The leaders of three Lithuanian parliamentary groups are set to sign a coalition agreement on Thursday, paving the way for the formation of a new government.
The agreement will establish Lithuania's 21st government, which is expected to be led by Social Democratic Party chairman Mindaugas Sinkevičius as prime minister.
The Social Democrats, as the largest partner, will take nine of the fourteen ministries: Environment, Finance, Defence, Culture, Social Security and Labour, Transport, Education Science and Sport, Foreign Affairs, and Internal Affairs.
The Democrats “For Lithuania” centrist party is slated to receive the Ministries of Energy, Health and Agriculture.
The Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, running jointly with the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance, will retain the Ministries of Justice and Economy and Innovation.
Juozas Olekas will remain as Speaker of the Seimas, Lithuania's parliament.
The new coalition replaces a previous arrangement that included the populist Nemunas Dawn party. The Social Democrats terminated that partnership in early June and invited the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" to join the majority instead. The new coalition is expected to command 75 seats in the 141-seat Seimas.
The coalition agreement has already been approved by the governing councils of the Social Democratic Party and the Farmers and Greens Union. The Democrats' board is due to give its approval on Wednesday.
The draft agreement commits the coalition to pursuing centre-left, socially oriented, financially sustainable and investment-friendly policies, with partners pledging mutual respect, transparency and political responsibility, and undertaking to avoid public conflicts.
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