LITHUANIA:
Andrius KubiliusAndrius Kubilius (born 8 December 1956) is a Lithuanian politician who has been Prime Minister of Lithuania since 2008. He previously served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000.[1] He is the leader of the conservative political party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.
Kubilius was born at Vilnius. After graduation from the 22nd secondary school in Vilnius, Kubilius was accepted to Vilnius University and studied in the Faculty of Physics until 1979. He continued his academic career and postgraduate studies at Vilnius University from 1981 to 1984.
Kubilius became a member of the pro-independence Sąjūdis movement, who favored separation from the Soviet Union. He later became the Executive Secretary of the Sąjūdis Council. Soon after the re-establishment of Lithuania's independence, Kubilius was elected to the Seimas (parliament). Since then Kubilius has been an active figure in Lithuanian politics. He became a member of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats in 1993.[1]
Kubilius led the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Party into elections on 28 October 2008. Conservatives defeated the Social Democrats, making Kubilius the main candidate for Prime Minister. On 27 November 2008 Kubilius was officially appointed as Prime Minister of Lithuania. He received 89 votes in favour, 27 against, and 16 members of the Seimas abstained.[2]
Kubilius speaks Lithuanian, Russian and English.
His wife Rasa Kubilienė is a violinist in the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra; the couple have two sons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrius_KubiliusDalia GrybauskaitėDalia Grybauskaitė (pronounced [ˈdaːlʲæ ɡʲrʲiːbɒʊsˈkaɪtʲeː], born 1 March 1956) is the current President of Lithuania, inaugurated on 12 July 2009. She had previously been Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance Minister, and European Commissioner for Financial Programming and the Budget. Often referred to as the "Iron Lady" or the "Steel Magnolia", Grybauskaitė is Lithuania's first female head of state.
On 26 February 2009, Grybauskaitė officially announced her candidacy for the 2009 presidential election. In her declaration speech, she said:
I decided to return to Lithuania if the Lithuanian people decide I am needed there now. I think that we all long for the truth, transparency and responsibility for our country. We all want to live without fear, with confidence in ourselves, in each other, and in tomorrow. I can and I want to contribute with my experience, knowledge and skills to expel shadows from morality, politics, and economics to create a citizen-ruled Lithuania – a state of citizens. Therefore, I will run for the Lithuanian presidency.[8]
Opinion polls taken in February 2009 showed that Grybauskaitė was the undisputed leader in the race.[9] She ran as an independent, although she was supported by the dominant Conservative Party as well as by NGOs, including Sąjūdis.[10][11]
Her campaign was primarily focused on domestic issues. After years of strong economic growth, Lithuania faced a deep recession, with double-digit declines in economic indicators. The unemployment rate rose to 15.5% in March 2009, and a January street protest against the government's response to the recession turned violent.[12] During the campaign, Grybauskaitė stressed the need to combat the financial troubles by protecting those with the lowest incomes, simplifying the Lithuanian bureaucratic apparatus, and reviewing the government's investment programme.[13] She also promised a more balanced approach in conducting foreign policy, the primary constitutional role of the Lithuanian presidency.
The election was held on 17 May 2009. Dalia Grybauskaitė won in a landslide, receiving 68.18% of the vote.[14] The 51.6% turnout was just above the threshold needed to avoid a runoff election.[15] In winning the election, Grybauskaitė became not only the first female president of Lithuania, but won by the largest margin recorded in presidential elections.[16]
Political analysts attributed the easy victory to Grybauskaitė's financial competence and her ability to avoid domestic scandals.[15] The international press was quick to dub her the "Lithuanian Iron Lady" for her outspoken speech and her black belt in karate.[17][18] Grybauskaitė, who speaks Lithuanian, English, Russian, French and Polish,[17] has mentioned Margaret Thatcher and Mahatma Gandhi as her political role models.[19]
Grybauskaitė assumed presidential duties on 12 July 2009, and accepted half of her presidential salary (312,000 litas).[12] Her first presidential visits abroad were made to Sweden and Latvia;[20] in April 2011, she made a state visit to Norway[21].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalia_Grybauskait%C4%97
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