Lithuanian Gitanas Nauseda has appointed Social Democrat Mindaugas Sinkevicius as prime minister. Earlier, the parliament in Vilnius voted 80 in favor, with two against and 28 abstentions, for the 42-year-old head of the ruling party. Sinkevicius succeeds his party colleague Inga Ruginiene.
In his address to lawmakers, Sinkevicius stressed the need for stability and responsible governance. “Lithuania is going through difficult times,” said the former mayor of Jonava, referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the tense geopolitical situation. The Baltic EU and NATO member borders Russia’s exclave Kaliningrad and Russia’s ally Belarus. The war in Ukraine is seen in Lithuania as a direct threat to national security.
Coalition reshuffle before the vote
Sinkevicius’s election was preceded by a reorganization of the governing coalition. In mid-June, the Social Democrats ended their cooperation with the populist Dawn of Nemunas party and instead brought the previously opposition Democratic Union For Lithuania into the government. As part of this reshuffle, President Nauseda nominated Sinkevicius as candidate for head of government.
The new prime minister now faces a further vote in parliament on his cabinet and government program.
Security policy challenges
Lithuania faces massive security risks due to Russian aggression against Ukraine. The country is a key NATO outpost on the eastern flank. Around 2,900 soldiers from NATO states, most of them from Germany, are stationed there to practice defending alliance territory.
Source: Tagesschau
