Lithuania: what to expect from the new government?
Following the resignation of Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, his former Labour Minister Inga Ruginienė has presented a new governing coalition consisting of her social democratic LSDP party, the populist Nemuno Aušra, the Farmers' and Greens' Union (LVŽS) and two independent MPs. The national press is alarmed by the fact that it includes politicians with extreme views.
On a pro-Russian course
With this coalition, forged in part with extremists, the country is in danger of drifting away from the EU, warns LRT columnist Rimvydas Valatka:
“This government majority - probably the most pro-Russian of the 21st century - was formed without any apologies to the people for the previous prime minister's lies, machinations and tricks - all for the sake of lining his pockets. This is no mere accident, but a deliberate decision that reveals the party's disregard for the law and democracy. ... Russia doesn't even have to go to war: Lithuania is slowly but surely being turned into another corrupt pro-Russian protectorate along the lines of Hungary, Slovakia or Georgia.”
Outrage over alliance with extremists
Verslo žinios explains why the new coalition has triggered mass protests in the capital:
“The Social Democrats had the opportunity to extricate themselves from the [extremist] quagmire. Instead, having surrounded themselves not only with antisemitic but also with pro-Russian and homophobic elements, they are now completely submerged in it. ... Such a structure violates moral norms and was the final straw. There has probably never been this many outraged citizens gathered on the squares of Vilnius since the country gained independence.”