"If there was such a reaction from them (the Labor Party) and they backed the interpellation, it would be their incorrect behavior as the coalition has to be a united team (...) and not to think how to take revenge on one or the other minister. The principles of ethics and morals should be higher," the prime minister told Žinių Radijas (News Radio) on Thursday.
Butkevičius implied that certain members of the Labor Party are personally interested in Andriukaitis' resignation.
"I think it is more based on personal things," he said when asked about criticism of Andriukaitis by Labor Party leader Vytautas Gapšys and Dangutė Mikutienė, chairwoman of the parliamentary Committee on Health Affairs.
Lithuania's opposition Liberal Movement announced on Wednesday that they are initiating an interpellation against Andriukaitis.
The liberals ask the minister in the interpellation text why funding for healthcare institutions has been cut by 11 percent on average, despite the fact that the budget of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund is 135.8 million litas (over EUR 39 million) bigger than last year.
At least 29 members of the Seimas have to sign an interpellation against a minister, demanding to explain motives for a decision. If that happens, the minister has two weeks to explain his actions. If MPs are unsatisfied with the explanation, they can hold a vote of no confidence and remove the minister.
