Vytautas Petrulis

Who was Vytautas Petrulis?

Vytautas Petrulis was a Lithuanian politician, one of the main figures in the Lithuanian Christian Democrats party, and an accountant. He is often nicknamed "the father of the Litas" as it was during his term as Minister of Finance that the Lithuanian litas was introduced.

In the summer of 1918, Petrulis became a member of State Council of Lithuania. Later he was acting Minister of Finances in the 3rd Cabinet of Lithuania. He was Minister of Finance, Trade and Industry in the 7th, 8th, and 9th cabinets. In the 10th cabinet he was appointed as Minister of Finance. He was Prime Minister of Lithuania in the 11th Cabinet, also acting as Minister of Finances.

On July 11, 1940 he was arrested by the Soviets and sent to the Kaunas Prison. In 1942, he was executed by firing squad near Uchta.