Artūras Paulauskas

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Artūras Paulauskas (pronunciation (help·info), born August 23, 1953) is a Lithuanian politician. He was the Speaker of Seimas, the parliament of Lithuania, from 2000 to 2006, and he served as Acting President of Lithuania from April 6, 2004 to July 12, 2004.^[1]

Contents 1 Early career 2 Political career 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Early career

Artūras Paulauskas graduated from Vilnius University with a degree in law in 1976. He then worked as an investigator and a prosecutor. He was Deputy Prosecutor General of Lithuania from 1987 to 1990 and Prosecutor General of Lithuania from 1990 to 1995. He was again Deputy Prosecutor General from 1995 to 1997 and was engaged in private legal practice from 1997 to 2000.^[1]

[edit] Political career

Artūras Paulauskas entered politics by running for President of Lithuania in the 1997-1998 elections. He was supported by outgoing President Algirdas Brazauskas and narrowly lost in the runoff to Valdas Adamkus, with Paulauskas gaining 49.6% of vote and Adamkus gaining 50.4%. He then established The New Union (Social Liberals) party, becoming its Chairman on April 25, 1998.^[1] This party gained 19.6% of vote in the 2000 parliamentary election. Following this election, he became the Speaker of Seimas on October 19, 2000.

Following the impeachment of President Rolandas Paksas on April 6, 2004, Paulauskas served as acting President of Lithuania until early elections were held and a new President, Valdas Adamkus, was sworn on July 12, 2004.

On April 11, 2006 Paulauskas was removed from office as Speaker by 94 votes (only 11 parliamentarians voted against it). His party New Union (Social Liberals) did not participate in the election. Paulauskas was succeeded by Viktoras Muntianas.

Paulauskas was named as the candidate for the post of Minister of Environment by Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas on January 30, 2008.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Biography in English - from Seimas website. (English)
• Personal Website (Lithuanian)

Preceded by Rolandas Paksas

Temporary President of Lithuania 2004 – 2004

Succeeded by Valdas Adamkus

v • d • e Leaders of Lithuania since 1919 Presidents Antanas Smetona • Aleksandras Stulginskis • Kazys Grinius • Jonas Staugaitis* • Aleksandras Stulginskis*  • Antanas Smetona  • Antanas Merkys*  • Justas Paleckis LKP First Secretaries Antanas Sniečkus • Petras Griškevičius • Ringaudas Songaila • Algirdas Brazauskas Presidents Vytautas Landsbergis • Algirdas Brazauskas • Valdas Adamkus • Rolandas Paksas  • Artūras Paulauskas*  • Valdas Adamkus * denotes acting