Social Democrats approve new coalition agreement, clarity expected after Joninės

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) council has approved a coalition agreement drafted by negotiators from three political parties, LSDP leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius confirmed on Tuesday.

“The summary is that when voting on the presented document as the result of the work of the three negotiating groups, the three negotiating sides, the potential coalition members, it was unanimously approved,” Sinkevičius told reporters after the council meeting.

He added that the council discussed whether the text aligned with the party’s expectations and left-wing policy goals, with some members offering praise and others criticism. Around 170 council members participated, with only nine abstaining.

“This means an absolute majority supported it, which essentially frees our hands to finalise the process and possibly sign the agreement with coalition partners this week,” Sinkevičius said.

Earlier in June, the Social Democrats decided to remove “Nemuno aušra” from the ruling majority and invited the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” to join the coalition instead. The coalition agreement between LSDP, the Democrats, and the Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) is expected to be signed this week, securing 75 seats in the Seimas.

Sinkevičius, who intends to become prime minister, said he expects clarity on the composition of the new government’s ministers after the Joninės (Midsummer) holiday. He plans to present a final list to the party’s presidency once discussions with potential candidates are complete.

“I would like, perhaps I’m being too ambitious, but I think that after Joninės, by the end of that week or the following, I would like to have some kind of answer, because we will need to informally or formally discuss this with the president. I think the president would also like to know not only after the official submission but in advance,” he said.

Aurelijus Veryga, leader of the Farmers and Greens Union, confirmed that his party’s council also approved joining the new ruling majority and the coalition agreement. Out of 58 participants, 57 voted in favour, with one abstention. He noted that only one technical issue regarding an annex to the coalition agreement remains to be resolved.

Sinkevičius announced on Tuesday via Facebook that he would take responsibility for leading the government, replacing current Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.