Presidential office acknowledges calls to exclude Mažeika from agriculture minister role

The presidential office has acknowledged calls from environmental organisations urging President Gitanas Nausėda not to appoint Kęstutis Mažeika as agriculture minister, according to a report by LRT.

Paulius Baltokas, the president’s advisor on domestic policy, confirmed that the president was aware of the appeals but noted that the government formation process limits his ability to independently seek alternative candidates.

“The president has taken note of the entire situation, but the logic of government formation remains unchanged. This means the president engages with the candidates proposed by the prime minister. The president cannot, upon receiving a letter, suddenly look for another candidate in his pocket,” Baltokas told Žinių radijas.

He added that public opinion, including input from organisations and individuals, is always considered, and relevant concerns are discussed with candidates.

Baltokas suggested that Mažeika’s experience in the Ministry of Environment could help achieve a more balanced and ecologically sustainable agricultural sector in Lithuania.

Environmental NGOs and some public figures had previously expressed concerns about Mažeika’s past decisions and public statements as environment minister, questioning his stance on biodiversity protection, EU Green Deal goals, and modern agricultural policy.

Last week, presidential advisor Ramūnas Dilba stated that while Mažeika has experience in agriculture, the president sought more concrete solutions to sectoral challenges.

On Monday, the president approved the full government lineup, with Mažeika confirmed as agriculture minister. His candidacy was proposed by the Democratic Union “For Lithuania.”