The parliamentary commission announced in early December that President Rolandas Paksas "is not impregnable" and "has gravely violated the Constitution and his oath". On these grounds a special commission of professional lawyers and parliamentarians was set up on December 29th to confirm or reject the charges against the Lithuanian president.
Earlier, presidential spokesman Jurate Overlingiene could not say for sure whether Paksas would turn up in the Commission on January 5th. "This will only become clear on Monday," she said. Instead of the president, his lawyers might come to face the Commission. One of his lawyers said at a press conference on January 2nd that they would appeal to any organisations, including international, to defend the president.
The Commission is to present its conclusions before February 13th, which may be followed by an impeachment process against the Lithuanian president.
Paksas is charged with using criminally gained funds in his election campaign.
