The Constitutional Court of Lithuania is set to review presidential decrees that established two incomplete government cabinets, as legal complaints have been raised regarding their constitutionality.
The Constitutional Court of Lithuania is examining two presidential decrees concerning the formation of incomplete government cabinets. The two decrees in question are from December 4, 2024, and September 9, 2025, which respectively appointed cabinets consisting of only 12 ministers instead of the constitutional requirement of 14. This legal scrutiny emerges from complaints by members of the Conservative party, and parts of the Liberal Movement and the Democrats' Union 'For Lithuania,' who argue that these decrees may contravene constitutional provisions regarding the formation of the government.
In the first case, the decree issued on December 4 appointed a cabinet led by social democrat Gintautas Paluckas, lacking the environment and justice ministers. Similarly, the second decree on September 9 appointed a cabinet led by social democrat Inga RuginienÄ—, missing the environment and energy ministers. The essential question before the court concerns whether a cabinet can be constituted with fewer than the required number of ministers and whether such appointments are lawful.
This case could have significant implications for the constitutional interpretation of government formation in Lithuania, potentially affecting ongoing political dynamics and the stability of future administrations. A ruling against the president could prompt a reevaluation of how ministers are appointed and clarify the constitutional requirements that govern such processes, thereby shaping future government structures in the nation.
