VILNIUS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's newly sworn-in President Gitanas Nauseda presented on Thursday to the country's parliament candidacy of acting Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis to continue his duties as the country's head of the government.
"I am nominating this candidate as he is supported by a ruling majority. The nomination is essential in order to ensure the interoperability and continuity of the highest state's institutions," Nauseda said at the parliament.
In his words, Skvernelis has "a considerable experience working in the state's service", therefore he will be able "to meet the challenges that the government is facing."
Skvernelis and his government formally returned the cabinet's mandate to the new president on July 12, inauguration day, according to the law on the president. Since Nauseda's inauguration the cabinet has been serving as acting government.
Both Nauseda and Skvernelis mentioned earlier that a few ministers should be replaced in the government, yet did not elaborate on details.
"We have only discussed with the PM some of the possible nominations, as well as the principles of government formation. Once the cabinet is formed, it will be possible to talk about ministers' nominations," Nauseda told reporters on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Skvernelis admitted some of the mistakes his government has made and apologized to the Lithuanian people "for the political wars of ambitions".
As reported earlier, Lithuania's ruling Farmers and Greens Union started the talks on a renewed coalition following May's presidential election that led former economist Nauseda to the highest post in the country. After prolonged discussions, four parliamentary political parties signed a renewed coalition agreement on July 5, including a decision to redistribute the posts in the ministerial cabinet.
The parliament's voting on Skvernelis candidacy and the updated government will take place next week.
