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Lithuanian Prime Minister Resigns
Lithuanian Prime Minister Rolandas Paksas resigned Wednesday after a key member of his year-old coalition government in this ex-Soviet Baltic republic withdrew its support.
The move was widely expected after the center-left New Union, which formed the core of the government with the premier's center-right Liberal Union, on Monday called on Paksas to resign, saying it opposed his plans to cut taxes and quickly privatize the Lithuania's giant utilities.
Paksas, a former stunt pilot champion and one-time mayor of the capital, Vilnius, had promised to help stimulate the economy by lowering taxes and cutting red tape when he assumed power following general elections late last year.
But the 45-year-old has been frustrated by having to depend on partners who had basic disagreements with his free-market philosophy. They also complained that Paksas was a poor communicator.
Earlier Wednesday, President Valdas Adamkus was taken to the hospital with apparent appendicitis, forcing him to cancel a scheduled meeting with Paksas to discuss the government crisis.
Doctors examined the 74-year-old to determine whether surgery was required, presidential spokeswoman Violeta Gaizauskaite said. She emphasized the condition was not life-threatening.
Adamkus, a citizen of the United States before returning to his homeland to win the presidency in 1998, has limited powers. But he plays a key role in mediating political disputes and he can nominate new government leaders.
The government, which included the small Center Union and Modern Christian Democratic Union, had just 71 seats in the 141-seat Seimas. Without the New Union, with its 29 seats, it would fall below a parliamentary majority.
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