Prime minister says ruling party must decide on future coalition with Nemuno Aušra
Lithuania’s Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė stated on Thursday that the Social Democratic Party (LSDP) must determine whether to continue coalition cooperation with the Nemuno Aušra party, following a split over the Kapčiamiestis military training ground project, LRT reports.
“I believe the party must answer that question. And the party will certainly make this decision, as will the coalition council,” Ruginienė told journalists in Kaunas. Her remarks came after LSDP leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced plans to convene a coalition council meeting to address why some Nemuno Aušra and Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) members opposed the project during its initial parliamentary submission.
When pressed on the vote, in which seven Nemuno Aušra MPs—including party leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis—and three LVŽS lawmakers rejected the proposal, Ruginienė reiterated her satisfaction with parliamentary unity on security issues. “I’ve already assessed the vote. I’m pleased that there is unity in the Seimas on strategic matters, and I very much hope we will continue to demonstrate this unity when discussing security,” she said.
Sinkevičius described the upcoming coalition council talks as the “first step” in resolving the ruling majority’s future, emphasizing the need to clarify partners’ objections before the project reaches full parliamentary debate. He assured that the LSDP would act responsibly in any coalition decisions.
Žemaitaitis, meanwhile, confirmed his party’s continued opposition to the training ground, arguing that its proposed €200 million budget should instead fund air defence upgrades. Aušrinė Norkienė of the Farmers and Greens faction acknowledged internal discussions but stopped short of guaranteeing a shift in stance among dissenting colleagues.
The Defence Ministry has justified the Kapčiamiestis site—covering 14,600 hectares near the Suwałki Gap—as critical for strengthening Lithuania’s defensive capabilities. The facility would accommodate 3,500–4,000 troops simultaneously, with large-scale exercises planned five times yearly for up to 10 days each, alongside continuous smaller drills.
Wednesday’s vote saw 102 MPs support the project, 10 oppose, and five abstain. The Presidential Palace later stated that coalition parties should resolve such key issues without relying on opposition votes. Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas previously suggested the dissenting vote could be an attempt to court public favour.