„At that time, it was necessary to create a state, lay its foundations, build institutions, that is, from what existed, from people who loved the country, patriotic people. That period was really difficult, and I think what can really be learned is that sincere work, responsibility, and (it is necessary – BNS) to inherit that legacy, to shape that state, because that process, apparently, of state creation, its development, never ends,“ M. Sinkevičius told journalists in Vilnius.
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„It was started when it was restored by Kazimira Danutė Prunskienė, the first prime minister, but it continues, you inherit something, you pass something on. It is probably very significant when you pass on a strengthened country, a strengthened state, and there is something to be proud of,“ he insisted.
Together with M. Sinkevičius, members of the Cabinet of Ministers and deputy ministers came to say goodbye to K. Prunskienė. K. Prunskienė will be buried on Thursday at Antakalnis Cemetery, in the Signatories’ Hill.
As BNS wrote, K. Prunskienė died at the age of 83. She was the first head of the Lithuanian Government after the restoration of independence, actively involved in the country’s politics for several decades.
K. Prunskienė, together with other signatories, signed the Act of the Restoration of the Independent State on March 11, 1990, and soon became the first prime minister after the restoration of independence. That year, as Lithuania sought recognition, she met with the leaders of the USA, Great Britain, and France.
K. Prunskienė stepped down from the prime minister position in January 1991, just before the bloody events of January 13 at the TV Tower, when the Supreme Council repealed the controversial decision of her government to raise food prices.
K. Prunskienė was actively involved in Lithuanian politics in later years as well – she was a member of the Seimas from 1996 to 2008, and served as Minister of Agriculture in left-wing governments from 2004 to 2008.
In 2012, K. Prunskienė suffered a stroke. After that, her speech was impaired, and due to her health condition, she did not return to active politics.
