Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union may reconsider coalition membership over deputy minister dispute

The Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) may decide to leave the ruling coalition if a dispute over deputy minister positions remains unresolved, party vice-chair Ligita Girskienė warned on Monday, *LRT* reports.

Speaking to journalists, Girskienė confirmed that Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė’s proposal—replacing a deputy minister post with two adviser roles in separate ministries—was “not equivalent” and failed to satisfy the party. “We received a proposal to replace the deputy minister position with two adviser positions in different ministries,” she said. “This does not meet our expectations.”

The party’s council will address the coalition’s future at its April 10 meeting if no agreement is reached before then. “If we fail to agree on concrete proposals today, one of the questions for the council on April 10 will be whether to continue in the coalition,” Girskienė stated.

She emphasised that the decision would hinge on legal concerns rather than political preferences. “This isn’t about liking or disliking—we have a signed coalition agreement, and we must fulfil its terms. The only thing that could force us to reconsider our place in the coalition would be formal allegations from law enforcement,” she said.

The dispute stems from unresolved tensions between LVŽS and the “Nemuno Aušra” faction over deputy minister appointments. In January, the Agriculture Ministry—led by “Nemuno Aušra”—dismissed LVŽS-affiliated Deputy Minister Artūras Pekauskas and adviser Mindaugas Petkevičius, claiming they resigned voluntarily. LVŽS leader Arūnas Veryga countered that the move violated coalition terms, as “Nemuno Aušra” had refused to appoint an LVŽS deputy minister to the Economy and Innovation Ministry.

Social Democrat acting leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius earlier confirmed that Ruginienė had presented two alternatives to resolve the deadlock, though details were not disclosed.