Lithuanian ruling coalition to convene next week

The governing coalition’s council is expected to meet next week, according to an advisor to Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė, state news agency ELTA reported Wednesday.

Ignas Algirdas Dobrovolskas, the prime minister’s advisor, confirmed the planned session but did not specify an exact date. The meeting follows a first parliamentary vote on the controversial Kapčiamiesčiai military training ground project, which passed with 102 lawmakers in favor, 10 against, and 5 abstentions.

Opposition came from seven members of the “Nemuno aušra” (Dawn of Nemunas) faction—Aidas Gedvilas, Daiva Petkevičienė, Tomas Domarkas, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, Vytautas Jucius, Petras Dargis, and Mantas Poškus—as well as three from the Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families Union: Valius Ąžuolas, Rimas Jonas Jankūnas, and Ignas Vėgėlė. Five lawmakers, including “Nemuno aušra” member Lina Šukytė-Korsakė and Democrat Linas Urmanavičius, abstained.

The agenda is expected to include discussions on coalition partners’ support for the project, as previously indicated by Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius. Social Democrat Rasa Budbergytė also suggested the meeting may address the faction’s alleged serious violations of parliamentary rules.

Separately, Deputy Speaker Aušrinė Norkienė of the Farmers’ party told Žinių Radijas that unresolved disputes over deputy minister appointments should also be on the table.