Lithuanian conservatives claim social democrat leader open to changing coalition partners

The leader of Lithuania’s opposition conservative Homeland Union (TS-LKD), Laurynas Kasčiūnas, has stated he believes Social Democrat chief Mindaugas Sinkevičius would be willing to abandon the current coalition partners, though internal resistance within his party may prevent such a move.

Speaking to Žinių Radijas on Thursday, Kasčiūnas said Sinkevičius “would be prepared to change the coalition deal,” but faces opposition from senior figures like Juozas Olekas, Orinta Leiputė, and Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, who recognise that any shift would trigger new negotiations over government positions.

“I’d say it’s 50-50 whether there’ll be a change in the ruling majority or not,” Kasčiūnas said. “If earlier I only saw the Social Democrats making half-hearted attempts to find alternatives to ‘Nemuno Aušra,’ now the discussions are more serious.”

The Social Democratic Party’s governing council decided late Wednesday to leave any potential coalition changes to its newly elected leadership, though Sinkevičius has previously suggested that the current partner, the liberal-conservative “Nemuno Aušra,” may be harming the state. Earlier this week, he confirmed minimal talks with the centre-right Democrats “For Lithuania” but denied active negotiations.

The ruling coalition of Social Democrats, “Nemuno Aušra,” and the Farmers and Greens Union currently holds 81 seats in the 141-member Seimas.

Kasčiūnas also dismissed criticism from fellow TS-LKD member Mato Maldeikis, who had questioned the party’s leadership in an interview with Delfi. “In the year and a half I’ve led both the party and its parliamentary group, I’ve often commented on our MPs’ initiatives—but I honestly can’t recall any substantive proposals from Mr. Maldeikis,” Kasčiūnas said, urging focus on “teamwork.”

TS-LKD holds 28 seats in the Seimas, making it the largest opposition party.

Reporting by Paulius Perminas, BNS, via LRT.