Lithuanian Prime Minister I. Ruginienė will travel to Italy accompanied by her husband Vismantas and their two children from March 6 to March 8. This trip follows an invitation intended for the whole family, as confirmed by Ruginienė's representative. The costs associated with this visit will be covered by the Prime Minister's Office, adhering to established legal and procedural protocols governing such official trips.

The invitation extended to Ruginienė's family falls under diplomatic protocol, which allows family members to accompany state officials during high-level visits. The government spokesperson clarified that the arrangement includes expenses for foreign ministry representatives and the Lithuanian ambassador to the Holy See, indicating that this delegation will also encompass several other officials from the Prime Minister's Office.

The decision to include family members in this official visit has sparked some critique, with questions raised about the appropriateness of such arrangements. Critics have described the social democratic attitude towards the PM as ineffectual, questioning the decision-making and suitability of Ruginienė in her role, highlighting the ongoing debates surrounding her leadership and governance priorities in Lithuania.