Mindaugas Sinkevičius Becomes Prime Minister of Lithuania

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda officially appointed Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius as prime minister on Tuesday. Sinkevičius was given 15 days to form a government and submit its composition for approval by the Seimas (parliament).

The Seimas had earlier approved Sinkevičius's candidacy: 80 deputies voted in favor, two against, and 28 abstained. The new prime minister was supported by coalition deputies and six non-affiliated deputies. The opposition abstained or voted against. Deputies from the populist party "Nemunas Dawn," which was excluded from the coalition, walked out of the chamber in boycott.

The new ruling coalition consists of the Social Democrats, the centre-left Farmers and Greens Union (which shares a faction with the centre-right Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance), and the Democratic Union "In the Name of Lithuania," which was previously in opposition. This coalition replaces the previous one that included "Nemunas Dawn," but the Social Democrats ousted them due to persistent disagreements. The new coalition holds 75 seats in the Seimas.

Sinkevičius became acting chairman of the Social Democratic Party after Gintautas Paluckas resigned in July 2025, and was officially elected chairman in May of this year. He has served intermittently as mayor of Jonava district since 2011, and was Minister of Economy and Innovation from 2016 to 2017. Sinkevičius holds bachelor's degrees in economics and law, a master's degree in marketing and management, and a PhD in social sciences.

In 2023, Sinkevičius was involved in the so-called "check scandal" concerning improper use of municipal funds. In October 2024, the Court of Appeal rejected his appeal, banning him from holding public office for several years, which led to him losing his mayoral post. However, last spring, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling, concluding that Sinkevičius was not criminally liable for the alleged violation, and his mayoral powers were restored.

The previous government under Ingrida Ruginienė continues to function until the new government is approved. The next parliamentary elections in Lithuania are scheduled for autumn 2028.