PAKSAS CONFIRMED AS LITHUANIAN PREMIER

The parliament on 26 October confirmed Rolandas Paksas as prime minister, a post he held last year as a member of the then ruling Conservatives. The vote was 79 to 51. Paksas has 15 days to present a government program and new cabinet; he has promised to submit a cabinet list to President Valdas Adamkus by 30 October, ELTA reported. The parliament also confirmed New Alliance member Arturas Skardzius and opposition Social Democracy bloc member Ceslovas Jursenas as deputy chairmen. Earlier, Liberal deputy Gintaras Steponavicius and Peasants Party leader Ramunas Karbauskis were also elected as parliamentary chairmen.