Skvernelis reacted to the CC’s decision: The government is legitimate

“It is only a political evaluation and it is a political decision. If that issue is important, and I think it is, then that decision had to be made about a year and a half ago, when the Government was in office a little less under the then (and now) Statute of the Seimas.

The Statute of the Seimas was in force, the Government was formed in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. And now it will be necessary to change the recognition that will be announced on December 23 that the article of the Statute of the Seimas is in conflict with the Constitution. The government is formed, as the CC said, all its decisions are legitimate, it is operational and will function legitimately until December 23. “At worst,” S. Skvernelis said.

The head of government said that he respected the decision of the CC, although he acknowledged that it seemed strange to him.

“If it had been very important, and he had done it more than a year ago, the procedure could have been repeated if necessary. Or, if it was probably the sixth issue in a row, then the decision had to be made after the election. He has a vision. in the future and that decision would also make sense. If that article of the Statute is unconstitutional, then it must be changed so that the legitimacy of another government is not questioned, “said S. Skvernelis.

Powers of attorney unduly granted but that may end the term

As already announced, the CC announced on Friday that the powers of the Government of Saulius Skvernelis have been improperly granted after the presidential election, but he may end his term.

According to the president of the CC, “the powers of the Government can be granted in the only way: with the approval of the Seimas for its program.”

“This resolution of the CC will be published in the Registry of Legal Acts on December 23, 2020. This means that the current Government can act until this date, if its powers are not extinguished for the causes previously provided for in the Constitution,” he said. D. Žalimas.

According to the President of the Court, that time would be sufficient to assess the circumstances and the remaining period of the Government’s mandate, if changes still need to be made to its program, to consider the program at Seimas.

“Therefore, taking into account the arguments, the CC decided to publish it in the Registry of Legal Acts on December 23,” said the president of the CC.

The president of the CC explained that if the CC’s decision in this case were announced immediately, the Government, which was authorized to act again, would lose the authority to continue acting.

“In other words, there would be no government in the Republic of Lithuania empowered to act in accordance with the Constitution, which would be entrusted to hold office at least temporarily. The governance of the state would be interrupted ”, explained D. Žalimas the reasons for the decision.

The president of the CC explained that the statement that the Seimas protocol resolution is in conflict with the Constitution “does not in itself constitute a basis to challenge the constitutionality of the acts adopted by the Government that has recovered its powers through this protocol resolution” said D. Žalimas.