Arturas Zuokas
Encyclopedia
Artūras Zuokas is a Lithuania
n politician
. He is former leader of the Liberal and Centre Union
political party and the Mayor of Vilnius city municipality
from 2000-2007 and from April 2011 onward. He was a member of the Seimas
(Lithuanian Parliament).
Zuokas graduated from the secondary school of Jonava
. In his youth Zuokas worked as an independent reporter to Independent Television News
Ltd.: a war reporter in Iraq
(First Gulf War, during which he taped the bombing of the Baghdad TV Tower
, a footage that was shown all over the world), Iran
, Azerbaijan
, Georgia
and Ossetia
. In August 1991 he brought a recently captured footage from the site of the Medininkai Massacre to the official meeting of the United States President George Bush
and Soviet Union
President Mikhail Gorbachev
in Moscow
, which caused much concern from the American side about the use of force against freedom-seeking nations.
in the 2000 Seimas
elections. His party placed second and won 36 seats. It formed an alliance with the New Union (Socialliberals)
and Rolandas Paksas
, the leader of the Liberal Union and Vilnius city municipality
mayor, became the Prime Minister
. There were two candidates to fill in the vacant mayor post: vice-mayor Algirdas Kudzys, and Zuokas, both members of the Liberal Union. On November 15, 2000, the council voted 27-18 to make Zuokas, at age 32, the youngest mayor in the history of Vilnius.
A number of projects championed by Zuokas have since been completed:
In Spring 2001, Vilnius city municipality unveiled a new internet portal vilnius.lt.
of France
in 2001 with the National Order of Merit
and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
of Latvia
for his contribution to the betterment of bi-lateral relations.
He was twice elected Vice-President of the Organization of World Heritage Cities
. The Junior Chamber International recognized Zuokas for his administrative achievements by naming him one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the World" in 2002. The U.S. Baltic Foundation honored his achievements in 2003 and the Balzekas Museum in Chicago
, Illinois
named him "Man of the Year". Local awards have included "Friend of Architects". He is a three-time recipient of the popular Vilnius "Iron Wolf" award.
Zuokas was bestowed an honorary degree from the Gediminas Technical University in 2003.
, his Liberal and Center Union party won 8 seats. The party joined the ruling coalition led by Andrius Kubilius
and was given the Health and Interior Minister positions.
, the second largest city of Lithuania
, but only if Lithuania would introduce direct elections.
After a successful 2011 municipal election campaign in February, Zuokas became Mayor of Vilnius once again, as his party won the most votes and gained 12 seats in the 51-seat Vilnius city council.
In August 2011 he raised attention to illegal parking in bike lanes by staging the destruction of a car by a BTR-60
armoured personnel carrier in a Vilnius
' bike lane running along the Gediminas Avenue
. Later that year he was awarded an Ig Nobel Peace Prize
for "demonstrating that the problem of illegally parked luxury cars can be solved by running over them with a tank
".
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is former leader of the Liberal and Centre Union
Liberal and Centre Union
The Liberal and Centre Union , abbreviated to LiCS, is a centre-right, liberal and conservative liberal political party in Lithuania. The party has thirteen seats in the Seimas, making it the fourth-largest party in the legislature....
political party and the Mayor of Vilnius city municipality
Vilnius city municipality
The Vilnius city municipality , is one of 60 municipalities in Lithuania. It is in the southeastern part of country, in Vilnius County and consists of the city of Vilnius, the town of Grigiškės and some rural areas.- History :...
from 2000-2007 and from April 2011 onward. He was a member of the Seimas
Seimas
The Seimas is the unicameral Lithuanian parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term. About half of the members of this legislative body are elected in individual constituencies , and the other half are elected by nationwide vote according to proportional representation...
(Lithuanian Parliament).
Zuokas graduated from the secondary school of Jonava
Jonava
Jonava is the ninth largest city in Lithuania with a population of ca 35,000.It is located in Kaunas County in central Lithuania, north east of Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. It is served by Kaunas International Airport. The largest fertilizer factory in the Baltic states is...
. In his youth Zuokas worked as an independent reporter to Independent Television News
Independent Television News
ITN is a news and content provider with headquarters in the United Kingdom. It is made up of four key businesses: ITN News, ITN Source, ITN Productions and ITN Consulting. The ITN logotype can be displayed in any of 4 different colours, each of which represents a business unit. This is the...
