Mykolas Sleževičius
Lithuanian lawyer, political figure / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Mykolas Sleževičius?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Mykolas Sleževičius (21 February 1882 – 11 November 1939) was a Lithuanian lawyer, political and cultural figure, and journalist. One of the most influential figures in inter-war Lithuania, he served as the prime minister of Lithuania on three occasions. Taking the helm of the government at a difficult time in 1918 and again in 1919, Sleževičius has been credited with preparing Lithuania for the fights to come and for laying the foundations of the fledgling state.
Mykolas Sleževičius | |
---|---|
2nd, 4th and 11th Prime Minister of Lithuania | |
In office 26 December 1918 – 12 March 1919 | |
Preceded by | Augustinas Voldemaras |
Succeeded by | Pranas Dovydaitis |
In office 12 April 1919 – 7 October 1919 | |
President | Antanas Smetona |
Preceded by | Pranas Dovydaitis |
Succeeded by | Ernestas Galvanauskas |
In office 15 June 1926 – 17 December 1926 | |
President | Kazys Grinius |
Preceded by | Leonas Bistras |
Succeeded by | Augustinas Voldemaras |
Minister of Justice | |
In office 15 June 1926 – 17 December 1926 | |
Prime Minister | Himself |
Preceded by | Vincas Karoblis |
Succeeded by | Petras Karvelis |
Personal details | |
Born | (1882-02-21)21 February 1882 Drembliai village, Kovno Governorate, Russian Empire (now Lithuania) |
Died | 11 November 1939(1939-11-11) (aged 57) Kaunas, Lithuania |
Resting place | Petrašiūnai Cemetery |
Political party | Lithuanian Democratic Party |
Other political affiliations | Lithuanian Popular Socialist Democratic Party Lithuanian Popular Peasants' Union |
Spouse | Domicėlė Sleževičienė |
Children | Marytė Sleževičiūtė |
Alma mater | Odessa University |
Sleževičius was elected to the Lithuanian parliament, initially the Constituent Assembly, later the Seimas, on four occasions. In 1926, as a representative of the Lithuanian Popular Peasants' Union, Sleževičius became the prime minister for a third time. His government introduced important changes aimed at normalizing the situation in Lithuania, but the reforms faced resistance from the Catholic clergy, military officers and the parliamentary opposition. The resistance culminated in a military coup d'état in December 1926, which brought to power the authoritarian rule of Antanas Smetona. Sleževičius continued participating in the activities of his party but never again regained his previous influence.