the Liberal Union. In the eve of the presidential elections, however, he left the Liberal Union and created his own party – Liberal Democrats – that did not have any clear ideological orientation. Although liberal attitudes seem to dominate in his team, his populist rhetoric was mainly directed to the traditional voters of Lithuanian left-wing parties.

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