Lithuania’s parliament has approved Mindaugas Sinkevičius as the country’s new prime minister, making the Social Democrat leader the third premier from his party to take office since it won the 2024 election.
The Seimas backed his nomination on Tuesday by 80 votes to two, with 28 abstentions. Sinkevičius, 42, replaces Inga Ruginienė, who resigned on June 23 after the governing coalition was reshaped.
The reshuffle followed a decision by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) to end its cooperation with the right-wing Dawn of Nemunas. The party accused its former partner of pursuing populist policies.
The renewed government now comprises the Social Democrats, the Democrats “For Lithuania” and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union. Together they hold 75 seats in the 141-member Seimas.
Sinkevičius has 15 days to present his cabinet and a government programme, both of which must be coordinated with President Gitanas Nausėda and approved by parliament. He has said he would appoint up to seven new ministers.
The incoming prime minister said his priorities would include national and social security, improving the country’s demographic situation and boosting economic development.
Sinkevičius has led the central Lithuanian town of Jonava as mayor, with interruptions, since 2011. He returned to the post after the Supreme Court in 2025 dismissed a criminal case that had barred him from public office.
A court of appeal had found him guilty in 2024 over an expenses scandal during his time in local government, though the higher court later ruled his conduct did not warrant criminal liability.
He must now resign as mayor of the Jonava district to take up the premiership. Sinkevičius has pledged to prioritise national security, with Lithuania, an EU and NATO member, facing continued tensions with neighbouring Russia and Belarus.
