Planned tax, pension reforms require agreement, Finmin nominee

“I believe that when it comes to any pension reform, it is an issue of political agreement, it is a common task for the government and the Seimas in search of a common good result for Lithuania. Going further into detail when I’m still a candidate would be theoretical, as you understand,” Šapoka told journalists after meeting with President Dalia Grybauskaitė on Friday.

The candidate did not comment on his opinion about the ruling Peasant and Green Union’s plans to restructure the residential income tax, which would include the current tax and the mandatory health insurance along with part of the social insurance fees and the pension insurance tax.

Speaking about possible postponement of the enforcement of the new social model, Šapoka said that short-term delay of long-term reforms had no major effect. Nevertheless, in his words, the possibility would have to be discussed with the European Commission.

“I believe that moving the date a month later or earlier in case of long-term reforms has no major effect. We will have to work hard with the European Commission and update it on what and why we are doing and what the objectives are,” said Šapoka.

Until the end of this July, Šapoka headed the Financial Service sand Market Monitoring Department at the central Bank of Lithuania.