Augustinas Voldemaras

Augustinas Voldemaras (April 16th 1883 - May 16th 1942) was a nationalist politician Lithuanian. He was Prime Minister in 1918, then again of 1926 with 1929.

Biography

In 1910, Voldemaras was graduate of a Master of history and philosophy of the University of Saint-Pétersbourg and accepted a gold medal for its defense of Thèse. A purse was allotted to him for the continuation of its studies what enabled him to obtain a Doctorat. During its years of study, Voldemaras was largely influenced by the nationalist spirit of pride which was spread then in Lithuania. Although the country was always under Russian domination , of small groups were formed, both in Lithuania and outwards, to militate in favor of autonomy or independence; Voldemaras joined one of these groups of students with Saint-Pétersbourg and was elected by it the representative with the Congrès of the not-sovereign nations with Kiev, in September 1917.

In 1926, a fraction of the army in dissension with the policy of the government of the president Kazys Grinius fomented a Coup d'etat. They called Voldemaras and the former president of the Republic Antanas Smetona to support them, and both accepted. The putsch take place the December 17th. Grinius was deposited after only six months of presidency and Smetona was reinstalled at its old station, Voldemaras becoming again Prime Minister. In order to reassure the public opinion, as well in Lithuania than abroad, Grinius itself Voldemaras Prime Minister “named”, under the promise as this one would respect the constitution of 1922. Augustinas Voldemaras made this promise, but did not hold it; all its actions, on the contrary, more led its government in the way of the Dictature

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