‘It’s simply not possible to resolve this issue, as the president is a position that no one can fill. Therefore, if the need arises to sign a law or make a decision, I cannot delegate it to anyone. That is why I have chosen what is probably the only, or almost the only, week in the year when there are no face-to-face meetings, no laws to be passed, and no other matters to attend to,“ Nausėda told LRT television.
„This means that my direct physical presence is not required. With modern technology, creating a mobile signature poses no major problems, so this is how I have, I would say, resolved this legal conundrum,“ he emphasised.
Nevertheless, the president emphasises that the Constitution grants him the right to rest.
„On the one hand, the Constitution grants me the right to a private life and a certain amount of rest. On the other hand, the Constitution requires me to perform my duties continuously for 10 consecutive years. And I suppose that is the only way to resolve this,“ said the head of state.
„Yes, you choose a place where, let’s say, if an extreme situation were to arise, you could return as quickly as possible. You choose a time that poses perhaps the least risk of such an occurrence. And I’m glad that, after all, I managed to use this time for active rather than passive rest,“ he emphasised.
ELTA reports that Nausėda visited the Portuguese island of Madeira from 3 to 10 August.
The President’s Office announced that on those dates, Nausėda will be working remotely and will be kept constantly informed of the most important events in the country.
The President of Lithuania does not formally have a holiday; this is not regulated by law.