Vilnius: The Lithuanian parliament has given its approval for the appointment of Social Democrat Inga Ruginiene as the country's new prime minister. Ruginiene, who currently serves as the minister of social security and labor, has been entrusted with the task of forming a new government.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the newly appointed Ruginiene has a 15-day window to present a list of cabinet members to the parliament. This list, which requires agreement with the president, will be subjected to a parliamentary vote. Ruginiene will officially assume the role of prime minister once the president signs a decree appointing her, and she, alongside the new cabinet, takes the oath in parliament.

Ruginiene, aged 44, entered the political arena in 2024 when she was elected to parliament for the first time. Prior to her political journey, she held the position of chair at the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation. Her appointment comes in the wake of former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas's resignation on August 4, which led to the automatic resignation of the entire cabinet.

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) nominated Ruginiene as their candidate for the prime minister on August 6, following Paluckas's departure. An agreement to form a new ruling coalition was signed on Monday by the LSDP, Nemunas Dawn, the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, and the Christian Families Alliance.