Remigijus Žemaitaitis considers running in 2027 municipal elections

Chairman of the *Nemuno Aušra* party Remigijus Žemaitaitis has not ruled out participating in next year’s municipal council and mayoral elections, though he has yet to make a final decision, reports LRT.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Žemaitaitis confirmed he would “definitely take part somewhere,” noting that party members have urged him to run in Palanga. “I’m a team player. If the team says I’m needed, I’ll do it,” he said, adding that supporters in Alytus and its surrounding district have also expressed interest. “But Palanga is closer to home,” he remarked.

In March, Žemaitaitis told *Delfi* he was considering a bid for Palanga mayor but stressed no decision had been made. The *Nemuno Aušra* election campaign will be led by deputy chairman Tadas Sadauskis. Municipal elections in Lithuania are scheduled for spring 2027.

**Žemaitaitis dismisses calls for Sinkevičius to replace Ruginienė**
The politician also reacted sceptically to Democratic Union “For Lithuania” leader Virginijus Sinkevičius’s suggestion that Social Democrat leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius should take over as prime minister, calling it a “standard, traditional divide-and-rule tactic” to destabilise the ruling coalition.

“Is now the time to take the helm? There’s no basis for Mindaugas Sinkevičius to replace Ingrida Ruginienė. If the idea is that this would bring stability, it wouldn’t,” Žemaitaitis argued. He acknowledged Sinkevičius’s competence but warned that his appointment would revive past controversies, including the “čekučių” (cheque) scandal and ethics violations during his tenure as Jonava mayor.

“Then the *Fegda* question resurfaces, then whether *Fegda* met or didn’t, then the coalition gets bogged down again,” he said, referring to a past political dispute. Žemaitaitis suggested Sinkevičius would be better off distancing himself from politics, noting that his family had “just begun to forget” the scandals.

Social Democrat leader Sinkevičius, elected party chairman in early May, has previously stated he does not rule out moving to Vilnius and taking a central government role—but only if such a transition occurs “organically.” Political insiders have speculated he could replace current Prime Minister Ruginienė, though Sinkevičius insists any changes should not be forced.