President signs decree appointing Mindaugas Sinkevičius as prime minister

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has signed a decree appointing Mindaugas Sinkevičius, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), as prime minister, LRT reports.

The president signed the document after the Seimas (parliament) approved Sinkevičius as prime minister on Tuesday. Following his appointment, Sinkevičius must present a proposed cabinet of ministers to parliament within 15 days for presidential approval and submit the government’s programme for Seimas consideration.

The government will receive its mandate to act once the Seimas approves its programme by a majority vote of participating members. Under the Constitution, the president appoints and dismisses the prime minister with the Seimas’ consent.

The current government resigned after the ruling coalition collapsed, and LSDP leader Sinkevičius announced his decision to form a new cabinet. This is the second time the government has changed during this term. Last year, the entire cabinet had to step down after then-Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned.