Skvernelis voices doubts on whether to stay as Lithuania's PM

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis says he has doubts on whether he will stay in the position after the inauguration of President-elect Gitanas Nauseda.

"I really still have many internal doubts and thoughts," he told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Thursday.

Skvernelis said his decision would depend on the outcome of the ongoing ruling coalition talks. He hopes the coalition agreement will be signed next week.

"To be just for the purpose of being, definitely not. To make decisions necessary for the state, yes. To make decisions drenched in populism and financial irresponsibility, definitely not. So there are many aspects, many elements the decision will depend on," Skvernelis said.

Under Lithuania's Constitution, the government returns its powers once a new president is elected. It will happen on July 12 when Nauseda will be sworn in.

Earlier, Skvernelis pledged to resign if he failed to get into the presidential runoff. The prime minister came in third in the first round of voting in the presidential election.

The prime minister also considered the possibility to go to work at the European Commission. In his words, the government will decide on a new commissioner once a new European Commission president is appointed.