Coalition-forming party leaders to hold remote meeting

Leaders of the parties forming Lithuania’s new coalition will hold a remote meeting on Monday to finalise the coalition agreement, LRT reports, citing ELTA.

Virginijus Sinkevičius, acting chairman of the Democrats “For Lithuania” party, said he expects the document to be finalised. Last Friday, representatives of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Democrats “For Lithuania”, and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) completed a draft of the coalition agreement, though some details still require alignment among party leaders. The agreement is expected to be signed this week.

Negotiations are also underway to clarify the distribution of ministerial portfolios. Media reports suggest Democrats “For Lithuania” may secure the Energy and Health ministries, with a third portfolio—either Environment or Agriculture—still under discussion.

The LSDP council previously decided to dissolve its ruling majority with the “Nemuno Aušra” party and begin consultations with Democrats “For Lithuania”. Following the decision to end the coalition with “Nemuno Aušra”, discussions arose about replacing current Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė with LSDP leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius, though he has not yet confirmed whether he would accept the role.

President Gitanas Nausėda urged Sinkevičius to announce his decision promptly and expressed hope that coalition talks would conclude quickly. The current ruling majority in the Seimas holds 80 seats, while a new coalition would have 75.

Tensions in the current coalition escalated after some ruling partners in the Seimas failed to support the establishment of the Kapčiamiestis military training ground. Criticism of the coalition with “Nemuno Aušra” has been voiced by several LSDP members, with President Nausėda also increasingly criticising the collaboration.