Lithuanian MEP votes against euro introduction in Lithuania

Paksas voted against the euro introduction in Lithuania on Wednesday when the European Parliament endorsed Lithuania’s membership in the euro zone.

Meanwhile Tomaševski, who did not attend the Wednesday plenary sitting in Strasbourg, told BNS he would have voted against as well.

“It’s not the time for Lithuania to introduce the euro. Today, Lithuania does not need it, it’s too soon as the crisis is not over yet,” Paksas told BNS following the vote, adding that a euro referendum should have been held in the country.

Tomaševski was in Vilnius during the vote but said he would have voted against the proposal, had he been in Strasbourg.

“I returned to Vilnius yesterday as I had important matters to address but I would have voted against it,” he told BNS.

Other Lithuanian MEPs, Algirdas Saudargas of the opposition Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats, as well as Labour Party’s Viktor Uspaskich, did not attend the sitting either.

The remaining seven Lithuanian MEPs, including Paksas’ fellow party member Valentinas Mazuronis, voted in favour of Lithuania joining the euro area.

Earlier in the day, the European Parliament greenlighted Lithuania’s accession to the euro area in 2015 with 545 votes in favour, 116 votes against and 34 abstentions.

The Parliament’s vote is advisory.