Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VILNIUS18
2008-01-08 15:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:
YOUTH AND POLITICS IN LITHUANIA: READY AND ABLE,
how-toVZCZCXRO7024 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHVL #0018 0081528 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 081528Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1904 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS VILNIUS 000018
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LH
SUBJECT: YOUTH AND POLITICS IN LITHUANIA: READY AND ABLE,
BUT NOT WILLING
UNCLAS VILNIUS 000018
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LH
SUBJECT: YOUTH AND POLITICS IN LITHUANIA: READY AND ABLE,
BUT NOT WILLING
1. Summary. We discussed politics with 140 university and
college students in groups of 15 to 25. Students support
more liberal economic policies and their views of politics
are similar to those in many countries: disappointment with
politics, politicians, and political parties; concern about
the influence of money; and a desire for change. Most
students (75 percent) said they will vote in parliamentary
elections in October and an overwhelming majority stated that
there should be more young people in politics. However, only
one of the 140 students said he would consider entering
politics. End summary.
Economic and educational concerns
--------------
2. We visited seven colleges and universities around the
country and discussed politics and economics with students
during the last months of 2007. Regarding economics,
students were most concerned about increasing salaries,
liberalizing the business environment and reducing
impediments to entrepreneurs, particularly difficulties in
receiving loans. Students were also concerned about the
increasing costs of higher education, recognition of
Lithuanian degrees abroad, support for international exchange
programs, and the quality of teachers, particularly at the
high school level.
Concerned about politics, but passive
--------------
3. Many students were cynical about politics and
politicians. As one respondent said, "economics is politics
in Lithuania." Most students felt that corruption was
widespread and that people enter politics for personal gain.
Students complained of a lack of "political morality," but
expressed a willingness to tolerate corruption (which they
viewed as inevitable) if the politicians at the same time do
work that benefits the community.
4. Many students complained of the prevalence of former
Communist party members and the lack of young people in
politics. Several students suggested that it will take
thirty years to cleanse Lithuanian politics of former Soviet
officials and move to real democracy. (Note: Students' views
that true democracy has not yet been achieved are shared by
others. A recent poll in the weekly news magazine Veidas,
showed that only 15 percent of respondents believed that the
president and parliament govern Lithuania, while 41 percent
thought that non-transparent clans and groups control
government rather than democratically elected officials.)
5. Many students were aware of troubling tendencies in
Lithuanian politics. Students noted the influence of
Lithuanian "oligarchs" in politics, the sale and purchase of
media coverage not marked as advertising, politicians hopping
from party to party for personal rather than ideological
reasons, and the cults of personality that often trump party
platforms. To illustrate the limits of ideology and party
platforms, one respondent noted, "in Lithuania, it is often
the loudest person in the room who is considered right."
6. Many students expressed support for (relatively) young
politicians, such as the leader of the Liberal and Center
Union party, Arturas Zuokas, and the mayor of Kaunas, Andrius
Kupcinskas. Three-quarters of the students we spoke with
said they will vote in the October parliamentary elections
and an even greater majority said that there should be more
youth in politics. However, only one out of 140 students
said that he would consider entering politics himself.
COMMENT
--------------
7. University students in Lithuania understand many of the
problems with politics in Lithuania, but are not willing to
address these problems directly by entering politics. Many
feel that corruption and personality-led party politics are
too entrenched to be beaten in the short term. As one
student commented, "new buildings and new infrastructure will
not solve the problem; we need to build a new attitude."
This view is, unfortunately, based on some genuine
shortcomings with democracy in Lithuania. However,
resignation and inaction will only allow the shortcomings to
continue and perhaps to strengthen. We will continue to
interact with youth, civil society groups, and the media to
encourage people to rise to the challenges of democracy.
LEADER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LH
SUBJECT: YOUTH AND POLITICS IN LITHUANIA: READY AND ABLE,
BUT NOT WILLING
1. Summary. We discussed politics with 140 university and
college students in groups of 15 to 25. Students support
more liberal economic policies and their views of politics
are similar to those in many countries: disappointment with
politics, politicians, and political parties; concern about
the influence of money; and a desire for change. Most
students (75 percent) said they will vote in parliamentary
elections in October and an overwhelming majority stated that
there should be more young people in politics. However, only
one of the 140 students said he would consider entering
politics. End summary.
Economic and educational concerns
--------------
2. We visited seven colleges and universities around the
country and discussed politics and economics with students
during the last months of 2007. Regarding economics,
students were most concerned about increasing salaries,
liberalizing the business environment and reducing
impediments to entrepreneurs, particularly difficulties in
receiving loans. Students were also concerned about the
increasing costs of higher education, recognition of
Lithuanian degrees abroad, support for international exchange
programs, and the quality of teachers, particularly at the
high school level.
Concerned about politics, but passive
--------------
3. Many students were cynical about politics and
politicians. As one respondent said, "economics is politics
in Lithuania." Most students felt that corruption was
widespread and that people enter politics for personal gain.
Students complained of a lack of "political morality," but
expressed a willingness to tolerate corruption (which they
viewed as inevitable) if the politicians at the same time do
work that benefits the community.
4. Many students complained of the prevalence of former
Communist party members and the lack of young people in
politics. Several students suggested that it will take
thirty years to cleanse Lithuanian politics of former Soviet
officials and move to real democracy. (Note: Students' views
that true democracy has not yet been achieved are shared by
others. A recent poll in the weekly news magazine Veidas,
showed that only 15 percent of respondents believed that the
president and parliament govern Lithuania, while 41 percent
thought that non-transparent clans and groups control
government rather than democratically elected officials.)
5. Many students were aware of troubling tendencies in
Lithuanian politics. Students noted the influence of
Lithuanian "oligarchs" in politics, the sale and purchase of
media coverage not marked as advertising, politicians hopping
from party to party for personal rather than ideological
reasons, and the cults of personality that often trump party
platforms. To illustrate the limits of ideology and party
platforms, one respondent noted, "in Lithuania, it is often
the loudest person in the room who is considered right."
6. Many students expressed support for (relatively) young
politicians, such as the leader of the Liberal and Center
Union party, Arturas Zuokas, and the mayor of Kaunas, Andrius
Kupcinskas. Three-quarters of the students we spoke with
said they will vote in the October parliamentary elections
and an even greater majority said that there should be more
youth in politics. However, only one out of 140 students
said that he would consider entering politics himself.
COMMENT
--------------
7. University students in Lithuania understand many of the
problems with politics in Lithuania, but are not willing to
address these problems directly by entering politics. Many
feel that corruption and personality-led party politics are
too entrenched to be beaten in the short term. As one
student commented, "new buildings and new infrastructure will
not solve the problem; we need to build a new attitude."
This view is, unfortunately, based on some genuine
shortcomings with democracy in Lithuania. However,
resignation and inaction will only allow the shortcomings to
continue and perhaps to strengthen. We will continue to
interact with youth, civil society groups, and the media to
encourage people to rise to the challenges of democracy.
LEADER