Valys urges focus on meeting content and results in response to criticism

Finance Minister Taurimas Valys played down criticism from Democratic leader Virginijus Sinkevičius over the ministry’s efforts to raise more budget revenue, urging people to focus on the content of meetings and their results, LRT reported.

Sinkevičius had said his party was offering proposals to reduce the budget deficit and that he was “tired of doing the finance minister’s job.” He also urged Valys to admit if he was unable to organise the ministry’s work properly.

Speaking to reporters in parliament on Thursday, Valys said the remarks appeared to reflect the dynamics of coalition politics. He noted that similar statements were often made before or after coalition meetings. “There are matters within the Cabinet and matters within the coalition,” he said. “I suggest assessing the content of meetings and the results more often.”

A working group representing the ruling Social Democrats, Democrats and Farmers will meet on Thursday to discuss raising the sugar tax, which took effect this year, and increasing taxes on gambling. The measures are among the so-called sin taxes being considered as ways to raise additional budget revenue.

The 2027 budget draft forecasts a general government deficit of 3.8% of gross domestic product and public debt of 48.2% of GDP. Under the Maastricht criteria, the deficit should not exceed 3% of GDP and public debt should remain below 60%. Sinkevičius has said the Finance Ministry has not yet met the conditions for his party to support the proposed budget.