Ruginienė to return as social security and labour minister

Current Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė will return to lead the Ministry of Social Security and Labour after Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) chairman Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced his decision to take over as prime minister, 15min reported on Tuesday, citing three party sources.

The sources confirmed that an agreement has been reached for Ruginienė to resume her former role as minister, a position she held before becoming prime minister in August last year. Her government took office in September after swearing in before the Seimas.

Sinkevičius announced on Tuesday via Facebook that he had decided to take responsibility and lead the government. He stated that Ruginienė would be assigned new duties, though he did not specify whether she would return to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, which is currently headed by Social Democrat Jūratė Zailskienė. Zailskienė has reportedly been offered alternative positions, including the role of deputy speaker of the Seimas.

According to ELTA, the LSDP council decided earlier this month to restructure the ruling coalition, removing the “Nemuno aušra” party and beginning consultations with the Democratic Union “For Lithuania”. Coalition negotiations last week resulted in an agreement on the distribution of ministries. The Democratic Union “For Lithuania” has been allocated the ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Health in the new government.

The LSDP will continue to lead nine ministries, while the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union faction in the Seimas will retain control of two ministries. The coalition agreement, which includes a commitment to implement the Seimas-approved programme of the 21st government, is expected to be signed soon.

Tensions within the current coalition increased after some ruling partners in the Seimas failed to support the establishment of the Kapčiamiestis military training ground.