President accepts Ruginienė government’s resignation, asks her to serve temporarily

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė’s government and asked her to continue in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is appointed, the president’s advisor Frederikas Jansonas confirmed to BNS.

Ruginienė is expected to be replaced by Mindaugas Sinkevičius, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, under a new coalition agreement between the Social Democrats, Democrats, and the rural “valstiečiai” party. The president will meet Sinkevičius on Wednesday and is set to submit his candidacy to the Seimas (parliament) for approval on Thursday.

If approved, Sinkevičius will have up to 15 days to present a new cabinet and government program, agreed with the president, for parliamentary approval.

The new ruling majority was formed after the Social Democrats ended their coalition with the “Nemuno aušra” party. At least four ministers will change in the new government: the Democrats will take over the Agriculture, Energy, and Health ministries, while the Social Democrats will lead the Environment Ministry. Ruginienė is expected to return to her previous role as Minister of Social Security and Labour.

Potential ministerial candidates have not yet been disclosed, as names must first be coordinated with President Nausėda.