Ažubalis

VILNIUS — The Homeland Union/Christian Democrats, the leading party of Lithuania’s ruling coalition has nominated Audronius Ažubalis to replace Vygaudas Ušackas as foreign minister.

At a meeting Monday evening the party voted to nominate the parliamentarian Ažubalis, who is chair of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee to replace Ušackas who resigned after President Dalia Grybauskaitė declared she had lost confidence in his capacity as minister last week. Ažubalis is the only candidate.

“The party agreed with the resignation of Vygaudas Ušackas and in coordination with the president, we will proposed the candidacy of Ažubalis,” Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said in a statement to the press.

So now all eyes are on the Presidential Palace to see if Grybauskaitė will approve Ažubalis’ candidacy. Ažubalis said he was honored by the nomination but would not comment further until the president decides.

“Now I’m just excited,” Ažubalis told Lietuvos Rytas. “Presently we should wait for the president’s decision and then I’ll be able to comment more.”

Ažubalis has been a member of the Seimas since 1996.

Minister of National Defense Rasa Juknevičienė is acting as foreign minister until Ušackas’ replacement is takes office.