At the last sitting, the Seimas observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the late Members of the Seimas who died during this legislative term – Julius Veselka, Algirdas Vaclovas Patackas and Juras Požela.
In her closing speech, Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, made an overview of the main achievements of the Seimas during the legislative term. “We have worked smoothly, consistently and in a targeted way, performing all the tasks from everyday routine activities to the representation of Lithuania’s interests on the international scene. <...> Today, I can bravely and confidently say that the Members of this legislative term of the Seimas were collectively a strong political power and unanimously adopted joint decisions on key matters for Lithuania. I am grateful to all of you for our work together,” the Speaker said.
Irena Šiaulienė, Chair of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party Political Group, spoke of the many challenges during the past four years, solutions to complex problems, lessons learnt, and decisions made. She thanked the Chairs of the political groups of the governing coalition for the joint work.
Andrius Kubilius, Leader of the Opposition of the Seimas and Chair of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrat Political Group, underlined that the opposition fulfilled its obligations. “Within these four years, we sought to be a constructive opposition and so we were. We lent support for the necessary decisions and criticised the government for errors and malfunctioning,” said the Leader of the Opposition.
Kęstutis Daukšys, Chair of the Labour Party Political Group, welcomed the fact that there was practically no opposition remaining in the Seimas at the last sitting, “We realised at the end of the day that we are a team. We possibly had diverging views, but we were bent on working for a single purpose, which was the benefit of Lithuania. Therefore, I am proud of the results which we have all achieved together, be it raising the minimum wage, adopting the Labour Code, or work in the energy sector, let alone other matters.”
Eugenijus Gentvilas, Chair of the Liberal Movement Political Group, said that “we should welcome the consolidation of the parliamentary tradition in Lithuania, as the country is truly becoming a stronger player.” Mr Gentvilas wished the new Members of the Seimas expertise, ambition and every success. “Although all the questions of national importance are usually decided at the Seimas and not in the Government programme, I still hope that, rather than being a purely technical enforcer of the decisions taken by the Parliament, the Government will also promote its own ideas, worldview and goals,” he said.
Remigijus Žemaitaitis, Member of the Order and Justice Political Group, noted that these four years had been difficult and thanked all the members of his Group, as well as the members of the governing majority and the parliamentary opposition for joint work.
Rita Tamašunienė, Chair of the Lithuanian Poles' Electoral Action – Union of Christian Families Political Group, said, “I am very proud to be able to say today that during these four years we were a coherent and unanimous team. We remained true to our values and we have been able to work in good faith and in a targeted way. We implemented our pledges, we took the interests of citizens deep to heart, and today we are not ashamed to meet our voters’ eyes.” She expressed the hope that members of the new legislative term would work productively and would tackle social and family problems as a priority.
Rima Baškienė, Chair of the Non-Attached Members Political Group, was convinced that “the Political Group remained true to the principle of free mandate of the Member of the Seimas. The debate in the Group served as an example of exercise of democracy. We had our misgivings, but we always used to find excellent solutions and this consolidated and united us as a Group. I have a lot of respect for every one of you, I am grateful for your wisdom and advice, which was badly needed,” Mrs Baškienė said.
In his speech, Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister, claimed that the sixteenth Government tackled sore daily problems and created the preconditions for future prosperity. “We are the second consecutive Government which worked throughout the legislative term, regardless of the balanced powers of the ruling coalition and the opposition forces. It is very important that we reached a consensus on some of the most important issues for Lithuania. I believe that there is now more responsibility, wisdom and stability in our political life,” the Head of Government said.
Over a period of four years, the 9th Seimas held 391 plenary sessions and adopted more than 2,800 legislative acts. During the legislative term, the focus of the legislators was on energy, finance and economy, social security and labour, health, law and order, public administration, education, science and culture, environmental protection, agriculture, and other issues. The period was marked by the adoption of important decisions related to Lithuania’s membership of the European Union and the implementation of the judgements of the Constitutional Court.
During the legislative term of 2012–2016, the Seimas sought to ensure financial sustainability of the state, actively debated on tax policy, prepared for the introduction of the euro, prioritised projects in the energy sector, introduced direct mayor election, and ensured proper Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2013, which was the first EU Presidency in the history of Lithuania.
Taking the geopolitical situation and the threats to national security into account, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania reinforced the country’s defence capabilities by reintroducing the permanent mandatory initial military service and consistently increased funding for national defence. At the end of the mandate, the Seimas finalised one of its most ambitious projects in the current legislative term by adopting the social model and a new Labour Code.
Singing of the state anthem completed the legislative term of 2012–2016. New Members of the Seimas, due to serve for the legislative term of 2016–2020, will convene for the first sitting on 14 November 2016.
