Lithuanian Democrats deny ongoing coalition talks, call current government unstable

Interim leader of the Democrats “For Lithuania” party Virginijus Sinkevičius stated Friday that no concrete negotiations are underway to join the ruling coalition, despite ongoing informal discussions among politicians, LRT reports.

“There is truly no agreement,” Sinkevičius told reporters at the party’s headquarters. “Conversations of all kinds are happening—colleagues in the Seimas, in local governments, in the regions meet daily with their Social Democrat counterparts and exchange insights. But if you ask whether there’s anything tangible, there really isn’t,” he emphasized.

When asked whether the Democrats would consider joining the government following recent developments—including the prosecutor general’s request to strip former party leader Saulius Skvernelis of legal immunity—Sinkevičius shifted responsibility to the Social Democrats. “Jokingly, I could say his surname might help,” he remarked, referring to Skvernelis. “But seriously, the Social Democrats are the masters of their own fate and this coalition’s future.”

Sinkevičius criticized the current ruling alliance, comprising the Social Democrats, “Nemuno Aušra,” and the Farmers and Greens Union, for lacking a unified vision. “This coalition is faltering not because of Skvernelis or the Democrats, but because there’s no consensus on governance. The ruling majority still hasn’t agreed on shared priorities or what they aim to achieve this term,” he said.

He added that any decision to join the coalition would require a formal invitation and clear alignment on goals. “Time is running out, and the window to achieve those goals is shrinking. I don’t doubt the competence or dedication of our people, but timing is critical—how much can realistically be accomplished?”

The Democrats currently hold no seats in the 141-member Seimas after Skvernelis, their sole representative, had his membership suspended amid a corruption probe. Prosecutors allege Skvernelis accepted a €51,000 bribe through a former aide to secure political favors, referring to him by the codename “Crab.” The ruling coalition now controls 80 seats—just over the 71 needed for a majority. Without the smaller “Nemuno Aušra” faction (18 seats), the government would lose its clear majority, fueling speculation that the Democrats or independent lawmakers could be courted to fill the gap.