The announcement was made by Algirdas Butkevičius, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, Viktor Uspaskich, leader of the Labour Party, and Rolandas Paksas, leader of the Order and Justice Party.
"We have agreed to form a three-party coalition. We have agreed that a representative of the Social Democratic Party will be the prime minister. We have agreed to start drafting a government programme. A working group will be set up by the three parties, and we'll start reviewing the next year's draft budget next week," Butkevičius said.
In his words, the future partners have not talked about posts and ministries. Meanwhile Uspaskich said his name is among potential ministers. "Don’t rush. Let's wait. I am on the government team list, and then we'll see," he said when asked whether he's going to stay in the European Parliament or work in the Seimas.
Asked to reveal whether he wanted to become the minister of economy, the Labour Party leader said he did not as yet.
Butkevičius said talks on the distribution of ministerial posts would start next week. He hopes the new prime minister will be able to choose a finance minister. "The ministers will be selected based on their competence," he said.
The leader of the Social Democratic Party mentioned several priorities of the future government, including housing renovation, heating sector reforms, and raising the minimum wage.
"We have also agreed to set up a working group to review the entire tax system. We are not going to make another nighttime reform. The EU's financial aid will be given to areas creating added value," Butkevičius said.
The trio say they plan to sign a coalition agreement after the Seimas election results are officially confirmed.
Butkevičius expects to receive President Dalia Grybauskaitė's call on Monday and her request to start forming a new Cabinet.
Paksas underlined the importance of approving an agenda as soon as possible and starting to implement it.
"The most important thing is for the coalition to approve an agenda as soon as possible for it to become the new Cabinet's programme, to have a schedule and start implementing the work needed for the country," he said.
The trio had signed a preliminary agreement and launched coalition talks following the first round of voting in the Seimas elections.
Based on preliminary results announced by the Central Electoral Commission, the three parties will have 78 out of 141 seats in the new parliament, with the Social Democrats securing 38, the Labour Party 29, and the Order and Justice Party, 11.
