Social Democrats, Democrats, and Farmers to sign coalition agreement

Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party (LSDP), the Democrats’ Union “For Lithuania,” and the Farmers and Greens Union will sign a coalition agreement on Thursday, according to a report by LRT.

Orinta Leiputė, the elder of the LSDP faction in the Seimas, said negotiations with the two parties had proceeded smoothly. “It went quickly and smoothly, but the process was intensive. Perhaps the easier course is also because we had the 19th Government, when the coalition was being formed. Some issues were already discussed and resolved. Now, some of the proposals from both the Democrats and the Farmers will be included in the coalition agreement, while others will be part of the Government’s programme,” she told ELTA.

The new government, the 21st in Lithuania’s modern history, is expected to be led by LSDP chairman Mindaugas Sinkevičius, who announced his candidacy for prime minister on Tuesday. The current Speaker of the Seimas, Juozas Olekas, a Social Democrat, is set to continue in his role.

Last week, leaders and negotiators from the three parties agreed on the distribution of ministries. The Democrats’ Union “For Lithuania” will take over the ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Health in the new government. The ruling LSDP will retain control of nine ministries, while the Farmers and Greens Union will keep two: Economy and Innovation, and Justice.

Sinkevičius said clarity on the potential cabinet members is expected after the Joninės (Midsummer) holiday.

Earlier this month, the LSDP council decided to change the current ruling majority, removing “Nemuno aušra” (Dawn of Nemunas) and starting consultations with the Democrats’ Union “For Lithuania.” The current ruling majority in the Seimas has 80 members. If the new coalition is formed, it will have slightly fewer, with 75 votes.

Tensions in the current coalition increased after some ruling partners in the Seimas did not support the establishment of the Kapčiamiestis military training ground.