VILNIUS - Gediminas Kirkilas, a Social Democrat and candidate for the post of prime minister, has emphasized that ensuring political continuity should be the government's primary goal.
A dispute over aspirations declared by the right- and left-wing parties led to a collapse of the rainbow coalition earlier this month.
In Kirkilas' words, "continuity in the name of continuity and changes for the sake of changes" will only weaken the formation of a politically and socially strong country.
The candidate pledged to ensure political continuity, while at the same time remaining open to reforms - as long as they ensure a better life for the Lithuanian people.
"Do we have to debate changes to the continuity of good deeds? If we form the government, we will proceed with state reforms but also plan changes. Change and reform are not self-purposeful issues, they should ensure a better life for people," Kirkilas, who will have to form a minority government, said in a speech at Parliament today.
Kirkilas, acting defense minister and vice-chairman of the Social Democratic Party, was nominated for the post of prime minister by President Valdas Adamkus this morning. His designation to the position will be put to a vote next week after the candidate meets parliamentary groups.
Approval of the prime minister requires a simple majority vote.
Last week, Parliament rejected another Social Democratic candidate, Zigmantas Balcytis.
The left-wing Social Democrats and their partners - the National Farmers' Union, the Civil Democracy Union and the Liberal Center Union - have 53 votes in Lithuania's 141-seat parliament.
Under the Lithuanian Constitution, prime minister is appointed and dismissed by the president upon proposal of the Seimas.
After the designation, the prime minister has 15 days to propose a president-approved government and its program to the parliament.
