Mindaugas Sinkevičius has announced himself as Lithuania's next prime minister after a coalition reshuffle that saw a populist junior partner expelled.
Sinkevičius, the head of the Social Democratic party who briefly served as economy minister, said in a social media post that he will replace current prime minister Inga Ruginienė.
"I confirm my commitment to take responsibility for forming the new Government and to serve as Prime Minister, " Sinkevičius said in a Facebook post, adding that he was acting "with full awareness of the expectations of the people."
The Social Democrats, who lead the governing coalition, had announced in early June that they would be ousting populist party Nemunas Dawn, criticising its leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis of making "inflammatory statements."
Last year, Žemaitaitis was found guilty by a Vilnius court of inciting hatred against Jews and downplaying the Holocaust.
