Lithuania's Sinkevicius resigns as EU commission to take up EP seat

VILNIUS – Lithuania's Virginijus Sinkevicius is stepping down as European commissioner to take up his seat at the European Parliament, to which he was elected in June, the European Commission said on Monday.

Transport Commissioner Adina Valean has also resigned from the Commission.

Sinkevicius, who was responsible for environment, ocean and fisheries, is leaving his post on Tuesday. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has decided to temporarily assign the responsibilities to Executive Vice-President Maros Sefcovic, in addition to his current portfolio, according to the press release.

Valean's resignation took effect on Monday. Her responsibilities have been temporarily assigned to Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra.

In late June, Sinkevicius was elected vice-chairman of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance in the European Parliament.

Saulius Skvernelis, leader of the Democratic Union "For Lithuania", has said that Sinkevicius would return to Lithuania if he were offered a ministerial portfolio.