Lithuanian PM calls ministry party spending unacceptable

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius says he trusts Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas but considers the €47,559 spent on a ministry staff party unacceptable, LRT reported. Nearly €45,000 came from ministry funds, with the rest paid by event attendees.

Speaking to LRT in Brussels on Tuesday, Sinkevičius said he expected Kaunas to explain the spending. The event was for ministry staff, not for the minister, he said, but the amount was inappropriate given current geopolitical circumstances.

Sinkevičius also said next year’s budget deficit would likely exceed 3%, arguing that otherwise the government would not meet its commitments. He said Lithuania would allocate at least 5% of gross domestic product to defence.

The prime minister said automatic indexation and rising public-sector spending were increasing costs faster than the economy was growing. Without measures to restrain that trend, he warned, the country could face a worsening fiscal situation in the coming years.

On security, Sinkevičius said Lithuania wanted continued support from NATO partners as drones repeatedly enter the airspace of member states. He said partner assistance had helped Lithuania deal with the latest drone and called for a more specific collective response to escalating incidents. Lithuania was seeking solidarity, understanding and help, he said.