Introducing himself as a candidate, Skvernelis said everything in Lithuania was now being done "for something" – the economy, justice or something else but not for people.
"We often use fancy phrases "for something" but we forget the essence of all of it, and it's the people. … All other "for somethings" mean nothing without people. Therefore, while standing today in front of you, I want for us to be for people and for humanity," Skvernelis said.
The politician criticized the healthcare and education reforms aimed at only ensuring effective use of funds, forgetting people, their needs and easy access to services.
In his words, the focus is now put on the Green Deal, sustainable economy for the sake of the planet, which are necessary, but, first of all, the focus should be on people.
Now "we have a value-based foreign policy where there's no lace for the interests of Lithuanian citizens", Skvernelis said.
He will lead the new party for three years.
Other candidates to lead the party included MP Vytautas Bakas and Lazdijai District Mayor Ausma Miskiniene who received 72 and 48 votes respectively.