Most potential LSDP leadership candidates decline to challenge Sinkevičius

Most candidates nominated by local branches of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) have declined to run against acting leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius in the upcoming May leadership election, with only two politicians still considering their options, LRT reports.

Sinkevičius, who currently leads the party on an interim basis, announced his candidacy on Tuesday. His nomination was backed by 52 of the party’s 60 branches. Three branches proposed Vilniaus District Mayor Robertas Duchnevičius, while single nominations went to Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, MPs Orinta Leiputė, Vytautas Grubliauskas, Kęstutis Vilkauskas, Tadas Prajara, and Alytus Mayor Nerijus Cesiulis.

Duchnevičius, who had previously stated he would not seek the leadership, reiterated his position, telling BNS: “To all branches considering my nomination, I have said that I will not accept such a decision and will support Mindaugas Sinkevičius. He is the head of our municipal election campaign, and right now, our focus should be on that responsibility.”

Olekas, Leiputė, and Grubliauskas have also ruled out running, pledging their support to Sinkevičius. Cesiulis confirmed he would remain focused on Alytus, stating: “I will continue working for the city and will run for mayor. Those who want to lead Lithuania can take on that role, while I can contribute with my experience and advice where needed.”

Only MPs Vilkauskas and Prajara have yet to announce their final decisions. Additional nominations may still be submitted during the party’s congress on May 1.

The extraordinary leadership election follows the resignation of former leader Gintautas Paluckas last summer amid legal scrutiny. The new leader will serve a one-year term, completing Paluckas’s original mandate. The LSDP, currently the largest party in the Seimas with 52 seats, is also considering extending the standard two-year leadership term to four years.