61. The Presidential Crisis in Lithuania: Its Roots and the Russian Factor
- Author:
- Richard J. Krickus
- Publication Date:
- 01-2004
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- The purpose of this paper is to address two questions associated with Lithuania's political crisis in 2004. First, what were the domestic circumstances that led to the impeachment of Lithuania's President, Rolandas Paksas? Second, what evidence is there that Russia has played a significant role in the crisis and what are the motives behind Moscow's meddling in Lithuania's internal affairs? Answers to these questions are pertinent to the fate of countries throughout post-communist Europe, given their common history and geography. In addition, they provide the framework for addressing a third question that must be answered by the European Union (EU), NATO and the United States: what can be done about these two-fold threats to the newest members of the Western alliance?
- Topic:
- Democratization, Government, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Russia, United States, Europe, Lithuania, and Moscow