The Lithuanian Seimas has approved the candidacy of Inga Rugienė for the post of Prime Minister, Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reports.
Her confirmation followed the Social Democratic Party’s agreement yesterday to form a coalition government with the “Neman’s Dawn” party and the parliamentary faction of the “Union of Lithuanian Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families.”
Rugienė’s candidacy received 78 votes in favor, 35 against, and 14 abstentions.
She will officially assume office once President Gitanas Nausėda signs the appointment decree and Rugienė takes an oath before the Seimas.
The new Prime Minister must present her government program to parliament within 15 days. The new Lithuanian government will begin its work once the Seimas approves the program.
Meanwhile, protests under the slogan “Day of Shame” were held outside the Presidential Palace and parliament, with demonstrators opposing the Social Democrats’ coalition with the populist and nationalist “Neman’s Dawn.”
President Nausėda criticized the Social Democrats’ decision, calling it a mistake.
Lithuania’s former Prime Minister, Gintautas Paluckas, resigned earlier this month after journalists uncovered questionable business ties, sparking a nationwide scandal.
