Lithuanian Social Democratic Party leader pledges to respect Ruginienė’s career preferences

The leader of Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Mindaugas Sinkevičius, has said he will seek to respect the career preferences of outgoing Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, LRT reports.

Sinkevičius, who is set to replace Ruginienė as prime minister, told Delfi that several scenarios exist for her future political role, including work in the Seimas, committees, or the Cabinet of Ministers. “There is freedom of choice here,” he said. “I think I will try to maximise the fulfilment of her preferences.”

Political sources suggest Ruginienė could return to her former role as Minister of Social Security and Labour, a position she held before becoming prime minister. However, Sinkevičius declined to confirm this, stating: “I do not rule out any scenario, but since all the scenarios I mentioned are possible, there is no need to speculate on which one will be chosen.”

While he avoided specifying whether Ruginienė might serve as his deputy in the new government, Sinkevičius described her as a close colleague. “I wouldn’t assess it in terms of left or right hand, or how many hands there will be, because there will be many hands. She is definitely a close colleague with whom I have worked for some time. I believe our relationship is good, and even after the changes that may take place, I hope these relationships will remain just as qualitative and productive,” he said.

Sinkevičius announced on Tuesday via Facebook that he would take responsibility for leading the government, replacing Ruginienė, who was appointed prime minister last August. Her government took office in September.

Earlier this month, the LSDP council decided to change the ruling majority formed last summer, removing the “Nemuno aušra” party and beginning consultations with the Democratic Union “For Lithuania.” Last week, coalition negotiators agreed on the distribution of ministries. The Democratic Union “For Lithuania” will take over the ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Health in the new government, while the LSDP will continue to lead nine ministries. The Seimas faction of the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families Union will retain control of two ministries.

A coalition agreement is expected to be signed this week, committing to implement the Seimas-approved programme of the 21st Government, indicating a new cabinet will be formed, as the current 20th Government remains in office. The agreement also states that the prime minister and the speaker of the Seimas will be nominated by the Social Democrats, though specific names have not yet been announced.

ELTA noted that tensions in the current coalition increased after some ruling partners in the Seimas did not support the establishment of the Kapčiamiesčio military training ground.