President to meet with prime minister candidate Sinkevičius to discuss government formation

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda will meet with prime minister candidate Mindaugas Sinkevičius on Tuesday to discuss the formation of a new government, BNS reports.

The outgoing coalition government, led by Social Democrat Ingrida Ruginienė, ended its term on Monday after the ruling coalition collapsed. Under the constitution, the president must submit a candidate for prime minister to the Seimas (parliament) within 15 days of the government’s resignation.

Once the Seimas approves the candidate, they must present a new cabinet and government program—agreed upon with the president—for parliamentary approval within another 15 days.

A new ruling majority was formed after the Social Democrats terminated their agreement with the “Nemuno aušra” party. A new coalition, comprising the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families Union, was signed in mid-June. This coalition holds 75 seats in the 141-member Seimas.

Under the coalition agreement, at least four ministers will change in the new cabinet. The Democrats will lead the ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Health, while the Social Democrats will take over 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 party leaders state the need to coordinate names with the president.