Lithuanian government resigns as part of coalition reconstruction

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene and her cabinet submitted their resignations on Tuesday, initiating a synchronized coalition reconstruction. The decision was made during a meeting in Vilnius and subsequently communicated to President Gitanas Nauseda, who accepted the government's resignation, formally ending its mandate.

President Nauseda has appointed Ruginiene to lead the Baltic nation's interim government. She now has 15 days to propose a candidate for prime minister to the parliament. Until a new government is confirmed, current ministers will continue their duties in an acting capacity, adhering to the national constitution.

Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the leader of the Social Democrats, is the favored candidate to succeed Ruginiene as the new head of government. Sinkevičius, 45, would take over from Ruginiene, who herself assumed office in August 2025, replacing Gintautas Paluckas amid a corruption scandal. Ruginiene is expected to return to her former role as minister of social affairs as part of the planned ministerial reshuffles.

The coalition reshuffle follows the Social Democrats' decision in mid-June to replace one of their coalition partners, ending their cooperation with the populist Zora Neman party. The Democratic Union of Lithuania has been brought into the government in Zora Neman's place. The new coalition, alongside two other partners, holds 75 out of 141 seats in the Vilnius parliament.