Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda has given the green light to a new government led by Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, but he’s holding off on approving two key ministers for now. This move comes as the country works to form a fresh coalition after recent political shake-ups.
The new Lithuanian government, backed by a coalition including the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Nemunas Dawn, Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU), and Christian Families Alliance, signed their deal in late August. Ruginiene, a 44-year-old LSDP member who just entered parliament in 2024, steps in as the new Prime Minister. Before politics, she led the Lithuanian Confederation of Trade Unions.
President Nauseda approved most of the cabinet on Tuesday, but left the environment minister and energy minister posts empty. The Nemunas Dawn party nominated Povilas Poderskis for environment and lawyer Mindaugas Jablonskis for energy, as per their coalition agreement. However, Nauseda couldn’t decide yet because the nominations came on the last day. He hasn’t met them, and he still needs a report from special services on Jablonskis.
The full government will start work once parliament, known as the Seimas, approves their program—probably next week. The ruling parties have some time to sort this out with the president and find suitable candidates for Lithuania’s environment and energy ministries.
This all follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas on August 4, which forced the entire old cabinet to step down. Nauseda nominated Ruginiene to the Seimas earlier in August after meeting her twice. In a chat on LRT TV, he said the info he has suggests she’ll do a great job as Lithuania’s Prime Minister, but her background needs closer scrutiny.
Their first meeting lasted a full two hours—longer than usual—and Nauseda had to go by her own explanations on some personal details. Ruginiene has faced questions from the public about her relatives in Russia, trips there, her husband’s business ties, and how she finished her forestry degree in just one year. Still, Nauseda believes she can handle the role successfully.
Keep an eye on updates as this new Lithuanian coalition government takes shape—it’s a big step for the Baltic nation’s politics!
