Lithuanian Farmers and Greens leader open to welcoming back former members who left for Democrats

The leader of Lithuania’s Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS), Aurelijus Veryga, has said he would allow politicians who left the party to join the Democrats For Lithuania to return, reports LRT.

Speaking to Žinių Radijas on Wednesday, Veryga stated that circumstances had changed since the Democrats split from LVŽS in 2021, and that some former members could reconsider their decision.

“Back then, when they were breaking away, there was a lot of talk about a lack of democracy, and our then-chairman was accused of all sorts of things. But the situation has changed, and perhaps some of them might think about returning—though that’s up to them,” Veryga said.

He emphasised that the party holds no grudges and that some individuals would “certainly find their place” within LVŽS. As an example, he mentioned Rima Baškienė, a long-time member who left for the Democrats, saying she would be welcomed back.

“We would definitely take Rima back—I don’t know if she herself realises that leaving the Farmers wasn’t the wisest move, especially since she was with us from the very beginning and was even the face of the party for many years,” Veryga said.

The Democrats For Lithuania party was formed in September 2021 after a group of lawmakers, including several former LVŽS members such as Baškienė, Kęstutis Mažeika, and Tomas Tomilinas, split from the party’s Seimas faction to establish their own political force.