Ministry of Energy remains a contentious point within the coalition - Sinkevicius
Lithuania's new ruling coalition, consisting of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania - Christian Families Alliance, and the Social Democrats, is in negotiations over the Energy Ministry, which has become the biggest issue within the coalition.
President Gitanas Nauseda expressed a desire for Vaiciunas, who worked in the Paluckas government, to continue in the Energy Ministry. However, the LSDP is open to a swap of the Energy Ministry, but Zygimantas Vaiciunas may not necessarily remain as energy minister.
The Nemunas Dawn party, which currently holds the ministries of Energy, Environment, and Agriculture, has been struggling to find candidates for the energy and environment ministers. As a result, the debate within the coalition is now focused on these positions.
On Thursday, President Nauseda met with the leaders of the ruling bloc, including Prime Minister-designate Inga Ruginiene, to try to get the stalled process moving. However, the participants were reluctant to comment on what they discussed.
The priority right now is to agree on the candidates for ministers. Remigijus Zemaitaitis, the leader of the Nemunas Dawn party, said that no decisions have been made yet, and consultations will continue. The leaders hope to agree on the ministries and ministers next week.
If a swap of ministries takes place, it will be between the leaders of the political forces that physically attended the meeting: the Social Democrats and the Nemunas Dawn party. The Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania - Christian Families Alliance holds the Ministry of Justice, and the Social Democrats hold all the other ministries, as per the coalition agreement.
The Energy Ministry in Lithuania might possibly be taken over by a member of the Nemunas Dawn party named Jonas Jakubiak. However, no agreement has yet been reached on who could take over the Energy Ministry from the Nemunas Dawn party.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Christian Families Alliance political group via videolink. The new ruling coalition in Lithuania has 82 seats in the Seimas.
Earlier this month, President Nauseda appointed 12 of the 14 ministers due to this situation. The Social Democrats are not inclined to change their areas of responsibility, which are already enshrined in the annex to the coalition agreement.
Zemaitaitis, the leader of the Nemunas Dawn party, threatened to leave the coalition earlier this week but ultimately changed his mind. The parties involved are working towards a resolution, with the hope of agreeing on the ministries and ministers next week.
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