The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party has selected Minister of Social Security and Labour Inga Ruginienė as its candidate for prime minister following the resignation of Gintautas Paluckas last week.
Ruginienė was chosen on Wednesday by a “vast majority” of Social Democrats (LSDP) — who hold a majority in the Seimas national parliament — during a party leadership meeting, Jonava District Mayor and acting party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius told reporters. She must still be formally appointed by President Gitanas Nausėda and be confirmed by the Seimas.
Sinkevičius said the president supports the bid — “he is positive about this candidacy.”
If confirmed, Ruginienė would lead the formation of a new cabinet following the collapse of Paluckas’ government after only eight months in office.
Under Lithuanian law, once nominated by the president and approved by parliament, the prime minister-designate must present a cabinet approved by the president and submit the government’s program to the Seimas within 15 days. The government receives a mandate to govern if a majority of MPs present vote in favor of its program.
In the run-up to the LSDP’s decision, Ruginienė’s name was floated alongside two other potential candidates: Deputy Speaker of the Seimas Juozas Olekas and Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis, both of whom ultimately withdrew from the race.
Paluckas resigned on July 31 following allegations of unethical financial dealings involving loans, EU funds, and business ties concerning him and his relatives. In his resignation statement Paluckas denied any wrongdoing while in office. His departure automatically led to the fall of the government.
Nausėda said on the day of Paluckas’ resignation that any nominee must be thoroughly vetted to avoid “another situation like this.”
Ruginienė said while she didn’t want to compare herself to Paluckas, “as a prime minister, he was great.”
“I can only promise one thing, that I will continue to uphold social democratic values,” she told reporters, adding she had some ideas about a cabinet lineup but would not disclose details.
“Don’t be afraid, I definitely have a vision, but it’s still too early to ask,” she said.
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