Foreign minister Budrys says he has not discussed his post with Sinkevičius

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has stated he has not yet discussed his future in the role with incoming Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, as coalition talks continue, LRT reports.

“No, I just landed at the airport an hour ago. I haven’t spoken to him,” Budrys told journalists at the Seimas on Thursday. He added that discussions about cabinet portfolios, including his own, would take place in due course.

“The parties have agreed on the coalition and the main principles. Now the talks begin about who will fill which positions. The time will come for the foreign minister’s portfolio as well. Then we will discuss that question,” the minister said.

Budrys also declined to comment on whether he felt secure in his position, stating that the decision would depend on discussions among decision-makers. “It will depend on the talks. My task is to make a decision when—if at all—there is an offer. Then I will address that question. For now, that question is not on the table,” he said.

Earlier, Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee and a Social Democrat, suggested that Budrys would likely not remain foreign minister when Lithuania takes over the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of next year. Budrys himself has not commented on these speculations.

“I’ve been in politics long enough, both directly and indirectly, to not take anything personally. And I recommend everyone else do the same,” he said.

Political sources suggest that Deividas Matulionis, the president’s chief advisor, could replace Budrys at the Foreign Ministry. The Social Democratic Party has previously indicated dissatisfaction with Budrys’ performance, while President Gitanas Nausėda has repeatedly stated that the minister is doing his job well.