Lithuanian liberals claim ruling social democrats unlikely to break coalition with “Nemuno aušra”

The leader of Lithuania’s opposition Liberal Movement has dismissed suggestions that the ruling Social Democrats will sever their coalition with the populist “Nemuno aušra” party, calling it a partnership of convenience, LRT reports.

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, chair of the Liberal Movement, said the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) lacks the will to seek alternatives, such as forming a minority government or negotiating broader support in parliament. “They simply find it convenient,” she told Žinių Radijas on Friday.

Her comments follow remarks by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, who stated that the coalition agreement was being fulfilled and that no changes were currently needed. Čmilytė-Nielsen argued this reflected a clear intention to continue with the existing alliance, which holds 79 seats in the 141-member parliament.

“It’s convenient to govern with over 80 votes [the coalition recently dropped to 79 after two lawmakers left the agrarian faction], because then you don’t need to negotiate with political opponents,” she said. “You don’t even need to debate issues in parliament—it’s just convenient.”

She added that the presence of “Nemuno aušra” leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis, a controversial figure, allows other coalition partners to appear more stable by contrast. “This is tactical convenience,” Čmilytė-Nielsen said, though she described such reasoning as “weak arguments that somehow keep working.”

Tensions within the coalition flared after “Nemuno aušra” lawmakers, including Žemaitaitis, opposed the establishment of a military training ground in Lazdijai district. LSDP leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius called the move “unacceptable” and pledged to discuss the party’s future in the coalition at an upcoming meeting.

The current ruling majority consists of the LSDP, “Nemuno aušra,” and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.