Lithuanian conservative leader compares coalition delay to an alcoholic avoiding problems

The leader of Lithuania’s conservative party Nemuno aušra (Dawn of Nemunas), Remigijus Žemaitaitis, has likened the ruling Social Democrats’ delay in finalising coalition talks to “an alcoholic trying to forget their problems by drinking,” warning that postponement only worsens instability, LRT.lt reports.

Speaking to the public broadcaster on Thursday, Žemaitaitis criticised the Social Democrats for pushing back a decision on coalition membership until May, arguing that such hesitation risks undermining voter trust. “It’s like someone prone to alcoholism—at night they drink, thinking they’ve forgotten the problem, but in the morning it’s still there,” he said. “The same is happening with Nemuno aušra in the coalition. We should resolve this, but instead they say, ‘Let’s wait another week.’”

The conservative leader claimed that without Nemuno aušra, the Social Democrats would appear unstable and could suffer heavy losses in future elections, reducing their current 52 seats to as few as 16–20. He dismissed internal Social Democrat disputes as “distraction tactics” and accused the party of failing to present a unified stance.

Žemaitaitis also defended his party’s controversial stances, including proposals to restrict abortion—except in cases of rape—as a means to improve Lithuania’s demographic decline. He rejected claims by political scientist Asta Ramonaitė that Nemuno aušra fuels polarisation, instead blaming liberal and conservative factions for escalating conflicts. “In Nemuno aušra, we have a democratic system with authoritarian elements,” he admitted, contrasting it with what he described as chaos within the Social Democrats.

Addressing criticism from Social Democrat MP Mindaugas Sinkevičius, who recently accused Nemuno aušra of harming the state, Žemaitaitis countered by citing the Fegda corruption scandal as equally damaging. He also criticised Social Democrat members who publicly oppose their own leadership, a practice he claimed would never occur in his party.

The coalition negotiations follow the resignation of former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, with Social Democrats now led by Mindaugas Sinkevičius. Žemaitaitis insisted that only a united front between the two parties could ensure stability, warning that any split would benefit Nemuno aušra at the Social Democrats’ expense.