Lithuania Nominates Andrius Kubilius for EU Commissioner

Lithuania's government has officially nominated Andrius Kubilius as its candidate for the next European commissioner, initiating a complex nomination process that requires approval from both the parliament and President Gitanas Nausėda. Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė described the procedure as “baroquely complex,” although she indicated that she has already received informal backing from the president and the ruling coalition. If confirmed, Kubilius, who has served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2019 and previously held the position of prime minister twice, would need to resign from his current role. Known for his strong support of Ukraine and critical stance on Russia, Kubilius co-authored the European Plan for Ukraine in 2017 and has been an advocate for increased military support for Ukraine, proposing that Western allies contribute 0.25 percent of their GDP to assist in the conflict against Russia. In addition to military support, Kubilius has suggested that frozen Russian assets should be utilized for Ukraine's reconstruction. He has also called for the establishment of a dedicated government department to address Ukraine-related issues. Šimonytė expressed hope that opposition parties would recognize Kubilius' qualifications and experience, setting aside any biases. The Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, is expected to vote on Kubilius' nomination either in an extraordinary session or at the beginning of its regular fall session on September 10, despite the European Commission's deadline for nominations being August 30. This nomination follows the withdrawal of Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis from consideration for the commissioner role after failing to secure presidential support.