Coalition partner sees no change in government alliance despite social democrat tensions

Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the ruling coalition’s Nemuno Aušra party, dismissed speculation that Lithuania’s governing alliance might collapse following internal disputes within the Social Democratic Party, state broadcaster LRT reports.

“I don’t think it will change,” Žemaitaitis told Žinių Radijas on Wednesday. “I just feel sorry that the Social Democrats have played this game for too long—or perhaps they’re being pressured by public opinion and journalists. They’re pushed, they go, they don’t go, they act, they don’t act.”

He criticised factions within the Social Democratic Party for publicly attacking their own leadership, arguing that such infighting harms the party more than his own Nemuno Aušra faction. “They have a few—how I’ve called them—‘landmines’ in the party who simply damage the party itself by going public, criticising party leaders without even knowing the situation in government or parliament,” he said.

Žemaitaitis acknowledged the challenges of governing but rejected claims that his party holds disproportionate influence. “Being in the ruling majority is far more difficult than being in opposition,” he said. “In opposition, you can freely criticise, say what’s wrong, and not propose solutions. But in government, it’s harder. The question is who suffers more—us as Nemuno Aušra or the Social Democrats? We both suffer. They have downsides, we have downsides. We just need to agree, and that agreement is work.”

The Social Democrats delayed a decision on continuing their coalition partnership after most Nemuno Aušra lawmakers opposed a military training ground project in their stronghold of Lazdijai district. A final vote is expected in May or June, once a new party leadership—elected on May 1—takes office.

The ruling coalition currently holds 81 of 141 parliamentary seats, with Nemuno Aušra contributing 18 lawmakers alongside the Social Democrats and the Peasant Greens Union.

Žemaitaitis downplays Paluckas immunity case

Žemaitaitis also commented on prosecutors’ request to strip former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas of his legal immunity, calling the case “not particularly scandalous.”

“I don’t see anything scandalous in Paluckas’ situation,” he said. “Other MPs have had worse cases, and somehow nothing was done.” He added that Paluckas would likely request a simplified procedure to waive his immunity: “As far as I know, Gintautas will ask for his immunity to be lifted. There’s a streamlined process—you vote, remove it, and that’s it.”

Prosecutors allege Paluckas may have illegally acquired or co-owned assets worth over €45,000. Paluckas, who resigned as Social Democratic leader last week, has denied wrongdoing but agreed to cooperate with the investigation.