Lithuania is facing a government crisis, says Seimas Speaker Saulius Skvernelis, as scrutiny over the prime minister’s business affairs is blocking effective government work.
“We’re facing a real government crisis,” Skvernelis, who leads the Democrats “For Lithuania” party, a junior partner in the ruling coalition . “It’s problematic for Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas to continue in his role.”
“Instead of focusing on political agendas and delivering on platforms, all attention is, unfortunately, centred on Prime Minister Paluckas personally,” he added.
The politician said his party convened a board meeting, which was attended by 35 of 41 members – and everyone backed this position.
“Therefore, our party’s board has asked our coalition partners to convene the coalition council to address the situation and find a way out of the crisis,” he said.
Skvernelis believes the coalition of Social Democrats, Democrats “For Lithuania” and the Nemunas Dawn can still function effectively, but he does not rule out pulling out.
In response to the controversy and calls by President Gitanas Nausėda, Paluckas said on Wednesday that he had decided to seek a vote of confidence in the Seimas.
Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, the opposition announced plans to call an extraordinary session of the parliament and perhaps even launching impeachment proceedings against the prime minister.
Skvernelis said he could not guarantee that his party would support Paluckas in any such vote.
“We can’t guarantee how we’ll vote, and we have to make it clear to our partners. Unfortunately, I have to say I don’t know how members of our political group would vote if such an issue were put on the Seimas agenda,” the Seimas speaker said.
Skvernelis also believes that replacing the prime minister would invalidate the coalition agreement.
“I think so. The coalition agreement names several specific individuals, and changing one could lead to changes in other names, portfolios and even parties,” he said.
Still, the speaker believes that the centre-left coalition, led by the Social Democratic Party, would continue ruling Lithuania until the next election.
The ruling majority, formed after last October’s general election, consists of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Nemunas Dawn party and the Democrats “For Lithuania”. The three parties hold 86 seats in the 141-member Seimas.
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