Liberal leader accuses Social Democrats of mimicking far-right rhetoric and denial of reality

The governing Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) is increasingly resembling the far-right “Nemuno Aušra” faction led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, Liberal Movement chairwoman Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said in comments to politika.lt on Thursday.

Čmilytė-Nielsen argued that the Social Democrats’ rhetoric, style, and tendency to deny reality now closely mirror those of Žemaitaitis’ group, dismissing conservative leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas’ claim that the LSDP suffers from “Stockholm syndrome” in its dealings with the far right.

“I don’t think the Social Democrats are so weak that they’re being blackmailed or held hostage,” she said. “From what I see in the Seimas hall and in conversations, the impression is that they are fundamentally similar—they’ve converged, and the Social Democrats are becoming ‘žemaitaitiškėja’ [a play on Žemaitaitis’ name, implying adoption of his methods]. They’re growing alike in rhetoric, style, and in their increasingly frequent denial of reality, which we hear from their leader and others.”

Her remarks follow a failed vote on the Kapčiamiestis military training ground project, which exposed divisions within the ruling coalition. Despite pre-vote assurances from Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas that an agreement existed, the bill failed to secure enough support even to proceed to debate.

“The vote showed that, on matters of security, defence, and—from my perspective—foreign policy continuity, we now effectively have a minority government,” Čmilytė-Nielsen said. She acknowledged potential backroom negotiations but stressed the result was clear: “The ruling majority couldn’t even come close to the votes needed for such a critical issue to pass the first reading.”

Kasčiūnas, leader of the opposition Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats, reiterated his earlier claim that the Social Democrats are trapped in a “Stockholm syndrome” dynamic with Žemaitaitis. “Perhaps they even find it convenient,” he said. “If not, they still can’t break free.”

When asked about the coalition’s current state, Kasčiūnas suggested the failed vote revealed deeper instability: “A small terrorist has taken a kindergarten group hostage.” He argued, however, that his party’s support for state-critical projects like Kapčiamiestis was a principled stance, regardless of whether it allowed Žemaitaitis to “play his game” with populist protests.

“If an issue is important for the state, you must stand firm and support the national interest—even in opposition,” Kasčiūnas said.