VILNIUS, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Three Lithuanian parliamentary parties signed a new coalition agreement on Thursday, securing a majority in the Seimas, the country's parliament, and paving the way for the formation of Lithuania's 21st government.
The coalition brings together the Social Democratic Party (LSDP), the Farmers and Greens Union, and the Democrats "For Lithuania." Together, the three parties control 75 of the 141 seats in parliament.
The agreement follows the departure of the far-right Nemunas Dawn party from the previous ruling coalition in early June. The Social Democrats subsequently invited the Democrats "For Lithuania" to join the governing alliance, according to national broadcaster LRT.
LSDP chairman Mindaugas Sinkevicius said he is ready to become prime minister, according to a Facebook post published on Tuesday. If confirmed, he would succeed Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, whose government has been in office for less than a year.
Ruginiene's government is expected to resign on June 23, her aide Ignas Dobrovolskas confirmed. Under Lithuanian law, the prime minister formally submits the government's resignation to the president during a cabinet meeting.
Following the resignation, President Gitanas Nauseda will have 15 days to nominate a candidate for prime minister, who must then be approved by the Seimas.
Sinkevicius is widely expected to receive the president's nomination. If confirmed by parliament, he will have 15 days to form a cabinet and present the new government's program. He will then have an additional 15 days to submit the full cabinet lineup for approval.
The new coalition will be the third governing alliance formed by the Social Democrats since the parliamentary elections in late 2024. The outgoing government took office last August after the resignation of former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas. ■