Lithuanian political analysts have questioned the qualifications of several ministerial nominees put forward by Prime Minister-designate Mindaugas Sinkevičius, arguing that party loyalty appeared to outweigh competence in the selection process.
“It seems the main criterion in forming the cabinet was party loyalty,” Ramūnas Vilpišauskas, a professor at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University, told BNS on Friday.
Compared with the outgoing cabinet led by Inga Ruginienė, the proposed government includes five new ministers nominated by the ruling Lithuanian Social Democratic Party.
Sinkevičius has nominated Taurimas Valys as finance minister, Martynas Katelynas as interior minister, Lukas Alsys as culture minister, outgoing PM Ruginienė as minister of social security and labour, and Ieva Andriulaitytė as environment minister. Under a coalition agreement, the Democrats “For Lithuania” party would take over the Energy Ministry, with Lukas Savickas nominated to lead it.
Several ministers would remain in their posts, including Transport Minister Juras Taminskas, Education Minister Raminta Popovienė, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas and Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.
