Social Democrats accuse coalition partner of breaking agreement over defence vote

The actions of the “Nemuno aušra” (Dawn of Nemunas) party clearly violate the coalition agreement, Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) honorary chairman and MEP Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis said Tuesday, following a unanimous decision by the party’s presidium to condemn the party’s voting record in parliament.

Speaking on LRT Television’s Dienos tema programme, Andriukaitis confirmed the Social Democrats had held an extended presidium meeting to discuss recent votes in the Seimas, particularly regarding the Kapčiamestis military training ground and the conduct of “Nemuno aušra” leader and its parliamentary faction.

“The presidium unanimously adopted a position that negatively assesses both the leader’s voting and the faction’s stance,” Andriukaitis said. He stressed that the issue would now be raised at the coalition council, with the Social Democrats demanding an extraordinary session to address compliance with the coalition agreement.

The agreement, he noted, clearly obliges all partners to uphold joint commitments, including government programmes and shared policy positions. “We interpret this as a failure to fulfil coalition obligations,” Andriukaitis said, though he stopped short of labelling it a “violation.”

When asked about potential consequences, Andriukaitis said the presidium had instructed party leader and Prime Minister Gintarė Skaistė, as well as the faction’s elder, to initiate an urgent coalition council meeting. The Social Democrats will also push for a discussion within their own party council, which holds binding authority over the faction’s future actions in the coalition.

While Andriukaitis did not specify whether “Nemuno aušra” could face expulsion, he emphasised the severity of the situation. “This is an extremely serious decision,” he said, adding that further steps would depend on the coalition council’s outcome.

The dispute centres on a recent parliamentary vote concerning the Kapčiamestis training ground, where “Nemuno aušra” lawmakers reportedly deviated from the agreed coalition position.