Story perspectives

Lithuanian PM Resigns; 75-Seat Coalition Reinforces Ukraine Support

6/25/2026

Summary

Ruginiene Resigns

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene and her cabinet resigned on 23 June, handing authority to President Gitanas Nauseda.
President Nauseda must nominate Mindaugas Sinkevicius within 15 days, after which the prime minister has 15 days to present a cabinet and programme.
The coalition of Social Democrats, Union of Democrats “For Lithuania”, and Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union holds 75 Seimas seats, positioning Lithuania—bordering Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad—as a strong Ukraine supporter.

Summary

Nauseda Candidacy

The new ruling majority assigned the Ministry of Environment to the Social Democrats and gave the Agriculture, Energy and Health ministries to the Democratic Union “For Lithuania”.
The Social Democrats ended their pact with the Nemunas Dawn Party and brought the Lithuanian Democratic Union into the coalition, shifting the parliamentary balance.
President Gitanas Nauseda will meet with Mindaugas Sinkevicius on Wednesday before submitting his candidacy to the Seimas on Thursday.

Summary

Ruginiene Raises Defence

Prime Minister Ruginiene raised defence budget to a record 5.38 % of GDP.
Balloon-smuggling and drone incursions led to dismissals of culture and defence ministers.
Ruginiene took family on trips to Italy and the Vatican and mishandled a Registers leak.
Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys tasked to normalise ties with China while Lithuania joined France, Italy, Spain and Netherlands urging tariffs against China.
Social Democrats expelled Dawn of Nemunas from the coalition.

1 of 3

Ruginiene Resigns

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene and her cabinet resigned on 23 June, handing authority to President Gitanas Nauseda.
President Nauseda must nominate Mindaugas Sinkevicius within 15 days, after which the prime minister has 15 days to present a cabinet and programme.
The coalition of Social Democrats, Union of Democrats “For Lithuania”, and Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union holds 75 Seimas seats, positioning Lithuania—bordering Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad—as a strong Ukraine supporter.

1 / 3