Kasčiūnas demands political accountability from Grikšas over Registry Centre data theft
TS-LKD chairman Laurynas Kasčiūnas argues that the resignation of the Registry Centre director is insufficient – economic minister Edvinas Grikšas must also accept responsibility.
Kasčiūnas: Registry Centre director's departure is correct, but insufficient
Following the resignation of Registry Centre director Adriju Jus on Monday, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chairman of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), assessed the step positively but demanded broader political accountability. As reported by LRT, Kasčiūnas publicly asked why Economy and Innovation Minister Edvinas Grikšas has not yet accepted responsibility for the mass data theft scandal.
"The Registry Centre director's resignation in the context of the mass data theft is the correct move. However, the question arises regarding the political accountability of Economy and Innovation Minister Edvinas Grikšas," Kasčiūnas wrote on the social network Facebook on Monday.
The TS-LKD chairman stated that in democratic states, ministers assume political responsibility for scandals in their areas of responsibility, and the current situation shows that this tradition has been forgotten in Lithuania.
"I understand that with this Government in Lithuania, the concept of responsibility is often narrowed down to criminal responsibility. Nevertheless, in democratic states, ministers assume political responsibility for scandals in their areas of responsibility. This was the case in Lithuania in the past – it was a sign of accountability of authority and political culture," wrote the Member of Parliament.
Kasčiūnas calls for clarification from other institutions
Kasčiūnas also demanded explanations from Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius and the heads of the Migration Department. According to him, the absence of public comments shows an attempt to "bury the problem in the sand" and protect representatives of the Social Democrats in the Government.
"An attempt is being made to localise the scandal within the confines of the Registry Centre only, because politically this is most convenient, but it is clearly insufficient. The Opposition will not allow this highly serious matter to be concealed and will demand both answers and political responsibility," he stressed.
Democrats' faction collects signatures for ministers' summons to Seimas
On Monday, the Democrats' faction "For Lithuania" announced it was collecting opposition signatures so that ministers Edvinas Grikšas and Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas would attend the nearest Seimas session and publicly answer questions.
According to the faction, the director's dismissal alone does not resolve the problem: many unanswered questions remain in society not only about the incident itself, but also about institutional oversight and why the public was not informed about the data theft for a long time. As stated in the faction's statement, institutions were aware of the possible data theft earlier, but official clarifications appeared only after journalistic investigations and information published in the media.
The ministers are to be asked when institutions learned of the data theft, why the public was not informed immediately, what risks arose for state registers and national security, whether sufficient investment was made in the Registry Centre's IT and cybersecurity, and who will assume responsibility for the situation that has arisen.
Kondratovičius: Interior Ministry engaged in investigation from the start
Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius stated on Facebook on Monday that he understands public concern and emphasised that the Interior Ministry has been actively engaged in investigating the incident from the first days.
"The Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau is conducting a pre-trial investigation, which is organised and overseen by the General Prosecutor's Office. During the investigation, cooperation is taking place with all relevant ministries and responsible institutions," the minister wrote.
Kondratovičius noted that whilst continuing the pre-trial investigation, information that could harm it cannot be disclosed. According to him, cybersecurity must receive "maximum attention and the necessary resources".
Sinkevičius: political responsibility is necessary
Acting Democrats' Union "For Lithuania" chairman Virginijus Sinkevičius also asserted that a change in leadership does not resolve the problem and that political responsibility is essential in this situation.
"What does a change in leadership solve? It is clear that here we need to assume political responsibility, because the Registry Centre was left without resources for a long time. Here the question is primarily for the Government. Why was the Registry Centre left without resources, unable to maintain and ensure data and cybersecurity? Was the minister unable to convey this information to the Government and obtain appropriate support from the Prime Minister?" asked Sinkevičius.
Source: LRT