10 Facts About Antanas Merkys

Antanas Merkys was the last Prime Minister of independent Lithuania, serving from November 1939 to June 1940.

In 1932, German demands prompted his removal as Governor and Antanas Merkys returned to practising law.

Antanas Merkys became Mayor of Kaunas in 1933 and served in this position until 1939.

Antanas Merkys suggested accepting the ultimatum and offered to resign as prime minister, but he temporarily remained in office.

Antanas Merkys agreed to Soviet demands that Smetona be arrested, but was unsuccessful in doing so.

The day after Smetona's departure, Antanas Merkys announced on national radio that he had removed Smetona and was now president in his own right.

Antanas Merkys resigned later that day, making Paleckis acting president as well.

In 1954, during the period of de-Stalinization, Antanas Merkys was released from prison, but not allowed to return to Lithuania.

Antanas Merkys lived in Vladimir until his death the following year, on 5 March 1955.

Subsequently, his grave could not be located, but a symbolic cenotaph dedicated to Antanas Merkys' memory is in the Petrasiunai Cemetery in Kaunas.