Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union ( Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga/LVLS )
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union was officially named what from 2005 to 2012?
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union The Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union ( , LVŽS ; also known as Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union , formerly Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union , , LVLS ) is a green-conservative and agrarian political party in Lithuania led by industrial farmer Ramūnas Karbauskis . Following the 2020 parliamentary election , the LVŽS has been in opposition to the Šimonytė Cabinet . The party is also a member of the Greens–European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament . Its symbol since 2012 has been the white stork . History . Foundation and participation in the Social Democratic Party-led governments ( 2001–2008 ) . In December 2001 , electoral alliance between the Lithuanian Peasants Party ( Lietuvos valstiečių partija ) and the New Democratic Party ( ) known as the ( or VNDS ) , which translates to the Peasants and New Democratic Party Union or Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties . In 2002–03 Lithuanian presidential election partys chairman Kazimira Prunskienė came with 5.04 per cent of the votes in the first round and saved its deposit . In the second round , she endorsed Rolandas Paksas of the Liberal Democratic Party , who won the election . In 2004 presidential election ( after Rolandas Paksas impeachement ) , Kazimira Prunskienė narrowly came to the second position ( 21.25 per cent ) , but she was defeated in the second round ( although , after endorsement of Rolandas Paksas ) . In 2004 European Parliament election , the party got 7.41 per cent of the votes and won one seat by Gintaras Didžiokas . He joined the Union for Europe of the Nations . In Seimas election later tahat same year , the party got 6.6 per cent of the votes . The Labour Party joined forces with Peasants and New Democratic Party Union and invited the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania to join . Brazauskas initially ruled out a coalition with Labour , but eventually Social Democrats and New Union ( Social Liberals ) joined forces with the Labour Party and the Peasants , with Brazauskas as the Prime Minister . In February 2006 , the Peasants and New Democratic Party Union led by Lithuanian politician Kazimiera Prunskienė chose to rename itself Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union ( after the pre-war Lithuanian Popular Peasants Union ) . The party itself was main force in the Social Democratic Party-led governments . In 2008 parliamentary election the party felt below 5 per cent threeshold and was left with three members , who were elected in single-member constituencies . Opposition and leading force in the government ( 2009–2020 ) . In 2009 Kazimira Prunskienė left the party and founded the party of her own ( Lithuanian Peoples Party ) . Although the party was minor one , it gained some influence in 2010 , when it supported the Homeland Union-led government . The Lithuanian Peasants Popular Union changed its name to the Lithuanian Peasants and Greens Union in January 2012 . The party emerged as a dark horse in the electoral race in the spring of 2016 . The rise of support was attributed to the popularity of Karbauskis , who had been active in campaigning against alcohol , and their lack of involvement in political scandals . LVŽS was further boosted by the announcement that Saulius Skvernelis , a Minister of Interior in Butkevičius Cabinet and one of the most popular politicians in Lithuania , would head the partys electoral list in the elections , without joining the party . After successful performance in the 2016 parliamentary elections , a clarification about its English name format was issued , changing it to Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union . Also , after these election the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union became one of the main three political parties in Lithuania ( along with the Homeland Union and the Social Democratic Party ) . After these elections , various pundits claimed that the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union could form coalition with the Homeland Union , but Ramūnas Karbauskis proposed wide coalition between aforementioned parties and the Social Democratic Party . The Homeland Unions leader Gabrielius Landsbergis himself proposed coalition between the Homeland Union , the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Liberal Movement , although both Ramūnas Karbauskis and Liberal Movements leader Eugenijus Gentvilas turned down this offer . Eventually , coalition was formed between the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania , which lasted until the autumn of 2017 . Partys support gradually declined by 2018 ( e . g . in 2019 European Parliament election the party got 11.92 per cent of the votes ) , although due to the rally round the flag effect ( caused by the COVID-19 pandemic ) , its support rebounded . In 2020 parliamentary election the party won 18.07 per cent of the vote and 32 parliamentary seats . The party has been in opposition since 2020 . Name . - 2001 – Dec 2005 : Peasants and New Democratic Party Union or Union of Peasants and New Democratic Parties ( ) - Dec 2005 – Jan 2012 : Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union ( Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga/LVLS ) - Jan 2012 – Feb 2017 : Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union ( Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga/LVŽS ) - Feb 2017 – present : Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union ( Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga/LVŽS )