Economics, Lithuania, Markets and Companies

According to Nauseda, Sinkevicius of the Social Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania has sufficient expertise and political influence in order to be able to achieve the results important for the state during a complicated period before the elections.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis expressed hope that the new minister would not run out of time to perform the envisaged tasks.

“There is still enough time to perform the necessary and particularly urgent tasks. The main expectations are currently related to the stimulation of our economy, addressing the economic fallout of the pandemic, pursuit of more effective use of support instruments, preparations for the implementation of the so-called Plan for the DNA of the Future Economy,” he said.

Sinkevicius’ success in implementing those tasks would “depend on his determination and his team,” Skvernelis added.

Ramunas Karbauskis, leader of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, told the reporters at the Seimas that Sinkevicius was a compromise candidate.

Sinkevicius, the leader of the Social Democratic Labor Party's political group in the parliament and chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs, is currently serving his fourth mandate as an MP.

He worked as transport minister in 2012-2016.

The position of economy and innovation minister has been vacant since December when Virginijus Sinkevicius assumed the position of a European commissioner.

In February, Nauseda rejected Lukas Savickas, an adviser to the prime minister, as a candidate for the position. Meanwhile, Karbauskis claimed that Savickas was a better candidate than Sinkevicius.