Šimonytė explained to the Social Democrats about the Government’s program: where has the fight for human rights and gender equality gone

The party president, Gintautas Paluckas, asked the future head of government to examine an alternative government program drawn up by the Social Democrats. He also asked why there was no human rights issue on his show.

“Anyone who inquired about our communication at the conclusion of the coalition agreement stated very clearly that those issues on which we do not have a completely unified approach (…) and which might require broader support from the political forces in the Seimas are deliberately, ”explained I. Šimonytė in response to the question.

For her part, the Social Democrat Dovilė Šakalienė asked the future Prime Minister about the problem of gender violence. She said she was disappointed that the issue was not on the government’s agenda.

“This is certainly the kind of problem that I expected to see in the approach of this Government to find gender equality among the priority measures, but after reading the entire program, I find a phrase about violence against women,” the politician he made no secret of his disappointment.

In reply to D. Šakalienė, I. Šimonytė stated that these issues will be included in the Government’s program implementation plan.

“I can assure you that the measures necessary to reduce violence, help women who are victims of violence and help children… will surely find their place. It kind of reminds me of Minister Kukuraitis, who sat down and counted the number of times the word “family” was mentioned on the show. (…) We will cover many more things, aspects and details when preparing the action plan, ”promised I. Šimonytė.

Orinta Leiputė, a member of the LSDP faction, asked about the increase in doctors ‘salaries, if the future prime minister plans to find funds to increase doctors’ salaries. The future prime minister did not hide the fact that this issue is extremely important to her.

“For me personally, this issue is one of the priorities, which is what I fought for during the last term in the Seimas. So changing the position of the body to the other side of the government would be disrespectful and ugly for me if I forgot, “added I. Šimonytė.

He promises help to his cabinet members: you can’t know everything

When asked by Linas Jonauskas about which minister is the weakest in her government, the future Prime Minister replied that she trusted the members of her cabinet.

“If these are the people I go with for recognition, I will not value them that way. You may have comments about one person’s or another’s competence in some area, but you may have comments about it. I can declare in a completely humane way that I will help and support all my colleagues as much as my experience needs ”, assured I. Šimonytė.

He also highlighted that there are other experts who can help ministers in various fields.

“You can’t know everything,” emphasized the incoming prime minister.

All political groups and committees are considering

Once presented, the Government program is reviewed by the Seimas factions and Seimas committees, who have the right to invite the Prime Minister or Minister to answer questions about the Government program at a time agreed with them.

The new government is authorized to act when the Seimas, by a majority of the members of the Seimas present at the session, approves its program. Subsequently, the members of the Government must take the oath in the Seimas in accordance with the procedure established by the Government Law.

If the Government program is not approved or is returned to the Government for improvement, a new version of the Government program must be submitted to Seimas within 10 days and its consideration procedure repeated.

If the Seimas does not approve the newly formed government’s program twice in a row, the government would have to resign.