In February, reports emerged concerning the dismissal of the Minister of State Chancellery, Mindaugas Šima, by then Finance Minister Kostas Vaitiekūnas. While Šima publicly stated to the portal Lrytas that he had submitted his own resignation, sources indicated that Kostas Vaitiekūnas had instead prompted him to resign. The underlying circumstances surrounding the separation proved to be a more complex story.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the conflict between the two officials centered on the competition for the leadership role within the Customs Department. The core issue reportedly arose after Kostas Vaitiekūnas, while away on a mission, selected the winner of the competition—Deputy Director General of the Customs Department, Janeta Rudaitienė—without the knowledge or consent of the Minister of State Chancellery. This action reportedly caused significant surprise for Mindaugas Šima.
Consequently, sources suggested that the decision to dismiss the Minister was executed by the Chancellor’s office in response to these developments. The details suggest that the disagreement escalated over departmental appointments, placing the Minister at the center of the professional dispute. The sequence of events surrounding the leadership changes highlights a significant internal disagreement within the government structure involving Kostas Vaitiekūnas and his subordinate minister.
Topics: #minister #story #kostas
