When asked by Žinių Radijas about his views on Viktor Orbán, the leader of the Nemuno Aušra explained that he would distance himself from Hungary's foreign policy and focus on the country's domestic policy.
„As far as domestic policy is concerned, he looks out for his country's interests. The real problem today is that he is doing everything in his power to prevent his country from collapsing, keep the economy and industry running, and ensure progress. We need to view Orbán as a head of state—he is the prime minister, and he looks out for his country's benefit,“ Žemaitaitis said on Tuesday.
He criticised the fact that a narrow narrative is being formed in Lithuania, a way of thinking that leads us to believe we have no one to communicate with.
„We shouldn't create a cliché,“ said the leader of the Nemuno Aušra
The representative of the ruling coalition added that Viktor Orbán is viewed in Lithuania through the prism of Ukraine.
„Because Ukraine is very important to us in Lithuania, very close to us, and we view Viktor Orbán through the lens of foreign policy. Yet you won't find articles about Viktor Orbán published (by local media—ELTA),“ commented Žemaitaitis.
Two Nemuno Aušra members are heading to a conservative party event in Hungary
Two Nemuno Aušra parliamentarians—Dainoras Bradauskas and Karolis Neimantas—are preparing to travel to Hungary to participate in the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest. As reported by the news portal Lrytas, the event's focus is criticism of the European Union (EU), aid to Ukraine, globalism, and migration policy, with Viktor Orbán—seeking another election victory—as its figurehead.
„It is a gathering of conservative or patriotic parties from around the world. This time, Hungary is the host,“ Žemaitaitis explained on Žinių Radijas.
He himself noted that he would not be attending the event because he had planned a family trip to Egypt at that time, which ultimately had to be cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East.
Meetings with the Hungarian Minister
Last November, Žemaitaitis's meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who was visiting Lithuania, drew significant criticism. At the time, the parliamentarian stated that he had thanked the head of Hungarian diplomacy for his country's contribution to the NATO air policing mission in the Baltic states and discussed other relevant issues.
In early January, Žemaitaitis travelled to Hungary, where he met with Szijjártó. As Nemuno Aušra's leader explained, various topics were discussed.
Szijjártó has served as minister since 2014 and is one of Orbán's closest team members.