The presidium of the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), which met on Friday, decided to initiate early general elections amid a municipal expenses scandal that has touched several conservative ministers.
If Seimas does not approve the early elections, TS-LKD would consider the resignation of the entire government of Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, the ruling conservative party said.
The first point adopted by the party recommends to the TS-LKD group in the Seimas to submit as soon as possible changes to the regulation of the expenses of municipal councils, which would introduce a common standard of transparency and accountability in all Lithuanian municipalities.
The second point proposes to initiate early general elections as soon as possible.
Finally, the third point says that TS-LKD would consider the resignation of the entire government if the early elections initiative is not supported by the Seimas.
Asked about the early elections initiative, the TS-LKD deputy leader said that the party believes that it is about the public’s trust in the entire political system.
“This is for the people to assess. Whoever will have a mandate of trust after the next elections, will be able to ensure these standards. If this initiative is not approved by the Seimas, then we will consider changes in the government,” Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė said.
The decision to convene a meeting of the party’s presidium was announced by Gabrielius Landsbergis, leader of TS-LKD, at a press conference on Friday morning.
“We’ve heard the decision of the party, not the head of the government. It’s not right to turn the problem of three ministers into a parliament’s problem. The prime minister should take decisions and responsibility for the future of the government,” Ridas Jasiulionis, advisor to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, said after TS-LKD’s presidium.
The Lithuanian government has plunged into a crisis after Andrius Tapinas, a journalist and an internet media personality, reported that education, culture, and finance ministers received thousands of euros as members of the Kaunas City Council and failed to provide receipts for their work-related expenses.
The council’s regulations do not require councillors to provide receipts for what they have spent their advances on. However, Landsbergis said earlier on Friday that most politicians fail to meet the standards of transparency demanded by the public.
On Thursday, Education, Science and Sport Minister Jurgita Šiugždinienė said she had handed in her resignation letter to Prime Minister Šimonytė.
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