Lithuanian PM welcomes ethics probe into Vatican trip, seeks clarity on official protocols

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has welcomed an investigation by Lithuania’s Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) into her recent trips to Italy and the Vatican, stating the review is necessary to clarify how officials should balance protocol with legal requirements, LRT.lt reports.

Speaking to journalists after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Ruginienė said she had herself requested the ethics watchdog examine whether current practices—based on “a 30-year tradition”—align with the law. “If it appears something in this system needs to change, we initiated this clarification,” she said. “We need to know how to proceed.”

The commission announced Tuesday it would assess whether Ruginienė’s decisions on February 4 and March 3 created a conflict of interest or violated rules requiring officials to recuse themselves when personal and professional duties overlap. Investigators will also determine if she misused her position for personal gain or failed to prevent improper use of state resources.

Ruginienė attended a papal audience during the trip, which has drawn scrutiny over compliance with ethics regulations. She emphasized that the probe’s findings would help reconcile “existing protocol practices with statutory provisions.”

The prime minister’s comments follow VTEK’s decision to review whether her actions—alongside those of two other senior officials—adhered to rules governing recusal and the use of state assets for non-official purposes.