Ruginienė resigns as Lithuanian prime minister

Inga Ruginienė has resigned as Lithuania's prime minister, bringing her Social Democratic-led government to an end after a reshuffle of the ruling coalition.

The outgoing cabinet, Lithuania's 20th government, held its final meeting on Tuesday, at which ministers unanimously approved a resolution on their resignation.

"Despite all the difficulties, we have much to be proud of, and each of you has made a significant contribution to the welfare of our state and the improving lives of our people," Ruginienė told her ministers. "Today we take the decision to resign and return the government's powers to the President of the Republic."

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Ruginienė reflected on her time in office with pride. "In politics you can learn many things – how to look good, how to speak fluently – but you cannot learn courage or humanity," she said. "Empathy, the ability to listen to people, and the courage to act: these are the qualities that helped me not to lose my way among difficult choices and responsibilities."