Lithuania Elects New Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene

Vilnius, Aug 26 (AP) Lithuania's parliament elected a new prime minister on Tuesday, selecting Inga Ruginiene, a former labor union leader and political newcomer, following the resignation of her predecessor amid business dealings investigations. Lawmakers voted 78 to 35 in favor of Ruginiene, who previously led Lithuania's labor union confederation. She joined the center-left Social Democratic Party last year before the general election, later serving as minister for social affairs and labor under Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas. Paluckas resigned at the end of July after media investigations spotlighted his business ventures and alleged financial mishandlings, prompting anti-corruption and law enforcement probes.

President Gitanas Nauseda nominated Ruginiene, describing her to parliament as a “constructive negotiator who seeks compromise.” Ruginiene committed to “restoring stability” and ensuring the government fulfills its electoral mandate. On Monday, the Social Democrats forged a new center-left coalition with two junior partners, securing a robust parliamentary majority with 82 out of 141 seats. Ruginiene still requires formal appointment by the president and a parliamentary swearing-in, but these steps are largely ceremonial. Her government is set to complete the remainder of the four-year term initiated by last fall's election.

Lithuania's foreign policy will likely remain unchanged despite the governmental transition. President Nauseda, elected independently, continues to be a prominent supporter of Ukraine against Russian aggression, a stance widely endorsed in the Baltic nation of about 2.8 million. Positioned on NATO's eastern flank, Lithuania borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, an ally of Moscow. (AP) GSP

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