Social Democrats to discuss new government’s deputy ministers and chancellors

The ruling Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) will discuss candidates for deputy ministers, chancellors, and advisors of the new XXI Government during a remote meeting of its presidium on Monday, the party’s representative Andrius Grumadas told BNS.

According to Grumadas, the agenda will also include political current affairs, planned changes in the composition of Seimas committees and commissions, and political trust positions in the XXI Government.

Earlier, Prime Minister-designate Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced that Tomas Daukantas, currently serving as Chancellor of the Ministry of Transport, will become the Chancellor of the new Cabinet. Sinkevičius had previously expressed hope that ministers delegated by political parties would form their teams from party-nominated candidates.

The government’s programme is scheduled for approval on Tuesday. Once approved, the Cabinet led by Sinkevičius will take office.

Several current ministers are expected to continue in their roles, including Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, Transport Minister Juras Taminskas, Education, Science and Sports Minister Raminta Popovienė, Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė, and Economy and Innovation Minister Edvinas Grikšas.

New appointees include Taurimas Valys as Finance Minister, Martynas Katelynas as Interior Minister, Ieva Andriulaitytė as Environment Minister, Lukas Alsys as Culture Minister, and former Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė returning as Social Security and Labour Minister.

Democratic Party nominees Linas Kukuraitis, Kęstutis Mažeika, and Lukas Savickas are set to lead the Health, Agriculture, and Energy Ministries, respectively.

The new government is being formed following a reshuffle of the ruling coalition, which currently holds 75 seats in the Seimas, comprising the LSDP, Democrats “For Lithuania,” and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union factions.