How long will the government go for taxes?

– What moods do you prevail in your faction and what options do you consider when the Damoclo Sword of the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FCIS) has been hanging over Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas?

– We believe that all the studies that are now being done will give a very clear answer. The President said he acted in accordance with the current rules governing the behavior of shareholders, and we believe in his words. After receiving the FCIS response, we will successfully complete the spring session.

– Do you not consider other options? The chairman may believe in what he says, but the FNTT does not have to believe in it.

– If the investigation was not started, we would have doubts about whether the truth was said, but now I suggest you wait for the findings of the research. Both the Chief Commission for Official Ethics and the FCIS are working, and after their answers we will be able to make some decisions. However, I have no reason to disbelieve because the primary source that provided information about the premiere is not so reliable. If you read the book of Birutė Davidonytė and David Pancerov, you would see that the person did not have transparency.

– The media is doing its job, the FCIS – its own. If a pre -trial investigation has already begun, then there was something to hook up. Anyway, would it probably be wise to prepare for the plan B. Would the faction be a big problem if I needed a new prime minister?

– The party is big, there are people, but let’s not rush events, let’s not first train. There are processes, we do our work, and I think we will complete the spring session as we have planned by passing the laws we have promised to the people of Lithuania. And then, when the research is over, we will see what solutions we need.

– Recently, a rally was ahead of the real estate tax at the Seimas. Is it clear to you what this project is?

– I couldn’t go to the rallies because I was chairing at the meeting at the time. There is a very busy debate on tax changes. I think we will end the session by adopting this and other laws, and then we will see how much additional funds have been raised in the budget. If we are able to accept everything we plan, I think we will raise nearly $ 500 million. We will approach a single percentage point from the overall domestic product, which will add to the defense budget and assume certain obligations. I think even the first home, if it is particularly expensive, should be taxed – either as a luxury thing or just as real estate. So far, the Committee on Budget and Finance has decided that the first, main, home tax needs to be dismissed, but there are other offers. I do not know who will receive approval in the Seimas. The yesterday, we were considering proposals made by the Minister of Health to increase contributions for state -prohibited citizens to provide services that are often paid today.

Not all we can contribute equally to infrastructure or defense, so we have to get up.

– NT, land taxes are usually collected in the municipal budget to improve infrastructure. Basically, every person pollutes nature and everyone needs infrastructure, everyone drives the same roads, no matter what house.

– The world experience also shows the Social Democrats that if a person is more fortunate, for example, he built a house, shared his earning profit by paying to the employees and staying for some part, he could share a little more. It seems to me that it is perfectly right. Voters agree that there are people who work from morning to evening and earn only that it is enough to eat and live in a simpler home, and there are people who work sometimes and shorter but earn more. We need to share a little bit to live in the harmony.

– You speak as a Calvinist – there are God’s elect who are more fortunate.

– Everywhere, some are better off, for others worse, whether it is school or work. It is such a life and it is beautiful that we are not all cut by one shoe. Not all we can contribute equally to infrastructure or defense, so we have to get up.

– Let’s go back to the real estate fee. According to the initial project, the first housing had to be taxed and the fee is collected to municipal budgets. In a sense, the taxation of taxation is deprived of taxes from municipalities. The municipality seems to be deceived. Perhaps you plan to give a second, third home to municipalities?

– I can’t completely say all the details, because the budget and Finance Committee is still on discussion on the final option. But the people who came to the rally asked for members of the Seimas to be taxed on their first housing, not from anywhere but from municipalities. I know there are some projects for a more luxurious first home. We will look at the final decision, then we can explain everything.

– You started considering the proposal of the Ministry of Health to ban additional bonuses for state -funded services. Do you, as a doctor, understand the meaning of this reform?

– I think the minister and her team do not have to pay a good job for paying for what health insurance pays for what health insurance pays. We were given specific facts that the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (PSDF) is paid for, but when the patient goes to a medical facility, there is suddenly a premium for individual management or something else. In my opinion, this is how patients are, in a sense, deceived. According to the planned amendments to the law, the patient would have the opportunity to pay for the measures if he or she wants it. Let’s say he needs a joint prosthesis. The PSDF will ensure a good average offer, but if you want something more or the doctor will recommend something, the opportunity to pay off will remain. It will now be considered what measures to pay for.

– I have a technical question. I recently visited the outpatient clinic, prescribed blood tests and additional tests such as vitamin D, magnesium, ferritin. Additional investigations had to be paid for. Will there be no such premiums, vitamin D and other studies that were paid are no longer available? If so, what money will these studies be covered?

– If you have given you such research, I think they should be free. This will be paid from the PSDF funds. The minister introduced the proposal from three stages. The first stage is to very clearly define these bonuses, then to make priority directions and the third is to increase contributions for state -prohibited persons. In this way, the fund would raise more funds and could cover the premium.

Juozas Olekas. Photo by R. Riabov / BNS

– So there will be no so -called VIP cabinet in the Santaris, where can the service you need right away? Each outpatient clinic, at least in Vilnius, has so -called paid services. You don’t get a family doctor or there are big queues – you call and you get the service quickly. Suppose you need gastroscopy – you will do in Santaries for 60 euros a day. Will it disappear after the reform?

– There should be premiums for fourtees, ie, if you want a separate ward, and so on. And, as I said, there is now a debate to stay for the bonus to purchase the tool you choose.

– With the permission of the registered gender neutral partnership, the President in the annual report urged parliamentarians to adopt the necessary amendments, providing this possibility by law. Do you, the ruling coalition, are about to do so?

– We are ready, after all, we have to enforce the CC and to enable people in general so that they can legitimize their relationships. I think those amendments will be submitted. I can’t say exactly whether at the end of the spring session or in the fall, but I think we’ll solve this issue this year.

– The presidential report sounded the following words: « When a politician’s mantle is worn, it is worth measuring his business nine times. » The case of the prime minister catalyzed this issue, but in principle, how many members of the Seimas have various links to businesses. Should something be done with that?

– I agree with the president’s words. In fact, I have shares myself – I bought several Telia shares 20 years ago, then there was such fashion. I have declared them, but this is probably not important because their number is symbolic. But people with business relations are certainly elected to the Seimas. Some colleagues say the regulation is sufficient, but I think even when acting by regulation, there is a trigger of doubt. After all the research, we will need to review the rules again so that they do not have any suspicions. If we see that they need to be improved, we will certainly improve. Because, in my opinion, more and more business people will come to the Seimas.

– In a annual report, the President spoke about the greater accessibility of medical services to former leaders of the country. Do doctors often lay presidents not where they should lie down, for example, in a six -seater ward?

– It seems to me that I don’t have to be hostile. Medical services are approaching a person. A few years ago we made a decision to give birth at home. So doctors go home and help the birth. So why not go to the former president of a very honorable age? To take care of one or another person, it seems to me that nothing is reprehensible or complex. It would be a show of good will and respect for that person.