Nausėda Defends PM's Wife, Citing Professional Competence Over Political Ties

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has defended the professional career of Aistė Sinkevičienė, the wife of Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, asserting that her professional competence should be evaluated based on her work and accomplishments.

"A person must first prove their professional capability to perform certain duties. Whether they perform them properly, I think we could judge by their work, by their activities, by the decisions that Mrs. Sinkevičienė has made in both workplaces. I see that there has been significant and meaningful work done there," Nausėda told reporters.

His comments come amid reports from LRT's investigative unit alleging that Sinkevičienė was appointed head of the Kaunas District Municipality's Public and International Relations Department without a competition. The reports also state she holds a part-time remote position as a public relations specialist at "Raudondvario dvaras," an institution subordinate to the municipality.

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Can one specify certain circumstances, but the principal question remains unanswered. Is a person guilty of anything against the state if she is the prime minister's wife? Or, I don't know, a minister's wife? Does she have the right to pursue a professional career or not?

Nausėda questioned the premise of the criticism, asking, "Can one specify certain circumstances, but the principal question remains unanswered. Is a person guilty of anything against the state if she is the prime minister's wife? Or, I don't know, a minister's wife? Does she have the right to pursue a professional career or not?" He pointed out that Sinkevičienė began her active work at the Kaunas District Municipality well before her marriage to Mindaugas Sinkevičius, who was not prime minister during her initial years there.

Reports further suggest that other individuals connected to Kaunas district Social Democrats also work at "Raudondvario dvaras," including the district mayor's advisor and her husband, and an advisor to the Minister of Education. Sinkevičienė's income last year exceeded 73,500 euros, with approximately a quarter of that amount earned from her work at the "Raudondvario dvaras."

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A person must first prove their professional capability to perform certain duties. Whether they perform them properly, I think we could judge by their work, by their activities, by the decisions that Mrs. Sinkevičienė has made in both workplaces. I see that there has been significant and meaningful work done there.