Raisa Šarkienė Responds to Criticism Over Birthday Party Funding

The Financial Contrast Between Pension Claims and Party Luxury

The controversy stems from a previous appearance by Sarkiene on the TV3 show “Be Tabu,” where she detailed her financial struggles. According to reporting from lrytas.lt and delfi.lt, Sarkiene told the program that her pension is 485 euros, which, when combined with a 50-euro single-person allowance, totals 535 euros. During that segment, she questioned members of the Seimas (Parliament) on how a pensioner could survive on such an amount, noting that she often shops in the mornings to take advantage of discounts because she can no longer afford many luxuries.

This public admission of financial hardship became a point of contention after details of her 70th birthday jubilee emerged. Sarkiene addressed these critics directly, referring to them as “stupid” and explaining that her sons were responsible for the entire cost of the event. She stated that her children take care of her and provided the party as a gift, adding that she knows exactly how much it cost but prefers not to disclose the figure to avoid further criticism from other elderly women.

Event Highlights and High-Value Gifts

The celebration was characterized by high-end entertainment and significant gifts. Sarkiene described the evening as one of the best parties she had ever seen, highlighted by a professional striptease performance that left the women in the room “going crazy.” The event also featured a performance by the popular singer Radzi and was hosted by Raimondas, a close friend who Sarkiene noted provides his services to her for free.

The gifts received during the jubilee further fueled the public debate. Sarkiene confirmed to tv3.lt that she received a large amount of money and various presents, including blue fur coats that cost 860 euros even with a discount. She also described her room as being filled with so many flowers that there was no place to sit, mentioning that neighbors joked she could sell them at the market.

Political Reactions to the Pension Gap

According to delfi.lt, Member of Parliament Virgilijus Alekna admitted the amount is very small and that the state should take it into account. Laurynas Kasčiūnas added that pensions need to be significantly higher to reach standards seen in countries like Germany.

Mindaugas Sinkevicius, the Minister-President, characterized the sum as “unbearably small,” suggesting it might fall below the poverty line when accounting for housing, heating, and medication. Sinkevicius stated that living on such an amount would be an “experiment” consisting mostly of eating potatoes and pasta, and he promised that pensions are planned to increase by at least ten percent.

Logistics and Community Support

Sarkiene credited Violeta Fominiene, the Salininkai elder, for helping decorate the hall, noting that Fominiene brought in an acquaintance to keep the costs low. The catering was provided by the “Sigmutė” restaurant, which Sarkiene praised for its large portions and quality service, noting that there was so much food left over that she shared it with her neighbors.

Despite the late-night festivities, which lasted until 1:30 AM, Sarkiene stated she did not consume alcohol during her own party, sticking only to coffee. She concluded that the guests’ reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with many calling her to say they had never seen a party like it, even compared to weddings and other major celebrations.