The elections to the Seimas will begin very soon. What political forces are capable to bring the country out of crisis? Kazimira Prunskienë, member of the Seimas, comments on economical and political situation in Lithuania.

The elections to the Seimas will begin very soon. Whom to choose is the actual question for everybody today. Especially having in mind that current economical situation is very far from normal. Unemployment is growing, the prices are rising, and large factories and the enterprises in the past are at the verge of full disorder now. So is there any hope new Seimas and the new government will manage to bring the country out of crisis? What it is necessary for this purpose? And the most important question is what political forces are capable to do it? Won't it happen so that voters will get in a trap of beautiful slogans once again?

What do the economists think about it? How do they evaluate situation in the state and whom do they want to see at authority. Our correspondent talks to a member of the Seimas Kazimera Prunskienë about it.

- Madam Prunskienë, you've told somehow incompetence of authorities is one of the reasons of today's crisis. Is there any hope that the new government will be more competent?

-It depends on the voters; on whom they will choose also what criteria of a choice they follow. One alternative is to be under thumb of those who speaks beautifully and promises much. To tell the truth, this choice the results of which are already known to us. Do you remember what conservatives promised on the eve of the last elections? How many wonderful slogans we heard: we shall raise salaries, we shall return investments… And what do we have? The problem of returning our investments is not solved; other promises have remained only beautiful words. This time we will also hear a lot of such beautiful slogans, on the eve of new elections. Many radicals appeared who hold up to shame authority promising to punish those who are guilty. A lot of voters are attracted by such position. But where were you misters liberals? Whom and how are you going to punish? This is a business of justice, not of politicians. So I am afraid, it won't be easy for voters to make a correct choice. In my opinion, it is important to be guided by mind, not by emotions. But recent elections to self-government showed it is very difficult.

- That is were guided by emotions?

- Yes. People have got tired of problems and that's why willingly follow those who promises sweeping changes. They search for new parties and new persons, but seldom ask themselves whether these new persons are capable to do something effective? Not immediate actions, not slogans, not radical criticism of all and everything, but long-term work for the good of the state and people is necessary! They are searching for rescue in new forces, and in my opinion, it is necessary to search for the thinking and understanding people who are capable to make better and more. I shall bring one example from the recent past. In 90-91 G.Vagnorius, young, vigorous politician was my opponent. In those years we offered to carry out reforms step by step. Vagnorius claimed that all could be made during one year and a half. You already know the results. The method of a shock therapy didn't prove its value. More truly, the shock occurred but the therapy was not applied. Unreasoned actions have led us in such impasse that till now we can't get out of it.

- Obviously, often change of prime ministers did not promote the raising of our economy?

- Certainly. And not all premieres were ready to such a responsible role. And incompetence is a biggest problem. I have met Helmut Schmidt, very experienced and clever person who in the West is given the name of the manager of crises, more than once. I have asked him what he considers to be the main problem of our countries. Do you know what he has answered? The main problem is that incompetent people come to power! I completely agree with him. The biggest trouble is when nonprofessionals come to power. Premier is the big responsibility; he is not only the professional, but also the strategist, the coordinator of work who sees all the problems in aggregate. Wisdom of the government is in finding the ways to improve an economy, to strengthen a private sector, to support businessmen. If all this is absent, the only thing we can do is to cover our feebleness with the common words such as following: no money, let's save. Actually, such is the situation now.

- The problem of the Ignalina Atomic Power Station is very actual for a lot of us. What might be the results of its closure for the state and inhabitants of Visaginas in particular?

- We have obviously hurried. We've followed tastes of requirements of EU. But we ought not to make such sacrifice to the prejudice of own interests. To my mind, this is hasty obligation. I am convinced we can't consider this problem to be finally solved. I hope new Seimas will return to this question. Eventually, the Ignalina Atomic Power Station is a state property and to offer it up means to go contrary to the interests of the state and people. But this contradicts to the Constitution.

- Today it is spoken about the new policy very much. What does this phrase actually mean?

- Simply someone tries to prove that new politics are better than those who already were in power. But I am convinced that today Lithuania does not need new experiments. Reasonable actions are necessary, people who would manage to prove their professionalism in practice. In my opinion, propagation of a new politics sounds a little bit fondly. Not everybody understands what this phrase means. If we consider new politics to be a new stage of the democracy, new style of a management, work not from elections to elections, but work on result, then I am for new politics. I consider it to be is an open model of authority, a continuous communication with society in contrast to pseudo-democracy and to domination of any one party. By the way, such domination of the ruling majority reminds one-party system of the Soviet authority. Incidentally, conservatives have decided to give "Maþeikiø nafta" to "Williams" and have done so. The others were indignant, protested but could do nothing. Have decided to allocate more money to protection of environment to the prejudice of the educational system; and did so. Isn't it pseudo-democracy? In this sense I am a supporter of a new politics. The authority is not a trophy, which is received and then divided between closest friends and relatives. By the way, domesticity is a characteristic feature of the present ruling majority. I am glad when the President speaks about a new politics. But what we understand as new politics is not less important. It's good if it means new contents, not the new form.

- Is it possible to predict results of elections? Political scientists consider that conservatives have stable electorate, which will support them in any situation. But voters will apparently searchalso for new forces - for the New Union, for the liberals …

- Sure, conservatives have stable and faithful electorate. But disappointment is too strong, too many mistakes were made. New political forces also have supporters. To tell the truth, yet I do not see any particular novelties in their political declarations. For this reason, as I have already said, I am afraid that voters again will follow those who beautifully speak and promise much. I repeat, it is necessary to be guided by mind, not by emotions.

- Politics is a delicate business. Life of a politician consists of ascents and collapses, success and defeat. What is your biggest success and mistake?

- Success? Probably, that Lithuania nevertheless has managed to leave the system of Soviet economy and to pass in a new channel. There my direct merit is also present. Even political scientists and experts recognize that this was the first government, which managed to make much concerning radical reforms. And I am also very glad to know that after restoration of independence I still have many friends in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and in other countries. I appreciate it very much.

- And mistakes? Certainly there were mistakes, too. During the restoration of independence I did not assume that for the majority aspiration to authority will eclipse desire to work for the good of the state. I have a book called "Price of Emancipation". The price in wide understanding of this word - emancipation of stereotypes, of old thinking, of old system, etc. So we have paid too high price! I did not expect it.

-- Thank you for conversation.