Algirdas Brazauskas, the first President of post-Soviet Lithuania, assumed office in February 1993. Coming to power at a crucial period in the country’s history, Brazauskas had been highly influential in Lithuania’s struggle for independence. As the last leader of Lithuanian Communists, he played a key role in paving the way for Lithuania’s independence from the Soviet Union. Once in office, he focused on unifying the people and stabilizing the economy through privatization, foreign investment, and progressive reforms. Despite his popularity, Brazauskas chose not to seek re-election at the end of his term.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas
- Died At Age: 77
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Julija Brazauskienė, Kristina Brazauskienė
- Father: Kazimieras Brazauskas
- Mother: Sofija Perezilevičiūtė-Brazauskienė
- Presidents
- Prime Ministers
- Political ideology: Political party Communist Party of Lithuania (1957–1990), Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1959-1989), Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania (1990–2001), Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (2001–2010)
- Died on: June 26, 2010
- Place of death: Vilnius, Lithuania
- Notable Alumni: Kaunas University Of Technology
- Cause of Death: Lymphatic Cancer
- Education: Kaunas University Of Technology
Childhood & Early Years
Algirdas Brazauskas was born on 22 September 1932 in Rokiškis, Lithuania. Both his parents were professionals with a strong interest in politics. His father had worked at a number of jobs—working as an accountant, schoolmaster, and civil servant at different points of time—while his mother was a barrister and a judge.
He went to Kaišiadorys High School from where he graduated in 1952. Then he decided to study engineering and enrolled at the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1956.
Career
Algirdas Brazauskas was an intelligent young man and found success early on in his career. He entered the world of politics in the mid-1960s when he was appointed the minister of construction materials industry of Lithuanian SSR in 1965. He served in this position for the next two years.
In 1967, he became the deputy chairman of the State Planning Committee. Meanwhile he decided to pursue his education further and completed his PhD in Economics in 1974 from the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute.
The Lithuanian Communist Party’s interest in him intensified after he completed his doctorate. His political career prospered as he rose through the ranks of the Lithuanian Communist Party and was appointed as the secretary for economic affairs on its Central Committee in 1977, a rank he would hold for the next 10 years.
During this time, Lithuania was under the control of the Soviet Union which had annexed the country in 1940. Nationalism was slowly spreading in the country and the pro-independence party, Sajudis, was gathering support. The party saw Algirdas Brazauskas as a potential ally as he often advocated for greater freedom from Moscow.
The Sajudis lobbied for him and in 1988, he was appointed the first secretary of the Communist Party of Lithuania. Under his leadership the party broke away from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and transformed itself into social-democratic ‘Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania’.
His party denounced all forms of dictatorship and sought more autonomy from the Soviet Union. He endorsed free markets and encouraged privatization of industries.
By the end of 1989, the Lithuanian independence movement was gaining in momentum and he was looking for a way of breaking free from Soviet control. In March 1990 Lithuania declared independence from Moscow.
This move was met with much resistance by the Soviets who imposed an economic blockade on Lithuania. However by mid-1991 the Soviet Union weakened and finally recognized Lithuanian independence in September.
After the 1992 parliamentary elections in which the Sajudis were voted out of power, Algirdas Brazauskas became Speaker of the parliament and the acting President of Lithuania. He then went on to win the presidential election, garnering 60% of the vote, and assumed office as the President of Lithuania on 25 February 1993. His term ended on 25 February 1998.
After a short break he returned to politics and served as the Prime Minister of Lithuania from 2001 to 2006 after which he retired from active politics.
Awards & Achievements
The Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain and the Grand Cross Order of Vytautas the Great were among the various honors he received.
The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarded Algirdas Brazauskas the Order of Honour for his significant contribution to cooperation between Russia and Lithuania and good neighborly relations.
Personal Life & Legacy
His first marriage was to Julija Brazauskienė. This union produced two daughters. The couple eventually went their separate ways and divorced.
In 2002, he married Kristina Brazauskienė.
His health declined during the late 2000s and he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in December 2008. Algirdas Brazauskas struggled with his illness for several months before succumbing to the disease on 26 June, 2010.