Instead, the minister chose Andrius Krivas who currently works at Lithuania's Permanent Representation to the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe. Krivas is set to assume his new office on March 13.
"It's a slap in the face. The way he appointed the vice-minister, the same way he will have to sack him," Deputy Chairman o the Labor Party, Vytautas Gapšys, said adding that the party would not yield over Bekešius.
Sources say the foreign minister believed the Labor Party's candidate was weak despite the fact that he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The conflict over the vice-minister was discussed at the ruling coalition's Political Council and the Board of the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania.
"The minister was once again urged to resolve the problem as soon as possible. He must comply with the coalition agreement and find a solution," Vice-Speaker of the Seimas Algirdas Sysas, who is a member of the Board, said.
Currently on a visit to Azerbaijan, Linkevičius said he has not been informed about the Board's decision and said that he had no plans to cancel his decision.
President backs Foreign Minister
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė on Thursday indirectly backed Linkevičius in his clash with the Labor Party over his choice of the fourth vice-minister.
"All ministers have to apply the highest standards of professionalism when choosing candidates for vice-ministers. Experience in the civil service, competence, an impeccable reputation, and responsibility before the people of Lithuania are the most important criteria for assuming positions," Grybauskaitė said in a statement sent to BNS by the Press Service of the President.
