The Lithuanian Ministry of Finance has decided to annul the selection process for the Chief of the Customs Department after receiving a "well-founded" complaint regarding potentially breached procedures. According to the ministry's statement, this decision was made following the claims from one of the candidates who participated in the selection for the role of Customs Department Director, citing issues related to the legitimacy of the appointed selection committee. The ministry pointed out that, under legal provisions, the committee must include either a direct supervisor or a deputy officer, indicating that this requirement may not have been fulfilled.

The cancellation of the customs chief selection highlights the importance of adhering to established legal procedures in public sector appointments in Lithuania. The Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania has clarified that public service recruitment competitions should be regarded as a single act, encompassing all organizational stages of the process. Thus, any violations at any stage may legally invalidate the entire recruitment procedure.

The Ministry has announced that a new selection process for the customs chief will be initiated shortly, emphasizing their commitment to conduct the recruitment process in line with the legal framework. This situation not only reflects the challenges within governmental recruitment processes but also underlines the necessity for transparency and adherence to legal protocols, which are crucial for maintaining public trust in the integrity of state institutions.