Lithuanian lawmakers have rejected the nomination of Zigmantas Balcytis of the Social Democratic Party as the country's next prime minister.
President Valdas Adamkus nominated Balcytis last week. He needed a simple majority of 67 votes to win the nomination in a parliamentary vote Tuesday, but only received 52. Forty-eight voted against him and there were 32 abstentions.
The results mean the president will have to submit a new candidate, who will then be subject to parliamentary approval.
Balcytis was finance minister and has served as acting prime minister since the government of Algirdas Brazauskas collapsed late last month.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.