Over 50 MPs voice no-confidence in Seimas speaker

The document was handed to Rima Baskiene, the first vice-speaker of the Seimas, on Tuesday.

At least 71 votes are needed to remove the speaker from the office.

The document was signed by 42 members of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, five members of the Social Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania, three members of the recently-established "For Lithuania's Welfare" political group, two members of the non-attached group and one member of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance.

At least 71 members of the Seimas need to vote in favor of the speaker to be removed.

"It is stated that Speaker of the Seimas Viktoras Pranckietis, being aware of the memorandum signed on May 30 by the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, the Social Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania, the Order and Justice party, with the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance invited to join it later, and the aspiration expressed by the parties to form a ruling coalition, has systematically acted against the provisions of the memorandum, undermining the party coalition and the formation of a ruling majority in the Seimas based on it and, therefore, has lost confidence in him," the document reads.

Baskiene told BNS Lithuania the Seimas' Assembly of Elders has already discussed that a vote of no confidence in the speaker should take place during Thursday's plenary sitting, adding that a secret ballot would be held.

"Depending on the results, if we get 71 no-confidence votes, in that case, we will be thinking about the election of a new speaker," the deputy speaker said.

The LFGU has called on Pranckietis to resign for the past couple of months as under the coalition agreement, his position would be given to the SDLP.

Pranckietis has refused to step down, stating that LFGU leader Ramunas Karbauskis is seeking his removal in revenge for his disobedience.