Lithuanian PM’s remark on EU representation not a challenge to president, says opposition leader

Lithuania’s opposition Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius has downplayed Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė’s statement that she could represent the country at the European Council, calling it a “simple observation” rather than an attempt to undermine the president’s prerogative, LRT reports.

Speaking on the ELTA savaitė programme, Sinkevičius acknowledged “a certain level of competition” between the presidency and the government but insisted there was no serious conflict. “There’s enough sun for everyone,” he said. “I don’t see this as the prime minister trying to take over representation—just a statement that she could handle it if needed.”

The politician noted that institutional rivalry exists not only in foreign policy but also in domestic affairs, suggesting it could even be constructive. “Some might criticise the prime minister for being proactive in foreign policy, but by the same logic, others could be accused of meddling in domestic matters,” he said. “Right now, I don’t see real tensions—if anything, they’re being artificially exaggerated.”

Sinkevičius expressed confidence in President Gitanas Nausėda’s current representation of Lithuania at the European Council, comparing the debate to a proverb: “It doesn’t matter if the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.” He praised Nausėda’s experience, direct contacts, and personal relationships with EU leaders as valuable assets.

The comments follow Ruginienė’s recent statement to Lrytas that she could “perfectly well” participate in European Council meetings, proposing a potential compromise with the presidency over who represents Lithuania. Nausėda has reiterated his intention to continue in the role but denied any disagreement with the prime minister.

Last October, Ruginienė’s advisor Ignas Dobrovolskas confirmed that the president and prime minister had agreed to consult regularly on European Council representation, leaving open the possibility of her attending informal meetings. Conservatives have previously pushed for legal changes to allow the government leader to represent Lithuania depending on the agenda, but Nausėda dismissed such proposals as “unacceptable.”

The European Council, comprising EU heads of state or government, the Council president, the European Commission president, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, convenes at least twice every six months in Brussels, with additional meetings held as needed.