Lithuanian Liberals' Meetings with Nominated Ministers Canceled Amid Scheduling Disputes

Scheduled meetings between the Lithuanian Liberal Movement faction and two designated ministers, T. Valys and I. Ruginienė, failed to take place on Wednesday.

“

We waited ten minutes and that's enough. It's too much of a luxury. We are busy, colleagues, until the next meetings.

The Liberals waited ten minutes for T. Valys, the designated minister, who was expected at 1 p.m. Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, the elder of the Liberal Movement faction, stated that Valys was delayed and seemed caught up in social democrat communication. After the ten-minute wait, she decided they would not wait any longer, citing the faction's busy schedule.

A separate meeting with Inga Ruginienė, the outgoing prime minister and designated minister of social security and labor, also did not happen. Čmilytė-Nielsen suggested Ruginienė might have been hesitant to meet with the faction. However, Edita Rudelienė, a Liberal, engaged in a dispute with Ruginienė about the meeting arrangements during a Seimas Social Affairs and Labor Committee session.

“

You never invite us, you haven't invited us yet.

Rudelienė claimed the faction had invited Ruginienė multiple times, including for a Friday meeting, but her advisors could not coordinate the times. Ruginienė countered, stating, "You never invite us, you haven't invited us yet." Rudelienė insisted they had invited her that day for 12 p.m. and again for Friday, but times could not be agreed upon. Earlier, the designated finance minister, T. Valys, had met with the conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats faction.

“

It's not true. We invited you today. You were invited today at 12 o'clock, then you were invited for Friday. Your advisors could not coordinate the time.