Energy Ministry to go to Labour Party after LLRA’s withdrawal from government

The head of the Government hopes that a competent person will be delegated to head the Ministry of Energy, one that is well aware of the current projects and has knowledge in the energy sector.

The prime minister has not revealed the names of candidates but said he has several of them in mind.

“I could not say they are all businesspeople, there are scientists and other experts who are not members of any party,” said Butkevičius.

“I cannot tell you yet what the reaction of the president is. We will discuss and coordinate those candidacies, as both the president and I are perfectly aware of the great tasks that are to be undertaken in the energy sector,” the prime minister said on Monday.

Labour Party on board

“The Labour Party actively discussed the issue and formed its position for Tuesday’s Coalition Council meeting. The Labour Party’s approach is statesmanlike, it supports the prime minister’s position in relation with the Government,” Loreta Graužinienė, chairwoman of the Labour Party, said on Monday after the meeting of the party’s board.

According to her, the prime minister simply cannot work in such conditions, while it is crucial to ensure continuation and realisation of energy projects foreseen in the Government’s programme.

Graužinienė said the LLRA’s participation in the Coalition would be addressed in more detail on Tuesday and the position of the LLRA will be heard. She added that the Labour Party was ready to pursue energy minister’s position, but it was too early to talk about specific candidates.

No effect on relations with Poland

According to Butkevičius, the withdrawal of the LLRA, which represents Lithuania’s Polish-speaking citizens, from government will not affect bilateral relations between Lithuania and Poland.

“I think it would not affect (relations – ELTA); we are in touch with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Bronislaw Komorowski, we know their opinion and their position,” said Butkevičius.

According to the prime minister, when the ruling coalition was being formed, political parties were invited to join on equal terms and it was not related with the strive to improve relations with the neighbouring country.

“When the three parties formed the Coalition, we were preparing to sign the agreement and issued a statement inviting all parliamentary parties to join our Coalition – such was our willingness and request,” said the prime minister.