Lithuania’s Skvernelis to stay on as PM, going back on pledge to quit

VILNIUS, July 9 (Reuters) – Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Tuesday he will remain in his post, going back on a pledge to quit following his defeat in the presidential election in mid-May.

“The decision (to resign) was purely emotional, maybe I shouldn’t have said it right then, on the election night,” Skvernelis told a news conference.

After failing to advance beyond the first round in the presidential vote, Skvernelis had initially pledged to resign on inauguration day, July 12, but later said he might reconsider.

Lithuania is to hold its next general elections in October next year. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas; Editing by Johan Ahlander)