VILNIUS - Arturas Zuokas said on Monday that he has no intention to resign as Vilnius mayor despite having fallen out of favor with President Valdas Adamkus.
"Firstly, I have suspended my powers as party leader, as it was mentioned in the president's statement," he said in a radio interview. "And what concerns my position at the municipality, this, without a doubt, will depend on the faction's and council members' confidence and joint work. For me personally and for my colleagues, it is of utmost importance to retain Vilnius City Council capable of working," Zuokas said.
Zuokas has been bogged down in a war of accusations with Viktor Uspaskich, who resigned this week from his positions as economy minister and MP. The two men, both millionaires, accused each other of using his public office for supporting private interests, and their exchange became so vitriolic that the president felt compelled to ask both men to resign for the sake of the country.
