Lithuania appoints new defense minister - Who took post
Photo: Robertas Kaunas appointed as Lithuania’s new minister of defense (facebook.com/kaunasrobertas)
On Monday, November 10, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda signed a decree appointing a new defense minister. The position was taken by Social Democrat Robertas Kaunas, according to Delfi.
According to the outlet, the president met with Kaunas twice last week. After their second meeting on Friday, the Social Democrat said the president had promised to decide on his candidacy soon.
Kaunas is a member of the Seimas and has served on the National Security and Defense Committee for just over a month. There are, however, public doubts about his competence to lead the Defense Ministry.
Background
The post became vacant after Dovilė Šakalienė resigned amid disputes with the prime minister over defense funding. Tensions flared following an informal meeting at the Defense Ministry on October 14 with opinion leaders, where information was presented suggesting that defense spending in 2026 would be only 4.87% of GDP. Shortly afterward, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė announced that 5.38% of GDP would be allocated for defense needs.
On October 22, the Lithuanian president signed a decree dismissing Šakalienė as defense minister. The post was then temporarily filled by Interior Minister Vladyslav Kondratovič.
