Sinkevičius would lead Democratic Union from Brussels if elected party chair

Acting chair of Lithuania’s opposition Democratic Union “For Lithuania” and European Parliament member Virginijus Sinkevičius would attempt to lead the party from Brussels if elected in the upcoming leadership vote, he told Žinių Radijas on Friday.

Sinkevičius cited the examples of former Social Democratic Party leader Vilija Blinkevičiūtė and current Farmers and Greens Union chair Aurelijus Veryga, both of whom successfully balanced leadership roles while working from the European Parliament. “Looking at Vilija Blinkevičiūtė’s success—she won two out of three elections from the European Parliament, finishing second in another—it’s clear that location isn’t as critical as often claimed,” he said. “Veryga is also based in Brussels.”

The MEP acknowledged that the chair’s role might carry greater weight in his case but noted he had already initiated reforms to further engage active party members. “I hope this will yield positive results and strengthen our community,” he added. His current term in the European Parliament runs until 2029.

The Democratic Union “For Lithuania” will elect a new leader on July 25 during a congress in Vilnius. The vote follows the resignation of former chair Saulius Skvernelis, who stepped down after facing bribery allegations in a State Plant Service case. Founded in January 2022 by politicians splitting from the Farmers and Greens Union, the party currently has nearly 4,000 members and 14 seats in the Seimas.