Lithuania’s Parliament Endorses New Coalition Government

(MENAFN) Lithuania’s parliament on Thursday officially endorsed its 20th government, a coalition alliance uniting the Social Democrats, Nemunas Dawn, and the Farmers and Greens Union alongside the Christian Families Alliance.

The coalition’s program secured approval with a vote tally of 80 in favor, 40 opposed, and two abstentions.

Immediately following the vote, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene and her cabinet members took the oath of office and assumed their roles.

"With this government program, we are clearly declaring that we want a stronger public sector, that we want to listen to communities, promote social dialogue and solve problems through dialogue," Ruginiene declared in parliament. "We want to invest more in defense, which we have already demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate. We want a strong social foundation for every resident, we want wages to rise, our seniors to live with dignity and vulnerable people to have much better lives."

The new administration’s agenda includes a commitment to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. It also promises no new taxes during the current term, with the exception of a proposed financial stability levy on banks—details of which are still under discussion. Meanwhile, diesel excise hikes will be frozen, but excise duties on tobacco, e-cigarettes, and alcohol are set to rise more rapidly.

This governing coalition, controlling 82 out of 141 seats in parliament, was established in August after the resignation of former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas.

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