On Friday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė returned the powers of the government to President Gitanas Nausėda who was inaugurated for the second term.
Subsequently, the president issued a decree entrusting the prime minister and the cabinet of ministers with the temporary functions until the new government is confirmed.
This so-called “courtesy resignation” means that the prime minister will soon have to check whether she has the confidence of the parliament. This procedure is expected to take place on Tuesday next week.
If more than half of the MPs present at the meeting approve Šimonytė’s nomination following Nausėda’s proposal, the president will sign a decree appointing her.
The prime minister will then have to submit to the president for approval the cabinet of ministers she heads. During his presidential election campaign, Nausėda said he wanted changes in the government.
However, the ruling parties argue that the procedure for the return of powers is merely ceremonial and that changes in the cabinet should be up to the prime minister.
According to them, it is not worth changing ministers before the parliamentary elections due to take place in October.
“I wouldn’t do much manoeuvring if I had that right to decide. It is important that the state keeps the direction,” Economy and Innovation Minister Aušrinė Armonaitė, leader of the Freedom Party, told reporters at the Seimas on Friday.
Nausėda was sworn in for his second five-year term as president of Lithuania on Friday.
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