Lithuania’s finance ministry changes customs chief selection rules after complaint

The Lithuanian Finance Ministry has revised the selection process for the head of the Customs Department following a complaint that led to the cancellation of a previous competition, the Delfi news portal reported on Saturday.

A selection committee in mid-February had chosen Žaneta Rudaitienė, the current acting deputy director, as the winner to lead the Customs Department. However, the competition was annulled after an unsuccessful candidate filed a complaint, arguing that the selection commission had been improperly formed.

The complaint, now under review by the Regional Administrative Court, challenges a ministry order on the commission’s composition. It specifically contests a rule requiring the direct superior of the candidate—or their deputy—to participate in the selection process. In this case, that role would have been filled by the finance minister.

The Finance Ministry confirmed to Delfi that the selection procedure has since been amended, removing the mandatory participation of the candidate’s direct supervisor in the commission.

A new competition for the position of director general of the Customs Department was announced last week, with applications accepted until May 8. The term of office is five years. The department is currently led on an interim basis by Vygantas Paigozinas.

The new selection follows the dismissal of former director Darius Žvironas, who was removed from office after being detained for driving under the influence.