Lithuanian lawmakers have removed Parliament Speaker Arturas Paulauskas from his post, backing a motion accusing him of failing to deal with abuse of power by legislative employees.
The opposition introduced the motion in response to news reports that senior legislative employees illegally used parliamentary transport and other services for their own private benefit.
In response, Paulauskas' Social Liberal Party withdrew from Lithuania's ruling coalition and recalled its two ministers from the government.
Vilnius Radio says lawmakers elected Labor Party member Vydas Gedvilas the temporary speaker.