After a closed-door meeting of the two committees, it was decided not to push the sediment to the corner.

This position was put to a vote with 14 members in favor, 3 against and 1 abstention.

If President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė cannot agree on who also represents the state in the EVS, it is possible that, as R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė considers, amendments to the law should also be introduced.

It was also discussed whether it would not be necessary, in case of not reaching an agreement, to review certain legislation that would regulate more clearly before the next EVS, which will take place in June. Still, there are really double evaluations now.

We will see how things turn out here, but in my opinion there should be clarity, because now there is legislation that specifically appoints the head of government for the EVS, comments the spokeswoman for the presidency, Ms Skaisgirytė, on the constitutional powers, but the SVE is still head of government. state, or the Heads of State or Government, ”the ERC president told reporters on Wednesday after the committee meeting.

According to her, there are two countries that are constantly represented in the EVS by the head of state: Lithuania and Romania.

“This may also raise some questions about whether it should be resolved later to make it clear who should participate and where,” he said.

According to R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, the country’s leaders could attend EVS meetings on a rotating basis, depending on the topics.

“It is well understood that, according to the Constitution, foreign policy issues are assigned to the president, and all other issues related to internal issues and decisions are of the Government, whether it is fighting, fighting the pandemic, commitments on the course green or social issues … It is still the government’s responsibility to implement them, “said a member of the Seimas, the largest of the conservative faction.

When asked if the presidency had expressed its willingness to negotiate, Ms Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė said that it was not clear at the moment, but, the politician noted, previously the presidents had argued with the prime ministers about going to the meetings. of the EVS.

“The heads of state talk about state affairs, but I don’t know specifically about the issues of delegation and representation. I know that in the past there were such formats, where only the managers agreed, ”noted R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė.

He emphasized that the call to negotiate is the language of political culture, not an obligation. According to the member of the Seimas, this position is supported by more parliamentarians.

In this case, it is not a language of legal commitment, but a declaration of political will and an invitation to an agreement. Some say that maybe the pressure is on the heads of state, it is not really with that intention, it is just a statement of opinion. By the way, the agreement is commented on by a wide range of people in parliament, who apparently also see an ambiguous picture of the situation, ”said the ERC president.

R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė also considered that the ERC, by approving the positions prepared by the Government, could request a review of the mandate system.

“It just came to our knowledge then. I feel in a strange situation when reading the Statute (Seimas – aut.p.), where I see exactly the Head of Government written and the Head of Government. I don’t know what can be said here, can we then force the President to say one thing or another? This is probably the main issue that generates uncertainties, “explained the member of Seimas.

R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė responded to the question whether a separate law on state representation in the EVS, which had been discussed by Matas Maldeikis, a member of the conservative faction, could be considered, noting that the best way should be found.

“I think it would be wise to sit down. If there is no consensus there, then perhaps there may be consensus on who will attend which council on a rotating thematic basis.” There may be consensus that this issue needs to be resolved, to clarify what the rights and responsibilities are. of the mandate, who should do it to the maximum and how the problems of separation of powers are correlated here, “added the ERC president.

The Presidency has repeatedly emphasized that it does not plan to transfer participation in EVS meetings to the Prime Minister. G. Nausėda also stated that he does not see the possibility of exchanging visits to the EVS with I. Šimonytė, depending on the topics discussed in the meetings.

The Seimas Ethics and Procedures Commission has acknowledged that the ERC and the CEC have exceeded the limits of competence in providing recommendations on the representation of G. Nausėda from Lithuania in the EVS. However, the ruling made no such decision. You can read about it here.

It is true that before the next informal EVS on May 7-8, the Seimas committees had decided not to issue a recommendation on what should happen in Portugal. The president was there, but the conservatives in this case did not spare criticism for the size of the head of the delegation, which consisted of 13 people.