Riga: Gintautas Paluckas was elected prime minister by the Lithuanian parliament in Vilnius on Thursday, with 88 members voting in favour, 36 opposed and six abstaining.
Paluckas, the deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP), had earlier been nominated by President Gitanas Nauseda after the LSDP won a clear victory in parliamentary elections held in October. Nauseda now has to formally nominate Paluckas, an IT specialist by profession, before the prime minister can present his cabinet and government programme to the parliament of the EU and NATO member for another vote.
The LSDP went into the election under its popular leader, Vilija Blinkeviciute, who stepped aside after the elections, citing declining health and her age of 64. She proposed Paluckas as prime minister in her stead. In a step that has provoked controversy in Lithuania and abroad, Paluckas has announced his intention to include Dawn of Nemunas in his government, despite minor objections from within the LSDP. (DPA)