Prior to Lithuania’s run-off election on Sunday, Blinkevičiūtė had confirmed she was ready to lead the country’s next government. After the election results came in, however — and again on Monday — she avoided answering the question of whether she still wanted to lead the country.
Blinkevičiūtė on Wednesday finally suggested Gintautas Paluckas, a former leader of the Social Democrats, as best suited for the job, calling him “the best candidate with the necessary experience and qualities for a prime minister.”
Speculation that Blinkevičiūtė might pass up the job grew on Tuesday as she discussed the transition with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, local media reported.
Blinkevičiūtė also said she would not take a seat in the Lithuanian parliament, but would instead continue to serve as an MEP in Brussels, where she has been a member of the legislature since 2009.
