Sinkevičius faces conservative questions over €2 billion budget and Belarus fertilizers

Lithuanian Social Democratic Party leader and prime minister candidate Mindaugas Sinkevičius answered questions from the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats in the Seimas on Monday, as reported by LRT.lt.

Parliament is set to vote on his candidacy on Tuesday. During the session, opposition politicians pressed Sinkevičius on budget plans, defence priorities, and his ties with business representatives.

Conservatives questioned why Sinkevičius did not run for prime minister nine months ago when Inga Ruginienė was nominated. He responded that he had not been part of the then-ruling coalition with “Nemuno aušra” but felt responsible for leading the cabinet after proposing to reform the coalition.

Opposition MPs also highlighted that implementing the programme commitments would cost around €2 billion, asking where the state would find the funds and whether borrowing would be necessary. Sinkevičius acknowledged that the exact figures could be debated but 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.

Sinkevičius noted that some of the current majority’s agreed decisions come with costs, adding that the focus would be on reinvested profit relief and social issues over the next two and a half years.

Former prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats argued that the coalition programme was too broad, leaving its implementation to the future government. She suggested that some policies might simply be delayed by setting distant deadlines.

On family policy, Sinkevičius admitted that despite increasing annual funding, results had not improved, with birth rates continuing to decline. He emphasised that the programme included more than just parental leave benefits, stressing the need to ensure that having children does not reduce family incomes.

Conservative MP Daiva Ulbinaitė asked how to address poverty among people with disabilities, noting that over 40% of disabled individuals in Lithuania face poverty—the worst rate in the EU. Sinkevičius responded that tackling this issue should be a priority, as poverty affects the elderly and disabled alike.

Conservative leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas asked whether Lithuania’s defence priority should be logistics—given recent investments of over €1 billion in military equipment—or air defence. Sinkevičius stated that Lithuania must follow NATO requirements, with current priorities including air defence, hosting a German brigade by 2027, and forming a national division.

Regarding Lithuania’s relations with Belarus and reports of US pressure to soften its stance, Sinkevičius stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties with Washington. “Partnership is not one-sided: we help, we thank, but we also receive help. However, I do not believe Belarus is a major subject for negotiations,” he said, adding that Lithuania had contributed to sanctions against Minsk.