Democratic Party to present ministerial candidates to president

Acting leader of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” Virginijus Sinkevičius will present the party’s candidates for ministerial positions to President Gitanas Nausėda on Friday, LRT reports.

Speaking to journalists at the Seimas on Thursday, Sinkevičius confirmed he would meet the president at 10:00 the following day. “Tomorrow I will meet with the president and first present the names to him. After the meeting with the president, I think you will soon learn the names, but of course I would like to coordinate with Mindaugas [Sinkevičius, the candidate for prime minister] on what is most comfortable for him in terms of when to announce the names,” he said.

Sinkevičius added that the candidates had already been agreed upon with the future head of government. “Don’t expect any big surprises. I think the people and their competencies are very clear. If no additional questions arise, we won’t surprise you much,” the Democratic Union leader stated.

Under the new coalition agreement, the Democrats are to lead the ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Health. Media reports suggest that Seimas member Kęstutis Mažeika may be proposed for agriculture minister, Lukas Savickas for energy minister, and Linas Kukuraitis for health minister.

A new ruling majority was formed after the Social Democrats terminated their agreement with the “Nemuno Aušra” party. In mid-June, the new coalition agreement was signed by the leaders of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania”, and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union factions. This coalition holds 75 seats in the Seimas.