Podagelytė becomes Sinkevičius’ international affairs adviser

Violeta Podagelytė has joined Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius’ team as an adviser on international relations, LRT reports. She began the role on August 19.

Gedas Salyga, the prime minister’s spokesperson, confirmed the appointment to ELTA. He said Sinkevičius valued Podagelytė’s extensive experience in international relations and diplomacy.

Podagelytė began her diplomatic service career in 2012.

Sinkevičius’ team now has eight advisers. They cover relations with the Seimas, family policy, culture, healthcare, information technology and digitalisation, communication and youth affairs, as well as international relations. Salyga is the prime minister’s spokesperson.

Brigita Šlepetienė, who previously worked with Sinkevičius at Jonava District Municipality, was appointed to head the prime minister’s office. Tomas Daukantas was delegated to serve as government chancellor.

ELTA reported that Sinkevičius and the other members of the new Cabinet were sworn in at the Seimas after the 21st Government’s programme was approved in mid-July. The government was formed by parliamentary factions from the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” and the Union of Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families.