EU Commission President von der Leyen congratulates Sinkevičius on becoming Prime Minister

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has congratulated Mindaugas Sinkevičius on his appointment as Lithuania's new Prime Minister. In a message shared on social media platform X, von der Leyen underscored the significance of a robust Lithuania for the European Union's eastern flank.

"A strong Lithuania means a strong eastern flank of the European Union," von der Leyen stated. She highlighted that close cooperation between the EU and Lithuania is crucial for European security, competitiveness, and the alignment of the budget. The Commission President expressed her anticipation for working closely with Sinkevičius, particularly during Lithuania's upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU.

Sinkevičius and his new cabinet were sworn in at the Seimas after the parliament approved the XXI Government's program. This ceremony officially transferred power from the interim government led by Inga Ruginienė. The new government is formed by a coalition of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union "For Lithuania," and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.

The cabinet includes Taurimas Valys as Minister of Finance, Ieva Andriulaitytė for Environment, Lukas Alsys for Culture, Martynas Katelynas for Interior Affairs, and I. Ruginienė for Social Security and Labor. Robertas Kaunas continues as Minister of National Defence, Raminta Popovienė as Minister of Education, Science, and Sport, Kęstutis Budrys as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Juras Taminskas as Minister of Transport and Communications. Rita Tamašunienė, representing the Lithuanian Polish Election Action-Christian Families Alliance, will serve as Minister of Justice, and Edvinas Grikšas, delegated by the "farmers," will be the Minister of Economy and Innovation. Lukas Savickas, Linas Kukuraitis, and Kęstutis Mažeika, representatives of the Democratic Union "For Lithuania," will head the Ministries of Energy, Health, and Agriculture, respectively.