Three political groups in the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, have signed an agreement on a new coalition government, BNS reports. The new ruling coalition will include the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), the Union of Democrats for Lithuania, and the joint parliamentary group of the Lithuanian Union of Farmers and Greens and the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania. Incoming prime minister, LSDP’s Mindaugas Sinkevicius, said that his government’s key tasks would include tackling rising prices, living costs, social inequality, and poverty, as well as promoting economic growth, quality jobs, and access to health care, Lietuvos Rytas reported. He said that the government would base the transformation of the Lithuanian economy on artificial intelligence, digital solutions, the defence industry, and advanced technology. The government would strengthen regions, local government, and public administration, and expand modern public services, Sinkevicius stated.
The coalition agreement stated that the new government would pursue socially oriented, financially sustainable, and investment-friendly policies. The new government’s policy goals will include raising people’s income, promoting employment, and improving social security, ELTA reported. The coalition plans to boost competitiveness and productivity, improve access to capital, and promote the development of national business. Moreover, the coalition will reform the family benefit system and expand non-formal education. The parties pledged to strengthen national defence and civil protection, while managing defence funds responsibly. Also, the coalition plans to increase investments in road infrastructure, regional connectivity, and public transport. The coalition agreement allows for disagreements on ideological issues, such as family policy, bioethics, marriage equality and other human rights issues.