Sinkevičius backs Motuzas as Seimas foreign affairs chair

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius says there are currently no grounds to replace Remigijus Motuzas as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas, LRT reported.

Sinkevičius said various opinions had been voiced within the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, but that Motuzas was performing his duties properly.

“There have been various opinions in the party regarding the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, R. Motuzas, but at present I see no grounds for changes,” Sinkevičius said in comments conveyed to ELTA. “R. Motuzas ensures smooth coordination of foreign policy with the presidency and the government, as well as the implementation of the provisions set out in the coalition agreement.”

Political discussions had intensified ahead of the Seimas autumn session, with speculation that the Social Democrats could decide to replace Motuzas. Orinta Leiputė, leader of the Seimas Social Democratic parliamentary group, denied that any such decision had been made.

“He is doing a good job and has a great deal of experience, which is useful to us. I cannot comment on any intentions to replace him in the future because no such decisions have been made,” Leiputė told ELTA.

She said the discussions were taking place more in the public sphere than within the party’s governing bodies. Motuzas has chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee since 2024.

Social Democrats to nominate committee chair candidate

Sinkevičius also said the Social Democrats would nominate a candidate to chair the Seimas and World Lithuanian Community Commission during the autumn session after changes to the governing coalition agreement.

The commission is currently chaired by Karolis Neimantas, a member of the Nemunas Dawn party. Leiputė said the Social Democrats had not yet selected a candidate, but that more than one person was being considered.

“We do not have any names yet, but the position is currently vacant because, following the change in the coalition composition, it was allocated to the Social Democrats. We have not submitted a candidate for the position, but we plan to do so during the autumn session of the Seimas. There is more than one potential candidate,” she said.

The coalition changes followed the Social Democrats’ decision to remove Nemunas Dawn from the governing coalition and begin working with the Democrats Union “For Lithuania”. The changes also affected the composition and leadership of several Seimas committees.

Social Democratic representatives continue to chair the Future, Environmental Protection, Budget and Finance, European Affairs, Culture, National Security and Defence, Education, Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Law and Law Enforcement, and Health Affairs committees.

Representatives of the Democrats Union were given the chairs of three committees previously led by Nemunas Dawn: the Economic Affairs and Innovation, Energy and Sustainable Development, and Social Affairs and Labour committees.

Under the coalition agreement, representatives of the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union parliamentary group continue to chair the Rural Affairs and State Administration and Municipalities committees. Artūras Zuokas, who belongs to the Mixed Group of Seimas Members, was elected chair of the Audit Committee.