Prime minister Ruginienė denies clinging to post, declines to discuss cabinet reshuffle

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė on Monday dismissed suggestions she is resisting pressure to step down, but refused to engage in speculation about potential changes to her position, public broadcaster LRT reports.

Her comments follow a statement by Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius, who declared readiness to “take responsibility” for implementing reforms if the governing coalition replaces the Nemuno aušra party with the Democrats’ Union “Vardan Lietuvos” (For Lithuania).

“You’re asking a question that matters to someone who feels clinging to their seat,” Ruginienė told journalists in Vilnius. “I’m not clinging to any position, nor will I be where fate doesn’t lead me.” She insisted discussions about her political future were “not worth having” while she remains in office.

Media outlets, citing anonymous sources, reported last week that Ruginienė and Sinkevičius had met, during which she was informed of his ambition to become prime minister. Ruginienė confirmed the meeting but said no decisions had been made, adding she had heard “various options”—including the possibility of staying in her post.

“It’s clear there will be some government changes as the coalition shifts,” she said, while urging stability: “The government is working and will continue its usual work. Coalition changes won’t halt its operations.”

Asked whether she would seek the speaker’s role in the Seimas (parliament), Ruginienė reiterated her focus on “change, not positions.” She defended her record, stating she entered politics “with a simple goal: to work and accomplish what I couldn’t in the trade unions,” and later took on leadership during a “complex situation” despite knowing it would damage her approval ratings.

“I have nothing to be ashamed of. I came to work for the welfare of every person in Lithuania, and I’ll continue doing that,” she said.

The Social Democrats aim to restructure the ruling majority with the Democrats’ Union and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens/Lithuanian Christian Families Alliance faction. The current coalition (Social Democrats, Nemuno aušra, and Farmers and Greens) holds 80 seats; the proposed alliance would have 75.