This summer is the last chance for social democrats to exit a toxic situation, expert says

A political expert has warned that this summer marks the last opportunity for Lithuania’s Social Democrats to distance themselves from a damaging political environment, LRT reports.

Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the party’s leader and candidate for prime minister, has stated that the current government is turning a new page, with changes in coalition partners, the premier, and some ministers. President Gitanas Nausėda has expressed hope that this will be the final government of the current term, a sentiment analysts support, citing Sinkevičius’ experience and political backing, as well as a lack of alternatives.

Nausėda revealed that he had encouraged Sinkevičius to take on the role of prime minister as early as last year. “By all political standards, it is more acceptable for a party leader to head the government. It is the most natural solution,” the president said. Inga Ruginienė, who previously served as acting prime minister, echoed this, stating that the current changes should have happened earlier. “This step was delayed,” she noted.

Political commentator Benas Brunalas described the situation as one where the party had chosen Sinkevičius for the role, shifting responsibility away from him. “It’s as if to say, ‘the party decided to put me here, not me myself,’ so all the blame is not on me,” Brunalas commented. Sinkevičius himself avoided delving into past decisions, stating, “I could have taken over last summer, but these decisions come with time. That time has come.”

Last summer, Sinkevičius had just returned to his position as mayor of Jonava after a court cleared him in the so-called “cheque case,” which experts believe influenced his hesitation to assume the premiership. “He clearly suffered trauma from this, which only deepened the doubts of an already naturally hesitant leader about whether he could be prime minister,” Brunalas said.

Political analyst Tadas Ignatavičius added that the Social Democrats had appeared lost, insecure, and lacking courage. When leadership was lacking, Ruginienė stepped in. “I am different, I am as I am, and I plan to remain so—empathetic, sensitive, but also concrete and constructive,” Ruginienė said at the start of her tenure. Ignatavičius praised her bravery, noting that “when men were falling like leaves or hiding in the bushes, it took courage to lead the government and take responsibility.”

However, Ruginienė’s eight months in office were overshadowed by controversies involving coalition partner “Nemuno aušra” leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis, as well as scepticism from within her own party. “The political noise surrounding the government’s work was too loud for its achievements to be visible. It was like a dish with an overpowering sauce,” said communications expert Aistis Zabarauskas.

Ignatavičius noted that Ruginienė’s work was further complicated by a lack of recognition from her own party’s faction, particularly its older members. The Social Democrats’ ratings also plummeted to record lows during this period.

Zabarauskas warned that this summer represents the last chance for the party to exit what he described as a “toxic, poisonous wagon” and move forward. “Later, a series of political events will begin—Lithuania’s EU presidency and municipal elections—that will make it very difficult to reset the system,” he said. The country currently faces a complex geopolitical situation, requiring responsible leadership, political maturity, and sincere effort, according to the president, who has now nominated Sinkevičius for the premiership.