Lithuanian president praises Energy Minister Vaiciunas, doubts Saulyte for environment

VILNIUS - As Lithuania's new government takes shape, President Gitanas Nauseda on Thursday reiterated his position that incumbent Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas is one of the strongest candidates to remain in the post.

Nauseda also voiced surprise that Nemunas Dawn has failed to propose a candidate for environment minister who has at least some background in the field.

"It would really be very difficult to find someone more competent than Mr. Vaiciunas," he told reporters in Vilnius.

Nauseda underlined that the choice ultimately rests with the new ruling coalition and Prime Minister-designate Inga Ruginiene, but reiterated that he would not appoint a member of Nemunas Dawn as minister.

The president said he was surprised that Nemunas Dawn has not been able to put forward a nominee with relevant expertise for the Environment Ministry.

"Is it really the case that Lithuania does not have more people who meet the criteria and have experience in this area?" he asked rhetorically.

With Renata Saulyte, a communications expert, under consideration for the environment portfolio, Nauseda stressed that it is up to Ruginiene to decide whether to nominate her.

The president did not rule out approving an incomplete Cabinet if suitable candidates cannot be found for some ministries.

Next week is the deadline for Ruginiene to submit her Cabinet lineup, agreed with the president, along with the government's program. In the past, presidents have approved incomplete Cabinets, with the remaining ministers appointed later.

Ruginiene's Cabinet will have at least eight new ministers compared with the outgoing government.

All candidates except those for the environment and energy minister posts have already been announced publicly, and Nauseda has met with most of them.

Following these meetings, the president gave the green light for Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, Education Minister Raminta Popoviene and Health Minister Marija Jakubauskiene to continue in the new Cabinet, saying he would decide on the other candidates later.

Nauseda said he wanted more time before deciding on the new ministers.

"These people naturally raise questions about both their past and their professional careers so far," the president said.

"That is why I usually do not make decisions right away, because I need to review a broader set of information," he added.

As for vetted candidates, however, Nauseda said he does not want to make "artificial pauses."

The new government is being formed after Social Democrat Gintautas Paluckas resigned as prime minister in late July.

The ruling majority has also shifted. The new coalition, made up of the Social Democrats, Nemunas Dawn and the political group of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU) with the Christian Families Alliance in the Seimas, will hold 82 out of 141 seats in the parliament.