Lithuanian Agriculture Minister Kestutis Navickas has survived an opposition-initiated interpellation and retained his post after 64 lawmakers voted in favour of his provided answers to the opposition’s questions.
The opposition claimed Navickas not only failed to respond to its comments but also ignored calls of others to communicate and cooperate on topical issues. The minister was also criticised for his failure to listen to the arguments of farmers and their organisations, scientists and representatives of local municipalities, amid accumulating problems in the agriculture sector.
The Seimas held a non-scheduled sitting on June 8 to vote on Navickas after the interpellation procedure was adjourned until the next sitting on June 14, based on a proposal by the opposition group of Democrats “For Lithuania”.
The opposition had expected the vote to take place during the parliament’s regular sitting on June 9, but the ruling parties called an unscheduled sitting that was announced on June 7 night after the plenary session.
In protest, the opposition did not take part in the non-scheduled sitting.
The interpellation was initiated by the opposition group of Democrats “For Lithuania” after it collected 56 signatures. The move was also backed by representatives of the Lithuanian Farmers and Green Unions (LVZS), the Social Democrats (LSDP), the Labour Party and the Lithuanian Regions group. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
