Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda officially appointed Social Democrat Gintautas Paluckas as the country’s new prime minister on Thursday.

The appointment comes after a successful parliamentary vote and marks the formation of Lithuania's 19th government.

Earlier in the day, the Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament, confirmed Paluckas’s appointment following a vote in which 88 MPs supported the motion, 34 opposed, and six abstained. Paluckas, 45, an informatics specialist, was nominated by the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) after their victory in the recent general election.

The party’s leader, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, opted to retain her position in the European Parliament, foregoing her Lithuanian MP mandate and the opportunity to serve as prime minister.

President Nausėda’s decree grants Paluckas 15 days to form a Cabinet and present its program to the Seimas for approval. On the same day, Paluckas met with the president to discuss potential ministerial candidates, signaling the start of the Cabinet selection process.

Paluckas’s leadership begins at a critical time as Lithuania navigates domestic and international challenges. His appointment reflects the Social Democrats’ return to prominence and sets the stage for the implementation of their policy agenda in the coming term. (ILKHA)