Ex-labour union leader becomes Lithuania’s PM

Lithuania's parliament Tuesday elected a former labour union leader and relative political newcomer as the country's new prime minister, weeks after her predecessor resigned following investigations into his business dealings.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lawmakers approved Inga Ruginiene, 44, as the new head of government by 78 votes to 35.

Ruginiene, a former head of Lithuania's labour union confederation, joined the centre-left Social Democratic Party just before a general election last year and then served as minister for social affairs and labour under Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, who resigned at the end of July after less than a year in office.