Lithuania's election-winning Social Democrats designate deputy leader as PM

FILE PHOTO: Social Democrats leader Vilija Blinkeviciute and deputy leader Gintautas Paluckas attend a press conference after the party's general election victory, in Vilnius, Lithuania October 28, 2024. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania's opposition Social Democrats, the winners of Sunday's parliamentary election, have decided on deputy leader Gintautas Paluckas to be the Baltic republic's next prime minister.

Social Democrat leader Vilija Blinkeviciute told reporters on Wednesday Paluckas was "best prepared" for the top job as she had opted not to take it on for health reasons.