Social Democrats face growing pressure from Žemaitaitis as coalition talks continue, says political analyst

Coalition negotiations in Lithuania are becoming increasingly difficult for the Social Democratic Party due to persistent demands from the Labour Party (Darbo Partija), political scientist Laurynas Bielinis said in an interview with LRT’s Dienos tema on Monday.

Speaking on the ongoing power-sharing discussions—currently involving the Social Democrats, the centre-right New Dawn (Nemuno Aušra) and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union—Bielinis warned that Labour leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen (known as Žemaitaitis) will likely push her party’s agenda more aggressively as talks progress.

“As time goes on, Žemaitaitis will pull the Social Democrats into increasingly uncomfortable situations,” Bielinis said.

His remarks follow former Democratic Union “For Lithuania” leader Saulius Skvernelis’ announcement that his political career is over amid corruption allegations. Skvernelis, a former prime minister and interior minister, faces a parliamentary vote on lifting his legal immunity after prosecutors launched a probe into suspected influence-peddling during his tenure as police commissioner general.

Rima Urbonaitė, a political analyst at Mykolas Romeris University, noted that while Skvernelis retains the presumption of innocence, the case has already damaged his reputation. “People will form opinions before any court ruling—politicians must accept that,” she said, adding that his Democratic Union has effectively distanced itself from him by electing an interim leader.

The shifting political landscape comes as coalition partners weigh their options ahead of potential government reshuffles. New Dawn’s opposition to a planned military training ground in Kapčiamiestis has further strained relations, with lawmakers from the party voting against the project last week.