Arvydas Juozaitis (born 18 April 1956 in Vilnius) is a Lithuanian writer, philosopher, politician, cultural worker and former swimmer who won a bronze medal in the 100 meter breaststroke at the 1976 Summer Olympics.[1] In 1988, he was a member of the Sąjūdis Initiative Group. He was registered as a candidate for 2019 Lithuanian presidential election.

Arvydas Juozaitis
Born(1956-04-18)18 April 1956
Alma materVilnius University
Political partyIndependent (before 2020)
Union of Intergenerational Solidarity - Cohesion for Lithuania (2020-present)
Spouse(s)Oksana Juozaitienė, Laima Balsevičiūtė
ChildrenVygaudas, Aldona, Uljana, Gediminas
Olympic medal record
Men's Swimming
Representing the  Soviet Union
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Montreal 100 m breaststroke

Political positions

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Juozaitis is opposed to European integration and proposes a "Europe of nations", but supports NATO. He opposes dual citizenship.[2] Answering questions on important political topics sent to presidential candidates by the program "Mano Balsas" (Lithuanian: My Voice), organized by the Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Juozaitis assumes interventionist positions on the economy, in favor of progressive taxation and publicly funded healthcare, but also described homosexuality as a "social experiment" and a "fad".[3]

Juozaitis supports strengthening Lithuania's ties with Latvia and teaching the Latvian language in Lithuanian schools,[4] and formation of a Lithuanian-Latvian confederation.[5] He also supported a Lithuanian partnership with the Law and Justice government in Poland against the European Union.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Arvydas Juozaitis". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b Juozaitis, Arvydas (17 August 2018). "Kandidatuoti apsisprendęs Arvydas Juozaitis: matau skilusią – dviejų gyvenimų Lietuvą". Delfi (in Lithuanian).
  3. ^ "Arvydas Juozaitis". Mano balsas.
  4. ^ Juozaitis, Arvydas (1 July 2018). "Metas vienyti Lietuvos ir Latvijos ateitį". Delfi (in Lithuanian).
  5. ^ Juozaitis, Arvydas (31 July 2018). "Lietuva ir Latvija. Palaiminta sandrauga". Alkas (in Lithuanian).