The Way of Courage

The Way of Courage (Lithuanian: Drąsos Kelias) is a populist[2] political party in Lithuania. It was founded in 2012 and has an anti-corruption[3][4] platform.

The Way of Courage

Drąsos kelias
LeaderJonas Varkala
Founded2012
HeadquartersGarliava, Vytauto g. 57-2
Membership (March 2017)2,499[1]
IdeologyPopulism[2]
Anti-corruption[3][4]
Seimas
0 / 141
Seats in the European Parliament
0 / 12
Website
http://www.drasoskeliaspartija.lt/

The party was established by supporters of Drąsius Kedys, who claimed that justice officials had whitewashed a ring of pedophiles after his daughter had been sexually molested. Kedys died under unclear circumstances in 2010. Among the party's founders is Neringa Venckienė, sister of Drąsius Kedys and former judge. The party's name alludes to Kedys' first name Drąsius which means "the brave".[5] The goals include changes in the justice system, e.g. the establishment of trial by jury. In 2012 General Election the party gained approximately 8% of the popular vote.

After the party's leader Neringa Venckiene applied for asylum in the United States, many party members decided not to participate in the future elections because of the "exile" of their leader.[6]

The party's chairman is Jonas Varkala, a former Catholic priest, who officially left the church in February 2012. He was a constant critic of the ethics of the leaders of the church, particularly in regards to sexual abuse of children.[7]

Member of Seimas (2012–2016)
  • Neringa Venckiene (born 1971), (MP until 2014, Impeached), Judge
  • Jonas Varkala (born 1951), Priest
  • Aurelija Stancikienė (born 1966), Architect
  • Algirdas Vaclovas Patackas (born 1943), (MP until 2015, Died), Signer of the Lithuanian Declaration of Independence
  • Dr. Vytautas Antanas Matulevičius (born 1952), Journalist
  • Prof. Povilas Gylys (born 1948), Economist
  • Valdas Vasiliauskas (born 1951), Journalist[8]
  • Prof. dr. Gintaras Aleknonis (born 1961), (refused to be sworn in), Journalist.
  • Prof. Stasys Brundza (born 1947), (MP from 2014), Economist
  • Audrius Nakas (born 1967), (MP from 2015), Actor

References
  1. https://www.vz.lt/verslo-aplinka/2018/04/18/eligijus-masiulis-as-grazinau-raimondui-kurlianskiui-paskola
  2. Dapkus, Liudas (14 October 2012), Poll: Ruling coalition to win Lithuanian election, Associated Press
  3. Nordsieck, Wolfram (2016). "Lithuania". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  4. Beniusis, Vaidotas (14 October 2012), Austerity-weary Lithuania swings left in parliamentary election, AFP
  5. 'Anti-paedophile' party poised for parliamentary debut in Lithuania, AFP, 13 October 2012
  6. https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/p-gylys-traukiasi-is-politikos.d?id=71887698
  7. https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/drasos-kelio-pirmininkas-jonas-varkala-praso-ji-suspenduoti-kunigysteje-56-193258
  8. VRK inf. Archived 17 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.