Lithuanian presidency urges ruling coalition to resolve key issues without opposition support

The Lithuanian presidency has stated that the ruling coalition should be capable of addressing critical national security matters even without opposition votes, following a setback in parliament over the proposed Kapčiamestis military training ground, LRT reports.

After a group of governing lawmakers failed to back the Kapčiamestis poligon project in Lazdijai district during Tuesday’s Seimas session, presidential advisor Ridas Jasiulionis emphasised that unity on such vital issues remains a priority.

“The president’s position on the importance of coalition cohesion has not changed. What matters is not just the vote count but the political and public consolidation around this life-and-death security issue for Lithuania. The ruling coalition must be able to resolve matters of this importance even without opposition support,” Jasiulionis said in a statement to BNS.

The presidency noted that President Gitanas Nausėda “positively assesses” the initial broad support for the poligon legislation, which had been backed by an absolute majority of MPs when first introduced. During the initial vote, 102 lawmakers supported the bill, 10 opposed it, and five abstained. All opposition came from coalition members: seven from the “Nemuno Aušra” faction—including its leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis—and three from the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union. Four additional “Nemuno Aušra” MPs and one from the “Vardan Lietuvos” Democrats abstained.

Earlier this month, Nausėda had met with Seimas leaders, including “Nemuno Aušra” representatives Raimondas Šukys and Daiva Žebelienė, who reportedly assured him of their faction’s support. Šukys later voted in favour, while Žebelienė did not participate in Tuesday’s vote.

Nausėda had previously warned that if “Nemuno Aušra” failed to support the project, the Social Democrats should treat it as the end of the coalition. Social Democrat leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius had also cautioned that rejection could trigger “certain political actions,” while Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė stated she would assess the situation post-vote. The issue is expected to be raised at the Social Democrats’ presidium meeting on Wednesday.