Aidas Gedvilas elected chair of Lithuanian parliament’s energy committee

The Lithuanian parliament’s newly formed Energy and Sustainable Development Committee has elected Aidas Gedvilas, a member of the liberal Nemuno aušra (“Dawn of Nemunas”) political group, as its chair, LRT reports.

Gedvilas was selected on Tuesday with 11 votes in favour, while conservative committee member Matas Maldeikis abstained. Algirdas Butkevičius, representing the centre-left Vardan Lietuvos (“For Lithuania”) faction, was chosen as deputy chair.

“I am pleased to have alongside me a person with vast experience, broad vision, and competence,” Gedvilas said of Butkevičius.

The committee, established in mid-April with 13 members, replaces a parliamentary commission previously led by Gedvilas. Its formation faced opposition from some lawmakers, who argued that a party critical of strategic energy projects should not head the body.

The new committee will assume certain functions from the Economy and Environmental Protection committees. Its chair and deputy will formally begin work once approved by the full parliament.

Lithuania’s parliament currently operates 17 standing committees and 10 permanent commissions.