Lithuanian Parliament should hold an emergency meeting this week to discuss the appointment of a new Prime Minister, as suggested by Sinkevicius.
In a significant political shift, Lithuania's Seimas has confirmed Inga Ruginiene as the country's new Prime Minister, following the resignation of Gintautas Paluckas. The extraordinary session was called to address this change, with the regular fall session set to commence on September 10.
President Gitanas Nauseda submitted Ruginiene's nomination to the Seimas last week, a move that was prompted by the Social Democrats who proposed her as a replacement for Paluckas. Ruginiene, a Lithuanian politician and former trade union leader, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the minister of social security and labor. She was also the chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation before her political career.
Ruginiene's political agenda as Prime Minister focuses on restoring government stability, following the collapse of the previous government due to a corruption scandal involving her predecessor. She has vowed to continue strong support for Ukraine, invest in Lithuania's defense, and work to reduce social inequalities. Ruginiene emphasizes dialogue and compromise, positioning herself as a constructive negotiator aiming to accomplish important work during her mandate.
The new coalition Ruginiene leads includes the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), the populist Nemunas Dawn party, Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, and Christian-Family aligned Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania. However, her appointment has been met with protests, with concerns raised over coalition members opposing sanctions on Russia and Belarus, and opposing COVID-19 vaccinations.
Ruginiene has 15 days from her appointment to form a cabinet and present her government program to parliament for approval. The new government program will need to be approved by a vote. In addition to the extraordinary session on August 21, an additional meeting has been scheduled for August 26, according to Mindaugas Sinkevicius, the interim Social Democratic Party chair, who announced the session.
As Lithuania navigates through these political changes, Ruginiene's focus on social justice, defense, and continuity in foreign policy support for Ukraine will be crucial in steering the country forward. The challenges ahead are significant, but Ruginiene's commitment to dialogue and compromise offers a glimmer of hope for a more stable and equitable future for Lithuania.
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