By Žygintas Abromaitis, LRT TV, LRT.lt.

Prime minister-designate Inga Ruginienė faced pointed questions in parliament last week over a proposal to buy three Embraer military transport planes with money from the European Union’s Cohesion Fund, as defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė defended the plan on Facebook and opposition lawmakers warned it could come at the expense of health, education and regional projects.

Ruginienė, meeting with the opposition conservative parliamentary faction, promised to return with clearer answers after consulting Šakalienė, who is currently on medical leave. “If the minister cannot respond, I will,” Ruginienė said, stressing that she would review the “sensitive points” before moving forward.

Šakalienė has argued that the armed forces need new transport aircraft and that Cohesion Fund money – which cannot be spent on weapons – could be used to cover the purchase. In a Facebook post, she outlined three conditions for the deal: securing the EU funding, reaching an agreement with other ministries, and timely delivery.

She also struck back at critics, threatening legal action against opposition leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas, who has accused her of having a personal interest in the deal. “Such claims amount to accusations of corruption,” Šakalienė wrote. Kasčiūnas dismissed her remarks, saying she was free to “say whatever she wants”.

The proposal has raised alarm across parliament. Members of the National Security and Defence Committee said using Cohesion funds would force the defence ministry to draw money away from projects in health care, roads and education. Committee member Dainius Gaižauskas wrote that swapping regional investment for “Brazilian aircraft” risks deepening public mistrust in government.

Read more: LRT.LT