Lithuania’s ruling coalition deadlocked over deputy minister appointments

The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, the largest partner in the country’s ruling coalition, must resolve a dispute over deputy minister positions but is delaying a decision, Aušrinė Norkienė, vice chair of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS), told public broadcaster LRT on Tuesday.

“The major coalition partners should present us with a solution,” Norkienė said. “They keep promising, but we haven’t received the agreed post, and this clearly creates tension between our parties.”

She questioned why the Social Democrats were “dragging their feet,” adding: “It looks strange from the country’s perspective that agreed matters can’t be settled in government.” Under the coalition agreement, LVŽS was to receive two deputy minister roles but currently holds none. Instead, the party has been offered advisory positions, though no formal proposal has been made, Norkienė said.

While LVŽS remains a reliable coalition partner, its patience is not unlimited, she warned. “If we’re not needed in this coalition, we could work perfectly well outside it.” She urged coalition leaders to recognise that “without us, this coalition wouldn’t exist” and called for a resolution in the coalition council.

The conflict arose after LVŽS-nominated deputy agriculture minister Artūras Pekauskas and ministerial adviser Mindaugas Petkevičius were removed from their posts at the Agriculture Ministry, led by the rival “Nemuno Aušra” party. LVŽS leader and MEP Aurelijus Veryga accused “Nemuno Aušra” of pressuring his party to accept an additional deputy minister in the Economy and Innovation Ministry, threatening to dismiss Pekauskas if the demand wasn’t met.

Veryga insisted LVŽS must secure a deputy minister role in another ministry. “Nemuno Aušra” chairman Remigijus Žemaitaitis denied any conflict, claiming the parties simply failed to agree on swapping deputy ministers. Social Democratic leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius said coalition partners had agreed “not to escalate the situation,” while Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė plans to seek reconciliation with Veryga.

Under the coalition deal, LVŽS and the Christian Families Union nominated the economy and justice ministers, while “Nemuno Aušra” leads the Agriculture, Environment, and Energy ministries.