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Inga Ruginienė
Prime Minister of Lithuania since 2025 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Inga Ruginienė (née Raitelaitytė; born 24 May 1981) is a Lithuanian trade unionist and politician who has served as the 19th prime minister of Lithuania since 25 September 2025. A member of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP), she has also been serving as a Member of the Seimas since 2024 and served as the Minister of Social Security and Labour prior to her appointment as prime minister.
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In 2024, Ruginienė joined the LSDP to participate in the parliamentary elections held that year. She was elected to the Seimas in November 2024 and the following month became the Minister of Social Security and Labour in the new LSDP government under Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas. On 4 August 2025, Paluckas resigned as prime minister following financial scandals and the LSDP nominated Ruginienė for prime minister two days later. Her nomination was subsequently confirmed by the Seimas on 26 August.
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Early life and education
Inga Ruginienė was born in Trakai on 24 May 1981.[3][4] She grew up in Grigiškės, but spent summers during her childhood in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk.[5][6] Her maternal grandmother lived in Ukraine, while her grandfather was deported to Siberia following World War II.[5] Her grandparents subsequently met in Siberia.[5]
In 1999, she graduated from Šviesa Gymnasium in Grigiškės.[7] In 2005, Ruginienė earned a master's degree in public health from Vilnius University.[3][4]
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Career
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Ruginienė worked as a public health specialist at the State Environmental Health Center from 2005 to 2008.[3][4] Ruginienė worked as Vilnius region director for the company "S Stata" from 2008 to 2010.[3][4]
Ruginienė served as vice chair of the Lithuanian Federation of Forest and Wood Workers' Trade Unions from 2012 to 2014, and as chair from 2014 to 2018.[3][4] In 2015, Ruginienė earned a bachelor's degree in forest management from the Kaunas Forestry and Environmental Engineering College.[4]
She also served as chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation from 2018 to 2024.[3][4] In 2022, she earned a master's in labor law from Mykolas Romeris University.[3][4] She served as vice president of the European Trade Union Confederation from 2023 to 2024.[3][4]
Ruginienė entered electoral politics when she ran in the 2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election.[8][3][4] Her name appeared on the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) candidate list, though she was not an official member of any party at the time of the election.[8][9][10] Despite finishing in sixth place in the Naujininkai–Rasos single-seat constituency,[11] she secured a seat in the multi-mandate district of the Seimas due to her position in the party list.[12] She became an official member of the LSDP in November 2024, after the election.[9]
Following the Social Democrats' victory in the parliamentary election, Ruginienė became the Minister of Social Security and Labour.[13] She served in the Paluckas Cabinet from 12 December 2024 until its dissolution on 4 August 2025. After its dissolution, she served as acting minister.[14][15][16]
Within the Seimas, Ruginienė served on the parliamentary committee on human rights.[17] She has also served as vice chair of the parliamentary group on forest conservation and as a member of the "against mass immigration", "friends of Neringa", and women's parliamentary groups.[4]
On 6 August 2025, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party nominated Ruginienė for Prime Minister.[18] The nomination was approved on 26 August.[13] On 25 September 2025, the parliament voted 80–42 to approve a coalition government led by the Social Democratic Party, swearing her in as the new prime minister.[19][20]
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Political positions
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According to journalist Stasys Gudavičius, Ruginienė represents "left–social democratic" political positions.[21]
Social issues
Ruginienė supports same-sex unions and stated on 7 August that she would renew discussions on enshrining same-sex unions into law.[22] She supports the proposed Reproductive Health Law, which would make abortions free of charge and legalize medical abortions.[23]
Economics
Ruginienė supports the buy-out of private shares in the energy holding company Ignitis. Describing her views on economics, she stated that "it's no secret that I represent left-wing politics, and I believe that the public sector should be strengthened and be more in the hands of the state."[24] She also indicated that her cabinet might increase certain tax rates, especially the excise tax for alcohol and tobacco products.[25]
Defense
Ruginienė has stated that she considers national security a priority. She has indicated that she would maintain the Paluckas Government's plan to increase defense spending to 5–6% of GDP.[26]
She has stated that it might be necessary for Lithuania to introduce universal military conscription.[27]
Foreign policy
Ruginienė has expressed strong support for Ukraine in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War.[6] In August 2025, she stated that she had no clear position as to whether Lithuania should send troops to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping force.[28]
Ruginienė has called China a threat but has emphasised that Lithuania's policy should align with the European Union's common position on the country.[29] China downgraded its relations with Lithuania following the 2021 establishment of a Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius which used the name "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei".[29] Ruginienė has stated that she aims to normalize diplomatic relations with Beijing, but not to pursue "friendly relations".[30]
Immigration
Ruginienė is a member of the parliamentary group "against mass immigration".[4]
In January 2025, Ruginienė was interviewed about immigration on the TV station LRT televizija. She argued that migration should be more tightly controlled for security reasons, that Lithuania should focus on attracting skilled workers who will stay and contribute to the tax base, and that integration should be a priority.[31]
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Prime Minister of Lithuania (2025–present)
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Inga Ruginienė was nominated for the office of Prime Minister by President Gitanas Nausėda in early August 2025 following the resignation of her predecessor, Gintautas Paluckas. On 26 August 2025, the Seimas approved her appointment by a vote of 78 in favor, 35 against, and 14 abstentions. Subsequently, President Nausėda issued the formal decree confirming her as Prime Minister, and on 25 September 2025 she and her Cabinet took the oath of office before Parliament, marking the beginning of her term.[32][33]
Her cabinet is formed by a coalition of the Social Democratic Party, Dawn of Nemunas, Farmers and Greens Union and Electoral Action of Poles.[34]
Domestic Policy
Lithuanian Airspace Security Breach
Following the incident that happened on 22 October 2025, when a large group of contraband meteorological balloons was launched from Belarus into Lithuanian territory, the National Security Commission (NSC) was convened on the instruction of Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė. During the meeting, threats and risks to civil aviation safety and the protection of the state border were assessed, and decisions were taken on further measures to curb smuggling activities by air.
