"Although our government has set different priorities of operations than the earlier Cabinet, we seek to take an objective look at the situation, constructively assess the tasks accomplished, and maintain positive continuity of the work that is important for the future of Lithuania," Butkevičius said at the party's congress in Vilnius on Saturday.
In his words, the party will aim to continue rational budget austerity policies, with a focus on strategic energy projects.
According to Butkevičius, the energy sector was "transformed into a maidservant of politics" during the rule of the earlier Conservative administration.
"Energy matters were addressed by diplomats and IT specialists, kilowatt-hours were calculated by councils of political parties and poets, while ensuring stable supplies was a discussion of tradesmen and pianists. This involved everyone, except energy specialists. The consequence is that no progress was made over four years, the earlier energy base was destroyed and time was lost, causing confrontation in the society," Butkevičius said.
"Even structurally speaking, Lithuania's entire energy system was made hostage of one political project of Visaginas," said the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party.
At the same time, he noted that his Cabinet of ministers stalled development of the earlier government's solar power plants. In Butkevičius' words, this would have required annual grants of more than 500 million litas (EUR 145,000), which would have pulled up energy prices by up to 0.05 litas per kilowatt-hour.
According to the prime minister, renovation of apartment blocks under the new model will be started in all municipalities by the end of this year, with more than 800 buildings to be renovated in the first phase of the project.
Butkevičius has restated that his government intends to focus on securing economic growth, raising employment, reducing poverty and social seclusion.
