VILNIUS, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite signed a decree on Monday appointing Elvinas Jankevicius as the country's new minister of justice.
Jankevicius, 42, currently is an advisor to the prime minister. He is also a former deputy interior minister. The new justice minister names bringing transparency to the country's prison system as one of his priorities.
"Unfortunately, the Prison Department has lost public trust. It needs to be reformed to make the department more transparent," Jankevicius told local media earlier on Monday before meeting the president before her final decision on the appointment.
Recently, the Prison Department, which falls under responsibility of the Justice Ministry, has been involved in scandals amid accusations of misuse of public funds and saw some of its top officers' resignations.
Jankevicius also vows to strengthen consumer protection. "Consumers must feel confident that they have all legal means available to them to return their purchase."
Jankevicius takes the seat of the Justice Minister following the resignation of Milda Vainiute two months ago. The former minister resigned following criticism for failing to implement necessary reforms at the country's prison system.
Cabinet members in Lithuania are appointed by the president under proposal of the prime minister.
