# Rolandas Paksas > Lithuanian politician (born 1956) **Wikidata**: [Q296956](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296956) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolandas_Paksas) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rolandas-paksas ## Summary Rolandas Paksas is a Lithuanian politician and former president of Lithuania, born in 1956. He is known for being the youngest person ever elected president of Lithuania and for his political affiliation with the Order and Justice party. His career also includes a notable role as a former aerobatics pilot before entering politics. ## Biography - Born: June 10, 1956 - Nationality: Lithuania - Education: Graduated from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University; also studied at Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation - Known for: Serving as the President of Lithuania from 2003 to 2004 and for his leadership in the Order and Justice political party - Employer(s): [not specified in source] - Field(s): Politics, Government, Civil Aviation ## Contributions Rolandas Paksas has made several key contributions: - **Political Leadership**: He served as the fourth President of Lithuania from January 2003 to April 2004, during which he was impeached and removed from office — becoming the first president in the country's history to be impeached. - **Founding of Political Party**: He founded the political party "Order and Justice" (inception dates: March 9, 2002 or March 19, 2002), which played a significant role in Lithuanian politics. - **Aviation Career**: Prior to entering politics, Paksas was a professional aerobatics pilot and held multiple national titles in aerobatics flying. ## FAQs ### What is Rolandas Paksas known for? Rolandas Paksas is best known for serving as the President of Lithuania from 2003 to 2004 and for founding the political party "Order and Justice." He was also recognized as a skilled aerobatics pilot prior to his political career. ### Where did Rolandas Paksas study? He studied at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, both institutions with strong ties to civil aviation and technical education. ### Which political party did Rolandas Paksas lead? Paksas founded and led the political party "Order and Justice," which became a significant force in Lithuanian politics. ### How did Rolandas Paksas become prominent in politics? His rise in politics was marked by his election as President of Lithuania in 2003, though his tenure was short-lived due to impeachment. He later established himself as a key figure in the Lithuanian political landscape through his party leadership. ### What were the major milestones in Rolandas Paksas's career? Key milestones include his presidency (2003–2004), his role as founder and leader of the Order and Justice party, and his earlier career as an aerobatics pilot. ## Why They Matter Rolandas Paksas matters because he represents a unique intersection of technical expertise, political ambition, and public controversy. As the only Lithuanian president to be impeached, he marked a pivotal moment in the nation's democratic history. His leadership of the Order and Justice party also shaped the political discourse in Lithuania, especially around issues of governance reform and anti-corruption efforts. His influence extends beyond national borders due to his visibility in European politics and his earlier fame as a sportsman-pilot. ## Notable For - Being the youngest person elected as President of Lithuania - Founding the political party "Order and Justice" - Serving as President of Lithuania from 2003 to 2004 before being impeached - Being a former professional aerobatics pilot and national champion in aerobatics - First Lithuanian president to be removed from office through impeachment ## Body ### Early Life and Education Rolandas Paksas was born on June 10, 1956. He pursued higher education at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU), a public university located in Vilnius, Lithuania, known for its technical and engineering programs. Additionally, he had academic ties to the Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, an institution specializing in civil aviation training under the Federal Air Transport Agency in Russia. ### Political Career Paksas entered politics and became a significant figure in Lithuanian governance. He founded the political party "Order and Justice" on either March 9 or March 19, 2002. The party gained prominence in national politics, particularly focusing on issues related to justice and transparency in government. In 2003, Paksas was elected the fourth President of Lithuania, marking a historic moment as the youngest individual to assume the presidency. However, his term was cut short when he was impeached in April 2004, making him the first president in Lithuanian history to be removed from office through impeachment. This event underscored tensions in the country’s political climate and highlighted the fragility of executive power in transitional democracies. ### Pre-Political Career: Aviation and Sports Before entering politics, Rolandas Paksas was known as a professional aerobatics pilot. He achieved national recognition in aerobatics competitions and was considered one of Lithuania's top pilots. His aviation background contributed to his public profile and provided a foundation for his later political persona. ### Political Party Leadership: Order and Justice As the founder and leader of the "Order and Justice" party, Paksas steered the organization toward a platform emphasizing legal reforms and ethical governance. The party became influential in shaping policy discussions in the early 2000s, particularly in challenging corruption and advocating for institutional accountability. ### Legacy and Impact The legacy of Rolandas Paksas is complex, marked by both political highs and lows. As the only impeached president in Lithuania’s history, his tenure left a lasting impression on the country’s political consciousness. His leadership during a critical period of post-Soviet transition reflects the evolving nature of Lithuanian democracy and the challenges of executive governance in a young republic. Paksas's influence also resonates through his continued political activism and leadership of his party, which remains a reference point in contemporary Lithuanian politics. Despite controversies, his contributions to public discourse and institutional critique have left an indelible mark on the Baltic state's political landscape. ## References 1. Members of the European Parliament 2. [Source](https://www.lrs.lt/docs3/kad4/w3_lrs.seimo_nariu_sarasas-p_kade_id=4&p_kalb_id=1&p_int_tv_id=784.htm) 3. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1) 4. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154) 5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 6. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 7. Munzinger Personen 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. Virtual International Authority File