Lithuanian parliament member A. Širininskienė has raised concerns over a recent visit to the Vatican made by a government delegation that included I. Ruginienė's family members. According to Shirininskienė, I. Ruginienė, who is the Prime Minister, failed to separate public and private interests when she included her husband and two children in the delegation. This was made evident when Ruginienė signed an order approving the delegation and included her family's travel expenses at the state's expense, a move deemed problematic under the public and private interests harmonization law.

Shirininskienė's appeal to the VTEK, which is the State Ethics Inspectorate, emphasizes the potential conflict of interest that arises from the situation. By involving her family in an official trip, Ruginienė may have breached requirements set to maintain transparency and ethical standards in public office. The matter calls into question the integrity of public officials and their adherence to established laws intended to prevent misuse of public resources for private gain.

The implications of this appeal could lead to a formal investigation into Ruginienė's actions, potentially resulting in repercussions that might affect her position and the public's trust in government practices. The outcome of the inquiry by VTEK will be closely monitored, especially as it pertains to accountability within the Lithuanian government and adherence to ethical governance standards.