Dainius Kreivys
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Dainius Kreivys | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 13th Minister for Energy of Lithuania | |
| Assumed office 11 December 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Ingrida Šimonytė |
| Preceded by | Žygimantas Vaičiūnas |
| Member of the Seimas | |
| Assumed office 14 November 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Constituency | Verkiai |
| In office 16 November 2012 – 13 November 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Raimondas Šukys |
| Succeeded by | Vytautas Kernagis |
| Constituency | Fabijoniškės |
| 20th Minister for Economy of Lithuania | |
| In office 9 December 2008 – 17 March 2011 | |
| President | Valdas Adamkus Dalia Grybauskaitė |
| Prime Minister | Andrius Kubilius |
| Preceded by | Vytas Navickas |
| Succeeded by | Rimantas Žylius |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 April 1970 Jonava, Lithuania |
| Political party | Homeland Union |
| Spouse | Dalia Kreivienė |
| Alma mater | Baltic Management Institute, BMI Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences |
Dainius Kreivys (born 8 April 1970 in Jonava) is a Lithuanian politician who served as the Minister of Economy of Lithuania from 2008 to 2011 and is a member of Seimas since 2012. He is a member of the conservative political party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.
On 7 December 2020, he was approved to be the Minister of Energy in the Šimonytė Cabinet.[1]
Political career
Minister of Economy (2009-2011)
D. Kreivys took the position as minister of economy in December 2008 and mostly focused on business support measures during the economic crisis[1][2], simplification of business regulation[3][4] and improvement of the investment environment.
The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania supervised the implementation of business support plan, introduced in 2009 to help businesses survive the impact of the economic crisis.
D. Kreivys initiated public procurement reform and supervised its implementation[5]. The reform aimed to increase procurement efficiency, transparency and economize tax payers’ money by centralization, moving online, making all the data available online. During the first year of the reform, the priced in public procurement fell by a third[6]. The reform resulted in the saving of 3.1 billion LTL of taxpayers' money in two years[7].
Following OECD recommendations, D. Kreivys initiated the reform of state-owned enterprises[8] (SOE reform) which aimed to depoliticize state-owned asset management, increase transparency, efficiency and returns to the state of SOEs[9]. As part of the reform, Ministry of Economy published the first annual review of Lithuanian state-owned commercial property in 2010, which revealed that state-owned enterprises managed about 17.3 billion LTL worth of commercial property, bringing only about 30 million LTL to the state budget as dividends[10]. The review was followed by the adoption of Transparency Guidelines that required all state-owned enterprises to prepare annual and interim financial statements, to make public the company's goals and objectives, financial and other performance, number of employees, salary funds, monthly salary of company executives and their deputies, purchases and investments made[11]. As a result of SOE reform, Governance Coordination Centre was founded to promote the introduction of good governance principles at SOEs[12]; SOEs returns to the state increased up to 149 million euros in 2019[13].
D. Kreivys aimed to make Lithuania Northern European hub for Shared Service centres[14]. Together with the then Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, D. Kreivys initiated launches of the first large global service centres - Barclays, Western Union[15] and others – in Lithuania[16][17]. Today, there are 81 global business service centre in Lithuania[18].
In 2010, seeking to increase foreign direct investment and improve investment environment, Kreivys initiated Investment Advisory Council[19]. The Council, composed of chief executive officers of global companies, submitted its recommendations to the Lithuanian Government on investment policies and regulations[20].
Resignation
In March 2011, The Chief Official Ethics Commission has ruled that D. Kreivys, while allocating EU financial support to schools, has not fulfilled the statutory requirement to avoid conflicts of interest and to act in order to avoid any doubt that such a conflict exists. After President Dalia Grybauskaitė publicly expressed her distrust of the Minister, D. Kreivys resigned.[21] D. Grybauskaite’s sudden public criticism of D. Kreivys was allegedly aimed at the conservative party and weakening their positions before the upcoming local administration elections. It was also questioned whether D. Kreivys resignation was instigated by business representatives, dissatisfied by his reforms in public procurement[22].
Target of slander campaign
In 2018, Lithuanian media published material, presented by the State Security Department of Lithuania to the Parliament’s National Security and Defense Committee[23], on activities of MG Baltic, one of the biggest business groups in Lithuania. The document covers groups’ activities in 2006-2017 that aimed to influence authorities in various illegal ways (collecting confidential or compromising information, bribery, blackmailing, manipulating information) in order to secure financial benefits and power[24].
The findings of the material recognized MG Baltic as a threat to national security because of its destructive activities[25].
State Security Department’s material states, that Minister of Economy D. Kreivys was one of MG Baltic targets since he did not make decisions that were beneficial to MG Baltic. As means of influence, MG Baltic representatives disseminated information that compromised and slandered D. Kreivys through the media controlled by MG Baltic. D. Kreivys was then forced to resign[26].
