Ruginienė steps down as prime minister, says Sinkevičius should have taken role last year

Lithuania’s government, led by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, submitted its resignation on Tuesday, as the newly formed coalition prepares to appoint Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius to the post, LRT reports.

Ruginienė stated she does not feel betrayed by her party, adding that Sinkevičius should have become prime minister a year ago. During the cabinet’s final meeting, she expressed gratitude to her team, saying: “I am truly proud of this team. Despite all the challenges, we have much to be proud of. Each of you has made a significant contribution to the welfare of our state and the improving lives of our people.”

She confirmed the government’s decision to resign and return its mandate to the president, calling the process a “normal political transition.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Ruginienė said she had promised never to shy away from difficult decisions. “Finishing this work, I know with absolute certainty that I kept that promise,” she said. She acknowledged public criticism of the government’s work but maintained that progress had been made, highlighting achievements in defence funding, air defence, and efforts against smuggling and corruption.

“In politics, you can learn many things—how to look good, how to speak smoothly—but you cannot learn courage or humanity,” she said. “Empathy, the ability to listen to people, and the courage to act are the qualities that personally helped me navigate complex choices and responsibilities.”

Ruginienė also addressed perceptions of her leadership style, noting that she did not fit the “stereotypical image” of how a prime minister should look, speak, or behave. “I never believed that a leader should be shaped by someone else’s pre-prepared template,” she said.

After stepping down, Ruginienė is expected to return to her role at the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, stating: “I return to where my heart is—working on issues related to people’s lives, their concerns, moods, and opportunities.”

She declined to comment on how the Social Democrats presented the decision to replace her or why she was being replaced amid the coalition change. “I understand that in politics, we always want to see drama, loud statements, and headlines, but I truly feel calm. I see this as a change, a handover of work to another leader. This is a normal political process,” she said.

“In politics, nothing is permanent. We, as politicians, must understand that our positions and seats are not eternal,” Ruginienė added.

She reiterated that Sinkevičius should have assumed the premiership last year following the resignation of then-Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas. “What is happening now should have happened last year. This step was delayed,” she said.