Lithuanian Prime Minister Resigns as Social Democrats Form New Three-Party Coalition

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene and her cabinet stepped down Tuesday after the center-left Social Democrats ended their coalition agreement earlier this month with the Nemuno Aušra party. The resignation followed a court ruling last year that fined former Nemuno Aušra lawmaker Remigijus Žemaitaitis 5,000 euros for inciting hatred against Jews and minimizing the Holocaust in 2023 social media posts and statements.

The case is now before an appeals court, where prosecutors seek a stricter sentence, while Žemaitaitis has pleaded not guilty.

Ruginiene, a Social Democrat and former labor union leader, told ministers on Tuesday that despite difficulties the government had much to be proud of. Her resignation decree will go to President Gitanas Nausėda, who is expected to ask the outgoing administration to serve in a caretaker role. The president has 15 days to submit a candidate for prime minister to parliament.

Under a coalition agreement signed last week, Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius is expected to be nominated. The new alliance of three center-left parties controls 75 seats in the 141-member Seimas. It has pledged to restore diplomatic dialogue and expand economic cooperation with Beijing where it serves Lithuania’s interests, while maintaining commitments to the European Union, NATO and the strategic partnership with Taiwan.

At least four ministerial posts will change hands if the Seimas approves the new government.