Lithuanian Parliament Approves Government Program, Širvintas Cabinet Sworn In

(Central News Agency reporter You Yao-ru, Vilnius, 14th) Lithuania's parliament today approved the 21st government's policy platform presented earlier by incoming Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius. The new cabinet was subsequently sworn in and officially began operations. However, opposition parties questioned procedural flaws before the vote and announced plans to petition the Constitutional Court for review.

According to Lithuania's National Radio and Television (LRT), the parliament passed the policy program with 72 votes in favor, 29 against, and 4 abstentions. Under constitutional procedure, cabinet members were immediately sworn in, acquiring full executive authority.

Opposition parties and some legal experts pointed out that the draft government program was submitted to parliament on the 3rd, prior to President Gitanas Nausėda's formal signing of the cabinet appointment decree on the 7th, raising concerns about constitutional compliance and questioning the program's legality and accountability.

The opposition argues that presenting the policy program before the cabinet received formal presidential approval may violate the constitutional requirement that the prime minister forms the cabinet, obtains presidential endorsement, and then submits the program to parliament. They have announced intentions to petition the Constitutional Court for review following the program's approval.

The ruling coalition has rejected these allegations. Social Democratic Party parliamentary group leader Orinta Leiputė stated that the key legally binding date is the 7th, when the president approved the cabinet and the government submitted the policy program to parliament on the same day, asserting that the procedure was lawful.

LRT reported that Sinkevičius stated the new government aims to build a socially fair and economically robust Lithuania, emphasizing cooperation with members of parliament across political lines and various sectors of society.

In terms of policy direction, the new government continues its previously announced priorities: strengthening social protection, promoting income growth, addressing inflation, and advancing defense and foreign policy—including continued support for Ukraine and efforts to restore normal diplomatic relations with China.

This government is the third cabinet formed following Lithuania's 2024 parliamentary elections, led by a coalition of the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance 'For Lithuania', and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, holding 75 out of 141 parliamentary seats. (Editor: Tian Ruihua) 1150714

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