Ltd.: a war reporter in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
(First Gulf War, during which he taped the bombing of the Baghdad TV Tower
International Saddam Tower
Baghdad Tower is a TV tower in Baghdad, Iraq. The tower opened in 1994 and replaced a communications tower destroyed in the Gulf War. A revolving restaurant and observation deck are located on the top floor...
, a footage that was shown all over the world), Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
and Ossetia
Ossetia
Ossetia Ossetic: Ир, Ирыстон Ir, Iryston; Russian: Осетия, Osetiya; Georgian: ოსეთი, Oset'i) is an ethnolinguistic region located on both sides of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, largely inhabited by the Ossetians. The Ossetian language is part of the Eastern Iranian branch of the Indo-European...
. In August 1991 he brought a recently captured footage from the site of the Medininkai Massacre to the official meeting of the United States President George Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
and Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
President Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, which caused much concern from the American side about the use of force against freedom-seeking nations.
Election as Mayor, 2000
Zuokas was one of the campaign managers for Liberal Union of LithuaniaLiberal Union of Lithuania
The Liberal Union of Lithuania was a political party in Lithuania. It had 33 of 141 members of the Seimas.In 2003 it merged with two smaller parties to form the Liberal and Centre Union.-See also:*Liberalism*Contributions to liberal theory...
in the 2000 Seimas
Seimas
The Seimas is the unicameral Lithuanian parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term. About half of the members of this legislative body are elected in individual constituencies , and the other half are elected by nationwide vote according to proportional representation...
elections. His party placed second and won 36 seats. It formed an alliance with the New Union (Socialliberals)
New Union (Socialliberals)
The New Union , abbreviated to NS, was a centre-left, social liberal party in Lithuania. The NS is member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and is an observer at Liberal International...
and Rolandas Paksas
Rolandas Paksas
Rolandas Paksas is a Lithuanian politician who was President of Lithuania from 2003 to 2004. He was previously Prime Minister of Lithuania in 1999 and again from 2000 to 2001, and he also served as Mayor of Vilnius from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2000 to 2001...
, the leader of the Liberal Union and Vilnius city municipality
Vilnius city municipality
The Vilnius city municipality , is one of 60 municipalities in Lithuania. It is in the southeastern part of country, in Vilnius County and consists of the city of Vilnius, the town of Grigiškės and some rural areas.- History :...
mayor, became the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Lithuania
The Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of the executive arm of Lithuania's government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas. The modern office of Prime Minister was established in 1990, although the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers" until 25...
. There were two candidates to fill in the vacant mayor post: vice-mayor Algirdas Kudzys, and Zuokas, both members of the Liberal Union. On November 15, 2000, the council voted 27-18 to make Zuokas, at age 32, the youngest mayor in the history of Vilnius.
Mayoral projects
- The Mindaugas BridgeMindaugas BridgeMindaugas Bridge crosses Neris River and connects Žirmūnai elderate with the Old Town of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The bridge was named after Mindaugas, King of Lithuania, and was opened in 2003 during the celebrations of the 750th anniversary of Mindaugas' coronation. The bridge is in length...
over the Neris River was completed for the 750th anniversary of MindaugasMindaugasMindaugas was the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or rise to power; he is mentioned in a 1219 treaty as an elder duke, and in 1236 as the leader of all the Lithuanians...
coronation in 2003. It was contemplated as part of effort to reconstruct Žalgiris StadiumŽalgiris StadiumŽalgiris Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Žirmūnai elderate of Vilnius, Lithuania. The stadium holds 15,029 and was being used by the first division 1 Lyga - REO Vilnius...
, Žalgiris swimming pool, and Vilnius Concert and Sport Palace in ŽirmūnaiŽirmunaiŽirmūnai , is the most populous administrative division in Vilnius. It is also a neighbourhood in the Lithuanian capital city Vilnius, encompassing the city district of the same name, built in the 1960s....
. The projects are in progress. - The reconstruction of Gediminas AvenueGediminas AvenueGediminas Avenue is the main street of Vilnius, where most of the governmental institutions of Lithuania are concentrated, including the government, parliament, Constitutional Court and ministries...
was completed but is crumbling due to inappropriate materials being used. - An underground parking lot under the Municipality Square has been opened.
- A two-level crossing was built to ease traffic jams for Pilaitė residents.
- A new municipal building was opened on the right bank of the Neris River. Zuokas revitalized and supported Rolandas Paksas' idea to build a new commercial center in ŠnipiškėsŠnipiškesŠnipiškės is a neighborhood in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Located on the north bank of the river Neris, it is the site of Vilnius' new business district. Several skyscrapers and the new Europa Tower business center have been erected since the turn of the millennium...
