Vilnius - More than a month after it triumphed in a general election, a new government coalition took charge of the Baltic country of Lithuania Tuesday evening, following a swearing-in ceremony at the national parliament, the Seimas. Now the new Lithuanian government can begin to tackle a worsening economic situation in the largest of the Baltic states, under the leadership of 52-year-old Andrius Kubilius. Kubilius previously served as prime minister during 1999-2000.
The new cabinet is formed by a four-party center-right coalition comprising Kubilius' Homeland Union - Christian Democrats, the Rising Nation Party, the Liberal Movement and the Liberal and Center Union.
Kubilius and his fellow ministers were sworn in after a two-and-a- half-hours parliamentary session had approved the new government's legislative program, which includes tax reform, big public spending cuts and efforts to support business.
As evidence of the perceived urgency of economic concerns in Lithuania, a new budget will be rushed before parliament for approval on December 23rd, it was announced.
