Former Minister of Agriculture, conservative Kazys Starkevičius will not run for the post of chairman of the Homeland Union of Christian Democrats of Lithuania (TS-LKD), following the resignation of Gabrielius Landsbergis from the post of party leader after the unsuccessful Seimas elections.

Friday afternoon marks the end of the deadline for candidates nominated by TS-LKD chapters to decide whether they intend to stand for the election of the Conservative Party's chairman.

„I would like to thank my supporters who noticed me and nominated me for the party leadership election," Starkevičius said on the social networking site „Facebook“. In appreciation of your trust and seeing the determination of my colleagues to run, I invite you to return to the previous democracy of the „Kubilius era“ – the opportunity to speak, to debate, to find a constructive solution“.

K. Starkevičius adds that „one of the reasons for the failure in the elections – we did not see the reality of the regions, and there is also something to strengthen in the cities“.

„The centre-right should turn to a broader vision of the regions and closer cooperation with every person in Lithuania. – said K. Starkevičius. – This time, I am abstaining from running for the post of party chairman and I am giving my vote to Laurynas Kaščiūnas. A young, energetic, sober-minded, open-minded, people-uniting politician has proven himself worthy of the leadership post.

„Agrobitė“ recalls that the former Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė also refused to run for the post of the party's President.

Former Ministers of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas and Arvydas Anušauskas, as well as MP Žygimantas Pavilionis have already agreed to take part in the elections.