Sinkevičius urges Lithuania’s prime minister to make bolder decisions

Virginijus Sinkevičius says Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has made a solid start but should act more decisively on fuel prices and the state budget, LRT reported. The leader of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” was assessing the government’s first 100 days.

“I think M. Sinkevičius has started reasonably well. There are certainly discussions. I would like to see bolder decisions, for example on fuel prices and, ultimately, the budget,” V. Sinkevičius told Žinių radijas on Wednesday.

He said the coalition should have a clear budget from the outset, so its members could present and defend it together rather than continue negotiations among themselves.

Despite his criticism, V. Sinkevičius said the government was delivering on its main commitments. He cited the pledge to allocate 5% of gross domestic product to defence, adding that the use of the funds should be transparent and subject to full accountability. He also said domestic security institutions must not be overlooked as hybrid threats grow.

V. Sinkevičius said family policy and addressing the country’s demographic crisis were priorities for his party and should be reflected in next year’s state budget. The government led by M. Sinkevičius began work in July. Its governing coalition comprises the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” and the Seimas group of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Christian Families Alliance.