Lithuanian government works without President's support: PM

VILNIUS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's current government from the very first day of its work has been lacking the support of the country's president Dalia Grybauskaite, Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Wednesday.

"We don't have the President's support, we never had it. This is the reality, however, we should deal with what we have," Skvernelis was quoted as speaking to reporters by local website delfi.lt.

He was speaking on the occasion of Lithuanian government's one year in place as the cabinet began to work on Dec.13, 2016.

Skvernelis refused to put mark for his own work as the head of the government. "I would not do that as it is up to the people," the prime minister noted.

Earlier this week, President Grybauskaite criticized the current government led by Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVZS) for the lack of "strategic direction".

"In terms of the new ruling majority, people were hoping for big changes and better lives, they gave a huge credit of trust to this coalition; however, the end of the first year of this coalition is marked by uncertainty, faded expectations and lost trustworthiness," the president said in an interview published by daily Lietuvos Zinios on Tuesday.

Instead of essential reforms, the government turned to "minor decisions", she added.

Meanwhile, among the most important works of his cabinet Skvernelis listed out on Wednesday there were starting the reform of the country's higher education system, steps aimed at diminishing social exclusion, reform of state owned enterprises, reducing prices for medicines.

As regards tax system, the implemented steps should be called "changes" rather than "reform", Skvernelis underscored. However, in his words, the government plans to form a group of experts which would propose a comprehensive tax reform.

Issues related to demographic challenges and emigration will be on the government's top agenda next year, Skvernelis said.

Skvernelis walked away from the question whether he plans to take part in Lithuania's next presidential election due in 2019.

"I took the decision long time ago, whether I change it or not -- another question. So far, I am concentrating on my work in the government," he said. Enditem