The fact that K. Budrys was among the candidates named by G. Paluckas for the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs was confirmed by several unrelated sources from the ruling coalition.
Previously, another member of G. Nausėda’s team, chief foreign policy advisor Asta Skaisgirytė, as well as diplomat and outgoing Lithuanian ambassador to NATO Deividas Matulionis were publicly named as possible candidates.
K.Budrys joined G.Nausėda’s team in February 2022, when he replaced the then national security advisor Darius Kuliešiaus.
Until then, since 2015, K.Budrys held the position of deputy director of the State Security Department (VSD). He holds a master’s degree in political science from the Institute of International Relations and Political Sciences of Vilnius University.
Although providing the Cabinet of Ministers is the prerogative of the Prime Minister, the position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is coordinated with the head of the country.
Previously, K.Budris’ other future career options were also unofficially discussed – to return to the VSD, only as the head of the institution, since the second term of the current head of intelligence Darius Jauniškis ends next year, and he cannot have a third one according to the law. The director of the VSD is appointed for a five-year term by the president with the approval of the Seimas.
On Tuesday, the President will submit a proposal to the Seimas to appoint G. Paluckas as Prime Minister. It is planned that parliamentarians will decide on his candidacy on Thursday.
According to the Constitution, within 15 days of the appointment, the new Prime Minister must present the Government he has drawn up and approved by the President to the Seimas and present its program for consideration.
The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, which won the Seimas elections, formed a ruling coalition with the party “Nemunas Aušra” and the Democratic Union “Vardan Lietuvos” and secured 86 mandates in the parliament.
According to the coalition agreement of these parties, social democrat G. Paluckas is nominated as prime minister.
Source: www.15min.lt
