Vilnius mayor-elect Simasius starts coalition talks with four other parties

The mayor-elect of Vilnius, Liberal candidate Remigijus Simasius has begun coalition talks for the city council with four other parties and says that he has come to an agreement on the essential issues with all political parties.

According to Simasius, who defeated incumbent mayor Arturas Zuokas yesterday, the Liberal Movement in the future Council will hold 16 seats out of a total of 51 and this will be a decisive factor in forming any coalition.

"Even if we do not have fully coinciding approaches ... it is still very important to tell the most important things from others. When it comes to the most essential issues our approaches will probably coincide. Regarding the issues of secondary importance I am convinced that divergent opinions will not hinder to solve the most important questions," Simasius said.

The majority of seats in the coalition will be held by the Liberal Movement and the Conservatives, although Simasius is also holding negotiations with the Social Democrats, Order and Justice and Lithuania's List.