New Lithuanian govt sworn in

RIGA - Lithuanian parliament approved the government program for 2012-2016 and the 16th government of Lithuania was sworn in on Thursday.

The program, submitted by incoming Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, was approved with 83 members of parliament voting in favor, 39 against and 9 abstained.

"I think that the current program is real as it takes into account the country's economic, financial and social situation, and it will be implemented successfully," Butkevicius said.

The government is now composed of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP), the Labour Party (DP), the Order and Justice (TT) party and the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania (LLRA).

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite wished success to the new government.

"We all need a working state that helps people. This is what people are expecting from it," she said Thursday in Brussels where she was attending a European Council meeting.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Butkevicius. He wished the new government success in their work and constructive and successful EU presidency in the second half of 2013.