Lithuanian politician criticises appointment of Ruginienė as prime minister

Algirdas Butkevičius, a member of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania”, has criticised the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party’s (LSDP) decision to appoint Inga Ruginienė as prime minister last year, calling it irresponsible, LRT reports.

Butkevičius argued that the party failed to consider the long-term political consequences for Ruginienė, stating that her appointment risked damaging her political career. He emphasised that candidates for prime minister must possess leadership experience, knowledge, and the ability to manage both their political party and the government.

“When Ms. Ruginienė was elected, I said that the social democrats do not feel responsible to society and act very irresponsibly. In simple terms, they put her, as a woman and a politician, in a position where it could ruin her entire political path,” Butkevičius said in an interview with ELTA kampas.

He added that the role of prime minister requires a strong sense of self-respect and the ability to set clear national priorities. Butkevičius claimed that under Ruginienė’s leadership, the government lacked direction, as she failed to define key objectives, leading to widespread concern over defence and security issues.

Butkevičius also commented on Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the current LSDP leader, who had considered taking the prime minister’s role himself last year. Butkevičius expressed surprise at Sinkevičius’ eventual decision not to pursue the position.

Ruginienė was proposed as prime minister in August last year after Gintautas Paluckas resigned. Butkevičius had initially expected Eugenijus Sabutis, then transport minister, to take the role, though legal complications later arose for Sabutis.