Electoral commission revokes Jonava mayor Mindaugas Sinkevičius’ powers

The Central Electoral Commission (VRK) on Thursday revoked the powers of Mindaugas Sinkevičius as mayor of Jonava district municipality, LRT reports.

Sinkevičius, recently appointed as prime minister-designate, had stepped down from his mayoral post after President Gitanas Nausėda nominated him for the role. The social democrat leader is expected to assume office on July 14, pending parliamentary approval of the government’s programme.

VRK also restored the council mandate of Valdas Majauskas, a former administration director and council member who had previously resigned due to conflicting roles. Majauskas had been proposed by Sinkevičius as a suitable candidate to lead Jonava district.

As the next municipal elections are scheduled for February–March 2027, no early mayoral election will be held in Jonava. Instead, the council will appoint an interim mayor from among its members until the regular vote.

Sinkevičius had previously lost his mayoral position in 2024 after an appellate court convicted him in the so-called “čekiukai” (vouchers) case, involving the misuse of public funds for personal purchases, including televisions and communication services. However, Lithuania’s Supreme Court later terminated the criminal case, ruling that his actions constituted an administrative rather than criminal offence, allowing him to return to office.

Sinkevičius had led Jonava district with interruptions since 2011.