Landsbergis, Vytautas (1932– )

Lithuanian conservative politician, president 1990–93. He became active in nationalist politics in 1988, founding and eventually chairing the anticommunist Sajudis independence movement in 1988. When Sajudis swept to victory in the republic's elections in March 1990, Landsbergis chaired the Supreme Council of Lithuania, becoming, in effect, president. He immediately drafted the republic's declaration of independence from the USSR, which, after initial Soviet resistance, was recognized in September 1991. Between 1996 and 2000, he was chair of Lithuania's parliament. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 1997 and was elected to the European Parliament in 2004.

Born in Kaunas, Landsbergis was educated at the Vilnius Conservatoire where he later taught, and is a recognized composer and musicologist. He served as the leader of the Council of the Baltic States 1990–92. He formed the Homeland Union in 1993, a right-of-centre conservative force to replace Sajudis, and his party went on to win the 1996 general election.