Liberal leader says Social Democrats chose Žemaitaitis as a “convenient” coalition partner

The Social Democratic Party opted for a coalition with Remigijus Žemaitaitis’ Nemuno Aušra party because it guarantees key positions for their members, Liberal Movement leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said in an interview with LRT.lt.

Čmilytė-Nielsen claimed the Social Democrats had never formally approached the Liberals about joining their coalition, despite past discussions. She argued that Žemaitaitis serves as a “convenient” partner for the Social Democrats by securing votes for their candidates—such as Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė and Minister of Transport Marius Skuodis—while deflecting criticism away from the party itself.

“Žemaitaitis ensures the votes so they [the Social Democrats] won’t be ousted from their positions,” she said.

Reflecting on the Liberal Movement’s past decade, marked by a major political corruption scandal in 2014, Čmilytė-Nielsen acknowledged the initial difficulties but noted a resurgence in recent years. Since taking leadership in 2019, she said the party had attracted new members, including younger activists, and performed strongly in municipal and parliamentary elections.

“The painful period became a lesson in resilience,” she said, adding that the party’s commitment to liberal values had helped it endure. She also suggested that recent attacks from radical factions only reinforced the importance of centrist, rational political forces.