The first 100 days of government Butkevičius

Yesterday the new government, which also contributed with the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, had his first prom. So there was a mutual adoration of the coalition partners, and harsh criticism from the opposition.

Among the main achievements of the first 100 days of his government, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius mentioned increase in the minimum wage from 850 to 1 000 litas and to prevent bubble in the development of solar energy, which burst – according to the Prime Minister – would cost the state budget every year several hundred million litas.

As part of the ruling coalition Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania (EAPL) also welcomed the start of work of the new government, stressing that prevent squandering of public finances is the greatest merit of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry, headed by the representative’s Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania.

EAPL leaders convened yesterday at a press conference in the Parliament not only evaluated the 100-day achievements of the new government, but also presented the foundation for future priorities.

– An increase in the minimum wage to 1 000 litas is just the beginning – the parliamentary faction announced EAPL governor, Mrs Rita Tamašunienė. The leader of AWPL, Castle Combe, Waldemar Tomaszewski, explained that although a further increase in the minimum wage is prescribed in the Government, however, everything will depend on the economic health of the country. Yesterday Prime Minister Butkevičius was assertive that this year would not be expected to increase the minimum wage.

In turn, the President of AWPL believes that to increase the minimum wage, you will be able to say next year if the economy continues growth within the limits of 3-4% annual GDP growth. And this, according to many experts, is assured, if of course the development of the country will not be shaken by external factors.

Yesterday’s SEB bank analysts presented their economic growth forecasts for this year and next. In their opinion, the growth rate will remain unchanged against the previous forecast, and this year we expect more than 3 per cent of GDP growth, and the 2014 years the economy will grow by a further 3.5 percentage points.

Economists see the merit of this increase in the activities of the present government, especially in its prudent approach to decision-making.

– Revolution will not – provide, in December last year, shortly after being sworn Butkevičius his government. The same prime minister reiterated yesterday by presenting 100-day achievements of his government. No hasty action in making important business decisions – according to economists – is precisely the advantage of the current ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the opposition is recorded as negative assessment of the work of the government. But even political opponents of the current government also glimpsed the positive action

– We are pleased that the current Conservative government is continuing the program of our government – said yesterday the former prime minister and now leader of the right-wing opposition, Mr Andrius Kubilius. In his opinion, worse is the realization of a “socialist” program of the current center-left coalition. Kubilius and his opposition colleagues spared no criticism of actions of the government program Butkevičius. Particular criticism was the minister of health reform Vytenis Andriukaitisa.

– We fully support the minister in his actions – said yesterday Tomaszewski. He praised the courage of the Andriukaitisa, stressing that it was missing courageous ministers in the coalition.

In turn, Mrs Rita Tamašunienė said that the decisions of the Minister Andriukaitisa are right,

The representatives also stressed the prospect EAPL solve the problems of national minorities. Rita Tamašunienė expressed hope and expectation that this mandate adopted a new law on national minorities, which will provide for the Polish minority of the right and freedom to the spelling of names, use the double nomenclature and the auxiliary languages of national minorities.

– Citizens of Lithuania must feel comfortable and relaxed, democratic Europe without borders – she said.

The Waldemar Tomaszewski opponents dismissed insinuations that meet the demands of the Polish minority threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lithuania and leads to autonomy.

— I want to remind you that during the 20 years of these postulates she adopted in 1991, the Act on national minorities. Remain in force until someone decided that it should be changed – Tomaszewski said. He also reminded that Lithuania has signed and ratified the European Convention for the whole of National Minorities, which excludes recourse rights of national minorities.

EAPL representatives also announced that in addition to national minorities in the government’s agenda for future work will be necessary to renovate housing issues and the transition to a bio-heating of the economy. Contrary to the negative attitude of the coalition partners, EAPL not going to give up ideological or programmatic demands.

MEP Waldemar Tomaszewski said that his party will be advocated, prepared to adopt a set of common projects Teaching religion in schools and the protection of the unborn.

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/03/21/pierwszych-100-dni-rzadu-butkeviciusa

Tłumaczenie Katarzyna Dąbrowska w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Katarzyna Dąbrowska within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.