Recent parliamentary elections, which were held in October last year, were especially challenging for EAPL. In the wake of this event we witnessed a success in the election to European Parliament and municipal, so it was necessary to seal a growing support for the party in the parliamentary elections. This has happened. The party enjoyed a historic success, because for the first time it exceeded the national electoral threshold, yielding 6.1% support of the valid votes. EAPL was unrivalled in the Vilnius. In this way, the parliament went eight members, three of the single-member districts and as many as five of the nationwide list.

This allowed for the creation of our own parliamentary faction. It is very important, because we have no need to convince anyone. It gives the parties a wide range of legislative instruments and personnel, so that you can enjoy a more effective policy making process. And most important issue is the strength of voice of the group, which should be taken into account by all of those who make real and rational policies. Thus, the new opening on the Lithuanian political scene has become a reality - literally. One year later, it is fair to say that the activity is narrowed to the projects of economic, social matters, because these are important from the point of view of national initiatives. The universe of values on which EAPL builds its own identity is a world of Christian ethics. The rules EAPL was and is true to this day, despite many attacks from left winged to the liberal media, promoting false political correctness. EAPL enjoys increasing support because it is the only party that is not tainted in any corruption scandal, and the representatives in the parliament are local leaders of the local municipalities, that are not bounded with financial problems.

Dealing with the right people is also a measure of well-organized party. Without a doubt, it was a good decision to place Tamošiūnienė Rita as a speaker of the faction in the parliament. Her hard work and commitment to the program, a good contact with voters and the media, allow us to build a credible image of EAPL among voters, thereby breaking the stereotypes about the party, spread by unfavourable political scientists on duty.

What are the roots of this success? The people that aren't familiar with local realities often are repeating this question. The answer is very clear and simple: EAPL success comes from good organizational work, dedication to the cause and the good governance inside the party, based on clear principles. Thus EAPL became an exception and a good example for all Polish organizations in the world. There is no other country in which Poles would be so well organized, and had such impact on the current policy of the country by its own parliamentary faction and participation in government. In turn at the level of local government in the Vilnius region, constituting almost a third of the country, EAPL wins with all parties. This is a real rarity. Neither the 10 millionth Polonia in the U.S., nor few million Polish community in Germany have achieved such success.

But it is possible. Example of Lithuania is a proof to that. One only needs, like Poles from Vilnius, build a community of values. Be faithful to the words of John Paul II: "If you want to find the source, you have to go up against the current." Poles in Lithuania, since its independence, were organized around the Association of Poles in Lithuania (APL) and the EAPL creation in 1994 as the political arm of APL resulted in the opportunity to widen activities and program implementation. Under the leadership of Valdemar Tomaševski, a good organizer having an innate sense of political action began to relate electoral successes. The party gradually increased ownership in parliament with two seats in 1996 to 8 in 2012, and gained a place in the European Parliament in 2009. Continuously also ruled in two regions of Vilnius and Šalcininkai , governors in the capital and in the next four municipalities . In the last presidential election, Valdemar Tomaševski won decisively in the Vilnius region, beating even the current President Dalia Grybauskaitė , becoming the undisputed political leader in this part of the country. Leader of the EAPL made one more important thing; he opened the door to work not only with other ethnic minorities, but also with other Lithuanian parties. Thanks to that, EAPL from a Polish national minority has become a regional party, and later, just before the parliamentary elections 2012, a nationwide party, as demonstrated by the elections results and support for the Action by Lithuanian voters also.

The emphasis of broad cooperation and political gesture of loyalty to the electoral coalition was giving them one EAPL seat. Thus, the party has given a clear signal that it is the fair, keeping its word formation, which is worth to cooperate in the future.

Every success is measured by the work of the people. EAPL showed that persistent work of all its members could lead to the aims, which could seem impossible to achieve. To achieve this, you need unity and commitment to the values that give meaning to human life. Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania just walks this way.

Dr. Bogusław Rogalski, political scientist
ECR Advisor for International Affairs in the European Parliament