Lithuanian PM’s refusal to resign called a ‘gift to enemies’ by political analyst

Lithuanian political commentator Arūnas Valinskas has criticised Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė’s statement that her resignation would be a “gift to the state’s enemies,” arguing that a weak leader is the real advantage for adversaries, LRT Radio reports.

Speaking on LRT Radio’s Aktualijų studija programme, Valinskas compared Ruginienė’s remarks to absolutist rhetoric, stating: “Frankly, the prime minister’s statement resembles ‘L’État, c’est moi’—as if the state revolves around her.”

The comments follow a major data breach at Lithuania’s Centre of Registers, which Valinskas described as a likely coordinated attack aimed at undermining public trust in state institutions. He warned that similar tactics could be tested in Lithuania, as seen in Latvia, where political fallout from drone incidents led to government resignations.

“In the same place, the Russians are rejoicing that, look, we launch a few drones and suddenly a minister in Latvia falls, then the whole government. Much of it was driven by political aspects and upcoming elections,” Valinskas said. “But who can deny that Russia might try a similar scenario in Lithuania—to see if ministers resign, or if the government might even have to step down?”

He criticised the government’s response to the breach, calling it inadequate and raising doubts about whether future incidents would be properly disclosed. “Our institutions and top officials have shown they are currently unable to counter such attacks effectively,” he said, adding that neither the president nor the prime minister should avoid accountability.

Valinskas also questioned the communication failures among state leaders, noting that Ruginienė was informed of the breach while the Seimas speaker and president were not. “The idea that ‘I knew but didn’t say’ is unacceptable—this isn’t about separate branches of political power but about the state working as a whole when facing threats,” he said.

He further condemned recent statements by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, who blamed the Centre of Registers director—appointed under a previous conservative government—for the breach. “Mr. Speaker, that director was your coalition’s minister for two years. Did you see no problems then? Now you pull out the old ‘conservatives’ skeleton from the closet—is that how a state politician should act in a crisis?” Valinskas asked.

While he doubted the scandal would force Ruginienė from office, Valinskas suggested responsible ministers could still face consequences.