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Soviet Lithuanian politician (1929–2019) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ringaudas Bronislovas Songaila (20 April 1929[1] – 25[citation needed] June 2019)[2] was an official of the Lithuanian SSR nomenclatura. In 1987–1988, he was the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Lithuania or the de facto head of state.
Ringaudas Songaila | |
---|---|
First Secretary of the Communist Party of Lithuania | |
In office 1 December 1987 – 19 October 1988 | |
Preceded by | Petras Griškevičius |
Succeeded by | Algirdas Brazauskas |
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR | |
In office 24 December 1975 – 16 January 1981 | |
Preceded by | Antanas Barkauskas |
Succeeded by | Lionginas Šepetys |
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Lithuanian SSR | |
In office 16 January 1981 – 18 November 1985 | |
Preceded by | Juozas Maniušis |
Succeeded by | Vytautas Sakalauskas |
Personal details | |
Born | Klaipėda, Lithuania | 20 April 1929
Died | 25 June 2019 90)[citation needed] Trakai, Lithuania[citation needed] | (aged
Political party | Communist Party of Lithuania |
Occupation | veterinarian politician |
Songaila was born in Klaipėda. He graduated from a veterinary school and within five years became a deputy of the Minister of Agriculture. In 1962, at the age of 33, he became Minister of Production of Agricultural Products and Resources.[2] In agriculture, he worked on increasing the size of kolkhozs (collective farms), increasing centralization and specialization of agricultural production, elimination of khutors (single homesteads), and implementation of land improvements.[3] Songaila was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania (1962–1981), Chairman of the Council of Ministers (1981–1985; equivalent to Prime Minister), Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR (1985–1987; de jure head of state),[4] and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Lithuania (December 1987 – October 1988; de facto head of state).[2]
He was described as a "bland" and indecisive but loyal communist who stayed away from political intrigues and showed interest only in agricultural matters.[2] When Songaila ordered KGB and Internal Troops to forcibly disperse a rally of the radical pro-independence Lithuanian Liberty League on 28 September 1988, he was forced to resign one month later.[5] He was replaced by Algirdas Brazauskas, who supported Sąjūdis movement and Lithuania's declaration of independence in March 1990.
After the resignation, Songaila retired from public life and died on 25[citation needed] June 2019 at the age of 90.[2] He was buried in the Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius.[6]
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