President receives two ministerial nominations: Valys for finance, Andriulaitytė for environment

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed on Thursday that he has received two ministerial nominations from designated Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, who is currently forming a new government, LRT reports.

Taurimas Valys, the current deputy foreign minister, has been nominated for finance minister, while Ieva Andriulaitytė, the Lithuanian Municipalities Association representative in Brussels, has been put forward for the position of environment minister.

Nausėda stated that he had scheduled meetings with both candidates on Thursday, with Andriulaitytė’s discussion to be held remotely.

Meanwhile, a protest is planned outside the presidential office on Thursday against Martynas Katelynas, the nominee for interior minister. Public discussions have emerged regarding Katelynas’ past rhetoric, including comparisons of Lithuanian officials to Belarusian riot police and statements about stopping illegal migrants with lethal force.

Nausėda commented that while Katelynas’ views may be controversial, having clear positions is preferable to having none. He added that protests are a normal part of the political process.

The president also addressed speculation about Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys’ future, stating he sees no reason why Budrys could not continue in his role. Nausėda reiterated Lithuania’s hopes for normalising relations with China, dismissing suggestions that Budrys’ position depends on Beijing’s decisions.

Budrys described his meeting with Sinkevičius on Wednesday as substantive but did not confirm whether he would remain in office. Sinkevičius has yet to decide on a foreign minister candidate.