President’s advisor says Kęstutis Budrys may remain foreign minister

Lithuania’s presidential foreign policy advisor Asta Skaisgirytė has stated that Kęstutis Budrys could continue serving as foreign minister, LRT reports.

“The president still believes that K. Budrys can continue to serve as foreign minister and would be fully suitable for the role,” Skaisgirytė told Žinių Radijas on Tuesday.

Questions about Budrys’ future have arisen amid a change in government, with Mindaugas Sinkevičius set to take over as prime minister from Inga Ruginienė. Last week, President Gitanas Nausėda linked Budrys’ prospects to progress on China and Taiwan issues, though he previously stated he had no specific complaints about the minister’s work.

When asked if the president’s stance had shifted, Skaisgirytė insisted Nausėda remains “completely satisfied” with Budrys’ performance. “The president’s rhetoric has not changed at all,” she said.

Sinkevičius told BNS last week that Budrys may not necessarily have to leave the foreign minister post, though other candidates—including members of the president’s team or current deputy foreign ministers—are also under consideration.

Skaisgirytė acknowledged that “various names” may be mentioned during political transitions to create the impression of multiple options, but confirmed that only one candidacy is being seriously considered for foreign minister: Budrys.

“Whether there is chemistry or not, well, we don’t always have the luxury of working with people we have chemistry with, but what matters is that the candidate for minister is committed to implementing the government’s programme,” she said.

BNS reported that Sinkevičius is expected to take over the prime minister’s post from Ruginienė, whose cabinet will resign on Tuesday. Skaisgirytė said Sinkevičius is scheduled to meet with the president on Wednesday to discuss government formation and its programme.