Social democrats, farmers and democrats to begin coalition talks

Negotiators from the Social Democratic Party, the Farmers and Greens Union, and the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” will meet on Thursday for three-party talks to form a new ruling coalition, LRT reports.

Representatives from the Social Democrats and Democrats had already met on Wednesday. After the meeting, Lithuanian Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius told journalists that no fundamental disagreements had been found between the parties’ programmatic positions.

The Democrats have submitted proposals for both the coalition agreement and the government programme, including a family support package, reducing bureaucracy, and providing social assistance to those in need.

According to Sinkevičius, while specific positions and potential candidates were not discussed, “the Democrats have ambitions to be more visible in the government’s composition.”

The Social Democratic negotiation group includes party leader and Jonava mayor Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, Vilnius district mayor Robertas Duchnevičius, Transport Minister Juras Taminskas, parliamentary faction elder Orinta Leiputė, and Deputy Speaker of the Seimas Rasa Budbergytė.

The Democratic negotiation group consists of party leader Virginijus Sinkevičius and MPs Linas Kukuraitis, Lukas Savickas, Tomas Tomilinas, Jekaterina Rojaka, and Domas Griškevičius.

The Farmers and Greens Union negotiation team includes party leader Aurelijus Veryga, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas Aušrinė Norkienė, Economy and Innovation Minister Edvinas Grikšas, and Raseiniai district mayor Arvydas Nekrošius.

The ruling party decided over the weekend to end its coalition with “Nemuno aušra” and invited the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” to join the majority instead. Discussions about reviewing the coalition were prompted by “Nemuno aušra” representatives voting against the establishment of the Kapčiamiesčio polygon, criticism from the party’s leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis towards ministers and coalition decisions, and controversial statements. Additionally, Žemaitaitis has been convicted by a first-instance court for antisemitism.

The current coalition holds 80 seats in parliament. A coalition of Social Democrats, Democrats, and Farmers and Greens would have 75 votes.

After the 2024 Seimas elections, the Social Democrats had formed the ruling coalition with “Nemuno aušra” and the Democrats, but last autumn, they restructured the majority by inviting the Farmers and Greens Union parliamentary faction to replace the Democrats.