Inga Ruginiene stepped down as Lithuania's Prime Minister on Tuesday, 23 June, ending a tenure of just over nine months. The outgoing cabinet convened for its final meeting in Vilnius, during which ministers unanimously passed a resolution formalising their resignation. The decision marks the start of a structured transition under the country's coalition agreement.

Final Cabinet Meeting and Ruginiene's Remarks

At the concluding cabinet session, Ruginiene acknowledged the collective effort of her ministers. “Despite 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 our people,” she said. She added: “Today we take the decision to resign and return the government’s powers to the President of the Republic.”

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ruginiene offered a candid reflection on her time in office. “In politics you can learn many things – how to look good, how to speak fluently – but you cannot learn courage or humanity,” she said, according to Lithuanian public broadcaster Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT). She credited empathy, the willingness to listen, and the courage to act as the qualities that guided her through difficult decisions.

Ruginiene also addressed perceptions that she did not conform to a conventional image of leadership, saying she had never believed a prime minister should be “built as per someone else’s ready-made template.” She rejected suggestions that she was being sacrificed by her own party, describing the transition as a normal part of the political process.

What Happens Next: The Transition Timeline

The resignation resolution was handed to President Gitanas Nauseda on Tuesday. Under constitutional procedure, Nauseda will ask the outgoing cabinet to continue in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed. The President must submit a candidate for Prime Minister to parliament within 15 days.

Social Democratic leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius has been nominated for the Prime Minister’s post. Once parliament approves the nomination, the incoming prime minister will have up to 15 additional days to present a full cabinet and government programme for parliamentary endorsement.

Coalition Composition and Ministerial Changes

The incoming ruling majority comprises three parties: the Union of Democrats “For Lithuania”, the Social Democrats, and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union. At least four ministerial portfolios are set to change hands under the coalition agreement. The Democrats will assume the agriculture, energy, and health ministries, while the Social Democrats will take the environment portfolio.

Notably, Ruginiene herself is expected to return to government in a different capacity — as Minister of Social Security and Labour in the incoming cabinet, a role she held before becoming Prime Minister.

Ruginiene’s Background and Path to Office

Ruginiene assumed the role of Prime Minister in September 2025, having previously served as Minister of Social Security and Labour in Lithuania’s 19th government. Her career spans senior trade union leadership, including stints as President of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation, Vice President of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), and Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation – European Region (ITUC-PERC). She has been a member of Lithuania’s Parliament (Seimas) since 2024.

With her resignation formalised and a successor already nominated, Lithuania’s political transition is expected to move swiftly within the constitutionally mandated timeframe.