VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) 鈥� Prime Minister and her cabinet stepped down Tuesday after changes to the ruling coalition, setting the stage for the Baltic country’s and an incoming government that has pledged to pursue a more pragmatic relationship with
Ruginien臈’s government collapsed after the center-left Social Democrats ended their coalition agreement earlier this month with the scandal-ridden populist Nemuno Au拧ra party as one of its former leaders faces allegations of antisemitic rhetoric.
, a former lawmaker, was fined 5,000 euros (about $5,800) last year by a Lithuanian court after it found that he had incited hatred against Jews, grossly downplayed Nazi Germany鈥檚 crimes and grossly minimized the Holocaust in an offensive and insulting manner in social media posts and public statements from May and June 2023.
The case is now with the appeals court as prosecutors ask for a stricter sentence. 沤emaitaitis has pleaded not guilty.
Ruginien臈’s resignation decree will be submitted to , who is expected to ask the outgoing administration to continue serving in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.
鈥淒espite all the difficulties, we have much to be proud of, and each of you has made a significant contribution to the welfare of our state and the improving lives of its people,鈥� Ruginien臈, a Social Democrat and former labor union leader, told ministers on Tuesday.
The president has 15 days to submit a candidate for prime minister to parliament. Under the coalition agreement signed last week by the new ruling majority, Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevi膷ius is expected to be nominated for the post.
The coalition document signals a willingness to seek more stable relations with . The new coalition partners say they support restoring diplomatic dialogue and expanding economic cooperation where it serves Lithuania鈥檚 interests, while maintaining the country鈥檚 commitments to the European Union, NATO and its strategic partnership with Taiwan.
The Social Democrats struck a deal with two other center-left parties to form the new coalition without the Nemuno Au拧ra party. The new alliance controls 75 seats in the 141-member parliament, the Seimas. Under the agreement, at least four ministerial posts will change hands, but major strategies are expected to remain the same.
If approved by the Seimas, the prime minister-designate will have up to two weeks to present a new government and its program, coordinated with the president, for parliamentary approval.
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