Lithuanian President Nominates Adviser for State Auditor Position, Sparking Controversy

Vilnius, Lithuania – April 15, 2025 — Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has put forth the nomination of his adviser, Irena Segalovičienė, for the role of state auditor. This position is critical for ensuring the transparent management of government funds. While the ruling coalition in parliament has embraced the nomination, opposition members are expressing significant concern regarding the implications of this decision.

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, head of the opposition Liberal Movement's parliamentary faction, voiced her apprehension, stating, “It doesn’t look good.” She criticized the practice of appointing individuals from the president’s close circle without a cooling-off period, calling it a “particularly poor practice” that could lead to a troubling precedent.

The cooling-off period refers to a timeframe during which former officials are expected to distance themselves from public service roles after leaving office. This concept had previously been advocated by President Nausėda himself, prompting critics to highlight perceived inconsistencies in his application of the principle. They argue that the president frequently appoints individuals from his inner circle to key positions while failing to uphold the same standards for others.

In the past, Nausėda has shown reservation about reinstating Eimutis Misiūnas to judicial positions due to his previous political roles, asserting that individuals transitioning from political positions back to the judiciary do not adhere to standards of neutrality. Similar situations had arisen with former Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius and ex-Defence Minister Raimundas Karoblis, both of whom faced delays in their returns to diplomatic and governmental roles.

Opposition members are particularly concerned that the nomination of Segalovičienė represents a continuation of this trend. Mindaugas Lingė from the conservative Homeland Union expressed his disapproval, noting, “This sets a very poor precedent.” Former Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė intensified the criticism, likening Nausėda's approach to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump, stating he appears intent on outdoing Trump in appointing individuals whose qualifications for high state positions are questionable.

In contrast, members of the governing coalition have supported the nomination. Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas remarked that Irena Segalovičienė possesses the necessary experience for the role. He emphasized that discussions regarding her appointment will proceed within the governing factions but declined to address the president's previous remarks about the cooling-off period.

Saulius Skvernelis, the parliamentary speaker and leader of the Democrats "For Lithuania" party, defended Segalovičienė's qualifications, stating that her role as a presidential adviser is not inherently political and that her ability to uphold necessary political neutrality will be an important consideration for the parliament, or Seimas, during the nomination process.

The National Audit Office, which Segalovičienė would oversee if confirmed, is responsible for monitoring the lawful management of state funds and property, as well as the implementation of the national budget.

As discussions unfold, the nomination's outcome will provide insight into the Lithuanian government’s approach to transparency and accountability in public service appointments, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the current political landscape.