The new Minister of National Defense was sworn in at the Seimas

After the oath, the new minister will take office.

In the followingnoon, the official ceremony of the change of minister will take place in the square near the Ministry of National Defense in Vilnius. During it, Arvydas Anušauskas, who has been in charge of the ministry for more than three years, will hand over the flag of the Ministry of National Defense to L. Kasčiūnas and hand over the official regalia – the scepter.

On Monday, Gitanas Nausėda appointed L. Kasčiūnas as the Minister of National Defense instead of the resigned Arvydas Anušauskas.

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė submitted the candidacy of L. Kasčiūnas, chairman of the Seimas National Security and Defense Committee, to the president last week. Before that, she offered A. Anušauskas to withdraw due to too little activity in the most important recent issues of the national defense system, such as the reform of conscription, the search for additional sources of defense funding, and the expansion of the active military reserve.

L. Kasčiūnas said that his main task in his position will be to implement the principle of universal defense, preparation to receive the German brigade, conscription reform, agreement on additional funds for defense, development of drone capabilities.

Ministers are appointed and dismissed by the president at the recommendation of the prime minister.