11 Facts About Justas Paleckis

Justas Paleckis was nominal acting president of Lithuania after the Soviet invasion while Lithuania was still ostensibly independent, in office from 17 June to 3 August 1940.

Justas Paleckis then remained the head of state of the Lithuanian SSR until 1967.

Justas Paleckis later voiced opposition to the ruling elite in Lithuania; in this way, he became a suitable candidate for the Lithuanian communists to become the leader of Lithuania in the Soviets' planned takeover of the country in 1940.

Justas Paleckis had connections to the Lithuanian Communist Party from the early 1930s.

Dekanozov and Justas Paleckis brought a number of non-Communists into the first "People's government".

Since regaining independence in 1990, Lithuania has maintained that since Smetona never resigned, Merkys and Justas Paleckis had no legitimate claim to the presidency, rendering all acts leading up to the Soviet annexation ipso facto void.

Justas Paleckis remained as head of state, a post which was named Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR, until 1967.

Justas Paleckis signed documents and, as a representative of Soviet Russia, took responsibility for the deportations.

Justas Paleckis served as Chairman of the Soviet of Nationalities from 1966 to 1970.

Justas Paleckis's son Justas Vincas Paleckis is a politician and Member of the European Parliament and an active politician.

Justas Paleckis was awarded the Hero of Socialist Labour of the Soviet Union.