In an interview with the public television LRT aired on Sunday, Pranckietis once again reiterated he has no plans to step down as parliament speaker, adding that certain procedures for his dismissal exist for the protection against whims of individuals politicians.
"These are special "seat belts" against such actions, for state officials not to be depended on whims of one person… Thank God, he has no influence on the president yet, but his influence on the prime minister and the Seimas speakers' position is clear. One man wants to decide everything. It should not and cannot be in a state," Pranckietis said.
Asked if that meant Karbauskis is also giving orders to the prime minister as well, Pranckietis said: „Yes, you say everything right. (…) You should as the prime minister some time after he's back from his vacation, but such things are taking place."
According to Pranckietis, the LFGU leader also "got Gediminas Kirkilas (the leader of the Social Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania – BNS Lithuania) involved in this situation and that is damaging the party's reputation very much."
Pranckietis says the idea to give the position of the Seimas speaker to the SDLP was not their but Karbauskis' idea.
Following last month's presidential election, the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union started talks on a new ruling bloc and signed last week a coalition memorandum with the Social Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania and the Order and Justice party. The parties also expect the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance to also join.
The documents states that Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis will stay in his position and the position of the Seimas speaker would go to the SDLP.