Lithuanian farmers and greens leader surprised by social democrats’ early coalition talks
The leader of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS), Aurelijus Veryga, has expressed surprise that the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) is already discussing potential changes to the ruling coalition before electing a permanent chairperson, LRT reports.
Speaking to ELTA on Tuesday, Veryga called the timing unusual, noting that such decisions would logically follow the selection of new leadership. “I was a little surprised that this issue was raised so early by the social democrats,” he said. “I truly expected—and thought—that it would be addressed and decided once they have a new chairperson.”
Veryga emphasised that any shifts in the coalition would be a serious matter, requiring a stable LSDP leadership to implement. “Right now, everything is temporary, in limbo—even if decisions are made, they need to be carried out,” he said. “This isn’t a joke. It seems like names on paper are changing, but the question isn’t about renaming parties in the coalition agreement. The question is whether anything would change in the programme or elsewhere.”
He added that such weighty issues should not be left to an interim chair, even if that person is likely to become permanent.
Sinkevičius: No immediate changes planned
Acting LSDP chair Mindaugas Sinkevičius, who is running for the permanent position, stated after a party board meeting that no coalition changes are expected for now. Concrete decisions, he said, would come only after the leadership transition. The party will elect its new chair on May 1.
Sinkevičius acknowledged that cooperation with the “Nemuno Aušra” faction, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, has harmed both the party and the state. He also noted that questions arose about future collaboration with other coalition partners—specifically the LVŽS and Christian Families Union—after some of their members opposed the establishment of the Kapčiamestis training ground.
“Even if we’re discussing removing one partner today, how would we explain keeping another who also didn’t vote in favour?” Sinkevičius asked.
Veryga, however, said he had not discussed the matter with Sinkevičius after the meeting and saw no cause for concern over the coalition’s stability. “No, it certainly doesn’t cause alarm,” he said, despite his own disagreement with two colleagues who voted against the training ground. “The majority of our board supports the project, but there are two with a different view—though this isn’t the only issue where our opinions diverge in the coalition.”
He stressed that while political parties may disagree on certain matters, such conflicts are not critical enough to threaten the coalition’s functioning. At the same time, Veryga suggested that if the LSDP has grievances, they should be addressed openly: “If there are visible disagreements, perhaps we should think about how to resolve them. Maybe it’s worth listening to our proposals on the training ground.”
Discussions about the future of “Nemuno Aušra” in the coalition have been ongoing for some time, reignited after part of the faction voted against the Kapčiamestis project.