Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė have both expressed support for Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys amid growing speculation about his future in the government.
Speaking on Thursday, Nausėda dismissed discussions about replacing the foreign minister as "not very responsible and not very serious", arguing that no concrete allegations had been made against him.
"To speak now about one specific minister, especially when no concrete, tangible accusations are presented, is not very responsible and not very serious," the president told reporters.
Budrys, a non-partisan minister who took office in December 2024, previously served as Nausėda's chief national security adviser. He has also worked as an adviser to former president Dalia Grybauskaitė and held positions within Lithuania's State Security Department.
The president suggested that some criticism of Budrys could be linked to his popularity, noting that he is among the highest-rated members of the current government. He also criticised the public focus on a single minister rather than broader issues affecting the ruling coalition.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė likewise reiterated her confidence in the foreign minister.
"There are various speculations in the public sphere that I would prefer not to see – both for the sake of ensuring security and for our international image," she said. "But I have said it more than once and my opinion has not changed: I trust Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and I believe he is doing a good job."
The comments come ahead of a meeting of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party council on Saturday, where the future of the governing coalition is expected to be discussed.
Budrys has faced criticism from some coalition partners, particularly Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the Nemunas Dawn party, who has accused the Foreign Ministry of failing to properly implement the government's programme and criticised what he describes as poor coordination within the ruling majority.
Žemaitaitis has suggested that, were his party to wield greater influence within the coalition, he would seek a different role for the minister.
Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius has also voiced concerns, saying he believes Budrys lacks sufficient determination to better reflect party policy, although he has stressed that no decisions regarding the minister's position have been taken.
Some opposition politicians have also questioned whether Budrys will be able to retain his post following the Social Democratic Party council meeting scheduled for Saturday.
Debate over a possible review of the coalition has been fuelled in part by disagreements surrounding plans for the proposed Kapčiamiestis military training ground.
Despite the speculation, both the president and prime minister signalled that they remain firmly behind the foreign minister as discussions over the coalition's future continue.
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