Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda will decide later this week whether to approve Robertas Kaunas, the Social Democrats’ nominee for defence minister, after evaluating “all aspects” of his candidacy, a presidential adviser said Monday.
“The president will make a decision after considering all aspects,” presidential adviser Deividas Matulionis told reporters following Nausėda’s meeting with Kaunas.
Matulionis said Nausėda’s decision will hinge on whether Kaunas can ensure sufficient defence funding, uphold the State Defence Council’s commitment to allocate 5–6% of GDP to national defence, properly host the German brigade stationed in Lithuania, and maintain a transparent and timely military procurement process.
The presidential office also expects that the formation of the political team at the Defence Ministry will be coordinated with the president, Matulionis added.
“In the current geopolitical situation, the position of defence minister is extremely important, so the team question is very important,” he said. “We hope these matters will continue to be coordinated with the president. The president expects continuity and consistency from the future minister.”
Kaunas says meeting ‘constructive’
Kaunas told reporters he hoped his meeting with Nausėda dispelled doubts about his appointment.
“I think the meeting was constructive. I received many questions and I hope I was able to dispel any doubts the president may have had,” the Social Democrat said.
Kaunas acknowledged his limited defence experience but emphasised his record of team building in the private sector.
The team at the company he led was “one of the strongest in Lithuania”, he said. “When you have qualified specialists at your side, every manager can make the right decisions with their advice.”
Kaunas, a first-term lawmaker elected to the Seimas last year, joined the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence in September, his only direct experience in the field. His nomination has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers and parts of the public for his lack of defence background.
Nausėda has previously said there is “no time to appoint a minister who will learn on the job” at the Defence Ministry.
Matulionis noted that appointing ministers is a political process.
“Ministers are nominated according to internal party agreements,” he said. “It is important that the person be patriotic, a team player, and aware of external threats. Many governments have had ministers without extensive experience, it can be learned.”
He added that Kaunas left a “good impression” during Monday’s meeting.
Lithuania has been without a defecse minister since Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė dismissed Dovilė Šakalienė last month after losing confidence in her.
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