Social Democrat files ethics complaint over conservative leader’s ‘Good Night Left Side’ post

A member of Lithuania’s parliament has asked the Seim’s Ethics and Procedure Commission to investigate whether conservative leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas violated the state’s political conduct code by posting a message linked to far-right rhetoric, LRT reports.

Social Democrat Laurynas Šedvydis submitted the complaint on Monday over a Facebook post by Kasčiūnas featuring a photo with the caption “Good Night Left Side!” (“Labanakt, kairieji!”). Šedvydis argues the phrase is a distorted version of the anti-racist slogan “Good Night White Pride,” repurposed by far-right groups to target anti-fascists, anti-racists, and left-wing movements.

“Such slogans and symbols in far-right online spaces are often used as a form of normalising or encouraging violence against ideological opponents,” Šedvydis wrote in his complaint.

He stressed that Kasčiūnas, as a public figure—Seim member, former defence minister, and leader of one of Lithuania’s largest political parties—should be held to higher standards of conduct. “A state politician’s public behaviour must adhere to stricter standards of responsibility, decency, and integrity,” Šedvydis said, warning that the use of far-right-associated slogans risks “normalising extremist symbolism” and undermining trust in the Seim.

Kasčiūnas dismissed the criticism, calling the complaint an opportunity to discuss “the crimes of communism against Lithuania and humanity.” He told LRT he remains “ready for a debate on left-wing ideologies, especially the crimes of communism,” and denied any wrongdoing.

“I represent the political right. Saying ‘don’t turn left’ seems perfectly normal to me,” Kasčiūnas said, adding that interpretations of his post were “not my concern.” The post in question, shared on Sunday, showed him holding a scarf with the emblem of Vilnius football club Žalgiris.