Lithuanian PM candidate faces conservative scrutiny over €2 billion funding question

Lithuanian Social Democratic Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Mindaugas Sinkevičius faced questions from conservative lawmakers in the Seimas on Monday, as reported by LRT.lt.

The opposition Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats pressed Sinkevičius on why he had not run for prime minister nine months ago, when Inga Ruginienė was nominated for the post. He responded that he had not been part of the then-ruling coalition with the “Nemuno aušra” party but felt responsible for leading the government after proposing to reform the coalition.

Conservatives also challenged Sinkevičius on the estimated €2 billion cost of implementing his party’s program, asking how the state would fund it and whether borrowing would be necessary. While acknowledging that the exact figures could be debated, Sinkevičius admitted the budget would require increased spending, with family policy and support for families with children as priorities.

“The incomes of families and parents who have children should not decrease after having a child,” he stated. He added that some of the current majority’s agreed measures, such as reinvested profit tax relief and social issues, would incur costs, and the challenge would be managing them within the remaining two budgets and political terms.

Former conservative Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė argued that the coalition’s program was too broad, leaving its implementation to the future government. She suggested that some policies might simply be deferred by setting distant deadlines, such as 2031 or 2034.

On family policy, Sinkevičius acknowledged that despite annual funding increases, Lithuania’s birth rates continue to decline. He stressed the need for action beyond just raising parental leave benefits, ensuring that parents’ incomes do not suffer after having a child.

Conservative MP Daiva Ulbinaitė asked how the government would address poverty among people with disabilities, noting that over 40% of disabled individuals in Lithuania live in poverty—the worst rate in the EU. Sinkevičius responded that tackling poverty among the elderly and disabled should be a priority for social democrats.

Sinkevičius, currently mayor of Jonava District, has led the municipality since 2011, with a brief interruption. If confirmed as prime minister, he would have to resign from his mayoral position. Last year, an appellate court had barred him from public office for several years due to a conviction related to misuse of official funds while serving as a Jonava council member. However, the Lithuanian Supreme Court later annulled the case, ruling that his actions did not constitute a criminal offense.

The Seimas is set to vote on his candidacy on Tuesday.