Lithuanian Farmers and Greens reject Social Democrats’ proposal on deputy minister posts
The Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) has dismissed the Social Democratic Party’s proposed alternatives for resolving a dispute over deputy minister positions, calling the offered advisory roles an inadequate substitute, LRT reports.
Aušrinė Norkienė, deputy chair of LVŽS, confirmed on Tuesday that Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė had presented two options to settle the conflict, but neither met the party’s expectations. “They are unsatisfactory. The alternatives offered are advisory positions in ministries, whereas our coalition agreement specified deputy minister posts—these are not equivalent,” Norkienė told BNS. She added that the party would raise the issue again at the coalition council meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Social Democratic leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius told Žinių Radijas earlier on Tuesday that he was unaware whether the prime minister’s proposals had been rejected outright or simply not discussed in detail. The dispute arose after LVŽS-nominated deputy agriculture minister Artūras Pekauskas and ministerial advisor Mindaugas Petkevičius were removed from their posts at the Agriculture Ministry, led by the rival “Nemuno Aušra” party.
LVŽS leader and MEP Aurelijus Veryga previously accused “Nemuno Aušra” of pressuring his party to accept an additional deputy minister from their ranks in the Economy and Innovation Ministry, threatening to dismiss the LVŽS deputy agriculture minister if the demand was not met. Veryga insisted that LVŽS must secure a deputy minister position in another ministry as compensation.
Remigijus Žemaitaitis, chair of “Nemuno Aušra,” denied any conflict, claiming the parties had simply failed to agree on swapping deputy ministers. Under the coalition deal, LVŽS and the Christian Families Union appointed the economy and justice ministers, while “Nemuno Aušra” leads the Agriculture and Environment Ministries and holds the Energy Ministry, though its head is backed by President Gitanas Nausėda.