VILNIUS, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Tuesday approved the new government led by Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, but left the posts of environment and energy ministers vacant, the Baltic News Service (BNS) reported.
The Nemunas Dawn party, which was allotted the two portfolios under the coalition deal, had nominated Povilas Poderskis for environment minister and lawyer Mindaugas Jablonskis for energy minister.
But the president said that he could not make a decision regarding the two candidates, as they were nominated on the final day. He has not yet met them, nor has he received a report from the special services on Jablonskis.
The new government will take office once the parliament approves its program, likely next week. The ruling parties still have time to agree with the president on the candidates for the ministers of the environment and energy.
Former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas stepped down on Aug. 4, triggering the automatic resignation of the entire cabinet.
The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Nemunas Dawn, the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU) and the Christian Families Alliance signed an agreement in late August to form a new ruling coalition. ■
