Lithuania’s Parliament Confirms Inga Ruginiene as Prime Minister Amid Protests
Lithuania’s parliament on Tuesday confirmed Inga Ruginiene as prime minister following the collapse of the previous government in July over a corruption scandal, reports 24brussels.
Ruginiene, previously the social security minister, has pledged to continue supporting Ukraine and enhance the country’s defense while addressing social inequalities. However, her confirmation drew backlash as several thousand protestors demonstrated against the new government, accusing it of harboring politicians who oppose sanctions on Russia and Belarus, in addition to anti-vaccine campaigners.
The 44-year-old Ruginiene, a former trade union leader and member of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), the largest party in the ruling coalition, now has 15 days to present her cabinet and government agenda for a parliamentary vote.
In her address to parliament, Ruginiene expressed her aspirations, stating, “My biggest dream is to stand in front of you again at the end of my mandate and to say that we have been able to accomplish very important work.” Ruginiene was elected as a lawmaker only last year.
Former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned on August 1 amid an investigation into multiple companies associated with him. The current coalition, led by the LSDP, comprises the populist Nemunas Dawn party, the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania-Christian Families, and independents.
The centre-left Democratic party “For Lithuania” has withdrawn from the coalition, citing inability to collaborate with Nemunas Dawn, whose leader, Remigijus Zemaitaitis, surrendered his parliamentary seat in 2023 over alleged antisemitic comments but was reelected last year.
President Gitanas Nauseda supports the new government but remarked on a Lithuanian radio station that including Nemunas Dawn was “a mistake that was difficult to avoid.”
Waldemar Tomaszewski, head of the Polish-Christian alliance and a member of the European Parliament, faces accusations of supporting the Kremlin, which he has denied. Meanwhile, independent deputy Ignas Vegele gained notoriety for his campaign against COVID-19 restrictions and previously finished third in Lithuania’s presidential election after vowing to oppose “LGBTQ propaganda.”
