Spy Novels, Russia-Ukraine Ties, and Power at 44: The Story of PM Inga

International News:According to the data of the United Nations, there are 44 countries in Europe. Of these, the discussion often focuses on big countries like France, Germany and Italy. But among these, a small country, Lithuania, has recently come into the limelight. It is a member of the European Union and NATO and is a country adjacent to the borders of Russia. The reason for coming into the discussion is the election of the new Prime Minister. The Parliament of Lithuania has elected 44-year-old Inga Rugeniene as the new Prime Minister of the country. She has been a labor union leader by profession and is considered a relatively new face in politics. Let us know everything about her in detail.

How did she become Prime Minister?

Former Prime Minister Gintautas Palukas had to resign after investigation and media reports about his business and financial deals. After this, the Social Democratic Party put forward the name of Inga Rugeniine for the post of Prime Minister. In the voting held in the Parliament, she got 78 votes, while 35 MPs voted against her.

From the labor movement to the peak of power

Inga Rugeniine's political career is still in its initial stages. She joined the center-left Social Democratic Party just before the 2023 general elections. The party made her the Minister of Social Security and Labor, where she used her experience. Before joining politics, she was the President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Lithuania and also played important roles in European labor organizations.

Special connection with Russia-Ukraine

Rugyniene was born on 24 May 1981 in Trakai. She spent most of her childhood in the capital, Vilnius. During summer vacations, she often used to go to the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, where her family's relatives lived. This is the reason why the roots of her life have been connected to all three places—Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia. However, Rugyniene has been criticizing Russia's aggressive policies and raising her voice in support of Ukraine.

Fondness for detective books

Apart from politics, Rugyniene is fond of reading. She especially likes detective and mystery-thriller books. She has counted The Little Prince among her favorite books. Apart from this, she also gives time to travelling and painting, which gives her relief from her busy political life.

Strong majority, challenge of stability

The Social Democratic Party reached an agreement with two other parties on Monday to form a new coalition government. This coalition has the support of 82 out of 141 seats in the Parliament (Seimas). Now the biggest challenge before the new Prime Minister is to take the government towards stability and live up to the expectations of the voters. She will have to present the government's program in the Parliament in the next 15 days, in which issues like security, economic development and social welfare will be prominent.