Nawrocki praises two Polish minority ministers in Lithuania’s new govt lineup as good sign

VILNIUS - Polish President Karol Nawrocki has praised the expected inclusion of two ministers from the Polish minority background to Lithuania’s new government lineup, saying it is a good sign for Warsaw.

"We talked about Poles living in Lithuania and touched on the topics that they bring to our attention, and we agreed that they are loyal citizens of Lithuania. I am very pleased that two ministers in the Lithuanian government represent the Polish minority; this is really good news for Poland," Nawrocki said after a meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius on Monday.

This week is the deadline for Prime Minister designate Inga Ruginiene to submit her Cabinet lineup, agreed with the president, along with the government's program.

It is highly likely that the Cabinet will include two ministers belonging to the Polish minority in Lithuania.

The president has already expressed his confidence in acting Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic.

Nauseda is also inclined to appoint Rita Tamasuniene, nominated by the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania-Christian Families Alliance (EAPL-CFA), as justice minister.

The president's advisor has said that this will be done unless the special services provide negative information about the candidate.

The president has so far announced that he will definitely appoint five candidates, who previously held positions in Gintautas Paluckas-led government, to the new Cabinet.

In addition to the interior minister, these include Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, Education Minister Raminta Popoviene, and Health Minister Marija Jakubauskiene.

Two candidates have yet to be presented to the head of state - for the ministers of environment and energy who are to be nominated by the Nemunas Dawn party.