Seimas approves Sinkevičius government and its programme

Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas, has approved the government led by designated Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius and its programme, LRT reports.

In the vote, 72 MPs supported the programme, 29 voted against, and four abstained. The discussion began with a debate over whether it was procedurally valid to vote on the programme at all.

Sinkevičius registered the programme in the legal acts database on 3 July, while President Gitanas Nausėda signed the decree on the government’s composition on 7 July.

Raimondas Šukys of the “Nemuno aušra” faction warned that approving the programme could later be ruled unconstitutional. He argued that the Constitutional Court would likely find the decision unfavourable, questioning the consequences if the government’s programme were declared unconstitutional after its swearing-in.

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, leader of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats, criticised the government’s formation process, stating that the programme was registered before the president confirmed the cabinet’s composition. He also questioned the ministers’ preparedness, suggesting they were unfamiliar with the programme they would have to implement: “The impression is that the programme is one thing, and the ministers are another.”

Kasčiūnas further expressed scepticism about the feasibility of the government’s promises, asking how they would be funded and warning that public expectations might again go unmet.

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, leader of the Liberal Movement, argued that the programme was not truly the government’s work but rather drafted by “someone in Sinkevičius’ circle.” She accused the Social Democrats of repeatedly forming weaker governments, with some ministers ill-suited to their roles.

Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of “Nemuno aušra,” compared the programme to a “patchwork quilt,” with each minister submitting proposals without a coherent vision.