The new Seimas Speaker: A look at the budget expenditures Edward Smiltens, representing the "United List" (AS) party, was elected the 15th Speaker of the Seimas. This news will mark a new phase in the country's political administration. Smiltens' main task is to control budget expenditures and ensure quality management of state funds. In the context of the current economic crisis and tight budget planning, the focus should be on the transparency of expenses and the precise implementation of the budget strategy. The decisions of the new speaker will have a direct impact on the well-being of the population, and consequently also on the standard of living. The increase in prices and the tax burden oblige the authorities to develop a balanced policy that takes into account both the interests of the state and the needs of the citizens.