Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party on Thursday announced plans to replace three ministers in the government, including Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius. Deputy Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas has been nominated to take his place.
Prime Minister-designate Inga Ruginienė, who was appointed to the post earlier this week after the resignation of Gintautas Paluckas, said the decision reflects her wish to shape her own team.
“Historically, every prime minister chooses their right-hand person, and the finance minister has always been that right hand,” Ruginienė told reporters. “Former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas had his choice, and I wanted to have my independent choice as well. That is what I did.”
Social Democratic Party Acting Chairman Mindaugas Sinkevičius said he had no criticism of Šadžius but supported Ruginienė’s decision.
“The discussions were not easy, because we have no complaints about Mr. Šadžius’ competence, professionalism or experience,” Sinkevičius said. “But of course, under the classic model, the prime minister has the right to form her own team. We trust our prime minister. The president supports her, the Seimas supports her, and naturally, she sees the need for changes in her cabinet.”
Under the reshuffle, Deputy Transport Minister Juras Taminskas has been proposed to replace Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis, while Seimas Education and Science Committee Chair Vaida Aleknavičienė has been nominated as culture minister in place of Šarūnas Birutis.
Changes are also expected at the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, which Ruginienė previously headed before becoming prime minister. Seimas Social Affairs Committee Deputy Chair Jūratė Zailskienė has been nominated to succeed her.
The cabinet is being restructured following Paluckas’ resignation and Ruginienė’s appointment as prime minister by President Gitanas Nausėda. Ministers are nominated by the three groups forming the ruling coalition: the Social Democrats, the Nemunas Dawn party and the group of the Peasant and Greens Union and the Christian Families Alliance.
The president’s office confirmed Wednesday that Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė and Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys will remain in their posts. On Thursday, Nausėda met with Andrius Palionis, the Nemunas Dawn candidate for agriculture minister, and Edvinas Grikšas, nominated by the Peasants and Greens for the economy and innovation portfolio.
No candidate has yet been proposed for justice minister, a position to be filled by the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania–Christian Families Alliance. Nemunas Dawn is also expected to nominate candidates for the environment and energy portfolios.
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