Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has called on the cultural community to give the Nemunas Dawn culture minister nominee, Ignotas Adomavičius, a chance, while emphasising that no position is irreplaceable.
“I appeal to the cultural community – your mood really matters to me. I understand the situation we are in, but I very much hope that you will also show some goodwill, above all toward the candidate himself,” Nausėda told public broadcaster LRT from New York on Wednesday evening.
"If he fails to take that chance (...), there are no irreplaceable positions or portfolios. We will look for other options, but today I am saying: let's give this man a chance," he said.
Nausėda spoke after announcing that he had submitted the full Cabinet to the parliament, including Adomavičius, who was nominated by Nemunas Dawn.
Cultural activists are planning a rally outside the Presidential Palace in Vilnius on Thursday and have launched a petition urging Nausėda not to appoint any member of Nemunas Dawn as culture minister. Around 50,000 people have signed the petition so far.
Adomavičius has questioned the scale of support for the petition, insisting he has backing from artist friends. He faced renewed criticism after a press conference on Wednesday following his online meeting with Nausėda.
Nausėda said he had also discussed other potential candidates for the Culture Ministry with Prime Minister-designate Inga Ruginienė, who told him she “does not have one at the moment.”
The president acknowledged concerns over Adomavičius’ lack of experience in the cultural sector.
"I hope that a person can grow, a person has the potential to improve, and perhaps will not make the same mistakes in the future. What I have strongly asked of the prime minister is to pay extra attention to this ministry," Nauseda said, pledging to devote personal attention to the ministry as well.
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