Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Monday appointed Laurynas Kasčiūnas as defence minister, the President’s Office has announced.
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė submitted Kasčiūnas’ nomination to the president last week after Arvydas Anušauskas stepped down from the post at the request of the prime minister.
Šimonytė said she had suggested that Anušauskas should step down because he had not been active enough on key defence policies such as the conscription reform, the search for additional defence funding sources, and the expansion of the active military reserve.
Until now, Kasčiūnas has been serving as a chair of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence.
His candidacy has been criticised by Lithuanian NGOs because of far-right views and opposition to human rights. However, Lithuanian Ukraine support groups have expressed backing for the conservative MP.
Kasčiūnas said earlier his main task as defence minister would be to implement the principle of universal defence and mentioned preparations to host the German brigade, the conscription reform, the agreement on additional defence funding, and the development of the drone program as his key priorities.
Ministers in Lithuania are appointed and dismissed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister.
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