Minister expects public salaries to rise despite debt warnings
Get European news in your inbox daily
A short daily digest of the whole continent — or just the countries you care about.
Check your email. We've sent a confirmation link — click it to complete your subscription.
Discussions around Lithuania's national budget and public servant salaries intensified today, with a minister anticipating an 8-9% increase for public servants, funded by internal resources. The Speaker of the Seimas, Juozas Olekas, also indicated that law enforcement officers could expect a larger salary raise than initially projected in the budget.
However, these budgetary plans face scrutiny, as Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Chairman of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, stated that the ruling coalition lacks a clear strategy to reduce the national debt. A presidential advisor suggested aiming for a 3% budget deficit by 2029, while A. Avulis expressed frustration over Lithuania's economic limitations. Simon Gentvilas described the budget as a "tragedy," warning it squanders the country's future.
In other news, a scandal has erupted over a Lithuanian vehicle, identified by special license plates, reportedly sent to Moscow. Separately, a passenger aircraft caught fire at Vilnius Airport just before takeoff. The real estate market is also seeing shifts, with developers offering discounts due to a surplus of apartments, and banks denying loans even to those with sufficient income. Additionally, Juozas Olekas announced a delay in the temporary halving of bus ticket prices, while a dangerous disease has spread across Lithuania following a fatal case in the Vilnius region.