. The municipal building has been joined by the new Europa TowerEuropa TowerThe Europa Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the Baltic states. It is located in a district of Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, called Šnipiškės. It rises 148 meters above ground level. It was designed by the Vilnius based, Audrius Ambrasas Architects Company...
and shopping center. Construction was funded by selling old administrative buildings scattered around the city. - Construction of the Constitution Avenue is complete.
- Užupis and Malūnai Streets in UžupisUžupisUžupis is a neighborhood in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, largely located in Vilnius' old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Užupis means "on the other side of the river" in the Lithuanian language and refers to the Vilnia River. The name Vilnius was derived from the Vilnia...
district were reconstructed and water supply pipes were replaced.
Awards and Honors
Zuokas is the recipient of numerous international and national awards and honors. He was decorated by President Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac
Jacques René Chirac is a French politician who served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He previously served as Prime Minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988 , and as Mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995.After completing his studies of the DEA's degree at the...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 2001 with the National Order of Merit
Ordre National du Mérite
The Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
of Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
for his contribution to the betterment of bi-lateral relations.
He was twice elected Vice-President of the Organization of World Heritage Cities
Organization of World Heritage Cities
The Organization of World Heritage Cities was founded on September 8, 1993 in Fez, Morocco. As of December 31, 2007, the organization was made up of 233 cities in which are located sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List...
. The Junior Chamber International recognized Zuokas for his administrative achievements by naming him one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the World" in 2002. The U.S. Baltic Foundation honored his achievements in 2003 and the Balzekas Museum in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
named him "Man of the Year". Local awards have included "Friend of Architects". He is a three-time recipient of the popular Vilnius "Iron Wolf" award.
Zuokas was bestowed an honorary degree from the Gediminas Technical University in 2003.
Member of Parliament
Zuokas was a member of the Committee on State Administration and Local Authorities from 8/01/2009 until 11/30/2009 and the Anticorruption Commission from 12/02/2008 until 11/30/2009. He was also a member of the Commission of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian World Community from 12/22/2008 until 11/30/2009. Zuokas was the head of the Liberal and Center Union party from 11/18/2008 until 12/31/2008. In the Lithuanian parliamentary election, 2008Lithuanian parliamentary election, 2008
A parliamentary election was held in Lithuania in two stages on 12 and 26 October 2008. A failed referendum on extending the operation of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant was held at the same time, despite the fact that Lithuania is obliged to close down Ignalina per its treaty of accession to the...
, his Liberal and Center Union party won 8 seats. The party joined the ruling coalition led by Andrius Kubilius
Andrius Kubilius
Andrius Kubilius is a Lithuanian politician who has been Prime Minister of Lithuania since 2008. He previously served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000. He is the leader of the conservative political party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.- Biography :Kubilius was born at Vilnius...
and was given the Health and Interior Minister positions.
Election as Mayor, 2011
In 2010, March, Zuokas expressed willingness to become a mayor of KaunasKaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
, the second largest city of Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, but only if Lithuania would introduce direct elections.
After a successful 2011 municipal election campaign in February, Zuokas became Mayor of Vilnius once again, as his party won the most votes and gained 12 seats in the 51-seat Vilnius city council.
Other
Zuokas was prosecuted but found not guilty of electoral fraud during the 2003 municipal elections. A parliamentary commission also concluded that he could have been the "subscriber" in a large bribery scandal.In August 2011 he raised attention to illegal parking in bike lanes by staging the destruction of a car by a BTR-60
BTR-60
The BTR-60 is the first vehicle in a series of Soviet eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers. It was developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the BTR-152 and was seen first time in public in 1961...
armoured personnel carrier in a Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
' bike lane running along the Gediminas Avenue
Gediminas Avenue
Gediminas Avenue is the main street of Vilnius, where most of the governmental institutions of Lithuania are concentrated, including the government, parliament, Constitutional Court and ministries...
. Later that year he was awarded an Ig Nobel Peace Prize
Ig Nobel Prize
The Ig Nobel Prizes are an American parody of the Nobel Prizes and are given each year in early October for ten unusual or trivial achievements in scientific research. The stated aim of the prizes is to "first make people laugh, and then make them think"...
for "demonstrating that the problem of illegally parked luxury cars can be solved by running over them with a tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
".