The Lithuanian Parliament approved Gediminas Kirkilas of the Social Democratic party for the post of prime minister on July 4. Kirkilas had been nominated by President Valdas Adamkus last week and eventually received the support of 86 legislators. Thirteen MPs voted against his taking the post and five abstained.
The Social Democratic Party, the Labor Party, the Liberal and Center Union, the New Union (Social Liberals), the Civil Democracy Party, the National Farmers' Union all voted for Kirkilas' nomination.
The Homeland Union (Conservatives) abstained. Order and Justice (Liberal Democrats) and the Liberal Movement voted against Kirkilas, except for two Liberals who obstained.
It is expected that under Kirkilas, the Social Democrats, the National Farmers' Union, the Civil Democracy party and the Liberal Centrists will form a minority government.
Adamkus, who was on a state visit to Edinburgh, where he was due to meet Queen Elizabeth II, said, through his spokeswoman, that he was happy the legislators, "took a constructive position in approving the candidate for prime minister at the parliament."
"The president tasks the future government with speeding up necessary reforms and using European Union's funds efficiently for the good of the people of Lithuania," Rita Grumadaite told BNS.
