Lithuania has spent 3.7 million euros on shelters from 30 million

Lithuania has so far used only 3.7 million euros of the 30 million euros allocated for shelters, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said, according to LRT. He said municipalities must make shelter construction and upgrades a priority.

The state allocated 30 million euros from the Defence Fund for 2025 and 2026, Sinkevičius said after meeting municipal mayors at the Government.

“The pace of the work should be faster,” the prime minister said.

Mayors identified several reasons for the delays, including project preparation, expert assessments and the age of buildings where shelters are being installed. They said that design work can take time and that experts closely assess whether projects are properly prepared.

Sinkevičius said that spending almost 4 million euros out of the allocated 30 million was not a good sign for the state or municipalities.

Mayors’ pay could rise after the next local elections

The Government will assess mayors’ requests for higher salaries, Sinkevičius said. If Parliament approves an increase, it could take effect only after the next local elections.

The prime minister said the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for remuneration for state politicians, was assessing the situation. He noted that mayors already earn less than the heads of gymnasiums or progymnasiums, and even less than managers of polyclinics.

Sinkevičius said the issue would be assessed comprehensively, taking into account the responsibility carried by mayors and their arguments for higher pay. The final decision would be made by Parliament.

He added that any increase should apply only to newly elected mayors, rather than those currently serving.

The meeting with representatives of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania and mayors also covered the management of state-owned land and shelter construction.