Budrys, Sakaliene to open ministerial candidate meetings with Lithuanian president

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Prime Minister-designate Inga Ruginiene and President Gitanas Nauseda agreed to begin talks with Cabinet candidates by first meeting with acting Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys and acting Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene.

"Kestutis Budrys and Dovile Sakaliene will be the first to meet with the president. The other candidates will be announced a little later," Ruginiene told reporters after meeting with Nauseda on Tuesday. 

The Social Democrat added that there had never been any disagreement, either within the party or outside it, about these two nominations.

Ruginiene also said Nauseda had not voiced any direct criticism of the current ministers, noting that he was more interested in hearing her assessments and insights.

She said she had discussed all ministerial positions with the president.

Ruginiene did not confirm speculation that Culture Minister Sarunas Birutis may not remain in the incoming Cabinet, with Vytautas Grubliauskas being considered as a possible replacement.

"I also want to meet with Sarunas himself; decisions will likely come a little later," she said.

In an interview with Ziniu Radijas earlier on Tuesday, Nauseda said he doubted whether the current culture minister could stay on.

The president said Birutis bore responsibility for culture still being treated as "the last in line." He added that he had expected greater initiative from the minister and a clearer vision for organizing Lithuania’s future cultural seasons.

Responding to the criticism, Birutis said later on Tuesday that ensuring culture is not left neglected requires adequate funding.

Ruginiene said the list of ministerial candidates would also be discussed by the Social Democratic Party’s board and presidium.

On Tuesday, the parliament approved her appointment as prime minister.

Her predecessor, Social Democrat Gintautas Paluckas, stepped down in July after the launch of two pre-trial investigations into his business dealings and amid mounting questions about his past.

His resignation meant a new government had to be formed.

The ruling majority has also changed. The new coalition, which holds 82 out of 141 seats in the parliament, consists of 52 Social Democrats, 19 Nemunas Dawn MPs and 11 members of the political group of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU) and the Christian Families Alliance.