Sinkevičius to replace culture minister, decisions on Budrys, Vaitiekūnas and Kondratovičius pending

Lithuania’s incoming Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has announced plans to replace the current culture minister, with Lukas Alsys, the ministry’s chancellor, set to take over the role, LRT.lt reports.

Sinkevičius, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, was officially appointed prime minister on Tuesday after the Seimas approved his candidacy with 80 votes in favour, 2 against, and 28 abstentions. The president later signed the decree confirming his appointment.

On Wednesday, Sinkevičius revealed several ministerial changes, including his intention to keep Inga Ruginienė, the outgoing prime minister, as minister of social security and labour. He also confirmed that the current culture minister, Vaida Aleknavičienė, would be replaced by Alsys. “I would like to see him in my team as a minister,” Sinkevičius said.

Decisions on other key positions remain pending. Sinkevičius is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas on Wednesday. While Vaitiekūnas may continue in his role, an alternative candidate, Taurimas Valys, the current deputy foreign minister, is also under consideration. Sinkevičius stated that the final decision on Budrys would be made later.

The proposed changes follow a shift in Lithuania’s ruling coalition. Social Democrats decided to restructure the majority formed last summer, removing the “Nemuno aušras” party led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis. The new coalition, comprising the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families Union, holds 75 seats in the Seimas.