Andrius Kubilius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrius Kubilius
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Official portrait, 2024
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| European Commissioner for Defence and Space | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 1 December 2024 |
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| President | Ursula von der Leyen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | position established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of the Opposition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 20 December 2012 – 14 November 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Vytautas Gapšys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen (2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 20 January 2005 – 9 October 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Gintaras Steponavičius (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Gediminas Kirkilas (2008) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10th and 14th Prime Minister of Lithuania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 9 December 2008 – 13 December 2012 |
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| President | Valdas Adamkus Dalia Grybauskaitė |
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| Preceded by | Gediminas Kirkilas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Algirdas Butkevičius | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 3 November 1999 – 26 October 2000 |
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| President | Valdas Adamkus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Irena Degutienė (Acting) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Rolandas Paksas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 8 December 1956 Vilnius, Lithuania |
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| Political party | Homeland Union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Rasa Kubilienė | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Vilnius University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Physical engineer • Politician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andrius Kubilius (born December 8, 1956) is a well-known politician from Lithuania. He is currently serving as the European Commissioner for Defence and Space. This means he helps make important decisions about defence and space for all the countries in the European Union.
Before this important role, he was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2019 to 2024. He also served as the Prime Minister of Lithuania two times. His first term was from 1999 to 2000, and his second was from 2008 to 2012. He was also the leader of a political party called Homeland Union from 2003 to 2015.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Andrius Kubilius was born in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. After finishing high school, he went to Vilnius University. He studied physics there from 1979. He continued his studies at the university until 1984.
Career in Lithuanian Politics
Starting His Political Journey
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Andrius Kubilius joined a group called Sąjūdis. This group wanted Lithuania to become independent from the Soviet Union. He became an important leader in this movement.
Soon after Lithuania became independent again, Kubilius was elected to the Seimas, which is Lithuania's parliament. He has been very active in Lithuanian politics ever since. In 1993, he joined the Homeland Union political party. From 1996 to 1999, he was the Deputy Speaker of the Seimas.
Serving as Prime Minister (1999–2000)
Andrius Kubilius became the Prime Minister of Lithuania for the first time in 1999. He led the government until the parliamentary election in 2000.
During this time, he supported a law that asked Russia for money. This money was to pay for damages caused during the time the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania. Other leaders from Estonia and Latvia also supported this idea.
Leading Lithuania Again (2008–2012)
In 2008, Kubilius led his party, the Homeland Union, to win the election. This was a big win for his party. He was known for being critical of Russia. His party promised to make Lithuania less dependent on Russian energy. They also wanted to make important changes to the economy.
On November 27, 2008, Andrius Kubilius was officially appointed Prime Minister again. His government worked to improve Lithuania's economy.
Tough Decisions for the Economy
When he took office, Kubilius made some difficult choices. He cut government spending by a lot. He also reduced pensions and even took a pay cut himself. These actions helped Lithuania's economy recover.
He also worked to get Lithuania's energy from different sources, not just Russia. He even took legal action against a Russian gas company. He continued to push for Russia to pay for the past occupation of Lithuania. He believed this was a very important issue.
Success and Legacy
Because of his policies, Lithuania's economy recovered very strongly. Many people consider him one of the best Prime Ministers in Lithuania's recent history. He helped control government spending and prepared Lithuania to join the Eurozone. He also reformed the energy sector.
His party lost the election in 2012, but Kubilius was the first Prime Minister of Lithuania to serve his full term. He made tough decisions that helped save the country from financial problems.
European Union Career
Member of the European Parliament (2019–2024)
In 2019, Andrius Kubilius was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He was part of the European People's Party Group. He worked on important committees, including the Committee on Foreign Affairs. This committee deals with how the European Union interacts with other countries.
He also traveled to Taiwan with other MEPs in 2021. This trip showed support for the island.
Focus on Russia Relations
In 2020, he became the main person in the European Parliament responsible for relations with Russia. He helped shape the EU's position on this topic. He has always been critical of the Russian government.
He stated that it is "impossible" to have good relations with Russia. He also called for the EU to stop buying oil and natural gas from Russia. He believed that Russia's actions in Georgia violated international law. He also called for actions against those responsible for the poisoning of a Russian opposition leader.
European Commissioner (2024–Present)
In July 2024, Lithuania nominated Andrius Kubilius to be its EU Commissioner. This nomination was approved by the Lithuanian President and Parliament. Kubilius hoped to work on defence, security, and EU expansion.
In September, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, gave him the role of European Commissioner for Defence and Space. He is the first person to hold this new position. This shows that security is now a very important topic for the EU. He officially took office in December 2024. His main goal is to make the EU's defence stronger.
Personal Life
Andrius Kubilius is married to Rasa Kubilienė. She is a violinist in the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. They have two sons, Andrius and Vytautas, and three grandchildren. Besides his native Lithuanian, he also speaks English and Russian.
See also
In Spanish: Andrius Kubilius para niños
