Mindaugas Sinkevičius re-elected unopposed as leader of Lithuania’s Social Democrats

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has re-elected Mindaugas Sinkevičius as its chairman after he ran unopposed at the party’s 130th congress in Jonava, state broadcaster LRT reports.

Sinkevičius, who has led the party since 2021, faced no competition after Alytus Mayor Nerijus Cesiulis withdrew his potential candidacy. Cesiulis stated his local party branch had not nominated him and that leadership contests are “won much earlier” than the vote itself. He added that he wished Sinkevičius success.

Addressing reporters before the congress, Sinkevičius confirmed plans to finalise the party’s coalition strategy by the end of May. A meeting of the LSDP council is expected to decide on the future of its governing alliance with Remigijus Žemaitaitis’ “Nemuno Aušra” (Dawn of Nemunas) party.

“We aim to conclude the coalition discussions definitively in May, one way or another,” Sinkevičius said, adding that a final decision would be made at a council session later this month.

Tensions within the coalition have resurfaced following internal dissent over projects such as the proposed Kapčiamiestis military training ground, which some LSDP members opposed. Cesiulis, a vocal critic of the current partnership, accused Žemaitaitis of undermining both the party and the public, calling him “not our ally.”

The congress also approved amendments tying the party leader’s term to parliamentary elections and named MEP Vilija Blinkevičiūtė as honorary chairwoman.