New Lithuanian government holds first cabinet meeting

The newly formed Lithuanian government, led by Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, held its first cabinet meeting on Tuesday, reports ELTA.

Sinkevičius opened the session by addressing the ministers, noting that all were present except Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas, who is on a work trip to Dublin and is being temporarily replaced by the chancellor. The prime minister congratulated the cabinet on the start of their work and expressed satisfaction with the Seimas’ approval of the government’s program.

He emphasized the need to prepare a plan for implementing the government’s program, urging ministers to focus on this task ahead of the autumn session. Sinkevičius also called for tangible results by the start of the autumn session, particularly over the summer period, and encouraged the cabinet to work cohesively, as a team, and avoid confrontation.

Before the meeting, ministers expressed positive and proactive attitudes. Culture Minister Lukas Alsys told journalists he was entering the session in a good, working mood, while Environment Minister Ieva Andriulaitytė described the day as intensive, with much work to be done.

The new government, led by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) in coalition with the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families Union (LVŽKŠS), officially assumed office on Monday after the Seimas approved its program and the prime minister and cabinet members took their oaths.

The cabinet includes Taurimas Valys as Finance Minister, Ieva Andriulaitytė as Environment Minister, Lukas Alsys as Culture Minister, Martynas Katelynas as Interior Minister, and Inga Ruginienė as Minister of Social Security and Labour. Robertas Kaunas remains Defence Minister, Raminta Popovienė continues as Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Kęstutis Budrys as Foreign Minister, and Juras Taminskas as Transport Minister. Rita Tamašunienė (LLRA-KŠS) stays on as Justice Minister, and Edvinas Grikšas (LVŽKŠS) as Economy and Innovation Minister. Lukas Savickas, Linas Kukuraitis, and Kęstutis Mažeika from the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” will serve as Energy, Health, and Agriculture Ministers, respectively.

The previous government, led by Inga Ruginienė, resigned after the ruling coalition was reshuffled and Sinkevičius announced his decision to lead a new cabinet.