Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene formally resigned on June 23, bringing an end to her Social Democrat-led administration as the country's ruling coalition prepares to install a new government, a government statement said.

Lithuania’s ruling Social Democrats has formed a new government after expelling the radical right Nemunas Dawn party.

The reconfigured ruling coalition consists of the Social Democrats, the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" and the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union, together controlling 75 seats in the 141-seat Seimas, the country’s legislature.

Addressing colleagues at the last cabinet session, Ruginiene thanked ministers for their work and said the government had achieved important results despite numerous challenges during its time in office.

Speaking afterwards, the outgoing prime minister defended her record and reflected on her period in office.

"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,” a transcript published by her office said. 

Ruginiene also suggested that some critics had struggled to accept her unconventional style, saying she never believed political leaders should conform to a predetermined image.

She rejected suggestions that her departure was linked to internal party tensions, describing the change as part of a planned political transition. According to Ruginiene, Social Democratic Party chairman Mindaugas Sinkevicius had originally been expected to take over the premiership last year following the resignation of former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas.

The president is expected to receive the government's resignation decree on June 23. Under coalition arrangements, a candidate for prime minister must be presented to parliament within 15 days. Sinkevicius is widely expected to receive the nomination.

If approved by lawmakers, he will then have up to 15 days to form a cabinet and present a government programme, BNS and LRT.lt reported.