[1] https://www.15min.lt/verslas/naujiena/finansai/kreivys-didziuojasi-ekonomikos-skatinimo-planas-veikia-662-63936
[2] https://www.lrytas.lt/verslas/rinkos-pulsas/2009/11/10/news/d-kreivys-skatinimo-planas-veikia-kai-kurios-priemones-stringa-del-banku-ir-europos-instituciju-kaltes--5753379/
[3] https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/ukio-ministerijos-akiratyje-masinis-nereikalingu-licenciju-naikinimas-56-62943
[4] https://eimin.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/lietuva-pagal-doing-business-vertinima-soktelejo-trimis-pozicijomis-aukstyn
[5] https://eimin.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/vyriausybes-siekis-efektyvi-ir-skaidri-viesuju-pirkimu-sistema-iki-2013-metu
[6] https://eimin.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/prasidejusios-viesuju-pirkimu-reformos-rezultatai-skaidresni-ir-trecdaliu-atpige-viesieji-pirkimai
[7] http://www.veidas.lt/doras-krikscionis-atsukes-kairiji-skruosta
[8] https://www.delfi.lt/news/ringas/politics/dkreivys-apie-valstybiniu-imoniu-valdyma-arba-kai-treneris-yra-ir-teisejas.d?id=35880325
[9] https://governance.lt/en/apie-mus/
[10] https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/verslas/dainius-kreivys-valstybinems-imonems-teks-iseiti-i-saulekaita-n448834
[11] https://eimin.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/vyriausybe-sieks-valstybes-valdomu-imoniu-veiklos-skaidrumo-ir-efektyvumo
[12] https://governance.lt/en/apie-mus/
[13] https://governance.lt/en/
[14] https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/dkreivio-uzduotis-2011-m-2-tarptautines-kompanijos-3-paslaugu-centrai.d?id=41857687
[15] https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/dkreivys-derames-su-keliomis-labai-rimtomis-kompanijomis.d?id=38593901
[16] https://www.15min.lt/verslas/naujiena/bendroves/d.kreivys-barclays-pirmoji-kregzde-663-58995
[17] https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/barclays-i-lietuva-atvedes-kreivys-banko-pasitraukima-aiskina-talentu-trukumu-ukio-ministras-problemos-nemato.d?id=79775803
[18] https://investlithuania.com/key-sectors/gbs/
[19] https://eimin.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/investiciju-skatinimas-patyrusiu-ekspertu-rankose
[20] https://sekunde.lt/leidinys/old_turinys/nuo-darbu-prie-zodziu/
[21] https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.394240
[22] http://www.veidas.lt/doras-krikscionis-atsukes-kairiji-skruosta
[23] https://www.15min.lt/tema/vsd-pazyma-apie-mg-baltic-75328
[24] https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/211746/vsd-desimtmeti-stebejo-mg-baltic-nutekinta-pazyma-atskleidzia-ne-tik-apie-sava-partija
[25] https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/lietuva/vsd-pazyma-mg-baltic-tapo-gresme-nacionaliniam-saugumui-n958013
[26] https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/vsd-pazyma-be-uztusavimu-ivardyti-visi-mg-baltic-uzgaidas-vykde-politikai-valstybes-instituciju-vadai-rektoriai-teisejai-prokurorai-56-980836
Conflict of interest
In 2011 Kreivys resigned as minister of the economy following public comment from President Grybauskaitė[2] that he had lost confidence due to conflict of interest following inquiries by European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and Chief Official Ethics Commission of Lithuania for approving European Union (EU) funding for a nation-wide school renovation program benefiting business interests of his immediate family.[3] While minister Kreivys granted 6 million litas (~1.74 million euros) of EU funding to a company formally owned by his mother but was controlled by Kreivys directly immediately before and after his ministerial asignment.[4]
Official Ethics Commission stated in its findings, among other points, that Kreivys failed to conform to the law requiring public servants to declare their private interests in a timely manner and supplied incorrect data pertaining to a possible conflict of interest. Kreivys attempted to sue the Chief Official Ethics Commission and lost.[5] Kreivys was subsequently also found guilty of a conflict of interest in 2013 by the OLAF for formally transferring his business interests to his mother, granting her EU funding thanks to his position as minister of the economy and, after leaving the ministerial post, formally re-acquiring the business interests from her. OLAF demanded Lithuanian government return the funding granted[6] (the funding was never returned by the Kreivys family companies); commented that the public procurement tender by Municipality of Vilnius won by Kreivienė's company was also unlawful; and commented that the person who chose the tender winner later became Kreivys' ministerial advisor.[7]
Kreivys was also implicated in alleged influence peddling while minister of the economy on behalf of BOD Group, a solar energy business, which resulted in 14 million euros in EU funding for the company in 2009.[8][9] The matter was still being decided by the prosecutor general as late as 2020.
In 2011, after Kreivys left his ministerial assignment, his mother's businesses were granted 1 million litas (289,620 euros) of EU funding for training purposes by two other conservative government ministers, in an alleged conflict of interest.
