Lithuanian social democrats say coalition council will avoid “fights, scuffles or collapses”

The ruling coalition in Lithuania will not face internal conflicts during Tuesday’s coalition council meeting, despite ongoing tensions over policy disagreements, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has stated.

Mindaugas Sinkevičius, acting chairman of the LSDP, told Žinių Radijas that no “fights, scuffles or collapses” were expected, dismissing speculation about a potential coalition breakdown. He confirmed that social democrats plan to reassess the coalition’s future in mid-April during a party board meeting.

The comments follow renewed strain after most MPs from the coalition partner Nemuno Aušra (New Dawn) voted last month against advancing legislation to establish the Kapčiamiesčio military training ground in Lazdijai district. Seven of the party’s lawmakers, including leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis, opposed the bill, arguing the poligon was unnecessary for air defence. Three MPs from the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) also voted against it.

Sinkevičius described the LVŽS as a “reliable partner” despite their internal challenges, stating: “The Farmers’ faction has its own dilemmas and problems, but their problems are their problems. I consider them reliable partners, and we can certainly continue working together.”

The coalition council meeting is set to review the spring parliamentary session and the Kapčiamiesčio poligon vote. The bill passed its initial reading on March 24 with 102 votes in favour, 10 against, and six abstentions, relying on opposition support after coalition divisions surfaced.

Separately, Sinkevičius addressed tensions over unfilled vice-ministerial posts, claiming Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė had proposed two solutions to LVŽS leader Aurelijus Veryga. “I know the prime minister presented alternatives—there were even two of them,” he said, though Veryga suggested the options may not have been fully considered. Ruginienė has declined to comment on technical details.

The dispute stems from a January decision by Nemuno Aušra-led ministries to dismiss LVŽS-appointed vice ministers, including Artūras Pekauskas at the Agriculture Ministry. The LVŽS has accused larger coalition partners of delaying resolutions to the standoff, which Aušrinė Norkienė, the party’s Seimas vice-speaker, called a source of tension.