Prime minister decides to remain in Jonava apartment

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has decided to continue living with his family in their apartment in Jonava rather than moving to the official residence in Turniškės, stating that everyone will need to adapt to this choice, LRT reports.

Speaking to journalists at the government offices on Tuesday, Sinkevičius said he is “a person from the region, from Jonava,” with his own life and family home there, not in Vilnius. He argued that officials appointed to positions such as prime minister or minister should not be expected to live exclusively in the capital.

“I believe we can properly coordinate my needs and the work of the Security Service so that it runs as smoothly as possible. I do not rule out that I will occasionally use the official residence,” he added.

The State Security Department (VAT) has stated it will adapt to the prime minister’s decision, though it does not plan to construct a temporary facility in the apartment building’s courtyard. According to VAT Deputy Director Paulius Nemira, security measures will include technical, organisational, and tactical solutions, as well as a physical presence of officers at the residence and its access points.

Sinkevičius acknowledged that his neighbours may encounter security personnel but assured that their work is discreet and should not disrupt daily life. “In fact, neighbours might even appreciate living in a safer environment,” he said.

He is not the first Lithuanian prime minister to live in an apartment. Andrius Kubilius resided in a multi-apartment building on Mildos Street in Vilnius after taking office in 1999, and Algirdas Butkevičius lived in an apartment near Vingis Park during the first two years of his term from 2012 to 2014.