Seimas approves Mindaugas Sinkevičius as prime minister

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, on Tuesday approved the candidacy of social democrat Mindaugas Sinkevičius for prime minister, LRT.lt reports.

In the vote, 80 lawmakers supported Sinkevičius, two voted against, and 28 abstained.

The social democrats decided to change the ruling majority formed last summer, removing the “Nemuno aušra” party led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis. Disagreements among coalition partners have persisted since the 2024 Seimas elections, when the first ruling majority was formed. This will be the third ruling majority and government in a year and a half.

In mid-June, the leaders of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families Union signed a new coalition agreement. This coalition holds 75 seats in the Seimas.

Orinta Leiputė, the elder of the Social Democratic faction, expressed confidence that Sinkevičius possesses the necessary competencies and personal qualities to serve as prime minister. She described him as a leader who values openness and dialogue, understands the importance of security, stability, and trust in the future for families, and is capable of finding solutions in complex situations.

“He is a leader who listens, not just talks, who values people by their work, not their titles,” Leiputė said. She added that Sinkevičius has diverse political experience and a vision in which “regions are not forgotten, business feels safe, and people can live decently.”

Conservative leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas noted that this is the third time the social democrat-led ruling coalition has reshuffled, jokingly offering to “lend” a candidate for prime minister if needed again. He criticized the outgoing prime minister, Inga Ruginienė, for having “a lot of initiative and little competence,” calling the past two years “lost for Lithuania.”

Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the ousted “Nemuno aušra,” thanked Ruginienė, calling her a “trailblazer” in the Social Democratic Party who sacrificed herself for the party. He warned that due to the incompetence of new ministers, right-wing parties could win the next Seimas elections.

Lukas Savickas, elder of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” faction, emphasized the need for fewer conflicts and more trust among coalition partners.