Juršėnas remembers Prunskienė as a bright star with an 'amber smile'

Česlovas Juršėnas fondly remembers Kazimira Prunskienė, Lithuania's first Prime Minister, as one of the most prominent figures during the nation's crucial transition period. He described her as a highly active and serious economic specialist who advocated for economic independence even during the Soviet era.

Juršėnas particularly recalled Prunskienė's distinctive "amber smile," contrasting it with the "gummy" smiles often seen in American culture. He noted that this unique smile, combined with her serious demeanor, helped her capture international attention. Her significant 1990 tour across major Western countries, including the United States, Great Britain, France, West Germany, and Canada, saw her "amber smile" featured on front pages, cementing her image as a bright star of Lithuania's formative years.

He acknowledged that while there were subsequent challenges and events in her career, Prunskienė's contributions during that pivotal era remain significant. Juršėnas emphasized the difficult and intensive work involved in transforming the economy to a market-based system. He concluded that her actions and the groundwork she laid are lasting legacies, particularly her role, alongside other leaders, in ensuring Lithuania's resilience against pressure from Moscow, especially during the economic blockade.