The Seimas (Lithuania’s Parliament) approved Mindaugas Sinkevičius as Lithuania’s new Prime Minister on 30 June 2026, with 80 MPs in favor, 2 against and 28 abstaining. The leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party takes office after the ruling coalition was reshuffled and Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė resigned. As in previous transitions, the appointment followed the Lithuanian system: the President nominates a candidate who then needs parliamentary approval rather than a direct popular vote.

Sinkevičius‘ career has been built almost entirely in local government. Born in Jonava, in central Lithuania, he was elected to the town’s municipal council in 2007, became deputy mayor a year later, and took the mayor’s office in 2011. His one detour into national politics came in 2016, when he was appointed Minister of Economy in Saulius Skvernelis’ government. He held that post until 2017, when he stepped down after the Social Democrats broke with their coalition partner. He then spent roughly eighteen months running the municipal water utility, Jonavos Vandenys, before being re-elected mayor in 2019. It is this long municipal record, more than his short stint in Vilnius, that has shaped his reputation as a pragmatic and service-oriented Social Democrat.

His stated priorities as Prime Minister are national and social security, Lithuania’s demographic decline and economic development. On foreign policy, continuity is expected since Lithuania’s pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine positioning has been a fixture across recent governments. President Nausėda underlined the need to keep defense spending at no less than 5% of GDP when he submitted Sinkevičius’ nomination. The precise defense and security commitments of the new coalition itself have yet to be detailed in a formal government program, which is due within 15 days.

Cabinet line-up:

• Kęstutis Budrys – Minister of Foreigh Affairs (remained);
• Raminta Popovienė – Minister oš Education, Science and Sports (remained);
• Juras Taminskas – Minister of Transport and Communication (remained);
• Rita Tamašunienė – Minister of Justice (remained);
• Edvinas Grikšas – Minister of Economy and Innovation (remained);
• Robertas Kaunas – Minister of National Defence (remained, having originally taken over late into the Ruginienė cabinet);
• Inga Ruginienė – Minister of Social Security and Labour (remained in government, but transitioned from Prime Minister to this ministerial portfolio);
• Taurimas Valys – Minister of Finance;
• Lukas Alsys – Minister of Culture;
• Martynas Katelynas – Minister of the Interior;
• Ieva Andriulaitytė – Minister of Environment;
• Lukas Savickas – Minister of Energy;
• Linas Kukuraitis – Minister of Health;
• Kęstutis Mažeika – Minister of Agriculture

CCFL community congratulates the new cabinet and wishes a good luck!