RIDDEN COALITION GOVERNMENT THAT COLLAPSED LAST MONTH. LAWMAKERS APPROVED HIS APPOINTMENT BY 85 VOTES TO 13 IN THE 141-SEAT ASSEMBLY. FIVE LAWMAKERS ABSTAINED AND 38 WERE ABSENT. KIRKILAS, WHO NEEDED THE APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF LAWMAKERS PRESENT DURING THE VOTE, NOW HAS 15 DAYS TO COBBLE TOGETHER A CABINET THAT MUST ALSO BE ENDORSED BY PARLIAMENT. IT WOULD THE SMALL COUNTRY'S 14TH GOVERNMENT SINCE GAINING INDEPENDENCE AMID THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION IN 1991, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTED.
