Seimas approved the candidacy of Saulius Skvernelis for Prime Minister

Press release, 22 November 2016

 

The Seimas approved the candidacy of Saulius Skvernelis for Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania with 90 votes in favour to 4 against and 33 abstentions*.

Ramūnas Karbauskis, Chair of the Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union Political Group, urged the Seimas to vote in favour of the candidate for Prime Minister.

The opposition Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrat Political Group decided not to endorse the candidacy of Mr Skvernelis.

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party Political Group declared its support for the candidacy of Saulius Skvernelis. Meanwhile, Eugenijus Gentvilas, Chair of the Liberals Movement Political Group, said that his Political Group would be unable to vote for the candidate.

The Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance Political Group supported the nominated candidate.  

Remigijus Žemaitaitis, Chair of the Order and Justice Political Group, said that his Political Group considered the possibility Mr Skvernelis becoming Prime Minister and decided on voting freely following the meeting with the candidate. 

Linas Balsys, Chair of the Group of Non-attached Members of the Seimas, said that he and the other group member, Aušra Maldeikienė, were in agreement on the candidate: Mr Skvernelis had left them with a positive impression.

The candidate for Prime Minister encouraged all parliamentarians to work collectively. Mr Skvernelis said that the new Government would be the Government of change. “I would like to reiterate that I see the new Government as a facilitator of change, which is focused on solutions to social inequality, democracy and regional exclusion. We do not have any other option. That is the will of the Lithuanian people and your will that I stand today as a candidate at the rostrum and, therefore, I see no other way ahead but for bringing resolute, inevitable and sound changes. The only thing I want to highlight once again is that changes do not mean a revolution or radicalism. They must be well-though and well-measured.”

 

*On 6 December 2016, the programme of the 17th Government was presented to the Seimas; on 13 December 2016, the Seimas approved the Programme, and the Members of the new Government sworn to the Republic of Lithuania.    

 

Article 84 of the Constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic, upon the assent of the Seimas, appoints the Prime Minister.

 

Press release on the nomination of Saulius Skvernelis for the position of Prime Minister. 17 November 2016.

 

CV

Saulius Skvernelis

 

Date of birth                              23 July 1970

Place of birth                            Kaunas, Lithuania

 

Education

2005              Graduation from Mykolas Romeris University, Master of Law

1994              Graduation from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Qualification of Mechanical Engineer

1988              Graduation from Jonas Jablonskis Secondary School in Marijampolė

 

Work experience

2011–2014    Police Commissioner General, Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior

2008–2011    Deputy Police Commissioner General Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior

2005–2008    Commissioner Road Patrols Team, Traffic Supervision Service, Lithuanian Public Police Bureau

2003–2005    Chief, Lithuanian Police Escorting Team

2001–2003    Head, Lithuanian Police Traffic Supervision Service

1999–2001    Commissioner-Inspector, Organisational Division, Road Police Service, Public Police, Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior

1998–1999    Commissioner-Inspector, Traffic Police Unit, Trakai District Police Headquarters

1994–1998    Assistant Lecturer, Law and Professional Tactics Department, Lithuanian Police Academy

 

Political career

2014–2016    Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania

 

 

Saulė Eglė Trembo, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, Office of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6203, e-mail: [email protected]