Lithuanian parliament approves Social Democratic leader Sinkevičius as prime minister

Lithuania’s Seimas (parliament) has approved the appointment of Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius as prime minister.

According to the TASS news agency, his nomination was backed by 80 lawmakers during a plenary session, while two voted against and 28 abstained.

On June 25, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda nominated the Social Democratic leader for the post of prime minister. The 42-year-old politician previously served as mayor of Jonava.

Within the next 15 days, the newly appointed prime minister is expected to present the composition of his cabinet and the government’s programme to parliament.

The previous cabinet, led by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, resigned on June 23 following changes within the governing coalition. The coalition was reshaped after the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party decided earlier this month to end its cooperation with the Dawn of Nemunas party, accusing it of pursuing populist policies. The Democrats for Lithuania party became the coalition’s new partner. As part of the changes, it was decided to “restart the government.”