Parliament reopens vetoed amendments

Feb 20, 2009
TBT Staff in cooperation with BNS

VILNIUS – The Lithuanian parliament has reopened debates over amendments to the Civil Service Law despite a Feb. 17 presidential veto.

Though the amendments are back on the table, the opposition Social Democratic Party has been successful in postponing the issue until parliaments spring session, which starts on March 10.

The amendments would give an incoming government eliminate secretary of state and undersecretary positions – currently held by professional diplomats – in each ministry, to be replaced by deputy ministers and ministry chancellors. The new positions would be filled by political appointees.

"Ministers should be empowered to have political teams in order to ensure more rational implementation of political programs of one or another ruling coalition. Such post-election changes take place in many a country, and are of far more significant scale,” Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius told journalists.

“Take, for example, how the U.S.administration changed after the presidential elections. We are seeking to make changes of far less significance," he said.

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, however, vetoed a version of the bill just days before it was again brought before Parliament. Presidential advisor Lauras Bielinis said the changes in leadership at ministries would lead to problems with policy continuity and cut down on political neutrality in public service, the Baltic News Service reported.

Under the new laws, top ministry positions would be filled by political appointees and would be replaced each time there is a change in government.

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