LITHUANIA: Lithuania's parliament has rejected the attempt of Zigmantas Balcytis to become prime minister, nudging the Baltic state closer to early elections.
The Social Democrat, who was nominated for the post of prime minister by President Valdas Adamkus last week, failed to gain the necessary majority in the legislature, winning the votes of just 52 of the 132 deputies.
Mr Adamkus now has a fortnight to propose a new candidate to lead what will be Lithuania's 14th government since it regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The last cabinet collapsed after the Labour Party, which has the most seats in parliament, withdrew amid corruption allegations against two senior members.
The government had been badly undermined by its failure to win EU approval to adopt the euro next year, after missing its inflation target by a whisker.
Mr Adamkus now looks likely to nominate a more right-wing figure, after the Social Democrats failed to muster sufficient support for their man.
"There are few possibilities now," said analyst Alvydas Lukosaitis. "The Conservatives and Social Democrats may get back around the table and try to agree on a rainbow coalition, or the president may offer a right-wing candidate for prime minister."
Conservative leader Andrius Kubilius is considered the most likely next nominee, and he said he would consider a rainbow coalition with more left-leaning parties.
"But it is not clear whether the Social Democrats want this, as earlier negotiations on forming such a coalition showed they did not take the prospect of a broader union seriously," Mr Kubilius said.
If a prime minister and government are not approved by parliament within 60 days, general elections are expected to be called.
