Lithuania’s Democrats for Lithuania back coalition talks with conditions

Lithuania’s Democrats for Lithuania party has approved the start of negotiations to join the ruling coalition alongside the Social Democrats and the Homeland Union, but insists on a broader government reshuffle and updated policy priorities, acting leader Virginijus Sinkevičius said on Saturday.

Speaking on LRT’s Dienos tema programme, Sinkevičius confirmed that most party branches supported opening talks, though he stressed that substantive policy changes—not ministerial posts—were the priority.

“We no longer have the luxury of appointing people who would start learning on the job as ministers, trying to figure out how the state apparatus works,” he said. “Our goal is for those appointed to ministerial roles to be able to perform successfully from day one.”

The party’s mandate for negotiations will include demands for a revised government programme and updated policy measures, particularly in social policy, to address Lithuania’s demographic challenges. Sinkevičius acknowledged that such changes would require additional funding sources.

When asked whether he would seek a different cabinet position—currently serving as foreign minister—Sinkevičius called such discussions premature. “The question of specific posts will be one of the last,” he said, adding that the focus must first be on policy ambitions and content.

He also downplayed tensions with Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė, whose leadership he has previously criticised. “I believe we can speak openly with the Social Democrats,” he said, noting that their shared goal of a “fresh start” after ending their alliance with the Liberal Movement would take precedence over past disagreements.

Negotiations are set to begin in the coming days, with the Democrats for Lithuania’s governing board finalising their mandate on Sunday.