After the outgoing Minister Arvydas Anušauskas refused to fill the post, it is now being measured to a member of the NSGK, the conservative Arvydas Pocius, a former Commander of the Armed Forces. He has been identified as the most suitable candidate by Kasčiūnas himself.
„My colleagues who work together with me are now the ones who could lead. And first of all, of course, Pocius, who is a former Commander of the Armed Forces. His experience is invaluable, especially when the draft reform is taking place,“ Kasčiūnas said.
For his part, Pocius claims that he has yet to receive any official offers from his party colleagues. Still, if he does, he believes he will seriously consider the possibility.
„No one has spoken to me yet. You are the first to talk about it. When they offer, if they offer, I will think about it. We will put everything on the table, find out what the goals are and what the hopes are, and then I will consult with my family and make a decision,“ Pocius said.
The Conservative explained that he had worked hand in hand with Kasčiūnas for all these years and would be the right candidate to continue the work he had started.
„We have been dealing with all the issues, and it should not be difficult to continue the work, but again, we need to wait for an offer. We need to talk, and then final decisions will be made,“ he underlined.
According to the former Commander of Armed Forces, the Chairman of the NSGK should be a person who already belongs to the Committee, not someone from the group.
„I think a person should still have an orientation in this area. Of course, specialists speak out on all issues, as seen in the Seimas hall, which is typical for us because we all know and understand basketball. Some of us think that we know all the other areas as well. That should not be the case.
I am speaking here regarding the geopolitical situation and the war in Ukraine. A person should understand national security and defence,“ Pocius explained.
Asked again whether he had not received any suggestions from his colleagues, the Conservative assured that he had not, but he did not hide the fact that he had already heard some informal remarks.
„Informally, in the corridors, somebody jokes, somebody speaks. Some say hello. In the corridors, it is one thing, but when there are formal proposals, it is quite another,“ he stressed.
When it was pointed out that his speech makes it evident that if he received an offer to take Kasčiūnas place, he would accept it, Pocius replied that he is an old soldier following the State's instructions.
„I am an old soldier. I started my career as a soldier in the Parliament on 11 January 1991, when I took the oath to the Lithuanian State. Since then, I have been in the army and served wherever necessary.
If the State says it is necessary, then I will consult and take a decision,“ the politician said.
When Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė offered Anušauskas to resign, she also suggested that he swap places with Kasčiūnas, but Mr. Anušsauskas refused the offer.
The Minister joked that now he would need to cool off.
