Social Democrats confirm new prime minister after Ruginienė experiment

Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius has announced he will take over as Lithuania’s prime minister, replacing Inga Ruginienė, who was appointed to the role last August, LRT reports.

Sinkevičius said Ruginienė will remain a key member of the team, though her return to the post of social security and labour minister is unofficial. The change follows a Social Democratic Party decision 10 days ago to reshuffle the ruling majority.

President Gitanas Nausėda criticised the party for taking too long to act, saying the delay had cost the state. “Frankly, the party took too much time. Too many red lines were crossed, too many drops of patience were spilled, too much attention was given to those who divide society. But the decision has been made, and this is a very important point of accountability for our state,” Nausėda said.

Sinkevičius dismissed the criticism, stating the decision was not late for the party or the state. He added that the coalition agreement, expected to be signed on Thursday, would determine the new government’s composition.

Former prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė called Ruginienė’s tenure an “experiment” that had ended at a cost to both the Social Democrats and Lithuania. “It’s clear the experiment that began last autumn was overstretched. If they’ve understood that—and I think they have—it’s good that it’s over, because it cost Lithuania,” she said.

Sinkevičius, previously mayor of Jonava, was convicted in 2023 over the misuse of public funds for personal purchases, including televisions and communication services. The Supreme Court later overturned the lower court’s guilty verdict. He has stated he has nothing to fear, previously remarking, “If you’re afraid of skeletons, you shouldn’t be in politics.”

Some cabinet changes are already known. Health Minister Marija Jakubauskienė (Social Democrats) will hand over duties to Democrat Linas Kukuraitis, whom she described as a person of high morale. Agriculture Minister Andrius Palionis (Peasant Greens) will be replaced by Democrat Kęstutis Mažeika, praised by Palionis for his competence and experience.