Key facts
- Mindaugas Sinkevičius will become Lithuania's new Prime Minister, replacing Inga Ruginienė.
- Sinkevičius, leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party, confirmed his commitment to forming a new government.
- The change follows the expulsion of the populist Nemunas Dawn party from the coalition.
- A new three-party coalition led by the Social Democrats will include the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Democrats 'For Lithuania'.
- The new coalition will hold 75 seats in the 141-seat parliament.
- The coalition agreement emphasizes defense spending and support for Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.
Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the leader of Lithuania’s ruling Social Democratic Party, announced he will replace Inga Ruginienė as Prime Minister and head of the country's government. Sinkevičius confirmed his commitment to forming a new government amid a significant reconfiguration of the coalition.
The change comes after the Social Democrats decided to oust the populist Nemunas Dawn party, chaired by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who was found guilty of antisemitic hate crimes. The new centre-left, three-party coalition will be led by the Social Democrats, with the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and the Democrats “For Lithuania” as minority partners. This coalition will hold 75 seats in the 141-seat parliament.
The coalition agreement pledges to maintain a socially oriented program, with continued emphasis on defense spending and support for Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO. The governing agreement and new cabinet are expected to be unveiled on Thursday.