Social Democrats invite opposition leaders to join new government coalition

The leader of Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Mindaugas Sinkevičius, has called on the heads of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” and the Farmers and Greens Union to return from Brussels and join a potential new government coalition, though he admitted doing so “with a smile” of irony.

Speaking to Žinių Radijas on Tuesday, Sinkevičius confirmed he would meet with both party leaders—Virginijus Sinkevičius of the Democrats and Aurelijus Veryga of the Farmers and Greens—in Brussels later in the day. He urged them to consider contributing their experience to Lithuania’s government rather than the European Parliament.

“I will encourage them to return to Lithuania and join the government’s work,” Sinkevičius said. “Their work in Brussels is valuable, and both are active MEPs, but it would be even better if their intellectual potential, competence, and experience were directed toward our country. We’ll discuss everything.”

He acknowledged a degree of teasing in his invitation, though he had previously told media he did not rule out Virginijus Sinkevičius becoming foreign minister in a reshuffled cabinet, replacing current diplomat-in-chief Kęstutis Budrys.

Veryga, a former health minister, told Žinių Radijas he would only return to a ministerial post if Lithuania faced a crisis, praising the current health minister, Marija Jakubauskienė, as “doing a good job.”

The Social Democrats announced over the weekend they would exclude the liberal “Nemuno Aušra” faction from the ruling coalition and begin negotiations with the Democrats to form a new 75-seat majority in parliament, while retaining the Farmers and Greens.

Sinkevičius also revealed he had discussed a potential cabinet role with his first deputy, Robertas Duchnevičius, the mayor of Vilnius District, though he described the talks as “very abstract” and said no concrete plans had been made.

Media outlet Lrytas reported Monday that Duchnevičius had been considered for the position of interior minister, currently held by the Social Democrats’ Vladislavas Kondratovičius.