Lithuanian prime minister found in serious breach of ethics over family trips to Italy and Vatican
The Lithuanian Supreme Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) has ruled that Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė seriously violated the Law on the Coordination of Public and Private Interests by including family members in official delegations to Italy and the Vatican, LRT reports. Ruginienė has rejected the decision and intends to challenge it in court.
A spokesperson for the prime minister, Ignas Algirdas Dobrovolskas, told the Baltic News Service (BNS) that Ruginienė acted in accordance with long-standing protocol for official visits. “The prime minister has repeatedly stated that all decisions were made following current rules and protocol requirements,” Dobrovolskas said. He added that the case raises questions about the relationship between legal norms and established practice, prompting the decision to seek judicial review.
“We hope the court will help provide final answers to questions relevant to broader state institution practice,” Dobrovolskas stated.
According to VTEK, Ruginienė approved the inclusion of her spouse, daughter, and son in official delegations for trips to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (February 6–10) and the Vatican (March 6–8). Both visits were funded by state budget funds. The commission determined that the trips served the private interests of her family members and that her failure to recuse herself constituted a serious breach. She has been ordered to reimburse the state for the associated costs.
Andrius Grumadas, a spokesperson for the opposition Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP), told BNS that the ruling provides clarity for other public officials. “Questions about such situations have arisen for some time, so it is important that VTEK has issued an assessment and established clearer practice,” he said. Grumadas noted that while Ruginienė’s planned legal challenge could alter the outcome, the decision currently offers guidance for evaluating risks and understanding applicable protocols.