Lithuanian parliament backs country's youngest prime minister

The Lithuanian Seimas (parliament) has approved 42-year-old Mindaugas Sinkevičius, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), as prime minister, Report informs, citing the legislature's website.

"Prime minister is not a matter of title or personal ambition. It is an obligation to take responsibility for the work of the government and for decisions that are often difficult but necessary," the Seimas press service quoted Sinkevičius as saying.

Sinkevičius is the youngest politician to hold the post in Lithuania. The previous youngest prime minister in the country's history was Inga Ruginienė, who was 44 when she took office.

The LSDP leader's candidacy was supported by 80 lawmakers, while two voted against and 28 abstained. According to lawmakers, despite his young age, Sinkevičius has all the qualities needed to lead the government.