Analytics, Economics, Lithuania

Andrius Kubilius.

"The crisis is scary only when you are not prepared for it, yet the crisis appears to be only a temporal difficulty, when you have a plan to tame it. Therefore, I recall the words of Pope John Paul II: "Do not be afraid". Let us not be afraid of difficulties, disagreements, and trust in everybody. Let us be afraid of only one thing, which is indifference," the candidate to be allocated the post of prime minister told in the Seimas on Tuesday.

Kubilius compared the current economic situation with economic winter, which might be especially deep and difficult. "Winter is a period causing temporary inconvenience, but it cannot and should not trigger fear. One should be afraid of winter only if he has not prepared for it," Kubilius said. The candidate for the post of prime minister did not conceal the fact that the planned changes were complicated ones, which will require patience and a lot of effort from all layers of society, business and civil service, reports ELTA.

Kubilius promised do everything that the crisis would affect poorly living people as least as possible. "We have to show that the state knows how to take care of the weakest ones in difficult times, that it does not leave its citizens to suffer without any hope or prospect. Therefore, we will do everything that the crisis combat plan would affect the people with lowest income as least as possible," he stated. The presidential nominee for prime minister also promised that his Government would be active to justify its name of the Government of Change. He talked about reforms in education and healthcare, changes in the administration of the state, innovative economy and business conditions as well as many other areas.

Later Kubilius answered the questions posed by MPs. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Kubilius is to meet with parliamentary groups. The Seimas intends to vote for Kubilius" candidacy for the post of prime minister on Thursday. The 15th Government will start working after the Seimas approves the programme of the Government and ministers will make an oath.