Lithuania’s ruling Social Democrats delay coalition decision until leadership vote

The governing Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has postponed a final decision on potential coalition changes until after its upcoming congress elects new leadership, party chair Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced Thursday.

Following a two-hour meeting of the party’s council, Sinkevičius confirmed that the LSDP had ruled out forming a coalition with the conservative Homeland Union and the Liberal Movement. All other options, he said, remain under consideration.

“We did not expel anyone, we did not invite anyone. But the door is ajar,” Sinkevičius told reporters, maintaining ambiguity about the party’s next steps. He presented three possible scenarios to the council—maintaining the status quo, reconstructing the existing coalition, or delaying a decision until after the congress—but stressed that no final choice had been made.

The LSDP leader also criticised Remigijus Žemaitaitis, head of the junior coalition partner Nemuno aušra (Dawn of Nemunas), suggesting his actions “may harm the state.” Sinkevičius questioned why Žemaitaitis’ party would face scrutiny for missing a vote on a defence policy issue while another coalition partner, which also abstained, would not.

Sinkevičius, who is running for re-election as party chair and is considered the frontrunner, indicated the new leadership would determine the coalition’s future “in a few weeks.” Earlier this week, he acknowledged “minimal discussions” with the opposition Democratic Union “For Lithuania” but denied active negotiations.

The LSDP’s current coalition partners include Nemuno aušra and the Labour Party. The party’s congress is scheduled for late May.