The meeting also discussed technological solutions for blocking SIM cards attached to contraband shipments. The Ministry of the Interior (MoI) was tasked with providing information and proposals on technological tools that would allow SIM cards used in smugglers’ tracking devices to be blocked from identifying the landing sites of balloons.
It was further decided to explore technologies capable of neutralising the balloons. The MoI will prepare the necessary technical specifications and submit them to the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, which will seek high-tech companies capable of developing solutions for balloon detection, tracking, and neutralisation. The aim is to make smuggling activities economically unprofitable and unattractive to smugglers.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed to warn Belarus that failure to take action against smugglers launching balloons or drones from its territory may lead Lithuania to consider a longer-term closure of border control points. Lithuania emphasises that such activity poses a direct threat to civil aviation and public safety. Lithuanian authorities maintain constant contact with border institutions in Poland and Latvia, where similar incidents have also been recorded. [35]
Foreign policy
Ukraine
On 29 September 2025, Ruginienė spoke by phone with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. Ruginienė said that Lithuania’s support for Ukraine will continue and include not only military and financial aid, but also Humanitarianism|humanitarian help. The two leaders also agreed to meet soon in Kyiv.[36]
Ruginienė alongside her Government delegation visited Kyiv on October 6, 2025, where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk.[37]
Olha Nikitchenko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Lithuania met with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė on the 24 October 2025. The Prime Minister expressed her gratitude for the warm and productive visit to Kyiv earlier this month, emphasizing the relevance of the issues discussed and Lithuania’s determination to turn them into tangible examples of success.[38]
Latvia
On 3 October 2025, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė held a telephone conversation with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina. Ruginienė thanked her Latvian colleague for the congratulations extended on the start of her work as Head of Government. The Latvian Prime Minister invited Mrs Ruginienė to visit Riga in the near future to discuss the most pressing issues for both countries. In December, the Heads of Government of all three Baltic States will also meet in Riga in the format of the Baltic Council of Ministers.[39]
Poland
Ruginienė visited Poland on 7 October 2025 and met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. During her working visit to Poland, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė met with the country’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk. At the meeting in Warsaw, the two leaders discussed key bilateral priorities such as security and defence, support for Ukraine, joint infrastructure and energy projects, and other issues. Major joint projects of significant scope and importance – “Rail Baltica”, “Harmony Link”, and “Via Baltica” – are of strategic importance for Lithuania, and their smooth implementation remains a priority for the 20th Government.[40]
Estonia
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė held a telephone call with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal on 10 October 2025. The two leaders emphasized the excellent bilateral relations between Lithuania and Estonia, the importance of cooperation in defence, security, transport, and energy, also their shared commitment to supporting Ukraine.[41]
United States of America
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė met with the Ambassador of the United States of America, Kara C. McDonald on 24 October 2025 to discuss the strategic partnership between the two countries and the U.S. role in helping to ensure the security of the region. The discussion also highlighted the importance of continued support for Ukraine and the key role of the United States in helping achieve a lasting and just peace in Europe.[42]
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Personal life
Inga Ruginienė is married to Vismantas Ruginis, a businessman who manages multiple printing supply companies.[43][44] Her mother, Diana Raitelaitienė, serves as the chair of the Lithuanian Federation of Forest and Wood Workers' Trade Unions.[44] Some of Ruginienė's distant relatives live in Moscow, but she has stated that she does not have much contact with them.[6]
Ruginienė served as a first-aid instructor and volunteer at the Lithuanian Red Cross Society from 2004 to 2016, and served on its board from 2016 to 2019.[3][4] From 2021 to 2023 she served as a member of the council of the Kaunas Forestry and Environmental Engineering College.[3][4]
She speaks fluent Lithuanian, English and Russian.[3][4] Some commentators have noted that Ruginienė speaks Lithuanian with a slight Russian accent. Ruginienė attributes this to having grown up in a bilingual neighborhood of Vilnius and having spent a lot of time in her childhood in the majority Russian-speaking part of Ukraine.[6]
Ruginienė enjoys reading detective novels and has cited The Little Prince as one of her favorite books.[43] Her hobbies include travel and painting.[3][4]
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References
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