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Ausrine Armonaite

Former Minister of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania (Writing Residency)
The End of "Normal Times” or a “New Normal”?
01 February 2025 - 28 February 2025
Political science
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Ausrine Armonaite is a Lithuanian politician who served as the country's Minister of Economy and Innovation from 2020 to 2024. From 2019 to 2024, she was the chairperson of the progressive social liberal Freedom Party (Laisvės partija) and served in the Parliament of Lithuania from 2016 to 2024. Her political work primarily focused on promoting liberal values, economic innovation, and human rights. Armonaite first became involved in professional politics as a city councilor in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2015, at the age of 26. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis and Administration, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Vilnius University.

In February 2025, she joins the IAS for a one-month writing residenc

Research Interests

Public Policy, Political Economy, Crisis Management

The End of "Normal Times” or a “New Normal”?

A review of the past decade in Europe reveals a pattern of continuous turbulence and crises: the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the 2014 annexation of Crimea, the 2015 illegal migration crisis, the 2016 Brexit vote, the 2020 COVID pandemic, and Russia's 2022 war in Ukraine. Each of these events has had significant implications for economies, political systems, and societal well-being.

The notion of “normal times” has concluded, necessitating recognition and action from policymakers. These circumstances require leaders, rather than bureaucrats.

The article retrospectively analyzes three crises and their management by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania: COVID-19, Chinese coercive measures in bilateral trade, and energy price inflation resulting from the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Despite the fundamentally different nature of these crises, management often follows similar patterns. The recurring stages observed across all three crises include: after shock, uncertainty, and chaos come temporary measures implemented to buy time then the development of long-term solutions to address persistent issues. Ultimately, each crisis presented new opportunities that were successfully converted into achievements.

Hopefully, the article will assist leaders encountering similar challenges in their pursuit of solutions.

Talk by Ausrine Armonaite (Former Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation / Paris IAS Fellow) as part of the "Paris IAS Ideas" series
07 Feb 2025 14:40 -
07 Feb 2025 15:20,
The End of "Normal Times” or a “New Normal”?

33519
2024-2025