The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party approved Zigmantas Balcytis as a candidate for European Commissioner with the president, said Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius.
The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party approved Zigmantas Balcytis as a candidate for European Commissioner with the president, said Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius.
“We spoke about the potential candidates about a month ago, furthermore, decided to return to the issue after the presidential elections. I do not want to mention specific names. We discussed some three or four. Today we can talk about Zigmantas Balcytis as a candidate in the presidential election campaign,” Butkevicius told Ziniu Radijas Thursday morning.
Butkevicius said, preferred European commissioners candidate should have a background as prime ministers or ministers.
“Balcytis has served as the minister of finance, transport and communications and [as] an acting prime minister. Yes, he ‘de facto’ meets the criteria, but we have more people who could handle the position,” Butkevicius said.
In April, the Social Democrats said they were not considering candidates for the European Commission.
President Dalia Grybauskaite revealed that the conversation with the prime minister took place on LNK television Wednesday but did not share a personal opinion on Balcytis’ candidacy as Lithuania’s representative European Commissioner.
The term of Lithuania’s current commissioner, Algirdas Semeta, who leads issues relating to taxes and anti-fraud measures, is due to expire in the fall.
By law, European Commission candidates are appointed after presidential and Seimas approval.
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