Press release, 17 November 2016
Pursuant to Article 84 (8) of the Constitution, Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, nominated Saulius Skvernelis for the position of Prime Minister (draft Resolution of the Seimas No. XIIIP-16 “On the nomination of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania”).
“The ruling majority has already been formed. Saulius Skvernelis has received massive public support during the election when voting and rating candidates to the new Seimas.
The responsibility of a new Prime Minister includes seeing everything and caring for each and everyone. He has to respond to the most pressing issues and cases of immediate need for change; to strike the right balance between the expectations and wishes of the public and the potential of the state. All decisions will have to rest on responsible policy. This is the approach that Lithuanian people look forward to. This represents a huge credit of trust that will have to be justified.
A lot of challenges lie ahead, but the experience accumulated while heading the Police Department and working in the composition of the 16th Government should help to cope with them,” Ms Grybauskaitė said.
While introducing himself to the members of the Seimas, Mr Skvernelis noted that, despite the accomplishments achieved, a big majority of the Lithuanian population do not feel happy in their own country: “The coalition is convinced that everyone’s common home needs to be built by consolidating the basic values: by protecting the Independence of the state and life and health of each individual; by nurturing harmonious family and community, and by creating sustainable economic and political environment.”
When speaking from the rostrum of the Seimas Plenary Chamber, Mr Skvernelis focussed on the main priorities: demographic challenges, reduction of social exclusion and poverty, reorganisation of the education system and strengthening of regions.
The nominee for the post of the Prime Minister acknowledged he was an advocate of team work who preferred social dialogue to conflict when solving problems. “I am a supporter of resolute decisions and changes. However, determination does not equal fanaticism, while changes do not equal radicalism and revolutions. I firmly believe that only a free creative personality capable of critical thinking can become an architect of change who can implement the changes in a determined manner without fear. It is my wish to form a brave, united, competent, transparent and responsible government of change.”
Upon answering the questions posed by the members of the Seimas, Mr Skvernelis met with the political groups of the Seimas.
Pursuant to Article 192 of the Statute of the Seimas, in the cases provided for in the Constitution, the Seimas shall, after the President of the Republic nominates a candidate for the position of Prime Minister, give the President of the Republic an opportunity to present the candidate during the next sitting. Upon presenting the candidate for the position of Prime Minister, the President of the Republic shall not be asked any questions. After the President of the Republic presents the candidate, the latter shall be given the floor (for up to 30 minutes); the candidate shall then answer questions posed by the Members of the Seimas (for up to 40 minutes). The candidature for the position of Prime Minister shall be referred to political groups of the Seimas for consideration. Political groups shall have the right to invite the candidate to their meetings for a question-and-answer session at a time coordinated with the candidate. Political groups must consider the candidature of the Prime Minister within two working days.
Saulė Eglė Trembo, Press Office, Information and Communication Department,
tel. +370 5 239 6203, e-mail: egle.trembo@lrs.lt