Skvernelis sworn in as Lithuania’s interior minister

After being sworn in, Skvernelis assumed his new position. President Dalia Grybauskaitė appointed him last week after his candidacy was submitted by Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius. Skvernelis was suggested as interior minister by Rolandas Paksas, leader of the Order and Justice party.

Skvernelis replaced Dailis Alfonsas Barakauskas who resigned as interior minister citing health problems.

Positive changes

The appointment of Lithuania’s former police chief Saulius Skverelis as the country’s interior minister should bring positive changes into the system, says Valdemaras Serapinas, the president’s chief adviser on national security issues.

“Skvernelis is appreciated in the interior affairs system for his professionalism, great experience and resolute reforms in the police. The president also appreciates the police progress over the recent years. He’s a person who has earned trust through his honest work. So, his appointment is very promising and there’s a lot of hope for a wind of change in the whole interior system after he was appointed to head the ministry,” Serapinas told the Žinių Radijas news radio on Tuesday.

Speaking about newly-appointed Police Commissioner General Linas Pernavas, the presidential adviser said the president hopes two main things from him, including “the continuity of started work” and “ensuring security for people.”