Loyalty seen as key criterion in Lithuania’s new cabinet picks

Political scientists have raised concerns over the competence of some ministerial candidates in Lithuania’s incoming government, with loyalty appearing to be the primary selection criterion, LRT reports.

Following designated Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius’ announcement of his cabinet lineup, Ramūnas Vilpišauskas, a professor at Vilnius University’s Institute of International Relations and Political Science, noted that “the most important criterion in forming the Cabinet seems to be party loyalty.”

Compared to the previous government led by Ingrida Šimonytė, five new members from the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) will take ministerial roles. Taurimas Valys is proposed as finance minister, replacing Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, while Martynas Katelynas is nominated for interior minister, succeeding Vladislavas Kondratavičius. Lukas Alsys is set to replace Vaida Aleknavičienė as culture minister, and Ieva Andriulaitytė is proposed for environment minister. Ingrida Šimonytė, the outgoing prime minister, will return as social security and labour minister.

Juras Taminskas will continue as transport minister, Raminta Popovienė as education, science and sports minister, Robertas Kaunas as defence minister, and Kęstutis Budrys as foreign minister.

Sinkevičius has emphasised that this is a new Cabinet, not a continuation of the previous government.

Martynas Katelynas’ nomination has drawn particular scrutiny. Vilpišauskas highlighted concerns over Katelynas’ lack of experience in the field, his past party switches, and controversial social media posts, including a 2021 Facebook comment comparing Lithuanian law enforcement actions to those of Belarus’ OMON forces. Katelynas, elected to the Seimas in a single-member constituency in Dzūkija, previously served on the Varėna District Municipal Council and was a member of the National Union party before joining LSDP.

Vilpišauskas acknowledged that the Cabinet also includes experienced figures, such as Lukas Savickas, the proposed energy minister, as well as the continuing foreign and defence ministers.

Saulius Spurga, a docent at Mykolas Romeris University, expressed doubts about the competence of the new Cabinet, particularly the choice of finance minister. “It’s hard to say, but I doubt this new Cabinet is more competent than the previous one. Maybe these people are closer to the prime minister, but that doesn’t mean they are more competent or better versed in their fields,” he said.

The upcoming government will be the third formed by LSDP after its victory in the 2024 Seimas elections. Spurga argued that this indicates the party was unprepared to take power.