Lithuanian opposition leader comments on Sinkevičius’ PM candidacy
Friday 26th June 2026 on 09:30 in
Lithuania
Opposition MP Ingrida Šimonytė of the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) has described the ruling coalition’s nomination of Mindaugas Sinkevičius for prime minister as a “boringly solid” choice, LRT reports.
“I think this is a feeling shared by both sides now—that after nearly two years of these images, enough is enough, and now even the Social Democrats are trying to extricate themselves from the situation by proposing something boringly solid, or solidly boring,” Šimonytė told Žinių radijas on Friday.
She added that Sinkevičius lacked specificity when outlining his plans in the Seimas, saying: “In such cases, I think the best approach is to judge by actions. The government will be confirmed, it will have a programme, and we’ll see what it does.”
Šimonytė argued that Sinkevičius benefits from low public expectations, making it easier for him to avoid disappointment. “It seems Sinkevičius is in a comfortable position because, realistically, whatever the government does or doesn’t do, it won’t dash great hopes—precisely because there aren’t any great hopes to begin with,” she said.
President Gitanas Nausėda submitted Sinkevičius’ candidacy to the Seimas on Thursday evening. Parliament must decide within a week, with a vote scheduled for next Tuesday. A simple majority is required for approval.
If confirmed, Sinkevičius must present a cabinet and government programme to the Seimas within 15 days. The government will take office once the Seimas approves its programme by a majority of participating MPs.
The spring parliamentary session may be extended until 14 July to finalise the new government’s composition and programme. The current government resigned after the ruling coalition was reshuffled and Sinkevičius, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), announced his decision to form a new cabinet. This is the second government change in this term, following the resignation of former PM Gintautas Paluckas last year.