Lithuanian social democrats hold closed-door meeting on coalition future, confiscate phones

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) held an emergency closed-door council meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to remain in the ruling coalition with the “Nemuno Aušra” party or switch allegiance to the Democratic Union “Vardan Lietuvos,” following the latter’s corruption scandal, LRT reports.

Party members were required to surrender their phones upon entry to prevent leaks, with the session held under strict confidentiality. The decision follows a recent corruption scandal that cost Democratic Union its leader, Saulius Skvernelis.

A commissioned public opinion poll by “Baltijos Tyrimai” failed to provide clear direction, according to an unnamed social democrat. “People don’t have a definitive opinion—the main options all appear equally [un]favorable. There’s no clear answer,” the source said, adding that the survey showed “no pressure to change the coalition.”

Internal party data reportedly suggests the LSDP’s own electorate slightly prefers a minority government, followed by a coalition with the Democratic Union, with the current partnership with “Nemuno Aušra” ranking last. However, politicians downplayed the differences as insignificant.

One social democrat dismissed the minority government option outright: “We won’t consider it—it doesn’t matter what the responses say.” The reluctance stems from past experience: Gediminas Kirkilas, who led a minority government (2006–2008), described it as a “nerve-wracking” period where every parliamentary vote became a battle, and opposition parties—even those nominally supporting the cabinet—demanded costly budget concessions.

Pressure to abandon the current coalition comes primarily from President Gitanas Nausėda, who has clashed repeatedly with “Nemuno Aušra” leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis. The latter has ignored coalition partners and the president, acting solely in his party’s interest—most notably during a standoff over the Kapčiamiesčio polygon project, where Nausėda warned that failure to agree would “deprive the coalition of its essence.”

Complicating matters, the Democratic Union’s influence has waned following raids by law enforcement at Skvernelis’ office, reducing its leverage in potential negotiations. Meanwhile, Žemaitaitis’ increasingly radical rhetoric ahead of elections risks further destabilizing the partnership.

Social democrats acknowledge the current alliance is fraught with challenges—”Nemuno Aušra” MPs often oppose key state and LSDP priorities, drag the party into unnecessary conflicts, and force repeated damage control over Žemaitaitis’ statements. Yet resistance to Nausėda’s pressure persists, with no clear alternative in sight.