National Farmers' group went down to nine members

  • 2006-04-21
  • By TBT sraff
VILNIUS 's After MP Kazys Bobelis left the group of the ruling National Farmers' Union
Lithuania's new three-party ruling coalition no longer holds the majority of mandates in the parliament.
"Today is an important day in my political life, I have decided to change the political faction after 14 years in the Seimas and transfer to the Liberal Democratic Party group from today," Bobelis told on press conference on April 20.
Bobelis criticized the work of the National Farmerss group and the entire ruling majority, which, according to him, has done nothing to the benefit Lithuania during the two years in the office.
"I see that no progress has been made, the group has no ideological strategic position to do something for the benefit of Lithuania and is primarily engaged in fights for posts," said Bobelis.
After he left the National Farmers' group, the ruling coalition has 70 mandates in the 141-seat parliament.
Acording to BNS report the ruling parties do not see the situation as dramatic, expressing hope that the majority will be restored by attracting minority parliamentarians or the fourth party to the ruling coalition.
After Bobelis' withdrawal, the National Farmers' group has nine members, and the opposition Liberal Democratic Party group currently has 10 mandates.