Lithuania's new government lineup unveiled: Foreign and defense ministers remain

Lithuanian Prime Minister-designate Mindaugas Šinkevičius has announced the lineup of his upcoming cabinet. The main intrigue revolved around the post of foreign minister, but Šinkevičius declared that Kęstutis Budrys would remain in charge of the Foreign Ministry. Similarly, Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas will retain his position.

Notably, the former Prime Minister Ingrida Rugienė will take over the Ministry of Social Security and Labor in the new government.

Šinkevičius said he has submitted the cabinet for approval by the president. He also promised to present his government's program to the Lithuanian Seimas in the near future.

"I expect from each minister courage, initiative, and the ability to change what does not work. Lithuania needs not bureaucratic inertia but a new pace. From the entire government I expect solidarity, responsibility, and the ability to communicate with people... Today I present not just a list of names. I present a team with which I take responsibility to work for the benefit of the state," the PM-designate emphasized.