Vilkauskas calls committee leadership a compensation for Aleknavičienė

Kęstutis Vilkauskas, who is stepping down as chair of the Seimas Culture Committee, considers his decision to hand over the leadership to Vaida Aleknavičienė as a form of compensation for her leaving the post of culture minister, LRT reports.

“It could be called that,” Vilkauskas told journalists on Tuesday when asked if he saw the change as compensation for Aleknavičienė. “I haven’t heard any other motives—precisely because Vaida Aleknavičienė lost the minister’s position, this is an opportunity to take over as chair of the Culture Committee.”

Vilkauskas said he would remain active in cultural policy but noted that, due to quota distribution, he was not yet certain whether he would continue working on the Culture Committee. He has led the committee since the start of the current Seimas term in 2024. Meanwhile, Lukas Alsys is replacing Aleknavičienė in the new cabinet.