The unexpected news about Mr. Borisov being appointed presidential adviser came late on Wednesday. It literally shocked Lithuanian politicians and society in general.
"The President decided to play all-or-nothing game," Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas commented on the decision.
"It is either a serious mistake or open mockery," was the comment of the Sejm members, whose opinions appeared in the Thursday issue of the Lietuvos Ritas daily under the title "Paksas mocks Lithuania".
According to Overlingene, in the evening Paksas will personally address the country's citizens in a live broadcast and will explain the reasons for the events.
Russian entrepreneur Yuri Borisov rendered Mr. Paksas significant financial support during the latter's election campaign and now is one of the central figures in the scandal related to the president's impeachment. Mr. Paksas is accused of "grave violations of the oath and the constitution." Among other things, the president is charged with granting Yuri Borisov Lithuanian citizenship "by way of exception", though he simultaneously preserved Russian citizenship, which is prohibited by the Lithuanian legislation.
