Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and her Cabinet stepped down on Tuesday as part of a synchronized coalition reshuffle.
At a meeting in Vilnius, the government of the Social Democratic prime minister passed a corresponding resolution and informed President Gitanas Nausėda. The head of state accepted the government’s resignation, formally ending its term of office.
Nausėda tasked Ruginienė with leading the interim government of the Baltic republic, which is a member of the European Union and NATO.
The president now has 15 days to propose a candidate for the post of prime minister to parliament. Until a new government is confirmed, the ministers will remain in office in a caretaker capacity, in accordance with the national constitution.
Sinkevičius lined up for prime minister
Mindaugas Sinkevičius, leader of the Social Democrats, is expected to become the new head of government, replacing his party colleague Ruginienė. The 45-year-old had only taken office in August 2025 from Gintautas Paluckas, who resigned amid a corruption scandal.
Ruginienė is expected to return to her former post as social affairs minister as part of several planned ministerial reshuffles.
Once Sinkevičius is nominated by the president and his candidacy approved by parliament, he can assemble his Cabinet, which will then face a further vote in parliament.
In mid-June, the Social Democrats decided to replace one of their coalition partners, ending their cooperation with the populist Dawn of Nemunas party.
In its place, they brought the Democratic Union for Lithuania into the government. Together with two other coalition partners, the new coalition holds 75 of the 141 seats in the parliament in Vilnius.
