President confirms new government lineup

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Monday signed a decree approving the composition of the 21st government, proposed by designated Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, LRT reports.

The new cabinet includes Taurimas Valys as finance minister, previously a deputy foreign minister. Ieva Andriulaitytė, the Lithuanian Municipalities Association’s representative in Brussels, will serve as environment minister. Lukas Alsys, former chancellor of the culture ministry, takes the culture portfolio, while Martynas Katelynas, a parliament member, becomes interior minister. Inga Ruginienė, who led the 20th government, will head the social security and labour ministry.

Other key appointments include Robertas Kaunas (defence), Raminta Popovienė (education, science and sports), Kęstutis Budrys (foreign affairs), Juras Taminskas (transport), Rita Tamašunienė (justice), Edvinas Grikšas (economy and innovation), Linas Kukuraitis (health), Kęstutis Mažeika (agriculture), and Lukas Savickas (energy).

Several ministers from Ruginienė’s cabinet retain their positions: Kaunas, Popovienė, Budrys, Taminskas, Tamašunienė, and Grikšas.

Sinkevičius is set to present the government’s programme to parliament on Tuesday. The government will assume office once the Seimas approves its programme by a majority vote.

The outgoing government resigned after the ruling coalition was reformed and Sinkevičius announced his decision to lead a new cabinet.