Lithuania's Social Democrats Choose Deputy Leader Paluckas As PM

RIGA, Oct. 31 (Bernama-dpa) - The Social Democrats in Lithuania have named deputy party leader Gintautas Paluckas as their candidate for prime minister after a decisive victory in the recent parliamentary elections, reported German Press Agency (dpa). 

Paluckas, 45, who previously led the party from 2017 to 2021, possesses "a lot of experience and the necessary qualities" for the role of head of government, said party leader Vilija Blinkevičiūtė on Wednesday in Vilnius.

Blinkevičiūtė, 64, stated that she would not pursue the position due to her age and health but will continue her service as a member of the European Parliament, a role she has held since 2009.

The decision was made jointly by the praesidium of the party, Blinkevičiūtė added.

The opposition Social Democrats emerged as the leading party in Sunday's elections, securing 52 of the 141 seats in parliament. 

They are now seeking to form a centre-left coalition and are in talks with several smaller parties. 

A change of government in Lithuania, which borders the Russian Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, will lead principally to changes in domestic and social policy.

Many Lithuanians are concerned about the sharp rise in the cost of living, and the Social Democrats made this a core issue in the election campaign. They plan to increase pensions and improve welfare payments.

In terms of foreign and security policy, the Baltic state is likely to continue its commitments as part of the European Union and NATO, and to continue providing support for Ukraine.

--BERNAMA-dpa