Lithuania’s ruling Social Democratic Party on Wednesday nominated Social Security and Labour Minister Inga Ruginienė as its candidate for prime minister, following the resignation of Gintautas Paluckas earlier this week, two party sources confirmed to BNS.
The party’s presidium selected Ruginienė after other potential contenders, including Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis and party chair Mindaugas Sinkevičius, declined to run. Sabutis withdrew his candidacy during the presidium meeting, and several other previously mentioned candidates also opted out of the internal race.
The search for a new head of government began after Paluckas stepped down amid growing scrutiny over his past and business ties. His resignation came shortly after law enforcement raided an apartment belonging to his brother.
With the change in prime minister, the entire government – which resigned on Monday – must be reformed, and the ruling coalition agreement between the three governing parties will need to be renegotiated.
The smallest coalition party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania”, has indicated it may push to revise the coalition’s composition, potentially excluding the Nemunas Dawn party. However, political analysts remain sceptical that major changes will take place in the cabinet or the coalition lineup.
The ruling coalition currently controls 86 seats in the 141-member parliament, Seimas. The Social Democrats hold the largest share with 52 seats, followed by Nemunas Dawn with 19 and the Democrats with 15.
Ruginienė, 44, was elected to the parliament in 2024 for the first time. Previously, she was the chair of the Lithuanian Confederation of Trade Unions.
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