In 2017, Kreivys was noted to have been spending his parliamentary vehicle allowance renting a car from a company owned by himself.[10]
In 2018, Kreivys companies were noted to have used creative accounting to maximize their benefit from Lithuania’s solar power subsidies, taking advantage of a loophole capping subsidies per company but not per ultimate beneficiary.[11]
In 2020, a Kreivys company was convicted of construction based on an unlawful permit in Vilnius and would have had to demolish the building; however it signed a peace agreement with the Municipality of Vilnius and was spared. The company built apartments instead of a public building with social apartments for low-income citizens on its upper floors.[12] Before becoming minister again in 2020, Kreivys' potential conflicts of interest were the main topic of discussion with President Nausėda.[13]
Minister of Energy
D. Kreivys was appointed minister of energy in December 2020. A month before his official appointment as a minister of energy D. Kreivys stated his policy objectives, which included the implementation of anti-Ostrovets law, the smooth execution of the synchronization project and the realisation of the green transition.[1]
[1] https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/i-energetikos-ministro-posta-siulomas-kreivys-sprendimas-nebuvo-paprastas.d?id=85763609
Patriotism
D. Kreivys’ family included a number of Lithuanian freedom fighters. His grandfather, Viktoras Kreivys, was a volunteer in 1918 when Lithuania declared its independence. Grandfather's brother, father's uncle Augustas Kreivys was a Lithuanian volunteer killed in one of the battles for Lithuania’s independence. His mother's uncle Ksaveras Stepšys was a partisan killed in 1949 during Lithuanian guerrilla warfare against the Soviet Union in 1944–1953.
D. Kreivys is referred to as a passionate patriot of Lithuania[1]. D. Kreivys was actively involved in Lithuania’s rise for restored independence: he was member of Lithuanian National Youth Union ‘Jaunoji Lietuva’ (1988-1993)[2], collected and returned Soviet military tickets, participated in all rallies, protests and marches against Soviet occupation (for instance, demolition of monuments of the Soviet figures in Lithuania). His son Daumantas is named after the pseudonym of one of the leaders of the anti-Soviet Lithuanian partisan armed resistance movement, Juozas Lukša-Daumantas.
[1] https://www.15min.lt/verslas/naujiena/energetika/d-kreivys-nuobodus-katalikas-ir-sovietu-paminklu-griovejas-po-skandalingo-atsistatydinimo-griztantis-i-vyriausybe-664-1410232
[2] https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=35299&p_k=1&p_a=498&p_asm_id=24048
Personal life
D. Kreivys is married. His wife Dalia is an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. The couple have a son, Daumantas, and a daughter, Gabrielė Marija.
Family wealth
Kreivys and his wife (director of external economic policy at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania) were ranked as 4th and 5th wealthiest politicians & public servants in 2020.[14] Kreivys' mother Florentina Kreivienė was ranked as the 5th wealthiest woman in Lithuania in 2011 with a net worth of more than 49 million euros.[15]
Religion
D. Kreivys is a practicing Catholic.
In 2009 Kreivys was revealed as member of Opus Dei together with Rokas Masiulis and other Lithuanian politicians.[16] The way media outlet’s article was written raised questions about its objectivity and whether it was aimed at discrediting D. Kreivys’ reputation.[1]
[1] https://www.bernardinai.lt/2009-12-23-tomas-viluckas-kuo-nusikalto-dainius-kreivys/
References
- ^ "President approves makeup of Simonyte Cabinet". DELFI. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Prezidentė: D.Kreivys yra politiškai susikompromitavęs ir turi atsistatydinti". Diena.lt. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "VTEK". old.vtek.lt. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ "D.Kreivys iš savo mamos atsiėmė verslą, kuris jam kainavo ūkio ministro postą". Delfi.lt. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "D.Kreivys pralaimėjo karą su VTEK – teismas galutinai atmetė eksministro skundą". Delfi.lt. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "VPT smūgis D. Kreiviui: eksministro verslas konkursus laimėjo pažeidžiant įstatymą". lrt.lt. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- ^ "Delfi". Delfi.lt. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "Generalinė prokuratūra atnaujina tyrimą dėl galimai pasisavintų ES paramos milijonų". alfa.lt. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- ^ "Konservatoriaus Kreivio globotiems verslo projektams – teisėsaugos smūgis". alfa.lt. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- ^ "Konservatoriaus D. Kreivio automobilio nuoma – iš savo bendrovės". delfi.lt. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Bruzdesį sukėlė vieša paslaptis: saulė pildo ir skaidraus konservatoriaus D. Kreivio kišenę". lrytas.lt. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Kandidato į ministrus Dainiaus Kreivio verslo sėkmė: neteisėtos statybos baigėsi taikos sutartimi". lrt.lt.
- ^ "D. Kreivys prezidentui turėjo aiškintis dėl savo interesų". Diena.lt. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "TOP 200 turtingiausių politikų ir tarnautojų: R.Karbauskio turtas išaugo 52 proc., dominuoja Klaipėdos verslininkai ir valdžios atstovų sutuoktiniai". 15min.lt. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "50 turtingiausių Lietuvos moterų". TV3.lt. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "Dievo darbininkai iš „Opus Dei" žarsto ir žemiškas gėrybes". lrytas.lt.
- Dainius Kreivys (Minister of Economy). Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
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