Social Democrats delay coalition decision as internal tensions rise ahead of party congress

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party is postponing any decision on its troubled coalition with the liberal “Nemuno aušra” (Freedom and Justice) party until after its internal congress this week, despite growing dissent within its ranks over the alliance, LRT reports.

Party officials insist the Friday gathering—marking the Social Democrats’ 130th anniversary—will focus on re-electing acting leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius and forming a new governing board, with no major policy shifts expected. “It’s a jubilee event. Everyone will come to celebrate,” said deputy chairman Nerijus Cesiulis, downplaying speculation about coalition changes.

Yet internal divisions persist. A recent party-commissioned poll showed voters evenly split on whether to maintain the current coalition, mirroring the lack of consensus among members. “In the Alytus branch, not a single person spoke in favor of continuing with Nemuno aušra,” Cesiulis admitted, acknowledging broader reluctance to confront dissent: “We feared asking other branches. We feared hearing that stark truth.”

Some members, like Ruslanas Baranovas of the Vilnius district branch, argue any shift would require lengthy negotiations: “Many places disagree with this coalition partner. If there are consultations or talks with other political forces, we’ll see how it goes.” Others, including Akmenė district mayor Vitalijus Mitrofanovas, suggest exploring alternatives like bringing the conservative “Vardan Lietuvos” (For Lithuania) faction into the coalition to secure a majority.

Political analyst Matas Baltrukevičius dismissed the congress as a “stalling tactic,” noting the party has already altered its coalition twice this term—a record that risks further alienating voters. “Changing coalitions three times in one term is too much, but sooner or later, they’ll have to act. If the Social Democrats don’t, Nemuno aušra will eventually pull the plug as elections near,” he told LRT.

The party’s reputation has suffered from both the unpopular alliance and the fallout from former leader Gintautas Paluckas’ legal troubles. Paluckas, who resigned from the party last week amid a prosecution request to strip his parliamentary immunity, had become “dead weight with no political future,” according to Baltrukevičius. His prolonged retention of his Seimas seat—despite Sinkevičius’ earlier hints he would step down—has deepened internal frustration.

With no resolution in sight, analysts warn the Social Democrats face an uphill battle to regain voter trust, regardless of their next move.