Veryga says social democrats clearly signal upcoming changes in prime minister

Coalition talks between Lithuania’s social democrats, democrats, and the Farmers and Greens Union have entered a second round, but the question of who will lead the government remains unresolved, reports LRT.

According to Aurelijus Veryga, leader of the Farmers and Greens Union, his party has no major objections to the current prime minister, Inga Ruginienė. However, he noted that signals about a potential change in leadership have been circulating for some time.

“We’ve been hearing hints about possible changes at the head of the government for quite a while,” Veryga said on LRT’s Dienos tema programme. He acknowledged that the issue of leadership is the main obstacle preventing further progress in the negotiations.

The coalition agreement, expected to be signed next week, must include the names of the speaker of the Seimas (parliament) and the prime minister. Veryga emphasised that while his party has no fundamental concerns about Ruginienė’s competence, the political dynamics suggest a shift may be inevitable.

“Social democrats are communicating quite clearly that there will be changes,” Veryga stated, adding that his party respects their decision, as the social democrats are the ones delegating the prime minister.

When asked whether a recent ruling by the Chief Official Ethics Commission—finding that Ruginienė had grossly violated the law by conflating public and private interests—had influenced his party’s stance, Veryga said the decision was recent and had not yet been discussed internally. However, he noted that such rulings contribute to the broader decision-making process.

Veryga also addressed criticism from Virginijus Sinkevičius, leader of the Democrats, who has publicly questioned Ruginienė’s leadership. Veryga suggested that the social democrats may prefer their party leader, Mindaugas Sinkevičius, to take the role, as it could help mobilise the party more effectively.